Even if you have a successful business on Etsy, Ebay or Amazon (or another marketplace platform), you still need to build your own website!
If you follow my blog and/or articles, you have probably heard this before!!
Malcolm and I set up our wholesale and retail websites back in 2004 — before the 
explosion of Etsy style marketplaces. I admit, I watched and wondered …. and saw may people become successful using this type platform. But, on the other hand, I also heard the horror stories from folks who lost their site and could do nothing about it! (Check out my article: Etsy Shop or Your Own Website).
Over the years, more and more experts are suggesting selling on both platforms, rather than the either-or mindset.
Cassie and Carrie from Hand Made Success also agree with this strategy:
Yes, creating your own website IS worth it
Here are a few reasons why…
I love Etsy and my business wouldn’t be where it is today without Etsy, but Etsy does have it’s downfalls. Etsy is an unstable marketplace that you do not have complete control over. Etsy features can happen one week causing an unmanageable influx of orders, get pulled 2 weeks later causing a dry spell when you just hired extra help, they change their SEO and format constantly, and their traffic can change with no warning or explanation. Zenned Out has been subject to each of these uncontrollables, with mixed results.
Need some more reasons?
- A website is a more powerful extension of your brand
- Customers and retail buyers (especially) will take you more seriously
- You can have a blog
- You can capture customer emails with proper opt-ins
- You have COMPLETE control over everything. No one can change your website or suddenly change your traffic without your permission.
- Oh, also, those pesky Etsy fees, you won’t have to pay those anymore! Side note, building a website might cost you some $ eventually, but in the long run you’ll be saving, why not start now?
Setting up your own website is not too difficult — even if you have limited knowledge with technology.
Personally, we tried a few ecommerce platforms and hated most of them!! That was until we found 3DCart!
NOTE: If you are interested in my review of 3DCart, you can check it out here: Amazing E-Commerce Shopping Cart Software.
The important take-away here is to make sure you have your own personal website, even if your products are on Etsy (or other similar platforms)
More article on the subject:
- Why You Want Your Own Website
- Selling on Your Personal Website
- Deciding on an E-Commerce Website
- Etsy Shop or Your Own Website