Print-on-demand (POD) is revolutionizing the way creators sell their artwork and designs. It allows you to offer a vast array of products without the hassle of managing inventory or handling production. Two prominent players in the POD world are Zazzle and Etsy, each catering to a unique set of creators and offering distinct advantages. This blog post delves into a comprehensive comparison of Zazzle and Etsy, dissecting their features, traffic, pricing structures, and marketing strategies to help you make the best decision for your creative business.
Table of Contents
- I. Platform Overview
- II. Traffic & Target Audience
- III. Product Trends & Sales Potential
- IV. Fees & Pricing
- V. Marketing & Social Media
- VI. Unique Platform Features
- VII. Making the Choice: Zazzle or Etsy?
- VIII. FAQ Section
- Conclusion
I. Platform Overview
A. Zazzle
Zazzle operates on a pure POD model. You create designs and upload them to Zazzle, applying them to a vast catalog of over 1,500 products ranging from t-shirts and mugs to phone cases and home decor. Zazzle takes care of the entire fulfillment process, from printing and shipping to customer service and billing. This hands-off approach allows creators to focus on designing and marketing, with no upfront inventory costs.
B. Etsy
Etsy, while having a POD component, is best described as a marketplace for handmade and unique items. This encompasses a broader spectrum, including vintage goods, craft supplies, and digital downloads. Etsy’s strength lies in its massive monthly traffic, attracting a huge customer base searching for personalized, one-of-a-kind products. Etsy’s POD offerings include customizable t-shirts, mugs, tote bags, and other items commonly found on platforms like Zazzle. While Etsy does offer a great potential for sales, it’s important to note that there are listing and transaction fees associated with selling on the platform.
II. Traffic & Target Audience
A. Monthly Traffic
When considering “Zazzle vs Etsy,” traffic is a key factor. The table below compares the estimated monthly traffic for several prominent POD platforms:
| Platform | Monthly Traffic (Estimated) |
|---|---|
| Etsy | 373.3 million |
| Redbubble | 25 million |
| Zazzle | 17 million |
| T-public | 7.6 million |
| FineArtAmerica | 6.2 million |
| Society6 | 5.2 million |
Etsy clearly dominates the landscape in terms of monthly visitors. This indicates a significantly larger pool of potential customers, making it a more competitive but potentially more lucrative platform.
B. Target Audience Demographics
Understanding the target audience is crucial for both Zazzle and Etsy. While both platforms attract a diverse range of customers, their demographics lean differently. Etsy’s user base skews slightly more female, while platforms like Redbubble have a slight majority of male users. Displate, a platform focused on metal posters, appeals predominantly to a male demographic.
When deciding between “Zazzle and Etsy,” or other platforms, consider your target demographic. For example, if your designs are tailored for a female audience, Etsy’s demographic might be more advantageous.
III. Product Trends & Sales Potential
A. Zazzle Bestsellers
Identifying trending product categories is key to success in POD. On Zazzle, invitations, business cards, and baby shower items stand out as top sellers. Creators can leverage this information to tailor their designs to these high-demand categories, increasing their sales potential.
B. Etsy Bestsellers
Etsy’s bestsellers reflect its focus on handmade and unique items. While POD is available, shoppers on Etsy are drawn to distinctive crafts, vintage finds, and personalized gifts. POD products that align with these themes, such as custom-designed tote bags, phone cases, or t-shirts with unique artwork, tend to perform well.
C. Other Platforms
The POD landscape offers diverse opportunities across various platforms. Redbubble, known for its vibrant community, sees stickers, t-shirts, and posters as its top sellers. Society6, with its focus on art and home decor, thrives on art prints, wall art, curtains, shower curtains, and pillows. FineArtAmerica, as its name suggests, caters to a more traditional art market, specializing in paintings and prints.
IV. Fees & Pricing
A. Zazzle Pricing Structure
Zazzle stands out with its free listing policy. Creators are not charged any upfront fees to list their designs on the platform. Profit is generated through royalties, which are set by the creator and calculated as a percentage of the product’s selling price. This makes Zazzle an attractive option for those starting out, eliminating financial barriers to entry. Zazzle also offers volume discounts for creators who want to purchase their own products in bulk, potentially for offline sales or promotional purposes.
