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Traderspace Review

Here is just a quick Pros and Cons list in my opinion about Traderspace. I talk about each of these points throughout the article!

What is Traderspace?

Traderspace is owned by an Australian tech start-up called OpenAirApps. They launched traderspace.io in 2019. It is a universal selling and trading platform that is said to be a hybrid between Etsy, eBay, and Gumtree. Their goal is to be able to provide people with a cost-effective way to do business. It is meant not only for established businesses but new businesses and hobbyists as well. 

At this point (December 2021), they are in the alpha/beta phase of production. There are a lot of pros to this that I will mention throughout the article. They will be moving to the beta phase when the mobile app is released in 2022.

They have just under 300 registered accounts at the time of writing this article. This is very small compared to some platforms that have tens of thousands of accounts or more. Yes, this means that they may not get as much traffic as some of those larger companies, however, they are on track to grow a lot in the near future. If you get in early and get established, I believe this will help as their traffic increases.

You can read some more on their about page here: https://traderspace.io/en/about_traderspace

What can I sell on Traderspace?

On Traderspace, you can sell just about anything. From artworks, clothing, to cars, they have it all. You can also sell services, real estate, post job opportunities, and sell tickets to events. It seems to me that this is an all-in-one place to sell your products. If you are reading this article, you may most likely be an artist. As an artist, you can sell originals, prints, etc. However, Traderspace does not have a print-on-demand service like some other platforms. This means that you can sell anything that you can ship yourself or have drop-shipped to your customers.

In my opinion, having a platform where so much can be sold can be both a positive and a negative thing. It draws other people to the website that wouldn’t normally be searching for art. These potential customers have more of a chance of happening upon your artwork this way. Both people searching for art and not searching for art can discover your page. The negative side of things is that websites like this may not be known for having art which doesn’t make it the first choice of people who are looking to purchase art. As Traderspace builds a reputation, it can become a trusted source for all types of goods, similar to Etsy with its many types of products.

Does Traderspace have a print-on-demand service?

Simply, no. Traderspace does not have a print-on-demand service.

Not having a print-on-demand service is nothing to be worried about. Unless you are solely a digital artist and don’t have a printer or way to print products, you will be just fine. Many print-on-demand websites have such a high base price for these types of products that it is hardly worth it in the end.

Who can sell on Traderspace?

Anyone who has something they would like to sell can create a Traderspace and sell their products or services. The registration process is quite straightforward. It takes you through the steps to have everything set up to sell.

How much does it cost to sell on Traderspace? Is there a commission fee?

At this time they have two different accounts. There is the Standard Account and the Trader+ Account. Here is a little chart showing the differences between the two.

As you can see above, the Standard Account is free. You can have one shopfront and up to ten listings. 

The Trader+ Account is $10 USD a month and has unlimited everything. This means that if you sell different types of products or services, you could have multiple shopfronts for each. You are also not limited to the number of listings you have. You also get unlimited featured Traderspaces and listings. This means that your shopfront and listings can be featured on their website to be more easily discovered by potential customers. 

Both accounts have no platform fees, no seller fees, and no commission fees. This may seem a shock to many but as mentioned before, their goal is to provide a cost-effective way for people to sell their products.

By having a simple flat fee, you aren’t punished so to say for the volume of sales that you make. Whether you sell 1 or 100 products in a month, you are still only paying $10 for the Trader+ Account. 

One other important thing to note. During the Alpha and Beta phases of Traderspace, all of the Trader+ Account features are free for everyone. Once everything is fully launched, the regular fees will then apply. They will make sure to make you aware of when this happens well in advance so you can prepare for it.

Having used many different platforms to sell my art, this almost seems too good to be true. Even if you want to just try it out with a Standard Account, you don’t have to pay anything. If you are having success and want more options, you could then purchase the Trader+ Account. Ten dollars a month seems like a very fair price. This can be compared to platforms that take as high as 40% commission when you sell something. I love the idea of a flat rate, this doesn’t punish you for selling more products.

