Our final installment of selling online is about selling from your own website.
A personal website is going to take a lot more work than having a shop on places like Etsy or Artfire. For the most part you will be responsible for promoting and advertising your website as well as all the other things such as, photography, customer service and site maintenance.
I think the first thing you should decide is if you have the money, time and enough inventory to maintain a full website.
A basic full website with a reliable hosting service can start at $15 - 20 a month in hosting fees. You most likely will have to purchase backgrounds and graphics for your website.
Also, you want to be sure you can keep the site well stocked and will be able to maintain it and promote it during the lean start-up months. A website that is fully stocked with products and continued new listings will be a place your customers will want to return to, time and time again.
There are several types of websites out there. Your first consideration should be how much, if any, knowledge you have about setting up a website. Some websites are relatively easy to work with and require little or no html skills and others can require some knowledge of html or css.
Here is a list of various types of websites I have compiled..
www.ecrater.com ----You can get a very basic free shop here. No graphics are required. It is pretty easy to add your products. The most important thing to know about this type of website is promotion is imperative if you expect to make any money. Unlimited products allowed.
www.ezshoppes.com ----These are a step up from the free shop. Hosting fee is $39.99 a year. No graphics required but you can use your own. Very easy to set your products up. But here too, it is very important to promote your shop yourself. You are limited to 20 products at a time in your shop. There is also a 60 product plan.
www.diyestores.com ----- I consider these one of the best do it yourself websites. You can have unlimited products and there are some of the best website features incorporated into the websites. You will need your own graphics and your own business domain. Hosting fees are $20 a month or pay by the year and get two months free.
www.inapicklewebdesign.com ----This is another do it yourself website with the added feature of being able to offer instant downloads of digital products. This is especially useful for the pattern or graphic designer. You will need your own graphics and your own business domain. Hosting fees start at $20 a month.
There are MANY other website builders out there, so take your time and do your research to find what you think is best for you. If you find a website that works the way you'd like your future website to work, don't be afraid to email the owner and ask who their host is and how they like it. The worst answer you could get would be no answer at all.
Some things to think about:
Have a good product, the more original the better.
If you sell handmade products, make sure they are well made.
Keep your prices competitive yet profitable.
Be consistent with reliable customer service.
If you sell in several places, be consistent with your branding so that you are instantly recognizable wherever you are selling.
Having your own website can give you lots of freedom on how you offer items. It does take time but is always very rewarding.
Sunday, September 19, 2010
Saturday, September 18, 2010
Handmade Sampler Giveaway -- Primitive Handcarved Crow Stamp DONE
Welcome to another Handmade Sampler Giveaway. Today's giveaway is sponsored by Kristal Norton of Rags-n-Tags.
Rags-n-Tags offers original primitives and patterns by artist Kristal
Norton; as well as a few hard to find supplies such as mica flakes,
german glass glitter, and walnut ink. But, Kristal's latest adventure
in crafting is hand carved stamps. These stamps are a great way to add
a personal touch to all your crafts since they are hand carved, not
reproduced by machine. The thick linoleum that is used provides a
great surface for stamping and can be manipulated around many surfaces
since it doesn't need to be mounted. So they're cute, compact, one of
a kind, and versatile!
This giveaway is a Primitive Crow Stamp hand carved just for you! The
image measures about 2" wide, and 1" tall.
Rags-n-Tags offers original primitives and patterns by artist Kristal
Norton; as well as a few hard to find supplies such as mica flakes,
german glass glitter, and walnut ink. But, Kristal's latest adventure
in crafting is hand carved stamps. These stamps are a great way to add
a personal touch to all your crafts since they are hand carved, not
reproduced by machine. The thick linoleum that is used provides a
great surface for stamping and can be manipulated around many surfaces
since it doesn't need to be mounted. So they're cute, compact, one of
a kind, and versatile!
This giveaway is a Primitive Crow Stamp hand carved just for you! The
image measures about 2" wide, and 1" tall.
You can earn up to three entries by doing the following...
1. Visit Kristal's website, http://www.rags-n-tags.com and come back here and post a comment with your favorite item on her website. Be sure and leave your email address so we can contact you if you win.
2. Earn one extra entry by becoming a follower of this blog. Already a follower? Just let us know so we can give you credit.
3. Earn an extra entry by posting this giveaway on your blog along with a link to this blog. Be sure and let us know you have done this.
