When deciding where to sell your digital products, you have two main paths, you can build your own Mini eCommerce Site, or list your items on a marketplace such as Etsy, Gumroad, or Creative Market. Both options can work but they serve very different goals.
This guide will help you understand the difference so you can choose what fits your situation best.
What Is a Marketplace?
A marketplace is a platform where many creators sell products through one shared system.
You sign up, create a profile, upload your product, and start selling under their rules.
The marketplace handles the technical side like hosting, checkout, and delivery — but takes a cut of each sale.
Examples: Etsy and Gumroad
Benefits of a Marketplace
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Built-in audience and search traffic.
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Fast to set up - no technical setup required.
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Handles payments and file delivery automatically.
Drawbacks
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You pay fees on every sale.
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Limited control over your brand, layout, or pricing structure.
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You are bound by the platform’s terms, algorithms, and visibility rules.
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If the platform closes or changes policies, your income is affected immediately.
What Is a Mini eCommerce Site?
A Mini eCommerce Site is a self-owned, lightweight online store built on Django and hosted wherever you choose.
It is designed for creators who want to sell digital products independently, without being tied to a platform.
Benefits of a Mini Site
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Full ownership — you control your site, content, and customer data.
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No commissions or monthly fees.
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Unlimited creative freedom over your design, product layout, and messaging.
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SEO and AI search visibility tailored to your brand.
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Scales gradually — start with one product and grow from there.
Considerations
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You need to attract your own traffic.
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You are responsible for backups and updates (although Djangify provides documentation for that).
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Requires Stripe setup and hosting, though these are straightforward.
When a Marketplace Makes Sense
A marketplace may be better if:
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You are testing an idea and want to gauge demand before investing in a site.
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You prefer to focus on product creation and not on marketing or design.
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You sell many small items and benefit from shared visibility.
However, it should be seen as a launch point, not a long-term business base.
Once you gain traction and want brand independence, moving to your own mini site provides more stability and ownership.
When a Mini Site Is the Better Choice
A Djangify Mini eCommerce Site is ideal if:
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You are ready to create a professional online presence.
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You have one to twenty-five core digital products or bundles.
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You want your store to match your brand, not a generic marketplace template.
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You value ownership and control - your data, your domain, your audience.
This model works especially well for coaches, writers, and digital creators who use their site as both a sales hub and a brand showcase.
Combining Both Approaches
You do not have to choose only one. Many creators use both:
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Use a marketplace for early visibility.
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Use your Mini Site as your long-term home, where you can bundle products, build an email list, and keep customers engaged.
Your Djangify Mini Site can even include links to your marketplace listings if you wish, creating a connected ecosystem that grows with you.
The Long-Term Advantage of Ownership
A marketplace gives you convenience; a mini site gives you control and sustainability.
With your own site:
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You can grow search visibility over time.
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You can keep your entire customer list.
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You decide when and how to sell, promote, or retire a product.
Ownership builds long-term stability. When you own your system, your income and audience are not at risk from another company’s decision.
Summary
Use a marketplace to test and gain exposure.
Build your Mini eCommerce Site when you are ready to create a lasting, independent brand.
In short:
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Marketplaces give you reach.
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Mini sites give you control. Reach is still possible of course but must be built.
The Djangify Mini eCommerce Builder helps you make that transition smoothly - from shared space to your own home online.