ArtFire Fees – Selling on ArtFire May Save Money

Ever wondered how your current online selling platform compares to ArtFire.com?  How could selling on Artfire help you increase profits?

“I can say that one of the neat features is the ability to list as much as you want, whenever you want for a flat fee a month,” Marissa Jenkins, an Artfire seller told us.  “No gallery preview fees, and so on. I got signed up when they were running a $7 a month for life special. I have over 100 items in my shop and it only cost me $7.”  Marissa’s ArtFire Studio, LibertyDoll, was created December 1, 2008 and she has seen 42 orders to date.  “It’s nice to know that I haven’t been eaten alive by the fees like other sites,” she says.

Although ArtFire previously offered handmade sellers like Marissa $7/month to sign up, the site is currently just $12/month.  ArtFire offers two membership levels – a “Basic” level and a “Verified” level.   For no charge, a seller can join ArtFire and receive a basic account.  For $12/month, a seller can create a verified account and list an unlimited number of items.  This price will eventually jump to closer and closer to $20.00/month as the site grows.

The difference between the basic account and verified level account is simple.  “Our Basic account is absolutely free and allows an unlimited number of listings per month with a cap of 10 items in your Studio at a time,” the ArtFire site reads.  All ArtFire members receive a complete stats package including both Google Analytics and real-time server side stats.  This is a great feature from the site, allowing sellers to maximize promotion of their handmade items and focus on sales.

On the other hand, a verified ArtFire seller can list unlimited items with no listing or final value fees.  This allows the ArtFire Studio to run just like a seller’s own website.  The verified account also allows a seller to have full access to management features, promotional tools, and enhanced functionality.

When comparing the fees on other handmade selling sites, we were unsure that ArtFire could really avoid all the fees commonly seen.  “Really, no listing fees, no final value fees, or renewing fees… what’s the catch?” reads the ArtFire website.  “There really is no catch, two membership levels, your choice. Go ahead, list 500 items, list a thousand – sell a thousand, you still pay just a flat $12.00 per month (no long-term commitments, cancel anytime).“

Some handmade sellers may be skeptical of the low fees and wonder how ArtFire can help them promote their handmade items.  Chances are you have seen ArtFire in a number of places online.  The ArtFire marketing strategy includes viral, social, traditional, and non-traditional efforts.  The company purchases display ads in national publications, broadcast networks, and Internet ads.  In fact, there are over 150 million views of ArtFire ads on websites such as Facebook, Mother Jones, Google, various blog sites, “green” webzines, and arts and crafts webzines.

The staff at ArtFire made Marissa excited about the new selling platform.  “The staff is constantly in the forums helping, or responding to posts, they submit our items to google and give us many tools to use to help promote ourselves as well.   If there is a bug and you report it they fix it, they reply back to emails. If there is a suggestion about adding a new feature to the site they listen,” she said.

Other sellers agree.  “I became a verified member just over a month ago and I am very happy with ArtFire,” said KickinsKreations.  “I have had 3 sales and hope that continues. I think that they do a great job with communicating if there is something you don’t understand, or any problem you come across.  The people in the forums are very nice and helpful.  With all you get with ArtFire, I can’t see why anyone wouldn’t give it a try.”

Kharisma Ryantori, from ArtFire’s Popnicute and kaysommers blog, shared a blog post with HandmadeMarketing.org she created dedicated to why sellers love ArtFire.  “Sales was really good for me last month and people found my store through Google searches!” she said.  “I couldn’t be happier.  I have yet bought any paid ads. Trying to decide which one I better use for maximum exposures.”

One feature Kharisma raved about was ArtFire’s use of “Rapid Cart.”   She writes, “This revolutionary addition to follow No Account Checkout feature. Now sellers can have a little bit of their store in their blogs or personal websites or any social networking sites that allow html/javascript codes. Buyers don’t even need to visit their ArtFire Studios to be able to purchase. Just click the Buy button on this Rapid Cart box and you’re done! 28 seconds checkout process. Easy peasy.”

Marissa likes this feature as well.  “They have the Rapid Cart feature that you can install on other sites like a blog and people don’t even have to be signed in on ArtFire or become a member to purchase an item,” she explains.  “The Rapid Cart is like a little shop preview. The listings change in the preview but if someone comes along and sees something they like they can purchase right there from your blog and the number of sales show up in your ArtFire shop. “

Have you tried selling on ArtFire?  Have you had success?  What makes you think your selling platform works better for your handmade business?

Share your thoughts about selling on ArtFire by clicking our “Join” tab.  If we publish your thoughts, we’ll link to your blog or shop!