Are you thinking about selling crafts online but aren’t sure how to go about it? Having your own website, as well as selling on Etsy, Folksy and other marketplaces, opens up a world of opportunity for you and your handmade business. Not only does it give you the chance to sell to people all over the world but is also a cost effective way of marketing your company.
Here are 5 tips for selling your handmade crafts online.
Research what your customers want
If you want to make sure that your products are always in high demand, you will need to keep an eye on the latest trends. This will give you a better idea of what your customers want, especially when it comes to colour, pattern and design. What’s popular will change throughout the different seasons and this is something to think about when making your products.
Make your website user-friendly
Having a basic website is not enough when it comes to selling online. You will need to have one that not only looks good but is also functional for users. This means ensuring that your customers can find what they want on the website with minimum hassle. You may also want to add a blog or news section, which will give you a platform for sharing your ideas and tips as well as helping you to engage with customers.
Take professional photos
One thing that many craft business owners overlook is just how important it is to take professional photos of products. Potential customers will probably only spend a few seconds on your website before deciding whether they want to look elsewhere or continue browsing the site. You need to have images that wow visitors and give them a reason to purchase from you. If you can’t afford to hire a photographer, make sure that you use a high quality camera and get the lighting right. It might be a good idea to take a selection of photos so that you can decide on the best ones at a later date.
Utilise social media
Billions of people use social media each day, which is why more and more businesses are utilising it as a marketing tool. If you want to connect with people all around the world, then using Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Instagram and other platforms are the right choice for you. Your following won’t grow over night and you will have to put time into making social media work for your business but it is definitely worthwhile for any craft business that wants to maximise their sales.
Price items fairly
The price of your items could be the deciding factor in whether you make the sale so you need to think carefully about how much you are going to charge. You should try to avoid extortionate prices but also shouldn’t sacrifice the quality of your crafts so that you can sell them cheaper. Researching businesses that sell similar crafts to your own will help you to understand what customers are willing to pay or you could even conduct your own market research. Don’t worry if you don’t get this right straight away, you can always adjust your prices once you are up and running.
Craft Cover provide specialist insurance for handmade businesses throughout the UK. If you want to ensure that your goods from theft, loss and damage then we can help! Please call 0345 463 3003 or email help@craftcover.com to speak to one of our friendly experts.
Using our fully automated service you could get your free no obligation quote today. Click the link below and take the first step towards bespoke coverage tailored to the unique needs of your business.
