7 Best Marketplaces in India to Sell Handmade Items
India has an incredible history and culture of arts and handicrafts that vary by region. Every part of the country has its unique craft, from Rajasthan’s miniatures to Bengal’s Kalighat paintings. Besides these traditional arts, many skilled individuals across the nation create some of the most innovative and exquisite handmade items.
With the rise of online retail, these artisans now have a platform to showcase their art to the world and generate income. While many sellers naturally gravitate towards large marketplaces like Amazon and Flipkart due to their scale, several niche platforms specifically cater to handmade and handcrafted items. These marketplaces are designed to promote artisans and celebrate handmade craftsmanship.
Initiatives to promote local artisans in India have not only been taken by large eCommerce players but also by common folk and smaller organisations. For example, Mittihub, developed by a student from Rajasthan, helps artisans from Rajasthan, Delhi, Agra, and Haryana sell their handmade items online. Similarly, Lal10 is an online wholesale marketplace connecting customers and artisans directly.
In this blog, we’ll explore seven of the best marketplaces where you can sell your handmade items in India.
1. Etsy India
Etsy is one of the most popular global eCommerce platforms focused on handmade, vintage items, and craft supplies. It’s home to everything from jewellery and clothing to home decor, furniture, toys, and artwork. Vintage items, too, can be sold on Etsy if they are at least 20 years old. With around 2.1 million sellers and 39.4 million buyers globally, Etsy offers a massive audience for artisans.
Setting up a shop on Etsy is free, but there’s a minimal listing fee of $0.20 (around INR 15) for each product, valid for up to four months or until the item is sold. Etsy charges a 5% transaction fee on the final sale price and offers offsite advertising for which sellers must pay 15% of sales made via ads.
The platform offers excellent support, and the registration process is straightforward. If any issues arise, Etsy provides customer support via email and callbacks, ensuring you get the help you need.
2. Amazon Karigar
Amazon Karigar is an initiative by Amazon designed to support local artisans by providing them a platform to sell their handicrafts. This marketplace has helped more than 12 lakh artisans and currently showcases nearly 1 lakh handmade products. Artisans can sell their traditional handicrafts to a global audience, making Amazon Karigar one of the best platforms for Indian handicrafts.
To register, your products must be handmade, and you’ll need to provide documents like proprietorship details, contact information, a bank account, GST, and PAN. After registration, Amazon provides a training session, and you’ll have access to account management support for 30 days to help you navigate the platform.
Amazon also runs special promotions such as the ‘Karigar Mela’ to give artisans even more visibility.
3. AuthIndia
AuthIndia is an Indian online marketplace dedicated to showcasing and selling traditional handicrafts and artworks. With more than 15,000 craft items listed and over 30,000 visitors daily, AuthIndia helps artisans sell their products directly to consumers without intermediaries, ensuring that profits go straight to the creators.
The platform deals in traditional Indian crafts, including silk-thread jewellery, home decor, hand-painted crafts, and folk art from across India. The best part? AuthIndia does not charge any registration or commission fees. Artisans can set their prices, and there’s no mandatory GST requirement.
AuthIndia offers banner ads for artisans wishing to boost their visibility and product reach, and the platform’s user-friendly interface makes it easy for artisans to set up shop.
4. Craftsvilla
Craftsvilla is an online marketplace that promotes traditional Indian handicrafts. It offers a wide range of products, including sarees, hand-crafted gifts, home decor, and accessories. With over 25,000 artisans and designers selling more than 4 million products, Craftsvilla is a major player in the Indian eCommerce space for handicrafts.
Craftsvilla’s mission is to eliminate middlemen, improve the livelihoods of artisans, and help them establish their brands. Registration is free, and the platform charges low commissions on sales. There’s no limit on how many products you can upload, and the marketplace provides plenty of opportunities for artisans to grow their businesses.
To register, artisans need to provide their PAN, GST registration, identity proof, bank details, and trademark registration certificate (if applicable).
5. The India Craft House
The India Craft House represents the rich folk and handcraft heritage of India in a modern format. All products are sourced directly from artisans or NGOs working with artisan communities across India. With more than 320 artisans directly connected to the platform, The India Craft House ships internationally, managing warehousing and shipping so artisans can focus on their craft.
