There are many tips and tricks that seem to fly around the internet about the best way to promote your business and get your name out there. One that I've heard frequently is that it's wise to have your merchandise in more than one location. I can see the sense in that. After all you'll reach different audiences theoretically right? My main concerns with the concept has always been that I don't want to spread myself to thin, and then trying to decide which venues to even try!
My good friend Theresa of TiLTCreations mentioned to me the other day that she was planning on doing some research on the different on-line selling venues and I jumped at the idea! So expect to see more posts in the future as we do research into the different on-line venues, and review each one!
To start my research there's a few things I'm doing. For one, I'm creating a list of different on-line venues. I'm sure my list is incomplete, so please leave a note in the comment section of any sites I've missed!
The Starting List:
etsy.com
artfire.com
shophandmade.com
winkelf.com
dawanda.com
creativecafe.com
1000markets.com
ebay.com
For the next part - I need YOUR help! There's only so much I can learn by looking over each web-site, the best information come from the people who are actually using the site! If you have a minute please take the time to leave me a comment telling me what venues you sell in, and answering the following questions about each:
~ How long have you been selling with this site?
~ On a scale of 1-10, (1 being hardest and 10 being easiest) how hard/easy is it to navigate and use the site?
~ Have you had success selling on this site?
~ Are there any key features that find especially helpful on this site?
~ What's the community of artists like?
If your not comfortable leaving your comments on the blog, feel free to e-mail me at jedimarri@gmail.com :)
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
My good friend Theresa of TiLTCreations mentioned to me the other day that she was planning on doing some research on the different on-line selling venues and I jumped at the idea! So expect to see more posts in the future as we do research into the different on-line venues, and review each one!
To start my research there's a few things I'm doing. For one, I'm creating a list of different on-line venues. I'm sure my list is incomplete, so please leave a note in the comment section of any sites I've missed!
The Starting List:
etsy.com
artfire.com
shophandmade.com
winkelf.com
dawanda.com
creativecafe.com
1000markets.com
ebay.com
For the next part - I need YOUR help! There's only so much I can learn by looking over each web-site, the best information come from the people who are actually using the site! If you have a minute please take the time to leave me a comment telling me what venues you sell in, and answering the following questions about each:
~ How long have you been selling with this site?
~ On a scale of 1-10, (1 being hardest and 10 being easiest) how hard/easy is it to navigate and use the site?
~ Have you had success selling on this site?
~ Are there any key features that find especially helpful on this site?
~ What's the community of artists like?
If your not comfortable leaving your comments on the blog, feel free to e-mail me at jedimarri@gmail.com :)
Thanks in advance for your feedback!
12 comments:
OMGoodness Girl, I am spread way thin trying just about every venue that comes along, all w/o success as far as selling goes.
The news even said that Jewelry sales was one that was hit hard this holiday season.
22 sales in 12 months...
However, I recently chose to change the way I look at my etsy shops...in truth I started out with success stars in my eyes, the real truth is that it is the icing on the cake because we both have incomes.
And, I have not lost faith that the economy will turn around, and being a part of Blockhead Radio has me feeling the faith!
Hi there,
I've been on Dawanda since October this year, I've had 11 sales there (mind, I don't have a load of items in yet). The community is great and it's easy to list items. The pricing is all in Euro, which means anyone outside the EU would have to convert. I'd give this site an 8/10. I'm also on a new site 'youcraft', but no feedback yet. Oh well, it's still early days...
Good luck with your research!
I'm trying not to spread myself too thin on the internet. Etsy and Shop Handmade are the major shops (also The Artisans Shoppe). I sold 10 items on Etsy in a year, none any place else. So sad...
Remember that place we were all excited about... part of google? Now I can't find it or remember the name. Someone on an Etsy thread started talking about it... What was that name...?
Thanks for your comments so far!
Story - are you thinking about googlebase?
Yippee!!! Looking forward to doing this one with you Ruthie :)
I've posted my blog bit about it also...
http://tiltcreations.blogspot.com/2008/12/selling-venues-series.html
I can't imagine trying to keep up with another selling venue than Etsy. I'm interested though in hearing about successes with other venues in case I need to switch.
Hi Ruthie! Wonderful subject! Another selling site is ecrater.com. I joined but never used it so I really cant offer any feed back on it except to say it looks a like like Ebay! I think both Etsy and Ebay are great sites. Ebay has the most exposure though it is saturated. I think now though lots more people are looking for deals and used items on line with the economy and the concept of upcycling and going green
I've been selling with Etsy for just over 10 months. I don't have any complaints about the navigation of the site - I can usually find what I'm looking for rather quickly. I've had 13 sales since opening my online shop, which isn't bad, but I've had much more success with local consignment shops. The community of artists that I have conversed with have all been very friendly, polite and very courteous. I don't want to spread myself too thin with online venues and I'm content where I am so I'll stay put....for now :)
I wrote out a comment but think it was lost so here is is again...
Wonderful posting - what a fabulous resource project, thanks so much!
I've listed on Lovli, Mintd, Smashing Darling and Dawand along with Etsy but have already left feedback on your Etsy feed so here's my feedback for the other sites.
Mintd & Lovli:
No longer listing on these sites. Found them difficult to navigate, slow to load new listings and honestly didn't have the time to list on them. Community of artists were very friendly though.
Smashing Darling:
~ I've been listed on Smashing Darling for about 15 months
~ Their site is fairly easy to navigate, I'd give them a 7
~ I've made a sale with SD but feel the lack of sales is my fault as I haven't focused much on SM since joining Etsy. Their views are very high, approx. 25,000 per week so I truly feel the fault is mine for not selling more.
~ Follow their photo sizing requirements or your information will be deleted while listing an item, there are no do-overs on SM. Also keeping up with their blog is important.
~ There really isn't much of a community sense with the artists as there are no forums to post in.
DaWanda:
~ I believe I've been listed for about 8 months on Dawanda.
~ I would give them a 4, I usually get lost on their site and I know there are features I'm just not using because I can't find them.
~ I haven't made any sales on DaWanda
~ Not really
~ They're rather friendly
Thank you again for this wonderful research project you and Theresa are working on, what a wealth of information.
You might add Silkfair to your list to consider. I have made one sale on there so far. It is easy and free to list. You pay a 3% commission on sales. It is not handcrafted only but many of the sellers are artists, artisans or crafters. They are trying hard there and the admin is very responsive.
Thank you so much for all the feedback you've been getting me - I'm taking notes!
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