Selling merchandise online can be tricky, especially since there are so many options to consider. For this post, I have chosen several websites that I have purchased from myself. While I may not have ever been on the selling end of the transaction, I feel that it is good to hear from both sides of the deal.
My number-one recommendation for selling merch is Bandcamp because of its easy, user- and artist-friendly platform. Bandcamp combines the online merch store with the streaming service – every album can be played for free (most bands limit the number of album plays to three), and there is an option to purchase the digital release.
Bandcamp also offers the ability to sell a digital album for free, or “name your price” which lets the buyer purchase for zero or more dollars. The option to give money when it is not required is for those who wish to donate to the band. For merch sales, Bandcamp lets artists sell anything they want, from cassette tapes to vinyl and from stickers to hoodies.
I have purchased from Bandcamp plenty of times before, and upon the purchasing of a physical copy of an album, the site grants the digital version for free. With the digital version, the buyer can stream it infinitely on the website and download it. This is useful especially for analog media such as vinyl or cassette tapes that cannot be transferred to a computer or phone.
The next platform is BigCartel, an online storefront that I see a lot of bands using today. BigCartel is similar to StoreEnvy, but nothing like Bandcamp. Even still, the platform is easy to use, and an artist can sell whatever merch they please. I have purchased from BigCartel a few times before, and it is very user-friendly. For those who prefer a more traditional approach to online merchandise selling, BigCartel is your answer.
Finally, I recommend Discogs, an online music database and store. While the site is mainly for third-party sellers, I have seen artists and labels selling their own material on it as well. Selling on Discogs has several advantages: first, bootlegs exist, and people will find comfort in knowing they are buying directly from the artist. Second, Discogs is a database, meaning you can upload your band and discography information, making it available for reference from fans and collectors.
As a CD collector, I purchase from Discogs every once in a while. I wouldn’t say it’s as easy to use as Bandcamp or BigCartel, but that it because of how specific it can get. Bandcamp’s search function is so poor that bands with common names will never show up when searched. With Discogs, every version of every format can be uploaded under its own unique page. Discogs has a very messy look, but it is easy to navigate once you get used to it.
For more information, questions or help, email me at themetalvoid@gmail.com.