Selling handmade felt keychains and quirky bag charms has never been easier, thanks to a variety of online platforms catering to artisans. Whether you’re just starting out or expanding your existing business, choosing the right marketplace can help you reach more customers and grow your brand. Here’s a guide to the best platforms to showcase your handcrafted keychains, considering user base, fees, and features.
1. Etsy
Why It’s Great for Handmade Felt Keychains:
Etsy is the go-to marketplace for handmade and artisan goods, attracting customers looking for unique, fair-trade, and handcrafted items. With a global audience and a strong community of craft enthusiasts, it’s an ideal place for selling your felt keychains.
Key Features:
- Built-in audience: Etsy is a hub for buyers searching for handmade keychains and bag charms.
- SEO & search visibility: Optimize your listings to appear in relevant searches.
- Simple setup: Creating a shop and listing products is user-friendly, even for beginners.
Fees: $0.20 per listing + 6.5% transaction fee + payment processing fee.
Ideal For: Artisans selling felt keychains, wool bag charms, and handcrafted accessories who want to tap into a large, ready-made audience.
2. Shopify
Why It’s Great for Handmade Felt Accessories:
If you want to build a standalone brand for your felt keychains, Shopify is an excellent choice. It gives you full control over your website, branding, and customer interactions.
Key Features:
- Customizable storefront: Build a unique online shop with personalized themes.
- Multiple sales channels: Sell through Instagram, Facebook, and even connect with Etsy.
- Scalability: Perfect for artisans looking to expand their business beyond a single marketplace.
Fees: Starts at $29/month + transaction fees (if using external payment gateways).
Ideal For: Sellers who want a dedicated store with full branding control and multi-channel selling.
3. Amazon Handmade
Why It’s Great for Large-Scale Exposure:
Amazon Handmade offers access to millions of potential buyers worldwide, making it a strong option if you’re ready to scale up.
Key Features:
- Prime shipping eligibility: Attracts customers who prioritize fast delivery.
- Global reach: Ideal for selling felt keychains internationally.
- Trust & credibility: Amazon’s strong reputation helps boost buyer confidence.
Fees: 15% referral fee per sale, but no listing fee. $39.99 monthly professional selling fee (waived for Handmade sellers).
Ideal For: Artisans looking to sell large volumes and leverage Amazon’s fulfillment network.
4. Big Cartel
Why It’s Great for Small Handmade Shops:
Big Cartel is a minimalist, budget-friendly platform for independent artists and makers. If you’re just starting out and want a simple online shop without high fees, this is a great choice.
Key Features:
- Affordable pricing: Free plan available for up to 5 products.
- Easy to use: No advanced tech skills needed.
- Customization: Simple but effective branding options.
Fees: Free for up to 5 listings. Paid plans start at $9.99/month.
Ideal For: Small-scale artisans looking for an affordable and easy-to-use online shop.
5. Folksy (For UK-Based Sellers)
Why It’s Great for UK-Based Artisans:
If you’re selling handmade felt keychains in the UK, Folksy is a niche marketplace that caters specifically to British artisans.
Key Features:
- Focused on UK handmade products.
- Community-driven marketplace with strong artisan support.
- Affordable listing fees.
Fees: £0.15 per listing + 6% commission, or £5/month for unlimited listings.
Ideal For: UK-based sellers looking for a smaller, artisan-focused marketplace.
6. Zibbet
Why It’s Great for Multi-Channel Selling:
Zibbet allows you to manage multiple marketplaces from one dashboard, making it a great solution if you sell on Etsy, eBay, or your own website.
Key Features:
- Multi-channel integration: Syncs with Etsy, eBay, and your standalone store.
- Flat-rate pricing: No transaction or listing fees.
- Simple and clean storefront design.
Fees: $5/month per sales channel.
Ideal For: Artisans selling across multiple platforms who want to streamline operations.
7. Madeit (For Australian Sellers)
Why It’s Great for Australian Artisans:
Madeit is Australia’s largest handmade marketplace, perfect for local sellers.
Key Features:
- Exclusive to Australian handmade products.
- Supportive community and local focus.
- Curated marketplace emphasizing quality craftsmanship.
Fees: Starts at AUD $5/month + 4% commission per sale.
Ideal For: Australian artisans wanting to sell within their local market.
Conclusion
The best platform for selling your handmade felt keychains depends on your business goals:
- For a large, built-in audience: Etsy
- For full branding control: Shopify
- For international exposure: Amazon Handmade
- For a budget-friendly storefront: Big Cartel
- For UK artisans: Folksy
- For multi-channel sellers: Zibbet
- For Australian makers: Madeit
By selecting the right platform, you can expand your reach, attract loyal customers, and turn your whimsical felt creations into a thriving business.