Where to Sell Crafts Online and Grow Your Business

Selling crafts online can be a great way to reach a wider audience and grow your business. With the right platforms, you can showcase your unique handmade items to potential customers from all over the world.

Etsy is a popular choice for selling crafts online, with over 39 million active buyers. It's a great platform for selling handmade, vintage, and unique items.

To get started on Etsy, you'll need to create a shop and list your items for sale. This will involve adding high-quality photos, writing detailed descriptions, and setting competitive prices.

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You can sell your crafts online through various platforms, including Renegade Craft and Etsy. Renegade Craft has a vetting process that's tough to get through, but if you're accepted, you can sell handmade items with a 40% commission.

To get started, you can also consider listing your items on Google Shopping, which attracts no fees. This way, you can reach a wider audience and expand your business.

Handmade Artists Shop is a platform that allows artists and crafters to sell their handmade items directly on the website. It's accessible only to subscribers who pay a monthly fee of $5 and an annual fee of about $50.

The platform has evolved over the years and now allows customers to browse through various items listed there. Sales are made directly on the website, eliminating the need for a separate online marketplace.

As a subscriber, you'll have access to a community of artists and crafters who can interact and build a network with each other. This can be a great way to get feedback, learn new skills, and stay motivated.

To start selling on Handmade Artists Shop, you don't need to apply or get accepted as a vendor like on Renegade Craft. However, you do need to subscribe to the platform to access the website and start selling your handmade items.

Discover more: How to Start Online Selling Business from Home

Google Shopping is a fantastic way to expand your business reach as a crafter. You can list your handmade items on Google Shopping, attracting both local and international customers.

Google Shopping attracts millions of potential customers every day, as it displays your items for those who use Google search engines. Listing your items on Google Shopping is free, which is a huge bonus.

By listing your items on Google Shopping, you can serve as an extension of both your offline and online stores.

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If you're looking for alternative marketplaces to sell your handmade items, there are several options to consider.

eCrater is an online marketplace that allows you to set up an online store for free, but charges a 2.9% fee for each sold item. The platform generates about 2 million views per month.

Indiecart is another option, which costs $7.50 per month to set up an online store, and has no extra commissions or fees. It's a great choice for sellers of eco-friendly handmade items.

eBay is also worth considering, as it's an auction website where you can list your handmade items for direct sales or auction. Creating an eBay account is free, and you can list your first 250 products for free, but each extra listing will attract a charge of $0.35.

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You can open an account on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for free, and use them to showcase your handmade items to a global audience. This can lead to orders from all over the world.

To target younger customers, like Gen Z, consider opening a TikTok account. It's a great way to reach a specific demographic.

You can sell on your Facebook page using comment selling, where you post a picture of the product and ask customers to comment "Sold" to buy it. You'll then send them a private message with a PayPal invoice link.

Consider reading: Ebay vs Facebook Marketplace

Spoonflower is a platform that caters to crafters who create patterns for gift wraps, wallpapers, and fabrics.

If you specialize in creating handmade items or fabrics with your designs, then Spoonflower is the right platform for you.

A 10% commission is paid to artists whose designs are on an item that's being sold on the platform.

You'll want to consider joining Spoonflower if you're looking for a way to monetize your craft designs and connect with customers who appreciate unique, handmade products.

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Social media is a fantastic way to showcase your handmade items and reach a global audience. You can open an account on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook for free and start uploading eye-catching images with compelling descriptions.

Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are great options for most people, but if you're targeting a younger generation like Gen Z, TikTok is a better bet. This platform can help you reach a wider audience and take orders from across the globe if done correctly.

If you're looking for a more niche approach, consider creating a Facebook group. This can be a great way to connect with a small group of people who are interested in your unique products. However, it's essential to keep in mind that Facebook groups have some limitations, such as not being able to brand the group and requiring users to have a Facebook account to join.

Here are some pros and cons of using Facebook groups for selling your handmade items:

Ultimately, social media can be a powerful tool for selling your handmade items online, but it's crucial to understand its limitations and choose the right platforms for your business.

Pricing your products is a crucial part of selling crafts online, and it can be a challenge to find the right balance between making a profit and selling enough products.

Lower prices mean lower profits per sale, but higher prices can reduce the overall volume of sales. Ideally, you want to find a price point where you're making a decent profit per sale while selling enough products to earn a decent income.

You might need to tinker with product prices to find a price point that works for you, and it's worth noting that it's better to start with a higher price and adjust downwards if necessary, rather than starting low and trying to increase prices later.

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Pricing your products is a crucial part of selling crafts online, and it's not as simple as just slapping a price tag on something. You need to find a price point where you're making a decent profit per sale while selling enough products to earn a decent income.

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Shopify, a popular e-commerce platform, is great for beginners and experienced sellers alike, but it's not the cheapest option. However, you get what you pay for, and Shopify's speed, security, and user experience make it worth the investment.

