Online Sales – Sell Independently vs. Utilizing Existing Platforms

Many handmade sellers question whether selling on an online platform, such as Etsy.com or ArtFire.com, is right for their craft – or if they should create their own selling site.  Simone Walsh, creator behind the website SimoneWalsh, shared her tip for handmade sellers struggling with establishing their own online shop.

“Aim to establish your own independent online shop so you have more control over your business,” Simone told HandmadeMarketing.org.  “You can still sell through various venues (Dawanda, Etsy, etc.) to make the most of their traffic, but always market your own independent outlet.”

Some sellers may be discouraged by the seemingly complicated world of e-commerce.  Simone says this process is actually easier than craft sellers may think.

“This is much easier to achieve now with excellent web-based carts such as Big Cartel and Shopify,” she told HandmadeMarketing.org.

Are you not familiar with these two services?  Our HandmadeMarketing.org team looked into these two web-based carts and how they can be used for handmade sellers.

Big Cartel claims their system can be used by artists and sellers to “set up shop.” The site reads, “We provide clothing designers, bands, jewelry makers, crafters, and other artists with their own customizable store to sell their stuff online.”  The website claims to have free plans and the company does not take a cut of your handmade sales.

Shopify claims to provide “hosted e-commerce with style, in less than 2 minutes.”  The company is currently offering a risk-free 30 day trial, which may be great for handmade sellers wishing to dip their toes into an independent online shop.

However, Simone says if a seller is not ready to take on their own e-commerce, a simple step toward independence is getting their own domain set up.

“At least get your own domain name and redirect it (or a URL from it) to your primary selling venues. That way you can market your own domain name and not that of a venue – and if you get your own shop later you simply point that URL there instead,” Simone tells HandmadeMarketing.org.  “Plus, if anything goes wrong with the venue, you won’t risk losing your own hard-earned traffic and repeat customers.”

Interested in taking the leap to your own independent online shop to sell your handmade items?  Next on HandmadeMarketing.org, Simone Walsh takes readers step by step to determining whether or not an independent store is the best business option and gives tips for how to take the jump.  Simone discusses the first step – how to calculate wages for handmade sellers.  Then, Simone tells handmade sellers how to determine their overhead costs for crafting.  Using the figures generated, a seller can see whether or not they can break even while selling independently.

Do you sell your handmade items in an independent store-front online?  How has it worked for your business?  Why have you decided to stay with online selling platforms rather than creating your own site?

Share you thoughts about selling handmade online with HandmadeMarketing.org!  Submit your detailed tips for selling handmade, or comment on this article below!