If you want to read it on their website, here is a link to the costs: https://help.traderspace.io/hc/en-us/articles/360001136336

How and when do I get paid on Traderspace?

Traderspace has five different options for how you can accept payment. They are:

1. Cash
2. Bank Transfer
3. PayPal
4. Bitcoin
5. Ethereum

I don’t know if I’ve ever seen this many options on any of the other platforms I sell my art on.

You can select which payment options you accept and customers will have to use those to pay for your products. I am most comfortable with PayPal so that is how I have set up my account. If you have experience with Bank Transfers, Bitcoin, or Ethereum, then feel free to select those options as well. Cash is used when the customer can locally pick up the product.

When a purchase is made and a payment option is selected by the customer, that is how you receive your payment. There is no waiting a certain number of days before your money becomes available to you or having to hit a minimum amount of money in order to cash out. The transaction happens directly between you and the customer. I appreciate this because on other websites I have had to wait almost two months to receive money. On others, I still have some money just sitting there because I haven’t reached the minimum for requesting payment.

I strongly believe this all proves Traderspace’s commitment to its creators. 

How do I create an account on Traderspace?

You can watch the video at this point _________ or read below.

From the homepage, you have many options to create an account. You can click on the “Create A Traderspace” in the top right, hover over the profile icon to the left and click on “Sign Up”, or click on the “Create Traderspace” on the righthand side.  

They all lead you to the same login/sign-up form. You have the option to sign up and sign in with Facebook, Google, or with an Email.

Personally, I like to still sign up for things with my email but that is up to you. If you sign up with an email, you can create your username right on the first form.

From there, Traderspace will take you through step by step so that you can open your own Traderspace Storefront. 

An important part of Traderspace is adding your location. If you are uncomfortable with this, I assure you, it adds to your experience here.

Again, you can see the whole process on the video starting at **************

Like most other websites I have worked with, the sign-up process is pretty easy. I do want to add though that Traderspace does take the extra step to make sure everything is in line for you to open your shop. Their checklist helps guide you through whereas some other platforms just have you sign up and then you have to navigate your way from there. 

The only thing that I don’t like about the sign-up process is that it made me add a credit card even though I wasn’t using any of the Trader+ features. In my mind, if you allow people to use it for free, then why do you need a credit card. They are very open to suggestions so this will be something I bring up with them.

How do I upload a product to my Traderspace?

You can watch the video at ___________ to see how to upload a product.

Or follow these steps:

1. Click on “View My Traderspace” in the top right corner. 
2. Under your Traderspace photo and name click on “Edit”.
3. Click “Change” under Step 2
4. Click the “Add A New Listing” button
5. Follow the steps from there

It is a bit of a process to get to the page where you can add new listings. Once you know where to go, it is easy. I understand that if you have more than one Traderspace then this is the only way, but I still wish there was an easier way.

How do I edit a listing on Traderspace?

I’ll be honest, it isn’t the most straightforward process. To edit a listing, you must:

1. Click on “View My Traderspace” in the top right corner. 
2. Under your Traderspace photo and name click on “Edit”.
3. Click “Change” under Step 2
4. Find the listing you would like to edit and click on the “Edit” button under it.
5. Follow the steps from there.

You have to go through the process from step one again, you can’t skip through right to the shipping section for example.

This seems more complicated than I think it should be. Many other websites have a listing or shop manager menu that you can reach from your profile. These are just a couple of extra steps.

I also like when all of the editable information is on one page. I don’t like having to click through different steps just to get to adding the photos, for example. I understand some people might like the step-by-step feel but I like it when everything is in one place.

What happens when I sell a product on Traderspace?

When you sell a product, you will be transferred the funds by your preferred method. From there, you are given the information needed to either ship the product or have the customer come and pick it up.

You can read the detailed version of this here: https://help.traderspace.io/hc/en-us/articles/360001136356

How do I ship a sold original artwork?

This is up to you as the artist and seller. Some platforms, like Saatchi Art, will send you the shipping label and schedule a time for a courier to pick up your product. With Traderspace, this is all up to you. 

