Whether it’s just as a hobby or your primary source of income, many of us aspire to be able to make money doing what we love. And since the pandemic pushed people into working from home, many of us have more time to start these artisanal businesses and follow our dreams.
To help you start your own craft business, here are a few tips for setting up your own online shop and monetising your handmade goods.
Do Some Market Research
You probably became a crafter because you enjoy making things. You’ve probably figured out what you enjoy making the most by now. And if you’re reading this, you’re likely attempting to make a living selling the things you love creating.
But unfortunately, just because you enjoy making it doesn’t automatically mean there is a market for it. When you start making for profit rather than pleasure, you have to change your mindset. You need to take a look at your products from an outsider’s perspective.
Research other products on the market; are products similar to yours selling? Is the market flooded with products like yours? Is there a reason there are no products similar to yours, e.g. no interest? Is your product overpriced? Underpriced?
It’s important to consider if your product is actually going to sell before you put in a considerable effort creating, photographing, marketing, and trying to sell your items.
Choose Your Niche
It’s tempting to try many different things when you’re just starting with your craft business. The idea is that the more different types of things you offer for sale, the more potential buyers you’ll attract. While this is true, it is a long-term objective to pursue.
You want your brand to be easily recognisable, and if you do a little bit of everything, it will be difficult to describe, and therefore difficult to locate potential consumers. Choose one thing to make as your main product, whether it’s bath products, wooden furniture, or baked foods, and stick to it.
Before going on to something else, cultivate and develop your craft. You don’t want to be average at a lot of things; you want to be exceptional at a few specific areas. Always prioritise quality above quantity.
Pick Your Platform
When you are first starting out, designing, purchasing, and hosting your own website might seem overwhelming, and they may very well be a waste of time, and a money pit, until you know your product will be successful. You could also start on websites like Etsy or Shopenvy, but customers have had their fair share of difficulties from these marketplaces.
Our answer? GoEthical. Whether you are a small-time seller or a global brand, selling established Ethical products, unique Artisan products or treasured preloved items, you can reach a wider audience and deliver a great customer experience in-app by selling your products on GoEthical.
Whatever the size of your business, GoEthical is a way to access an engaged audience in just a few simple steps, and we’re here to help make it as easy as possible. Best of all, there’s no need for you to have technical knowledge or business knowledge. You just need to be passionate, organised and have ethical products ready to sell to your buyers.
Just some of the reasons to sell with GoEthical include:
- Access a marketplace that aligns with your business goals and values for business growth, showcasing your products against our eco-values
- Save time and money with greater brand and product visibility and growth potential to reach diverse audiences with an interest in your brand for quick and easy transactions
- Be part of a marketplace that believes in a transparent, personalised service giving access to a simple fee structure with no hidden costs
- Access our web-based seller platform to manage your shop and activities combined with one-to-one onboarding support
Best of all, we offer transparent and fair pricing for GoEthical sellers. Tiered transaction fees mean 1.2% + 20p payment processing fee with no registration or listing fees. Compare that to Etsy’s 4% + 20p processing fee; this is an obvious choice.
Market Your Business
When it comes to marketing yourself and your products, using social media is critical. You don’t need to be extremely tech-savvy to create social media profiles and posts that will benefit you.
The most effective approach to getting started is creating Facebook and Instagram accounts for your business and posting updates about the things you sell. This not only aids in the discovery of new customers. But, more importantly, it allows customers who already love your products to see who is behind it all, making for a more personalised buying experience.
To sell effectively on social media, you don’t need to be a social media specialist. Begin small, just as you did with your company. You’ll notice that you’re gaining new clients faster than you would without social media.
Trying to sell your products locally can also be beneficial, especially if the items you manufacture are large or perishable. Farmers markets are one of the best places to sell your products locally. Farmers market customers are those who want to shop locally and support small business entrepreneurs such as yourself. Also, look into craft fairs and other festivals that are taking place in your region. Working the craft fair circuit creates a complete source of income for some people.
Know When You Need Help
Your artisan shop is a one-person show when you first start out. But it’s possible that your company may grow over time, and you’ll be pushed to expand to meet demand. This is a great problem to have! This indicates that you’ve been successful.
Delegating work to others can be difficult. Make sure anyone you recruit is qualified, and you’re happy with their job, whether it’s an assistant to manage the business side while you focus on the crafting or an assistant to aid you in making the product.
As your business grows, you may need to hire additional professionals, such as a bookkeeper to assist with taxes or a lawyer to assist with copyright law or staff management. It’s challenging to pass the torch, but it’s often necessary to enlist the help of others to handle the tough stuff so you can focus on producing and doing the work you enjoy.
Reach a wider audience and deliver a great customer experience in-app by selling your products on GoEthical. Through the GoEthical App, you’ll have the opportunity to manage your digital store, upload product imagery and descriptions.
Register your eco business with us today!