eBay vs. Amazon Handmade: Which is Right for Your Crafts?

Amazon Handmade vs. eBay: The Ultimate Guide for Craft Entrepreneurs

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In the bustling world of e-commerce, handmade sellers have more choices than ever for showcasing their unique creations. Two of the most powerful platforms available are Amazon Handmade and eBay. While both offer access to massive audiences, they are fundamentally different marketplaces with distinct philosophies, fee structures, and seller experiences. Choosing the right one can be the key to turning your passion into a profitable business.

This comprehensive guide will break down the critical differences between these two e-commerce giants. We will explore everything from seller fees and audience demographics to product categories and the application process, giving you the clarity you need to decide which platform is the perfect home for your handmade goods.

Table of Contents

What is Amazon Handmade?

Launched in 2015, Amazon Handmade is the e-commerce titan’s answer to the artisan market. It’s a curated, boutique-style marketplace nestled within the broader Amazon ecosystem. The core philosophy is to provide a trusted space for customers to buy genuinely handcrafted goods directly from the artisans who make them.

So, what is amazon handmade exactly? It’s an invite-only platform where every seller is vetted through a rigorous application process to ensure their products are truly handmade, hand-altered, or assembled by them or a small team. This exclusivity helps it stand out as a dedicated amazon homemade market. The strict amazon handmade requirements are in place to maintain the integrity of the marketplace and build customer confidence. Once approved, sellers gain access to Amazon’s world-class fulfillment services (Fulfillment by Amazon – FBA), powerful analytics, and enormous customer base.

What is eBay’s Marketplace for Crafters?

eBay is one of the original online marketplaces, a vast and sprawling platform where you can find almost anything imaginable. While not exclusively for handmade items, it has always been a welcoming home for artisans and crafters. The key question for many is, can you sell handmade items on ebay? The answer is an unequivocal yes.

Unlike the curated nature of Amazon Handmade, eBay is an open-door marketplace. This means anyone can create a seller account and list their products with very few barriers to entry. Sellers often ask, can you sell crafts on ebay, or even, can you sell homemade items on ebay? Again, the answer is yes. From handcrafted jewelry to custom furniture, eBay’s flexible category structure accommodates a massive range of artisan goods. The platform’s strength lies in its flexibility, offering both auction-style and fixed-price (“Buy It Now”) listings, giving sellers multiple ways to reach a global audience.

Platform Showdown: Key Differences Analyzed

Understanding the core operational differences is crucial when deciding where to invest your time and energy.

  • Application Process: The onboarding experience is a major point of divergence. To learn how to sell on amazon handmade, you must complete a detailed application that includes information about your business, photos of your creation process, and images of your workspace. It’s a true artisan audit. In contrast, learning how to sell handmade items on ebay is much simpler; you can set up a seller account and create your first listing in under an hour.
  • Listing Style: Amazon Handmade uses a standard, catalog-style product page format. This creates a uniform and professional look across the marketplace. eBay offers more customization in its listings, allowing sellers to use unique templates and branding, though this can sometimes lead to a less consistent shopping experience.
  • Branding: Amazon Handmade allows sellers to create a custom “Artisan Profile” page, which acts as a storefront to tell their story. eBay sellers can create branded Storefronts, which are highly customizable, especially for those with a subscription.

Audience and Customer Base: Who Are You Selling To?

The type of customer you want to reach will heavily influence your choice of platform.

  • Amazon Handmade: The audience here is tapping into Amazon’s massive pool of Prime members who are accustomed to fast shipping and a seamless checkout process. These buyers often come to the platform with high purchase intent, specifically searching for unique, high-quality handmade gifts and goods. They value the trust and convenience of the Amazon brand.
  • eBay: eBay’s audience is incredibly diverse and global. It includes bargain hunters looking for deals in auctions, collectors seeking rare and unique items, and everyday shoppers. While this broad reach is a significant advantage, your handmade items will be listed alongside vintage goods, used products, and mass-produced items, meaning you have to work harder to stand out to the right buyers.

The Fee Structure: A Head-to-Head Cost Comparison

Profitability often comes down to fees. Here’s how the two platforms stack up.

Amazon Handmade has a seemingly straightforward fee structure. There is no monthly fee to sell; the standard $39.99/month Professional Selling plan fee is waived for approved Handmade artisans. Instead, you pay a referral fee on each sale. The handmade at amazon fees consist of a flat 15% referral fee on the total sale price (including shipping). This simplifies the question of how much does it cost to sell on amazon handmade, as it’s a consistent percentage. These amazon handmade seller fees are all-inclusive, with no separate listing fees.

eBay’s fee structure is more complex. It typically involves two main costs:

  1. Insertion Fee: A non-refundable fee for creating a listing (sellers often get a certain number of free listings per month).
  2. Final Value Fee: A percentage of the total sale amount (including shipping and handling). This percentage varies by product category but is generally around 13.25% for most categories, plus a $0.30 per-order fee.

Sellers can also subscribe to an eBay Store for a monthly fee, which reduces these costs and provides additional tools. When you evaluate the handmade e-commerce marketplace company ebay on price, you must account for these variable costs.

Product Diversity and Quality: Curation vs. Open-Door Policy

The approach each platform takes to product quality and variety defines the shopping experience.

