The rules of the internet are always changing and these two companies are by no means static. Almost everything has changed and I want to tell you why it's a closer tie for 2012. I also want to tell you why you might want to consider adding Artfire to your e-commerce mix if you haven't already.
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The Rules have Changed. Etsy has listened!
In our 2011 comparison, we really slammed Etsy for its confusing fee structure, manipulative search engine structure, shop limitations, and required sign up as the main reasons why Artfire was preferred. Now in 2012, Etsy has delivered changes and improvements that easily make up for or totally reverse these negatives from 2011. This calls for an updated perspective!
In our 2011 comparison, we really slammed Etsy for its confusing fee structure, manipulative search engine structure, shop limitations, and required sign up as the main reasons why Artfire was preferred. Now in 2012, Etsy has delivered changes and improvements that easily make up for or totally reverse these negatives from 2011. This calls for an updated perspective!
You Will Reach More People
How Etsy and Artfire aren't in direct competition, and why you should care.
Before we delve too deeply into how Etsy has improved, let's look at how Etsy and Artfire have positioned themselves in the online world. Actually, you will find that these two sites are poised to go after two completely different groups of consumers, and are not in as direct competition as you think.
If you are selling online, your main concern should be whether you are seen by the people who will want to buy your product. If these two e-commerce sites deliver your product to the computer screens of uniquely different target consumers, your next step should be to determine who those people are and who your product will most appeal to- and maybe the answer is both.
Your Target Market Will Appreciate it
...and you'll actually be able to find them
Many fall fast and hard for the great community and social currency system created by Etsy. But are your customers the kind that will truly appreciate and buy into their system too?
Think about it- right now, Etsy rewards their sellers who buy from other sellers and leave positive reviews. They pass on those positive reviews to your shop, displaying them on your shop page as if it was you that had received that positive review. And guess what, leaving a negative review for someone else will hurt you too. This system was designed to induce creative people to buy from other creative people. This is their community culture and if you're selling on Etsy, other sellers and Etsy community members had better be your target market.
If however, you sell items that would appeal to those whom Etsy may not draw and capture (Men!!, Busy People!!, Non-Creatives!!) the list goes on, then Artfire is definitely worth a shot. Their intent is ease of use, not holding you hostage in a community where you will likely spend more than you sell. Albeit a very homey, lovely, bunting-wrapped hostage situation.
Google Will Love You Better
Artfire.com has a very open user interface that feeds off 3rd party search results. As stated on their FAQ sheet, they use part of your monthly fee to advertise their site, with a typical monthly advertising goal of 100 million impressions in 30 days. Theirs is a no-strings attached philosophy with one monthly fee and unlimited listings. They don't require a consumer to be part of a community (or "sign up") to place an order. Meanwhile, Etsy.com has created its own online ecosystem, requiring sign up and constantly encouraging you to return through direct e-mail marketing. Their philosophy is to sell the customer not on your products as an individual seller, but to sell the customer on their shopping experience and community.
In the online world SEO (search engine optimization) is everything for being seen and heard. Etsy sells itself as an online community on outside search engines, where Artfire tries to get your individual products there next to the big box guys. Want to learn more about SEO? Read a Professional Marketing Consultant's #1 Tips
Musings on Internal SEO (for dorks only)
The search engine structure for Etsy no longer rewards those with the biggest pocket book by giving them the highest listings. Charging for the top listing in default search results was an unfair practice- both to the artist and consumer. By listing in order of most recent listing, Etsy manipulated customer's search results by showing those products that had paid to be there, not those that most closely matched their query. They finally heard our cries and made this system better for the shop owners and the consumers. Now they just ask you to pay for an ad if you want to be seen at the very top (a Google-like structure). Artfire always recommended leaving your products alone after posting them, because deactivating or re-listing items could damage your placement in search results. Now that Etsy has removed the costly and time consuming 20 cent re-listing scheme, you will see your 3rd party search engine results improve. Edits to your Etsy are now easier than ever too, and won't cost you a dime in re-listing fees. It's about time they caught on!
Artfire is Free to Try, You Have Nothing To Lose
Not sure whether Artfire will actually help you reach a new market? Try it and see.
And if you're ever answering that age-old question "Do you sell online?" Don't direct them to your Etsy shop where your sale could be drowned out and eaten alive by a community of cannibals! Send them to Artfire, where buying your product doesn't require they buy into a whole culture, too.
Musings on Internal SEO (for dorks only)
The search engine structure for Etsy no longer rewards those with the biggest pocket book by giving them the highest listings. Charging for the top listing in default search results was an unfair practice- both to the artist and consumer. By listing in order of most recent listing, Etsy manipulated customer's search results by showing those products that had paid to be there, not those that most closely matched their query. They finally heard our cries and made this system better for the shop owners and the consumers. Now they just ask you to pay for an ad if you want to be seen at the very top (a Google-like structure). Artfire always recommended leaving your products alone after posting them, because deactivating or re-listing items could damage your placement in search results. Now that Etsy has removed the costly and time consuming 20 cent re-listing scheme, you will see your 3rd party search engine results improve. Edits to your Etsy are now easier than ever too, and won't cost you a dime in re-listing fees. It's about time they caught on!
Artfire is Free to Try, You Have Nothing To Lose
Not sure whether Artfire will actually help you reach a new market? Try it and see.
And if you're ever answering that age-old question "Do you sell online?" Don't direct them to your Etsy shop where your sale could be drowned out and eaten alive by a community of cannibals! Send them to Artfire, where buying your product doesn't require they buy into a whole culture, too.
