a site for selling crafts? (details)?
i’m interested in selling some of my finished knit projects and was wondering if anyone could recommend a web host where i could sell my crafts? something similar to etsy.com. thanks
and i have googled it…didn’t help
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Google it.
Or just use Ebay.com.
I sell mine on eBay. They have a craft category. You can also search the internet for free ads and post them on there. I have 4 different ones, but do the best from eBay. GOOD LUCK!
http://www.etsy.com is a site for homemade items that are sold, its fun to browse too. Theres a new one coming soon too, i think its called http://www.icraft.ca
good luck!!
Etsy doesn’t advertise, so the only people who shop there are the crafters who sell there. Shoppers who stumble upon Etsy through Google don’t trust it because they never see it advertised anywhere. I was with Etsy for more than a year and I never sold to anyone except the other crafters there.
Ebay is really the gold standard for a new business. Make sure you offer buy-it-now on everything you sell. Some people don’t have patience to bid and wait. If your items are unique and desirable, you could do your own website. I had a free website on Tripod.com while building name recognition on Ebay, then dumped Ebay and upgraded to an ad-free, paid site when the money started coming in.
Ebay is a pretty good way to tell if the item will sell or not. I always used it to introduce new products and if it flopped on Ebay, I didn’t put it on my website.
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I’m going to try Etsy. They might not advertise, but they do come up when someone searches for an item on the internet. There’s a website that gives pointers on selling on Etsy but gee whiz, I cannot find it now. Luckily I copied the text from it and kept that. These tips might also work on other sites. Just trying to be helpful!
Step 1:
Visit and actively participate in the Etsy discussion forum. This is a great place to meet other Etsy sellers and get great advice. Once you get to know others they will likely check out your Etsy shop.
Step 2:
Buy supplies and inexpensive items from other Etsy sellers as a way to draw their attention to your Etsy shop. This is also a great way to increase your feedback rating if you are a new seller with little feedback.
Step 3:
Mark other Etsy sellers to your favorites list. When they check to see who “Hearts” them (chooses them as a favorite), they will see your Etsy icon and be tempted to check out your shop.
Step 4:
Occasionally sell an item for .01 cent. This will attract attention to your shop, leading potential buyers to view your other items.
Step 5:
Shoot and upload multiple good quality photos of your items. Make sure to take pictures outside in daylight, but not in direct sunlight. In addition don’t have a bunch of junk in the background of your picture, it’s distracts from the item.
Step 6:
List identical items as multiple quantities in a single listing, instead of listing the same identical items over and over. This will save you time, and time is money.
Step 7:
Instead of paying retail prices for your arts and craft supplies, search the Internet for wholesale suppliers. You might have to buy larger quantities, but in the long run your profits will be increased.
Step 8:
Attend a local community arts and crafts fair, or rent a table at a flea market. Bring a sample of your items and hand out business cards directing people to buy your items from your Etsy shop.
Step 9:
Send an email to all your friends, family and co-workers asking them to check out your Etsy store. In the email ask them to forward the email to all their friends and relatives.
Step 10:
Run occasional sales and promotions in your Etsy shop. Offer a percentage discount or free shipping to encouraging shoppers to buy more than one item or to spend a certain dollar amount.
Step 11:
Print up Refrigerator Thank You Magnets to send out with your orders. This is a great way to thank your customers, and get your Etsy shop name viewed on a daily basis. You can print small 1” by 3” thank you cards on your home printer, and then stick them to self adhesive magnets that you cut to size. See tips below.
Tips & Warnings
You can purchase magnet sheets at Michaels’ or at your local craft and hobby store.
Print up business cards to carry with you, hand them out to potential customers.
Wear your own handmade items to advertise them to the public.
Give your Etsy items as thank you gifts to friends and co-workers.
Give your handmade items as secret santa gifts and include a card with your Etsy shop name.
Put a link to your Etsy shop in the signature line of your emails next to your address and phone number.
Don’t slack off on customer service, it will cost you customers and earn you negative feedback.
Don’t buy raw materials and supplies at retail arts and craft stores. They are way too expensive and cut into your profits.
You might consider Googling for web sites that already sell items similar to yours. They might be interested in purchasing items from you, and/or featuring them on their site. There are a bazillion “marketplaces” that sell “niche” items. Do you have photos of your items? Can you market them to others?