I am now selling some of my artwork on Amazon!
I got into the Amazon Handmade program in late 2021. Unfortunately with work and other commitments, I didn’t have time to list any of my items there.
Listing on Amazon has a slight learning curve to it. I watched the seller academy videos for a while before I attempted to list anything. They were helpful and easy to follow.
I wanted to write this post to promote my new Amazon listings, and so I can check back in and see if I’ve had any success in the upcoming months. Having an art business can sometimes be tricky. It’s always good to experiment with selling your art on different platforms. So here we are!
Today I’m going to cover a bit of my experience with the Amazon Handmade platform so far, how it compares to Etsy, and if I think it’s worth it. Read to the end to see if I made any sales within my first week on Amazon as well!
Amazon Handmade vs. Etsy
The BIGGEST pro of Amazon Handmade vs. Etsy is Amazon doesn’t charge you to list your items! This is huge to me as Etsy charges you to list AND charges additional fees on top of that when you sell the item. Amazon handmade is just an easy percentage of the sale.
Right now I sell my artwork on my website, Etsy, Amazon, and Poshmark. I am not at the point in my business where I can pick and choose where I want to sell because I count on all the sales from each platform right now.
Amazon Handmade Fees
Amazon sellers have to pay $39.99 a month + selling fees. The good news is when you get approved for Amazon Handmade, they waive the monthly fee!
Of course, Amazon is still going to take a cut, so they deduct a 15% fee when you sell an item. Honestly, I think this is fair, as there is no cost to list your item. There are so many pros and cons to selling on different platforms. With how many people are shopping on Amazon per month, I’m fine with the fee because of how much exposure my listings are getting.
See My Amazon Handmade Listings Here!
Selling On Amazon Handmade As An Artist
The process for Amazon Handmade wasn’t horrible, and they have to verify your business and verify your items are handmade. They will also verify your identity over a video call. The whole process maybe took about a week or so. They don’t just accept any random person off the internet for the program. You have to be real and prove you make the items you sell. I was impressed by this.
Etsy has tons of monthly users per month but Amazon has 100000x more. I don’t know the exact percentages and math isn’t my strong suit, but we all know how popular Amazon is. People are going to the site and they are shopping on it, for everything!
Amazon also has much stricter rules for listing photos, which I don’t really mind as they filter out the junk. The main image has to be the product on a plain white background, and they list a set of guidelines for the other photos as well. Once you’re in the Amazon Handmade program, you get access to their seller academy which is very helpful!
Apply here to sell on Amazon as an Artist: Amazon Handmade Application
So Is Selling On Amazon Handmade Worth It?
We’ll see, but guess what? Within my first week on Amazon, I made two sales! (I may have jumped for joy)! In a few months, I will create an update post on my Amazon selling experience.
If you have questions for me now, just post them below and I’ll answer. I don’t see the harm in trying out Amazon Handmade, as the listings don’t expire and you aren’t paying a monthly fee or a listing fee. The exposure is amazing, I 100% think every artist should try it out.
Shoppers trust Amazon and I think having your work there looks great for your art business. There are so many small businesses on Amazon that many don’t realize. Always support small businesses and don’t forget to support artists!
This post was all about Amazon Handmade and the pros and cons of selling there.
Talk soon!
Amanda The Green Artist
Wow! Thank you Amanda!! You have compiled a great collection of information! Thank you so much!
Annie
Thank you Amanda for this information I have been having such a hars time I became discouraged I have a website but sales are low and im looking for new platforms to sell…
I totally understand how you feel. My motto is always to have your eggs in many baskets. I sell on my own website, Etsy, Amazon, and a few other platforms. I can’t really afford to be picky and just stick with one. I get all different types of customers on all these different platforms.
It definitely helps to sell on several different platforms because if one is slow, you may be having better luck with another site.
Every week is different for me. Some weeks I get lots of sales from Etsy while Amazon is a little quiet, and other weeks Amazon is popping and Etsy is quiet, and some weeks my website is doing great. It’s so random but it makes me thankful to have all these different platforms so I’m not relying on just one.
Best of luck!
-Amanda