Personally, I like it this way. Then there are no rules or obligations that the company is putting on you as a seller.

What promotional/marketing opportunities are there on Traderspace?

As I’ve mentioned a little bit already in this article, there are some promotional opportunities with the Trader+ Account. You can have your Traderspace and products featured throughout the website. This is included in the $10 a month subscription fee and doesn’t cost you extra.

I like this system better than other websites that charge you features per product and only for a certain amount of time. By having it included in the monthly subscription fee allows users to more easily access it and is more affordable for many.

The types of promotional products they have are quite normal for sites like this. I just think the way they have gone about it is better than some other platforms.

Where is the Help Page/FAQ on Traderspace?

If you click on the “I” icon beside the shopping cart icon, it will take you to the help page.

The help page is very well put together. There are all types of articles and posts to help you not only get the most out of Traderspace but the most out of selling your products in general. The “Community” section is still very limited since they are new, but I’m sure this section will grow over time.

You can find the help page here as well: https://help.traderspace.io/hc/en-us/

Does Traderspace have a mobile app?

At this point, in December 2021, they do not have a mobile app. However, I have been in contact with them and will have one released in 2022. If you are reading this in 2022 and I haven’t updated this article, please check to see if they have already released it!

How does Traderspace support artists?

My experience with Traderspace up to this point has been nothing but excellent in terms of support. They boast a one-step away system which means that you are able to contact one of the founders with no middle man in between. I love this. This has only happened to me with one other website that I can think of.

They are working with different art groups to try and provide services/resources that will help artists get the most out of their careers.

Traderspace is also working on an educational series with a business focus. Their goal is to help artists and anyone else on their platform succeed.

What is Community Gold (CG) on Traderspace?

Community Gold is the reward currency made by and used only in Traderspace. 

Your Community Gold is used for two functions:

1. It can pay for your monthly subscription.
2. It acts as a ranking system on Traderspace.

Community Gold is earned by participating in the community through performing trades, providing feedback, referring people to the website, and more.

It’s a nice feature added to the website that can reward its users. Below I will talk about the referral program.

Does Traderspace have a referral/affiliate program?

Traderspace has a referral program but not an affiliate program. You can refer others to sign up for Traderspace. A successful referral is when the user signs up and purchases a Traderspace subscription. When you successfully refer people, you will receive 700CG which can cover the cost of one month of a Trader+ Account.

Referral and Affiliate programs vary greatly depending on the platform. Some give cash, others credit, and some give nothing. I appreciate that Traderspace at least has one option. Though I prefer a cash payment for successful referrals, if you can get your monthly subscription paid for by referring others, then that is a bonus for sure.

Have I sold anything on Traderspace?

This is one of the most asked questions when I review any platform. No, I have not sold anything on Traderspace as of December 1, 2021. At this time, I have only been on Traderspace for a couple of weeks now with just one listing. I haven’t had the chance to upload more products to really give myself more of a chance of being discovered and making sales. However, I can see other people have made sales on Traderspace.

If you want to look at my Traderspace, here is the link: https://traderspace.io/en/spaces/brian-sloan-artist

What do I think of Traderspace?

Alright, here is where I will give more of my thoughts about this platform. I decided to divide it up into these four categories. If you feel differently about any of this, I would love to hear from you in the comments below. If you have further questions, please ask and I will respond to you as soon as I can.

Website Layout

Overall the website layout is good but still has some improvements to make. It is important to note though that they are still in the Alpha phase so over the next year there will be some changes made.

I love how you can view products and services based on location. When I first opened it up, it reminded me of Airbnb because of the map that appears. By moving the map you can see what is offered in different locations. Often the location isn’t a big deal in our modern world of international shipping, but sometimes it is nice to buy local and this makes it really easy to do that!

Their homepage is very simple and straight forward which I love. Too often, websites try to jam pack too much on their homepage and it just gets confusing.

One noticeable thing I feel is lacking about the layout is the lack of a solid footer. I appreciate it when there is a footer on websites that give me quick links to the about page, FAQs, important pages, etc. This isn’t a major flaw but it is something that I think could be thought about. On other websites when I’m in doubt about where to find something it is usually always in the footer.

