If you’ve ever wanted to sell your handmade products online, it’s never been easier.
More than ever, consumers are gravitating toward unique handmade items and away from mass-produced products that all look like they came from a cookie-cutter. And, thanks to user-friendly online store templates and same-day delivery services, the handmade product industry is booming.
Selling your handmade products online also gives you a significant advantage: you’ll be able to reach a much larger audience than if you sold your items from a store or in-person at a market. The sky’s the limit!
The Online Marketplace
Another advantage to opening an online store is that it’s relatively easy thanks to Etsy and plugins you can simply link to your website.
The only thing that could complicate things is shipping – very large items like furniture may cost too much to ship, and perishable items like baked goods or live plants will need to be delivered via a same-day courier company like arizonacouriers.com.
The great thing about Etsy is that shipping payments and label printing are built into the website. However, even if you set up your own site, purchasing shipping labels can be done through the courier company you choose. You can print customized labels yourself.
Deciding What to Sell
When it comes to deciding what you’ll be selling, you should do what you love doing – whether that’s making all-natural soap, knitting baby clothes, or whipping up a batch of delicious cupcakes.
If you’re stumped, looking at the latest trends can help you determine what people are buying right now. Do some research on Etsy, Amazon Handmade, and eBay for inspiration.
Something to bear in mind is that products you can make in batches will help you make them faster and more cheaply – for example, using reusable molds for concrete pots or making natural skin cream in large quantities.
Before you decide what product you will sell, you should also think about how much you are willing to sell it for, what other people will be prepared to pay for it, and if the two figures match.
The Importance of Pricing
When pricing your items, you need to strike a balance between what consumers are willing to pay and what you need to make a profit. Not putting a lot of thought into your pricing right from the beginning can set your business up for failure. There are seller tools like https://tools.joinflyp.com/ebay-fees-calculator that you should use when deciding the price of your products.
You should factor everything that goes into your product into your price – the materials, the packaging, and your time, plus a little wiggle room for promotions and discounts in the future. When determining your price, you’ll also need to decide what kind of product you are offering.
If you’re selling bespoke, luxury items that take a lot of time and money to make, consider marketing yourself as a luxury brand. If your products can be produced quickly and appeal more to the masses, you should set a lower price point.
Consider the Logistics
The nitty-gritty of your business lies in logistics.
For packaging, you’ll need to invest in quality packaging materials to ensure that your items arrive at their destination intact. You may also need to invest in marketing – this could be Facebook or Google Ads or social media accounts to attract followers.
You’ll also need to decide on payment methods for your site, get business insurance for your packages, and research your state’s tax regulations.