To price your products, you need to consider the costs of production, materials, and time. You might need to tinker with product prices to find a price point that works for you. For example, if you're selling handmade products on eBay, be prepared for a 10% cut of your sales, not to mention credit card processing fees and listing fees.

Shopify's features, such as the ability to tag products in Instagram photos, can increase conversion rates and sales. However, if you're looking to save money, consider the long-term game and the potential costs of moving to a different platform later on. Trust me, I've been there, and it's not fun.

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To make more sales, you need to be on the right platform. The best platform for selling handmade crafts and products online is crucial for long-term success and lots of sales.

Being on the wrong platform can waste a lot of time and resources. Reading up on the best options can save you from making the wrong choice.

Setting up for long-term success requires careful consideration of where to sell your products. This will give you a solid foundation for achieving your sales goals.

You need to read up on the best platforms for selling handmade crafts and products online to get started.

For another approach, see: Selling Products Online from Home for Beginners

Selling online takes longer to make decent money, as opposed to markets and wholesale which can bring in larger chunks of cash more infrequently.

Markets allow you to make money on-the-spot, but this is only true if they are successful.

You'll be making money every day once you're established, even while you sleep.

Selling online gives you smaller bursts of money more regularly, whereas markets and wholesale give you larger chunks of money less frequently.

Photographing your crafts is a crucial step in selling them online. Quality is key, and you can achieve this by hiring a professional photographer or using a white photography backdrop at home.

Each item in your online store should have its own picture, title, and product description. Pictures help draw attention and aid in choosing between multiple products.

Product titles should be relatively short, between 20-70 characters, and include a clear description of the item and any relevant keywords.

Photographing your crafts is a crucial step in showcasing your products online. Quality pictures help draw attention from potential buyers.

You can hire a professional photographer to take high-quality pictures of your crafts. Alternatively, you can pick up a white photography backdrop and take your own pictures at home.

Taking pictures of each item in your online store is essential, along with a title and product description. This will help people choose between multiple products they're interested in.

You can find plenty of resources online to help you take high-quality photos with your phone or camera.

Writing product titles and descriptions is a crucial step in creating effective product pages. The ideal length for a product title is between 20-70 characters, making it easy to read and accurately describing the product.

Product titles should include a clear description of the item and any relevant keywords. This helps customers quickly understand what the product is and what it offers.

Product descriptions are where you can really paint a picture of your product and tell its story. They're typically longer than titles, often ranging from 300-400 words.

A good product description should provide specific details about the item, making it more appealing to customers. This is your chance to showcase the product's features, benefits, and unique selling points.

Marketing and Promotion is a crucial step in selling crafts online. You need to get your brand out there to attract potential customers.

Paid advertising can be a good option, especially when you're just starting out. It can drive traffic to your website and increase your chances of making sales.

Offering incentives for custom referrals can also encourage people to share your brand with their friends and family. This can lead to more sales and a wider reach for your products.

Building an email list is essential for email marketing. Once you have a list, you can use it to let customers know about new products and sales.

Having a mailing list also gives you the opportunity to offer coupons for signing up. This can be a great way to attract new customers and encourage them to make a purchase.

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You need a system in place to notify you when a product is out of stock, so you can keep your products in stock to avoid missing out on sales opportunities. This way, you can simply make more of the product if it's out of stock.

Expensive shipping can definitely put off some customers, but some people are willing to pay for shipping if they REALLY LOVE what you're selling. Shipping costs can be kept relatively low if you make small items and/or light items.

Around 75% of international sales are worth the effort of working out a range of shipping costs up-front. If you're worried about parcels going missing, don't be – lost parcels are just another one of your costs that you can write off as expenses.

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Managing your inventory is a crucial part of selling crafts online. You need a system in place to notify you when a product is out of stock, so you can keep your products in stock to avoid missing out on sales opportunities.

If a product is out of stock, you can simply make more. This way, you won't miss out on sales.

It's also essential to check your website for bugs and glitches periodically and fix any problems you have.

If you make small items and/or light items, selling online is pretty straightforward. Shipping costs can be kept relatively low, especially in Australia if you can ship via a large letter size rather than a parcel.

Shipping large or heavy items can get pretty expensive, especially internationally. This is a problem you might be better off avoiding by selling at markets or to shops in your town/city.

Expensive shipping can definitely put off some customers, but some people are willing to pay for shipping if they really love what you're selling.

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Selling online can be a game-changer for your business, and expanding to international sales can take it to the next level. Around 75% of my jewellery sales are international – mostly to the US, Canada, and the UK, but I've also sold to Russia, Italy, Singapore, and many, many other countries.

Don't be put off by slightly higher shipping costs or any other fears – it's well worth the effort of working out a range of shipping costs up-front to get those international sales. I usually have around 4 parcels go missing each year (out of thousands) and they are just as likely to be within Australia as overseas!

You don't need to worry about language barriers, thanks to Google Translate – I love being able to write a message in English, pop it in GT, and send it to my customer in their native language. I write off lost parcels as expenses and send a replacement piece, so it's just another one of my costs.

