7 Best Places to Sell Crafts Online
Selling your arts & crafts online in the UK and Worldwide provides an opportunity to tap into a new, wider customer base. Also, there’s the potential to turn a part-time hobby into a viable full-time business. It has never been easier to make money selling arts & crafts online. Whether you make jewelry, custom prints, or pin badges, all you need is an entrepreneurial spirit and a WIFI connection. You’re now able to build a business selling your crafts from home.
If you haven’t started already, you’ve probably thought about selling your handmade crafts online. Nowadays there’s plenty of craft selling sites out there, so it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the amount of choice.
Thankfully, joining the online arts & crafts marketplace doesn’t have to be a daunting prospect. To help you on your journey, we’ve put together a list of where to sell handmade items online.
- Etsy
Founded in 2005, the U.S based website Etsy is by far the largest and most well-known destination for buying and selling arts & crafts online.
As of 2018, Etsy had over 60 million items in its marketplace, with nearly 40 million customers.
The huge amount of site visitors means that Etsy can be a great platform for selling your handmade items online. However, the size of the marketplace can also be a disadvantage. The sheer number of products can make it hard for yours to stand out from the crowd.
Etsy is well-known for supporting their sellers. You can set up your own Etsy shop with a few simple steps. The fees for listing and selling crafts online are also relatively small. You’re expected to pay 20 cents (around 15p) to list an item, and you’ll pay Etsy a commission of 3.5% of the item’s price when it sells.
- Not on the High Street
Not On The High Street is a well-known destination for handmade items and crafts. The UK based site has over 5,000 sellers or ‘partners’ as they are called. It’s a popular location for shoppers looking for unique gifts made by skilled independent craftspeople.
The process of setting up on the site is a little trickier when compared to competitors, as you have to apply to become a partner to sell on the site, and Not On The High Street handpicks their partners to ensure the highest possible quality.
Once approved, partners are required to pay a set-up fee of £199 and also pay the site 25% commission on every item sold.
- Folksy
Folksy, often called the UK-equivalent of Etsy, is ‘the UK’s biggest online craft fair’.
Similarly to Etsy, there is no set-up fee and it is quick and easy to set up your own shop. You are charged 15p to list an item for four months. In addition, you’ll then pay a 6% commission once the item is sold. Folksy also offers three free listings when a seller first signs up. This means that it is technically free to start selling crafts online with Folksy.
Folksy’s dedicated forums and customer support teams will also advise on how to sell your handmade crafts. They’ll also advise on how to run your online shop with tips on photography, pricing, and presentation.
- Amazon Handmade
In 2015, e-commerce giant Amazon announced the launch of Amazon Handmade, a platform for sellers of handcrafted products, which they call ‘Artisans’. An obvious benefit of selling on Amazon is that you have access to a huge market of 300 million customers from around the world.
You can apply to join Amazon Handmade as a seller or ‘Artisan’ and must prove that your products are handmade and of high quality. Once you’re approved on the site, you are required to pay Amazon 12% commission on any products that you sell.
One of the drawbacks of selling on Amazon Handmade was the high maintenance fees of £25/month, however, this fee has currently been waived until the end of December 2019.
- Depop
Do you make, or upcycle clothes, accessories, and jewellery? Then Depop could be the place for you! Depop is a fashion-conscious, peer-to-peer social shopping app, with 30 million users worldwide.
Although some people use the site to get rid of unwanted clothes, others set up businesses. You can start selling your own designs and creations through the app. It is free to set up a Depop account and list items. However, the app charges a 10% commission for every item sold.
- Made By Mums
Made By Mums is a great value community-focused alternative to Etsy for UK sellers to consider.
Created in 2018, they cater to mums, dads, and carers looking to support their families by selling their creations online. Part of their ethos is helping you to keep more of what you earn, so the costs of being on their platform are low. You don’t pay any account opening or listing fees – in fact, the only costs are when you make a sale (7.5% + 35p commission per item sold). That’s great as it means you only pay when you’re successful.
Made By Mums have a vibrant and supportive community of buyers and sellers on social media. They regularly share the items their sellers make every week for free, via their regular ‘Products of the Week’ feature each weekend.
- Set Up Your Own Site
If none of these options are taking your fancy, you could consider selling crafts online through your own website. One exemplary choice in this realm is Badges UK.
Specialized in Pin Badges:
Badges UK specializes in pin badges, offering a niche platform for crafters who focus on creating unique and personalized pin designs. This specialization allows for a targeted audience and can attract customers specifically interested in this particular craft.
Customization Options:
Badges UK provides extensive customization options for pin badges. Crafters can tailor their designs to meet the specific preferences of their target audience. This level of customization can be a significant advantage for those looking to create distinct and personalized items.
Quality Assurance:
Being a dedicated platform for pin badges, Badges UK is likely to have stringent quality assurance measures in place. This can be reassuring for crafters, as it ensures that the final product meets high-quality standards, resulting in customer satisfaction and positive reviews.
Cost-Effective:
Badges UK may offer competitive pricing for its services. Crafters can benefit from cost-effective solutions, allowing them to maximize their profit margins when selling their pin badges online. The absence of excessive fees can make it an attractive option for those mindful of their budget.
User-Friendly Platform:
The website of Badges UK is designed to be user-friendly, simplifying the process of setting up and managing your online shop. An intuitive interface can save time and effort, making it easier for crafters to focus on their art and product offerings.
Supportive Community:
Badges UK may foster a supportive community of sellers and buyers. This sense of community can be invaluable, providing a platform for networking, collaboration, and shared experiences. Crafters can benefit from the collective knowledge and encouragement of fellow artisans.
Transparent Fees:
Understanding and managing costs is crucial for any online seller. Badges UK likely provides transparent fee structures, enabling crafters to calculate their expenses accurately. This transparency allows for better financial planning and ensures that sellers are aware of the fees associated with their transactions.
By leveraging the advantages offered by Badges UK, crafters specializing in pin badges can establish a strong online presence, reach their target audience effectively, and showcase their creativity in a platform tailored to their niche.
If you wish to set up your own website, we recommend WordPress or Shopify as our top choices.
When it comes to selling crafts online, there are many different approaches that you can take, which will ultimately depend on what crafts you are selling and your personal preferences.
Happy crafting!