The India Craft House allows artisans to accept bulk customised orders, providing a reliable revenue stream. The platform’s unique “Shop by State” feature allows customers to explore the crafts of different regions, making it a standout marketplace for handmade products in India.
6. Kreate
Kreate is a marketplace designed to showcase authentic handmade products created by Indian artisans. The platform caters to various product categories, from paintings and home decor to skincare and clothing. With more than 6,000 creators and 18,000 products listed, Kreate has become a significant player in the handmade sector.
The platform emphasises empowering women artisans, with over 85% of their sellers being women. Registration on Kreate is free, and the platform offers fast payouts, making it a hassle-free option for artisans looking to sell their products online.
7. Go Swadeshi
Go Swadeshi by GoCoop is an award-winning online marketplace that connects artisans, weavers, and cooperatives directly with consumers. The platform primarily focuses on handloom and handcrafted products, ensuring the traditional craft industry thrives in the digital age.
Go Swadeshi by GoCoop is committed to sustainable fashion and fair trade, providing artisans a platform to reach conscious consumers who value authentic, eco-friendly products. Sellers on Go Swadeshi by GoCoop benefit from a commission-free model, with a focus on transparency and ethical business practices. The marketplace also offers international shipping, giving Indian artisans access to global buyers.
Additional Platforms to Sell Handmade Items
Marketplace: Handwork of India-
Marketplace: Handwork of India is a non-profit fair trade organisation that works to promote and support Indian artisans. Their online platform connects consumers to handmade crafts and provides artisans with a sustainable livelihood. The platform primarily offers a variety of handloom textiles, clothing, and home decor, giving global visibility to Indian artisans' traditional skills.
India Handmade-
India Handmade focuses on promoting handmade products from various parts of India. This platform offers categories like home and living, apparel, and fashion accessories, supporting artisans and small businesses. India Handmade’s mission is to showcase authentic handmade crafts while providing artisans with a platform to reach a wider, eco-conscious audience.
Amazon Handmade-
Amazon Handmade is a global platform designed for artisans to sell their unique, handcrafted products. This program gives Indian artisans access to Amazon’s vast customer base, both in India and internationally. With a focus on handmade products across categories like jewellery, home decor, and gifts, Amazon Handmade provides a user-friendly interface for artisans to reach a wide range of consumers.
Ikea’s Local Talent Partnerships-
Ikea has collaborated with local artisans from India and other countries to produce handmade products sold on their international platform. Though your brand name won’t be featured, partnering with Ikea provides artisans with exposure to global markets. This collaboration empowers artisans by allowing them to focus on creating while Ikea handles distribution and sales.
Itsy Bitsy-
Itsy Bitsy is a well-known brand specialising in craft supplies, baby products, and handmade items. The platform offers artisans the chance to sell their products through their marketplace, providing access to a loyal customer base.
Create Your Own eCommerce Marketplace
While marketplaces offer immediate access to an audience, setting up your own eCommerce store can provide more control over your brand. Several platforms can help artisans create their online stores:
- Shopify: Shopify is one of the most popular platforms for creating eCommerce stores. It offers an intuitive interface, marketing tools, and templates that make it easy to launch a store without needing advanced technical skills.
- Magento: For artisans with some technical knowledge, Magento provides a powerful platform for building customizable eCommerce websites. It offers many features that allow you to create a personalised online store.
- BigCommerce and SquareSpace: These platforms are great for artisans looking to expand internationally. They offer flexible solutions to sell various handmade products and allow you to reach a global audience.
- Instagram and Facebook Marketplace: Social media platforms like Instagram and Facebook have become powerful tools for artisans to showcase and sell their products. With a vast user base, these platforms offer a cost-effective way to reach a wider audience.
Selling handmade items in India has never been easier. Whether you choose a dedicated platform like Etsy, Craftsvilla, or GoCoop, or decide to create your own eCommerce store, there are plenty of opportunities to grow your business and share your craft with the world.
For those looking for expert guidance on retail and eCommerce solutions, Ginesys, India’s leading online and offline retail solutions provider, is always here to help. Reach out to us to learn more about how we can assist in growing your online presence.