The giveaway will start today, Saturday, Sept. 18. The last day to enter will be Oct. 7, 2010 and the winner will be announced on Oct. 8, 2010. We will announce it here and contact you by the email address you have left.
Have fun and good luck!
Would you like to sponsor a giveaway? Are you interested in promoting your store or blog. If so, just email us.
We would be happy to send you the details. byyourhandsblog@gmail.com
Friday, September 17, 2010
We Have a Winner for the Sock Basket
Congratulations to Lucy Galgano of PA on winning the Sock Basket from Handmade By Bette.
You can meet Lucy on her blog at http://farmersattic.blogspot.com/
The winner was picked using the true generator on Random.org. We want to thank ALL of you who took the time to enter and for all the wonderful comments.
Be sure and come back again tomorrow, we will have a new giveaway starting that you won't want to miss.
Would you like to be a sponsor for one of the giveaways on our blog? It is a great way to get your craft business noticed. For information email us at byyourhandsblog@gmail.com
You can meet Lucy on her blog at http://farmersattic.blogspot.com/
The winner was picked using the true generator on Random.org. We want to thank ALL of you who took the time to enter and for all the wonderful comments.
Be sure and come back again tomorrow, we will have a new giveaway starting that you won't want to miss.
Would you like to be a sponsor for one of the giveaways on our blog? It is a great way to get your craft business noticed. For information email us at byyourhandsblog@gmail.com
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Welcome To My Studio --- Allisbright Crafts
Today's guest poster is Pat C of Allisbright Crafts. You can visit Pat's shop here: http://www.etsy.com/shop/Allisbright
Hi, I would like to share what my creative space looks like. Please click on the pictures for a better view. This is the view from the doorway.
This area is where I cut my fabric and press. My dear husband made the top for the cabinet and I have to tell you that most of my furniture didn't cost me a thing. My husband was able to pick up the cabinets and shelves at different locations where they do renovations and throw out the pieces. He's always on the look out for pieces that I might be able to use.
As you can see - I love fabric! That is just part of it - I have a nice little stash in the closet!
My husband built me the book shelf - which I use for a catch all! I have a wonderful husband!
This is what I'm working on. Those are stitched ornaments for my craft show in the fall. My goal is to make 12 per week this month and so far I'm keeping that goal.
Well there you have it, my little get away where I turn on my IPod and listen to some of my favorite music and sew, sew away. Or I take out my tablet and design some stitchery or wool projects.
Oh, and one last thing. I'll let you in a little secret - my craft room is not always this neat. When I start working on two or three projects at a time or if I'm crunching to get things done for the craft show - watch out - my room can look like a whirl wind came by!
I hope you enjoyed viewing my room - have a great day! Blessings to all.
PatC
http://www.allisbrightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Hi, I would like to share what my creative space looks like. Please click on the pictures for a better view. This is the view from the doorway.
This area is where I cut my fabric and press. My dear husband made the top for the cabinet and I have to tell you that most of my furniture didn't cost me a thing. My husband was able to pick up the cabinets and shelves at different locations where they do renovations and throw out the pieces. He's always on the look out for pieces that I might be able to use.
As you can see - I love fabric! That is just part of it - I have a nice little stash in the closet!
My husband built me the book shelf - which I use for a catch all! I have a wonderful husband!
This is what I'm working on. Those are stitched ornaments for my craft show in the fall. My goal is to make 12 per week this month and so far I'm keeping that goal.
Oh, and one last thing. I'll let you in a little secret - my craft room is not always this neat. When I start working on two or three projects at a time or if I'm crunching to get things done for the craft show - watch out - my room can look like a whirl wind came by!
I hope you enjoyed viewing my room - have a great day! Blessings to all.
PatC
http://www.allisbrightcrafts.blogspot.com/
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Handmade Spotlight - Everyone Loves Jack
Today, we're featuring an awesome collection of Jack-O-Lanterns found on ArtFire.com These cute jacks come in all shapes and sizes... just like the real ones.
Thanks for joining us!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com
If you're a member of ArtFire.com and would like some extra promotion for your shop, please join our brand new topsite, top100artfireshops.gotop100.com It's simple to join, just register, add your banner and you're done.
Thanks for joining us!
Deena Davis
www.byyourhands.blogspot.com
If you're a member of ArtFire.com and would like some extra promotion for your shop, please join our brand new topsite, top100artfireshops.gotop100.com It's simple to join, just register, add your banner and you're done.
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