I mentioned earlier in the article that I wished there was an easier way to access/edit the listings. There are a lot of options in the drop-down menu when you hover over your profile picture but listings aren’t one of them.

Features

There are some solid features to this platform. They give you the chance to have more than one storefront. Maybe you like making two completely different products. Or possibly you provide services that don’t relate to your products. Well, you can create multiple Traderspaces all on the same account so it is easy to manage for you but separate and easier to find for customers.

I like that there is a messaging system built into the platform. This isn’t to say that potential customers couldn’t just find your contact info in your bio and email you. But by having a messaging system easily available, people are more likely to reach out to you and ask questions.

The statistics are slightly lacking in my opinion. You are easily able to see how much of each product you have sold, and your total visitors on your dashboard, but you aren’t able to see how many views/visits your products have received. I appreciate this kind of data because it helps me know if my work is being found or not at all. In-depth statistics would help creators be more successful on this platform.

As mentioned before, there isn’t a Print-On-Demand feature. Again, I don’t think this is necessarily a bad thing. It encourages you to sell your own products and most Print-On-Demand services take such a big cut that it is hardly worth it for the artist.

One thing I didn’t mention much earlier in the article is the ability for people to follow others on the website. This allows the creator to share announcements with their followers and more easily keep people notified when new products are added to their Traderspace. This is a nice feature that helps build a community around your work. People will be more inclined to check back on your Traderspace if they are receiving notifications for it.

It has the majority of features that all other leading platforms have.

For An Artist

As an artist, I am happy to be a part of Traderspace. Even though other products and services can be sold on this platform, you can tell that there is a solid foundation of other artists joining this platform to sell their work. Traderspace, in my opinion, pushes for purchasing from people and not companies. This allows artists to bring their work to a supporting platform.

From speaking with the founders, they are hoping to be able to build support for artists through this platform. They want it to become a community where artists can collaborate and help each other out. I appreciate this sentiment. They are currently working with general art groups, art groups focused on the disabled, and veteran art groups. Through these programs, and with the help of artist ambassadors, they are building education and awareness content to help empower artists to successful art careers.

They are also compiling an educational series with a business focus. There will be information about how to market your products and much more. They are wanting to help you become the best overall.

Overall

Traderspace is shaping up to be a solid platform where you can sell your artwork. The fact that the standard account is free for 10 listings and there are no seller or commission fees almost makes it a no-brainer that you should try it. If it doesn’t work out, you didn’t lose anything but some time. If it does work out, you’ll be happy you tried it.

For being in the Beta phase, they have a lot going for them and are promising more improvements as time goes on. With the implementation of a solid Mobile App, I think it can start to outreach other platforms that lack that aspect.

It is important to remember that all of the Trader+ features are free while the website is in the Beta phase. Depending on when you are reading this, may determine if it is still free or not.

I love the way that you can search the map for products. It gives more of a connection to the seller and allows you to search for local products very easily. Building a connection to customers drives more sales in my opinion.

They have great customer service from my experience. There is only one step from the user to the founders, not some long chain to which no answers are ever given. So many times people are asking me questions about large platforms like Fine Art America because even though they have contacted support, they never get an answer. That isn’t the case with Traderspace. They are always happy to help and will do so in a prompt manner.

On that same note, the founders of Traderspace are more than happy to seriously consider suggestions to improve their platform. This is pretty much unheard of. I have seen this with maybe one other platform that I can think of.

Though there are some things that could be improved upon, I think that Traderspace is a solid platform. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

You can follow Traderspace on the following platforms:

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/traderspace.io

Twitter – https://twitter.com/Traderspace_io

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/traderspace_io/

Discord – https://discordapp.com/invite/xytVKbw

Re1ddit – https://www.reddit.com/r/traderspace

If you want to check out my other reviews, click on the pictures below to watch the video or read the article:

Make sure to also check out my videos where I briefly talk about 24 places where you can sell your art online and give some overall tips!