How to Sell Your Handmade Items and Crafts Online

Sell your handmade items online and make extra money for the holidays. If you've already tried your hand at eBay and other online websites, a new website called Etsy may be for you. Etsy, started by three New York University alumni, provides crafters with an online marketplace to sell handmade clothes, jewelry, pottery, home items and much more. If you're passionate about crafts such as sewing, knitting, crotchet, scrapbooking and more, Etsy provides a fast and easy way to sell online.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Crafts you've made yourself. Etsy doesn't allow resellers.
• Digital camera
• Computer with Internet connection
• PayPal account
• About 1-3 hours of time to set up account and list item

1. Log onto the Internet and go to the Etsy website. Register an account. This entitles you to an online Etsy store. Unlike eBay, Etsy users create online stores. Be careful when choosing your Etsy screen name. This will become the name of your Etsy store.

2. Browse the categories in which you make crafts. There are many categories, including: accessories, art, clothes, jewelry, purses, books, knitting, needlecrafts, music, glass, and much, much more. Browse the section in which you wish to sell. This will give you an idea of competitive prices on Etsy and what other sellers are doing.

3. Think of keywords that describe your items to list on Etsy. Maximize search engine optimization by writing copy so that it naturally includes keywords that describe your item.

4. Take clear digital photos of your items to sell and upload them to your computer. Use a photo imaginaging software to crop images and adjust color. Be sure to take pictures of items from all sides if it is hand decorated or has different decorations from all sides.

5. List your item to Etsy. Listing fees start at just twenty cents each! If someone buys your item, you are responsible for shipping it and for any shipping fees.

Tips & Warnings

• People buy with their eyes. Make sure the photos justify the product.
• Don't undervalue your work. Look at what others are selling similar works for and price accordingly.
• Don't expect instant results. Build your clientele over time.

Resources

• Etsy, the new online marketplace to sell crafts
• How to Write Effective Ecommerce Copy
• Online gallery for people who make horse art and horse-themed gifts

[vintage]

on 8/8/2009 i love etsy.com, good article 5*

[taskeinc]

on 11/13/2008 Wow .. "Etsy" .. this is new for me .. I'll have to check it out.

[brantsbabe]

on 11/3/2008 Thanks, very interesting. I'll check out this site.