Amazon Handmade’s strict vetting process is designed to ensure a consistent level of quality and authenticity. This curation means customers can shop with a higher degree of confidence. However, it also limits the types of products available to specific, approved categories like Jewelry, Home & Kitchen, and Clothing.

Conversely, eBay’s open nature allows for incredible product variety. This is a key factor when you evaluate the handmade jewelry company ebay on product diversity; you’ll find everything from simple beaded bracelets to fine, artisan-crafted metalwork. The sheer volume and variety of handmade jewelry company ebay product diversity is a major draw. However, this same openness means quality can vary significantly. Therefore, it’s essential to evaluate the handmade jewelry company ebay on product quality by carefully reading seller reviews and checking their feedback scores. Many customers rely on handmade jewelry company ebay product quality reviews to make informed decisions. For sellers in the U.S., it’s important to evaluate the handmade jewelry company ebay on product quality in united states specifically, as domestic shipping and communication can be easier for local buyers. Ultimately, when you evaluate the handmade e-commerce marketplace company ebay on product quality, you are relying heavily on the reputation of the individual seller, not the platform itself.

The Etsy Factor: How Does It Compare?

No discussion of handmade marketplaces is complete without mentioning Etsy. Often seen as the go-to platform for crafters, Etsy sits somewhere between Amazon Handmade’s curation and eBay’s open marketplace. The conversation often becomes etsy vs amazon handmade. Etsy is exclusively for handmade, vintage, and craft supply items, giving it a highly focused and passionate community. Compared to Amazon, its fees are generally lower, but it lacks Amazon’s massive built-in customer base and powerful fulfillment network.

When looking ahead at the amazon handmade vs etsy 2025 landscape, many predict Amazon will continue to leverage its logistics and Prime membership to attract both sellers and buyers, while Etsy will double down on its community-focused, niche appeal. Many sellers find success using a multi-platform approach, leveraging both platforms to maximize their reach. The amazon handmade vs etsy debate is a popular one, with compelling arguments on both sides.

The Final Verdict: Is Amazon Handmade or eBay Right for You?

So, is amazon handmade worth it? And what about eBay? The best choice depends entirely on your products, goals, and business style.

Choose Amazon Handmade if:

  • Your products are 100% handmade and fall into one of their approved categories.
  • You want to tap into a massive, purchase-ready audience that trusts the Amazon brand.
  • You can benefit from Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) to handle your storage, packing, and shipping.
  • You prefer a simple, percentage-based fee structure.

Many positive selling on amazon handmade reviews highlight the “set it and forget it” nature of FBA and the high volume of traffic. Based on numerous amazon handmade reviews, for many sellers, is selling handmade on amazon worth it is a resounding yes due to the sheer scale.

Choose eBay if:

  • You want maximum flexibility in what you sell and how you sell it (auctions vs. fixed price).
  • Your products don’t fit into Amazon Handmade’s specific categories.
  • You want more control over your listing’s branding and appearance.
  • You are comfortable with a more complex fee structure and enjoy the “thrill of the hunt” that auctions can provide.

For many artisans, especially those just starting or those with highly unique items, eBay provides an accessible and powerful platform to build a brand from the ground up.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I sell on both Amazon Handmade and eBay?
Absolutely. Many successful handmade entrepreneurs use a multi-channel strategy, listing their products on both platforms (as well as others like Etsy) to maximize visibility and reach different customer segments.

How should I evaluate the handmade jewelry company ebay on price?
To evaluate the handmade jewelry company ebay on price, you need to analyze the total cost of a sale. This includes the insertion fee (if applicable) and the final value fee, which is a percentage of the total amount the buyer pays, including shipping. Compare this against your product’s profit margin to ensure it’s a viable sales channel for you.

What is the best way to sell handmade products on amazon?
The best way to sell handmade products on amazon is through the Amazon Handmade program. It is specifically designed for artisans and provides benefits like a waived monthly fee and access to Prime shipping via FBA. If you don’t qualify, you can still list handmade items on the regular Amazon marketplace, but you will be competing with mass-produced goods and will need a UPC for your products.

Is selling handmade jewelry on amazon profitable?
Yes, selling handmade jewelry on amazon can be very profitable. The platform has a massive customer base actively searching for jewelry. Success often depends on high-quality product photography, competitive pricing, good keywords in your listings, and positive customer reviews.

When considering a platform, is it evaluate the handmade jewelry company ebay?
When sellers ask, “is it evaluate the handmade jewelry company ebay?” they are often asking if eBay is a worthwhile platform to assess for their business. The answer is yes. Due to its vast audience and flexible listing options, it is always worth evaluating eBay as a potential sales channel for any handmade jewelry business.

How do I evaluate the handmade e-commerce marketplace company ebay on price?
To properly evaluate the handmade e-commerce marketplace company ebay on price, you must consider all potential fees: insertion fees, final value fees, and any optional listing upgrade fees or store subscription costs. Use eBay’s fee calculator to model your potential costs on a few different products before committing.

What if I want to sell crafts on amazon but don’t qualify for Handmade?
You can still sell crafts on amazon through the standard seller program. You will need to register for a Seller Central account, and your products will likely need a UPC/EAN barcode. You’ll be listed in general categories and will compete directly with all other products, not just handmade ones.