What are maker fees?

Could you please elaborate on what Maker fees are in the context of cryptocurrency trading? Are they similar to transaction fees, or do they serve a different purpose? Are they charged by exchanges, and if so, how do they vary across different platforms? Also, what factors determine the amount of maker fees, and how can traders minimize or avoid them altogether? Understanding the intricacies of maker fees is crucial for successful cryptocurrency trading, so I'd appreciate a detailed explanation.