General Lifestyle Shop Online Beats Amazon?
— 5 min read
Etsy remains the top handmade marketplace, but Amazon Handmade offers a viable alternative for Irish sellers seeking a broader global reach. Both platforms let you showcase craft, yet they differ in fees, audience and community feel.
Three properties in Los Angeles, worth over $30 million, were highlighted in a Los Angeles Times, showing how a single number can change a story. Here’s the thing about online marketplaces: a single platform can change a maker’s fortunes just as dramatically.
Why Etsy Has Been Ireland’s Go-To Handmade Hub
When I first started covering craft retailers for a general lifestyle magazine, Etsy was already a household name among Dublin’s makers. The platform launched in 2005, positioning itself as a digital market square where independent artists could set up shop without a brick-and-mortar cost. In my experience, the Irish craft community gravitated to Etsy because it felt like an extension of our local craft fairs - you could scroll through a sea of Aran sweaters, Celtic jewellery, and Galway-made ceramics as if you were walking past the stalls on a rainy Saturday.
One of the biggest draws is Etsy’s search algorithm, which rewards niche keywords. I was talking to a publican in Galway last month, and he mentioned a local potter who swears by the phrase “hand-thrown stoneware Galway” to appear at the top of search results. That kind of granular discoverability is priceless for a maker who sells only a few dozen pieces a year.
Community also matters. Etsy runs forums, webinars, and even a “Etsy Teams” feature that lets Irish sellers join groups like “Made in Ireland” to share tips and collaborate on pop-up events. I’ve seen sellers swap resources on everything from sourcing Irish linen to navigating EU VAT rules - a support network that feels genuinely Irish.
Fees are transparent: a $0.20 listing fee per item and a 6.5% transaction fee on the sale price (including shipping). For a small-scale crafter, those costs are predictable and often lower than the commissions taken by traditional galleries.
Lastly, Etsy’s brand is synonymous with handmade authenticity. When a tourist in Cork asks where they can buy a genuine Irish gift, the answer is almost always “Etsy.” That reputation drives traffic and trust, which is crucial for makers without a large marketing budget.
Key Takeaways
- Etsy offers strong niche search visibility for Irish makers.
- Community tools help sellers collaborate across the island.
- Fees are flat and predictable, ideal for low-volume sellers.
- Brand reputation drives trust among international buyers.
- Ideal for crafts that thrive on storytelling and heritage.
Amazon Handmade: The New Contender
Amazon launched its Handmade section in 2015, aiming to tap the growing demand for artisanal goods. At first glance, the platform feels like a different world - massive logistics, Prime shipping, and a corporate brand that rarely mentions “handmade” in its advertising. Yet, for Irish sellers eyeing the U.S. market, Amazon’s reach is hard to ignore.
Sure look, Amazon’s algorithm prioritises sales velocity and customer reviews over the romantic story behind a piece. That means a crafter who can consistently fulfil orders and garner five-star ratings can climb the ranks quickly. I spoke with a Galway knitwear designer who moved a portion of her inventory to Amazon Handmade last year. Within six months, her “Aran-inspired cardigan” started appearing in the “Customers also bought” carousel next to mainstream fashion brands.
The fee structure differs: Amazon charges a 15% referral fee on the total sale price, plus a $0.40 per-item fee for the first 30 items sold each month, after which the per-item fee drops to $0.20. While steeper than Etsy’s, the cost is offset by Amazon’s massive buyer base and its Prime eligibility, which many shoppers now expect.
One advantage for Irish makers is Amazon’s fulfilment network. By enrolling in Fulfilment by Amazon (FBA), sellers can store inventory in EU warehouses, ensuring faster delivery across Europe. This is a game-changer for a craftsperson in Kilkenny who struggled with high shipping costs to the UK and mainland Europe.
However, there are trade-offs. Amazon’s seller dashboard is less community-oriented; there are no “Teams” or forums dedicated to Irish makers. Customer expectations around returns are stricter, and the platform’s policies can feel unforgiving for bespoke items that require custom sizing.
Overall, Amazon Handmade suits makers who can scale production, handle rapid shipping, and thrive on volume sales. It’s less about the romance of the craft and more about tapping a global audience with Amazon’s logistical muscle.
Comparing the Two: Fees, Reach, and Community
| Feature | Etsy | Amazon Handmade |
|---|---|---|
| Listing Fee | $0.20 per item | None (referral fee only) |
| Transaction/Referral Fee | 6.5% of sale price | 15% of sale price + $0.40/item (first 30 items) |
| Average Delivery Time (EU) | 3-5 business days (seller-handled) | 2-3 business days (FBA) |
| Community Support | Forums, Teams, webinars | Limited seller forums |
| Brand Perception | Handmade-focused, artisan-friendly | Mass-market, Prime-driven |
The numbers speak for themselves, but the story behind them matters. An Irish jewellery maker who values direct interaction with buyers might prefer Etsy’s community-driven environment. Meanwhile, a ceramic studio that can produce in larger batches may find Amazon’s logistics appealing.
Fair play to both platforms: they each solve a different problem. Etsy solves the “how do I tell my story?” puzzle, while Amazon solves the “how do I get my product into a customer’s hands tomorrow?” challenge.
Case Study: A Galway Crafter’s Journey from Etsy to Amazon
Last spring, I visited a small studio in the heart of Galway where Siobhán O’Malley hand-paints traditional Irish motifs on ceramic mugs. She’d built a modest following on Etsy over three years, selling about 30 mugs a month at €25 each. “My customers love the story,” she told me, “but the shipping costs to the US were eating my margins.”
“I was looking for a way to keep my craft alive without spending all my profit on postage,” Siobhán said.
After a deep-dive into Amazon’s FBA programme, Siobhán shifted 60% of her inventory to Amazon Handmade, using a fulfilment centre in Dublin. Within two months, her “Celtic Knot Mug” appeared in the “Prime” filter, and sales in the United States jumped from 5 to 45 units a month. The higher referral fee was offset by the lower shipping expense and the surge in volume.
Her story illustrates a broader trend among Irish makers: a hybrid approach. Many keep a boutique presence on Etsy for high-margin, story-driven sales while using Amazon to capture the high-volume, low-margin market. The key, she says, is “knowing your numbers and staying true to the craft.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Which platform has lower fees for a small Irish seller?
A: Etsy’s flat $0.20 listing fee plus a 6.5% transaction fee is generally lower than Amazon Handmade’s 15% referral fee and per-item charge, making it cheaper for low-volume sellers.
Q: Can I sell on both Etsy and Amazon simultaneously?
A: Yes, many Irish artisans run a dual-store strategy, using Etsy for boutique, story-rich items and Amazon for higher-volume, fast-shipping orders. Just keep inventory levels synced to avoid overselling.
Q: How does shipping differ between the two platforms for EU customers?
A: Etsy leaves shipping entirely to the seller, so delivery times depend on individual handling. Amazon Handmade, when using FBA, can guarantee 2-3-day delivery across the EU, leveraging Amazon’s logistics network.
Q: Is there a strong Irish community on Amazon Handmade?
A: Not to the same extent as Etsy. Amazon focuses on global reach rather than regional community building, so Irish sellers often create their own networks outside the platform.
Q: How do EU VAT rules affect sellers on each platform?
A: Both platforms now collect VAT at checkout for EU buyers, but Etsy provides a simpler dashboard for small sellers. Amazon’s system can be more complex, especially when using FBA across multiple EU warehouses.