B. Etsy Pricing Structure
Etsy, unlike Zazzle, charges a listing fee of 20 cents per item and a 5% transaction fee on each sale. While this might seem like a drawback, especially when comparing “Zazzle vs Etsy,” it’s essential to remember that Etsy’s massive traffic volume can potentially offset these fees. Etsy’s pricing structure remains significantly lower than the cost of selling on platforms like Amazon or setting up an independent e-commerce site. Etsy also offers free promotional tools, including coupons and sales, helping creators drive customer engagement and boost sales.
V. Marketing & Social Media
A. SEO Optimization
Both Zazzle and Etsy allow creators to optimize their listings for search engines. Utilizing relevant tags, descriptive titles, and detailed product descriptions is crucial for enhancing discoverability within each platform’s search results. Etsy’s paid advertising platform can also influence search rankings, offering creators a way to boost their visibility for specific keywords.
B. Social Media Strategies
Social media plays a vital role in driving traffic to POD platforms. Analyzing data from platforms like SimilarWeb reveals key insights. Pinterest is the top referrer for both Zazzle and Society6. This suggests that high-quality visuals are crucial when marketing on these platforms. YouTube drives significant traffic to Redbubble, indicating that many users might be researching “how to sell on Redbubble” rather than directly purchasing products. T-public, surprisingly, receives most of its social media traffic from Facebook and Twitter, with Instagram notably absent.
These insights are valuable for creators as they develop their marketing strategies. For example, creators targeting Zazzle or Society6 should prioritize Pinterest as their primary social media channel.
VI. Unique Platform Features
A. Zazzle’s Unique Features
Zazzle offers unique features like volume discounts on product purchases. This can be beneficial for creators who want to purchase their own products at a lower price, either for personal use, offline sales, or for promotional purposes. Zazzle also excels in its customization options, allowing customers to personalize their purchases, adding text, photos, or modifying design elements to create truly unique products.
B. Etsy’s Unique Features
Etsy provides creators with various promotional tools to drive sales and customer engagement. These include coupons, sales events, and the ability to create discounted bundles. Etsy’s analytics dashboard is another valuable tool, providing insights into shop performance, traffic sources, conversion rates, and customer demographics. This data empowers creators to understand their audience, fine-tune their marketing strategies, and make informed decisions to enhance their shop’s success.
C. Etsy’s Advertising Program
Etsy offers an advertising program for sellers who reach $10,000 in sales. The platform will promote these sellers’ items on external platforms, expanding their reach. However, Etsy takes a commission for this service, and sellers do not have control over which items are promoted, how they are presented, or whether they want to participate in the program at all. This lack of control can be a drawback for some creators who want to maintain full autonomy over their marketing strategies.
VII. Making the Choice: Zazzle or Etsy?
The decision between Zazzle and Etsy boils down to your individual needs and preferences as a creator. Zazzle excels in its no-listing-fee model and vast product catalog, offering a more streamlined approach to POD. Etsy, while requiring upfront costs, offers a significantly larger customer base, extensive marketing features, and the potential to sell handmade crafts alongside POD products.
VIII. FAQ Section
Does Zazzle offer any marketing tools?
Yes, Zazzle provides basic marketing tools, including the ability to create promotional coupons and participate in site-wide sales events.
Can I sell digital products on Zazzle?
No, Zazzle is focused solely on physical POD products.
Does Etsy offer any support for POD sellers?
Yes, Etsy has resources and guides specific to POD sellers, including tips for setting up listings, marketing POD products effectively, and handling customer service inquiries.
How do I handle customer service on Zazzle and Etsy?
Both Zazzle and Etsy handle customer service for orders fulfilled through their platforms. However, creators are responsible for responding to any pre-sale inquiries they receive.
Can I use copyrighted images on either platform?
No, both Zazzle and Etsy strictly prohibit the use of copyrighted images without the express permission of the copyright holder. Using copyrighted material can lead to account suspension or legal action.
Conclusion
Choosing the right POD platform is a crucial step for creators seeking to sell their work online. Both Zazzle and Etsy offer unique opportunities and cater to different creative goals and business models. By carefully considering your product type, target audience, and marketing preferences, you can make an informed decision that best aligns with your individual needs and maximizes your chances of success in the vibrant world of print-on-demand. Explore both platforms, experiment, and find the perfect fit for your creative journey.