From my experience of being a handmade maker who sells my creations online and in person, I thought I would explore this discussion a little further. Both options can make for a fulfilling and profitable venture though they both have their pros and cons for sure. In this blog post we will explore both the benefits and challenges of each.
Selling Handmade items online
Pros:
1. Wider Audience Reach:
Global market: online platforms allow you to reach customers from around the world., significantly expanding your potential customer base.
24/7 Availability: Your shop can operate round the clock, enabling sales at any time of day, catering to different time zones.
2. Convenience:
Your online shop is always open, making it easy for customers to browse and purchase at any time.
3. Low Overhead: Marketplaces like Etsy, Shopify, Goimagine, make it convenient to have a shop online for a low cost.
4. Marketing tools: Use social media, email marketing, and SEO to drive traffic and increase sales.
5. Scalability: Easily add more products, expand into other markets, or grow your business at your own pace.
Cons
Competition: The online marketplace is crowded, making it harder to stand out.
Fees: Many platforms charge listing, transaction, or subscription fees that customers into your profit.
Shipping challenges: Packaging, shipping costs, and handling returns require effort and expense.
Impersonal experience: Without face to face interaction, building relationships with customers can be harder.
Tech skills required: Setting up and maintaining a shop requires some technical knowledge.
Selling Handmde items in Person
Pros
Personal Connection: Meeting customers face to face fosters trust and loyalty.
Immediate Feedback:You can see how customers respond to your products and adjust accordingly.
No shipping Hassles: Customers take their purchases home immediately, eliminating shipping logistics
Memorable Experiences: Craft fairs, markets, and pop-ups allow you to showcase your brand’s personality.
Community Presence: Build a local customer base and grow word of mouth referrals.
Cons
Limited Reach: Your customer base is restricted to the local area or the event’s attendees.
Higher costs: Renting a booth or storefront and traveling to events adds to expenses.
Time Commitment: Events and in person selling require significant time and energy.
Unpredictable Sales: Attendance, weather, and other factors can impact your sales.
Inventory Management: You may need to carry and transport physical inventory, which can be tricky to manage.
Final thoughts
I have taken what is called the hybrid approach and have a combination of both. I sell my items in person at local market events and I have a shop online with Etsy and my own hosted through Goimagine. One of the other challenges of having a handmade business when you are small and solo is also managing and doing all of the things you need to do on your own. There are rewards and cons with that as well. In the end I would say, if you are thinking of starting up your own business whether it’s for a handmade product or otherwise, knowing there are challenges, don’t give up. The rewards are much greater than the challenges. I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Do you sell online and or in person? Maybe you’re thinking about doing so?
thenexusknitter 