Selling Woodworking Online vs Locally: Marketplaces, Your Own Website, Markets and Galleries Compared
Marketplaces bring buyers but take fees; your own site keeps the margin but needs traffic; local sales avoid shipping. Most successful makers mix two or three channels.
Sell small, shippable items (boards, boxes, gifts) online through handmade marketplaces for reach, add your own website as you grow to keep more margin, and sell large furniture locally or by commission to avoid freight. Local markets and galleries build relationships and repeat customers. Most makers do best with one online and one local channel, priced to cover each channel’s fees.
- Online marketplaces bring ready buyers but charge listing, transaction and payment fees
- Your own website keeps more margin but you must bring the traffic
- Local sales and commissions avoid shipping — ideal for furniture
- Galleries and shops take a large commission but reach buyers you can’t
- Price for each channel’s fees so every sale is profitable
On this page (5 sections)
“Where should I sell my work?” has no single answer. It depends on what you make, how big it is, how much time you want to spend selling, and how much of each sale you need to keep. Here is how the main channels compare.
The channels at a glance
| Channel | Reach | Costs | Effort | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Handmade marketplace | High — buyers already searching | Listing, transaction and payment fees | Medium | Small, shippable gifts |
| Your own website | Low at first | Hosting and payment fees | High — you bring the traffic | Repeat buyers, plans, brand building |
| Social media shops | Depends on your audience | Payment fees | Medium | Makers with an engaged following |
| Craft fairs and markets | Local, seasonal | Booth fees, travel, display | High on show days | Gifts, kitchenware, meeting customers |
| Galleries and shops | Their customers | Commission on each sale | Low once placed | Fine craft and higher-end pieces |
| Commissions | Word of mouth | Your time quoting and designing | Medium | Furniture and custom work |
Selling online
Marketplaces are the easiest start: buyers are already looking for handmade goods. The trade-off is fees, competition and less control over your brand. Great photos and clear titles matter most — see photography for woodworkers.
Your own website keeps more margin and builds something you own, including an email list. It works best once you have an audience from social media, local sales or search. See social media for woodworkers.
Online selling also means packing and shipping. Small items ship easily; furniture needs crating or freight — read shipping large furniture before you list big pieces.
Selling locally
- Markets and fairs: instant feedback and cash flow — see selling at craft fairs.
- Local shops and galleries: consignment or wholesale; build relationships with owners.
- Commissions: custom furniture for local clients, with delivery — see managing client commissions.
- Local listings and community groups: free and surprisingly effective for furniture.
Price for the channel
Every channel takes a cut. A board that is profitable at a market may lose money after marketplace fees and free shipping. Work out your base price with how to price woodworking for profit, then add each channel’s fees and shipping on top.
Keep your retail price the same everywhere and build the channel costs into it. Buyers who find you in two places and see two prices lose trust.
A sensible way to start
- Start local: a market or two and word of mouth.
- Add one online channel for your most shippable items.
- Build an email list from every sale and every show.
- Add your own website as you grow, and move repeat customers there.
A recognisable brand makes every channel work better — see branding your woodworking shop, and when demand outgrows your time, scaling your woodworking business.
Questions woodworkers ask
Is it better to sell woodwork on a marketplace or my own website?
Marketplaces are easier to start because buyers are already searching there. Your own website keeps more of each sale and builds your brand, but you must drive visitors through social media, email and search. Many makers use both.
Can I ship furniture profitably?
Large furniture is expensive to ship and risky to pack. Many makers sell large pieces locally or by commission with delivery, and ship only small items. If you do ship furniture, quote freight separately.
How much do galleries take?
Commission rates vary widely, often a substantial share of the retail price. Price your wholesale or consignment amount so you still make a profit after the gallery’s cut.
Do I need to charge sales tax?
In many places, yes, and marketplaces may collect it for you. Rules differ by location — check with your local tax authority.
What sells best online?
Items that are easy to photograph, ship and gift: cutting boards, serving boards, boxes, kitchen utensils, small decor and personalised pieces.
Plans for your next project
Michael Wood
Founder of WoodCraft Corner. Fifteen years at the bench, hundreds of projects, and still learning something new every week.
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