If you love nothing better than buying art materials from sites like homecrafts.co.uk and turning them into beautiful products, then why not sell some of your crafts online? Turning your hobby into a fun-filled business and generating some extra cash is easier than you might think, so take a look at these few pointers.
Set up a website
First and foremost, it’s essential to have an online presence by setting up your very own website. This might sound tricky if you’re a novice, but there are many DIY tutorials available on the net or you might decide to hire a web design company or freelancer to do it for you. Either way, it’s essential to choose a unique domain name (which will be your company’s web address) and decide on the suffix you want at the end of your domain name (for example, .com, .co.uk and such like). It’s a good idea to register more than one if they’re available, but there will be a small charge for this service.
Create great content
Once your website is up and running, it’s essential to keep it updated with lots of juicy content. The written word is important (as the Google spider will look out for certain keywords that will help people land on your site), so make sure you write clear, concise and relevant copy on a regular basis. As you want to sell your creations, marketing messages are essential and, of course, it’s a great idea to include a wealth of photographs so people know exactly what they’re purchasing. Provide prices and descriptions for each item and make it easy for people to pay for their goods.
Supplement your site
As well as your own site, it’s a good idea to set up an Etsy shop or something similar.
As the world’s most vibrant handmade marketplace, many artists and crafters find it easy to sell their creations here as it naturally attracts thousands of buyers looking to purchase unique and interesting items. Of course, you’ll be facing a lot more competition from other retailers but it’s wise to make your products as widely available as possible; after all, you never know who will take an interest in your work and put money in your back pocket.
Market your goods
If you’ve taken the time to set up a shop or website, don’t forget to advertise your goods. Facebook, Twitter and other social media platforms are a good way to inform your friends and relatives, but don’t be afraid to set up a blog and use this to connect with other artists in your field. Many bloggers accept guest posts, so you could always write a few articles with a link to your site and see if they will accept them. This is great link juice for your company and could bump you up the Google rankings.
Selling your crafts online is easier than you might think, so why not give it a go?