Selling online is perfect for introverts, as you can interact with customers and potential customers on your own time, at your own pace. You don't need a phone number – I don't make my number available, and I work exclusively via email.

Intriguing read: Site Shopping International

Getting started with selling crafts online is easier than you think. You can create a fully customized website with ample traffic, which is a crucial step before making sales.

To make sales, you'll need to pick an easy-to-use e-commerce platform when building your website. This will allow you to securely accept payments from website visitors.

Once you've set up your website, you're ready to start selling crafts online.

Curious to learn more? Check out: How to Create a Clothing Website for Free

You'll discover the #1 mistake people make with Etsy and social media that causes shops to flop, and how to avoid it.

Many handmade shop owners struggle to turn their passion into a profitable business.

You'll learn the secret to making it with your handmade shop, so it's no longer just a hobby.

By understanding how to make sales in your handmade shop with ease, you'll be able to reach your goal of 6-figures.

Making it to 6-figures requires a clear plan and strategy, which you'll get to learn about.

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The key to success lies in understanding the mistakes to avoid and the strategies to implement.

With the right approach, you can turn your handmade shop into a thriving business.

You'll get to discover the essential steps to take your shop from hobby to business.

By the end of it, you'll have a clear understanding of what it takes to succeed on Etsy and social media.

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Now that you've created your crafts and a fully customized website with ample traffic, you can start making sales. This is a simple process as long as you pick an easy-to-use e-commerce platform when building your website.

You can opt to create your own website to eliminate fees and have flexibility. If you don’t have technical skills, you can try using an e-commerce website builder like Shopify or opt for the services of a professional web designer.

Using a website builder is the easiest way to build a website for selling crafts online. You have your choice between free website builders with basic features and paid website builders that offer premium features.

You don't need to know HTML, CSS, or any programming languages to use a website builder; simply drag and drop until your website looks the way you want it to.

Additional reading: Adding Venmo to Wix Website

Shopify comes with a ton of really cool apps you can add on to your store to help you do marketing for you.

Klickly is just one example of an app that promotes your products for you, and you only pay a commission on sales made through their app.

The higher you set the commission, the more they promote your products.

You can install dozens of apps to make your job of marketing your shop easier, which is the hardest part of running a Shopify store.

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Shopify is a top choice for selling handmade products online because you can control and customize the entire shopping experience. This means your shop is more memorable, and people are more likely to remember it, tell their friends about you, and stay loyal to you as a customer.

One of the benefits of Shopify is that it's free to use, but you'll need to put in the time and effort to properly market your online shop. With Shopify, you'll have control over elements like your business branding and product pricing.

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Shopify's drag-and-drop model makes it easy to build an online craft store, even if you don't have advanced tech skills. This means you can create a professional-looking online store without needing to know how to code.

Listing your items on Google Shopping is free, but Shopify gives you the avenue of creating an online store and having control over elements like your business branding and product pricing.

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Shopify comes with a ton of really cool apps you can add on to your store to help you do marketing for you.

One of these apps is Klickly, which promotes your products for you on your behalf, and you only pay a commission on sales made through the app.

The higher you set the commission, the more they promote your products, making it a win-win situation.

You don't pay them anything else besides the commission, which is a great advantage.

With dozens of apps to choose from, you can find the perfect ones to make your job of marketing your shop easier.

However, it's worth noting that bringing your own traffic to your Shopify store can be a challenge, especially since it's not a marketplace platform like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy.

For more insights, see: Connecting Shopify to Facebook and Instagram Review

Selling crafts online takes time, and it's a significant factor to consider. It will take longer to make decent money compared to selling at markets or to shops via wholesale.

You'll need to invest time in setting up and maintaining an online shop, which can be a challenge, especially if you're new to it. No matter which path you choose, it will take a good chunk of time to run and grow your business.

Photography is a key skill to have, but it's not as daunting as it seems. You can start out easily on platforms like Etsy, where they handle the technical stuff for you.

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Setting up an online shop requires a significant amount of time, whether you're selling on platforms like Etsy or creating your own website.

It's easy to get caught up in thinking that setting up an online shop is too time-consuming, but the truth is, it's no different from investing time in other sales avenues like markets or selling to shops.

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Photography is the main skill required to set up an online shop, but even that can be learned quickly, especially with the help of platforms like Etsy that handle the technical stuff for you.

No matter which path you choose, it will take a good chunk of time to run and grow your business, so it's essential to be realistic about the time commitment required.

Do You Enjoy the Process of Selling and Marketing?

If you start your own business, you are now a salesperson and a marketer, and no matter what, you still have to sell and market your work.

Selling and marketing can be a big part of running a business, and it's essential to enjoy the process of telling your story.

You might find that marketing becomes much easier, authentic, and less "icky" feeling if you change your mindset and come from a place of telling the story of you and what you do.

Marketing is all about storytelling, and if you can tell your story well, you'll be more likely to enjoy the process of selling and marketing.

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