In recent years, we’ve seen massive growth in the number of crafters and makers wanting to start their own online, e-commerce business and sell the items they love making full-time.
Even just last night, my husband came home from work (he’s a teacher) talking about a coworker that is now selling on Etsy and asked me for advice on how, we’ll call him C.R., can handle a particular a shipping issue that occurred.
Crafters and makers really are all around us. Creating from their craft rooms and spare bedrooms and wanting to earn an additional source of income.
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But many makers are unsure how to even get started with selling online for the first time.
I have been a seller online since 2013 and man, have things changed since then. There are so many places you can now sell your handcrafted and digital products. With the internet and technology, we are no longer just bound to local craft fairs and farmer’s markets. The internet is now our ocean to sell in.
So, where can you sell your handmade products online?
Marketplaces
Marketplaces are a great place to start selling online to get a jumpstart into e-commerce. They usually have their own following of buyers, and you are essentially renting a space to list and advertise your products.
Marketplace platforms are perfect for beginners as the learning curve is the smallest as far as online shopping carts goes. There isn’t much needed technology-wise other than a computer and the internet and no coding is required.
With us a little bit of information about you and your business and very little start up costs, usually under $5, you could have your first batch of products listed and ready to shoppers to buy in minutes.
The barrier to entry is super low for selling on marketplaces.
Here are my top list of marketplace platforms to sell your handmade and digital products. Not in any particular order.
- Etsy
- Amazon Handmade
- Amazon Seller Account
- Creative Market
- Creative Fabrica
- Design Bundles
- Font Bundles
- Teachers Pay Teachers
- Gum Road
- Society 6
- Red Bubble
- Spoonflower
- GoImagine
- Faire
- CrateJoy
- Michael’s MakerPlace
- Facebook Marketplace
- Zazzle
Many of the sites listed above are places I’ve sold products on myself or have bought from.
There are loads more popping up all the time, but they tend to be smaller as they are just getting up and running and have a smaller buyer pool so you probably won’t see growth on newer, smaller marketplaces as quickly.
Want to start your own Etsy shop?? Get started now with this link to get 40 FREE listing credits!!
For additional help with what types of items can be sold on Etsy, specifically, check out this blog post.
Independent Websites/ Website Builders
I always recommend setting up your own website. Always.
I have seen too many times where marketplace sellers are in Facebook groups talking about how their seller accounts have gotten suspended or shut down. Many times this is due to not following the platform’s selling policies, even if by accident, but it can also happen due to errors and glitches as well.
It is always devastating to here of these situations and can be financially disastrous if you are only selling on one marketplace or website.
My recommendation is to start sell on more than one marketplace and also create your own independent website. Something you own.
Having your own website is also great for building your brand as you can easily add email signup forms and really customize your website to meet your business needs.
You also aren’t bound by as many rules and policies, such as handmade items only, and can sell a whole host of different products and services.
Here are my top recommendations for website builders for e-commerce.
- Shopify
- WordPress – WooCommerce Plugin
- Squarespace
- Wix
- Ecwid
I highly recommend Shopify if you are brand new to e-commerce and don’t want any complicated technical headaches. Get started on Shopify today for just $1.
Social Media
Social media can also be a great place to sell online.
I have heard loads of success stories about selling in Facebook groups, Instagram and TikTok shops.
These can be perfect for those who already have or are starting to create their own following on social media. You also don’t need loads of followers but just a few dedicated fans can provide a great addition to your income.
- Facebook Groups
- TikTok
For Course Creators
I’m including this section because I’ve seen a huge trend toward online education. And yes, I would consider this a handmade product if you are, in fact, the face and the one doing the teaching.
For our makers out there that also enjoy teaching people their craft, here is my recommendations for course creator-focused websites to list your courses on.
On these sites, you can list all the courses you offer, bundled courses and more.
Courses can include video tutorials, PDFs and printables, guides, checklists and more to get your buyers started on their own making journeys or whatever it is you’d like to teach.
Course creation is just one more way to reach your potential customers and create an additional stream of income.
- Teachable
- Thinkific
- Kajabi
I hope that this gives you a better idea of what options are available for you to start your online, e-commerce adventure. Sky really is the limit here as you could sell on one or twenty of these sites, keep your business small or grow to whole new heights.
Go back through these lists, pick the ones that sound like you might be interested in them and explore what they have to offer you and your budding online business.
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