Best Platforms to Sell Your Handmade Wooden Animal Figurines and Toys for Kids

Selling handmade wooden toys, such as animal figurines or wooden playsets, has become more accessible thanks to the growth of online marketplaces for artisans. Whether you are a first-time seller or looking to expand your business, selecting the right platform can help you reach a larger audience and grow your brand. Below, we explore the best platforms to sell your handmade wooden animal figurines and toys for kids, focusing on user base, fees, ease of use, and the types of products each platform excels in.

Etsy Why It’s Popular: Etsy is one of the most trusted platforms for handmade goods, including wooden animal figurines and toys. Its eco-friendly community and emphasis on craftsmanship make it an ideal marketplace for selling personalized wooden playsets and toys. Key Features:

• Ease of Use: Simple setup, perfect for beginners.

• Built-in Audience: Millions of buyers searching for unique, handmade items.

• Search Visibility: Strong SEO features to help increase product visibility.

• Fees: $0.20 listing fee per item, plus a 6.5% transaction fee and payment processing fees.

• Ideal For: Artisans looking to reach an audience that appreciates high-quality, handmade wooden toys.

Shopify Why It’s Popular: Shopify offers complete control over your online store, making it perfect for sellers who want to create a branded space for their wooden toys. It also offers scalability, which is excellent for growing businesses. Key Features:

• Full Control: Customizable themes and plugins for a unique online store.

• Multiple Sales Channels: Integrates with social media platforms and other marketplaces.

• Scalability: Ideal for expanding businesses.

• Fees: Monthly subscription starting at $29, plus transaction fees for third-party payments.

• Ideal For: Sellers who want complete control over their store and branding.

Amazon Handmade Why It’s Popular: Amazon Handmade connects artisans to Amazon’s vast customer base. It offers fulfillment options like Prime shipping, which is perfect for sellers looking to expand their reach. Key Features:

• Global Reach: Access to millions of potential customers worldwide.

• Prime Eligibility: Option for Prime shipping for faster delivery.

• Trusted Platform: Leverage Amazon’s reputation for reliability.

• Fees: No listing fees, but a 15% referral fee per sale, with a $39.99 monthly subscription for professional sellers.

• Ideal For: Artisans who want large-scale exposure and the benefits of Amazon’s global reach.

Big Cartel Why It’s Popular: Big Cartel is an excellent platform for small-scale artisans. It offers an affordable and user-friendly interface, making it a great choice for newcomers. Key Features:

• Affordability: Free plan available for up to five products.

• Ease of Setup: Very user-friendly for beginners.

• Customization: Personalize themes to fit your brand.

• Fees: Free plan for up to five products, paid plans starting at $9.99/month, no additional transaction fees.

• Ideal For: Small-scale artisans looking for a budget-friendly option.

Folksy (UK) Why It’s Popular: Folksy is a UK-based marketplace for handmade products, perfect for British artisans looking to sell locally. It focuses on eco-friendly, handcrafted toys, making it ideal for those selling natural wooden toys. Key Features:

• Niche Audience: Perfect for UK artisans seeking local sales.

• Community-Driven: Strong focus on supporting independent makers.

• User-Friendly: Easy for new sellers to navigate.

• Fees: £0.15 listing fee, plus a 6% commission on sales. Folksy Plus plan available for £5/month for unlimited listings.

• Ideal For: UK artisans selling handmade wooden toys locally.

Zibbet Why It’s Popular: Zibbet allows you to manage multiple storefronts, including Etsy and eBay, all from one place, making it ideal for sellers with products on multiple platforms. Key Features:

• Multi-Channel Management: Manage listings on multiple platforms.

• Low Fees: No listing fees, flat monthly fee for each sales channel.

• Customizable Store: Clean layout with customization options.

• Fees: $5/month per sales channel (e.g., Etsy, eBay, Zibbet).

• Ideal For: Artisans looking to sell across multiple platforms with one dashboard.

Madeit (Australia) Why It’s Popular: Madeit is Australia’s largest handmade marketplace, offering a local platform for artisans to sell their wooden toys. It’s a great choice for Australian artisans creating eco-friendly, handmade wooden toys. Key Features:

• Local Focus: Ideal for reaching Australian customers.

• Support for Small Makers: Provides tools and support for business growth.

• Curated Marketplace: Focus on quality handmade products.

• Fees: AUD $5/month subscription and 4% commission on sales.

• Ideal For: Australian artisans looking to sell locally.

Conclusion

Selecting the right platform depends on your goals and the level of control you want over your shop. Whether you choose large marketplaces like Etsy and Amazon Handmade or opt for the flexibility of Shopify and Big Cartel, there’s a platform that fits every artisan’s needs. Choose the one that aligns with your business goals, and watch your handmade wooden animal figurines and toys capture the hearts of customers everywhere!