If you are wanting to sell online, there are a number of sites which take away the hassle and the cost of starting up your own website. The best known is Etsy. Earlier this year, I compared Etsy with their main rival, ArtFire which just celebrated their first anniversary.
ArtFire's set monthly fee with no commissions struck a chord with many artisans. You can sell as much as you like currently for $12 a month with a pro account. You can also have a free shop but there is a limit of 12 active listings and you won't have access to a number of features. [Update :Artfire is now offering unlimited listings for free shops until at least the end of the year and probably longer. But note these stores do not have the tools the pro shops do].
What IS different is the monthly charge. You have a choice of 4 types of shops whose monthly charge varies from $1.99 a month for a Power Shop to$7.99 a month for a Top Shop. Unlike ArtFire Pro shops there is however a cap on a varying number of products and categories in exchange for lower monthly fees. No matter which type you go for, they all have the same available features but these are not as extensive compared to the other two sites.
Also attractive are the discounts for advance payment. For example if you purchase 3 months of a Power Shop, you get the fourth free. The more months you buy, the greater the discounts. But you could also pay as you go.
Which site is best? Well, each of the three selling sites mentioned here have their strengths and weaknesses. It all depends on which suits your needs best. Etsy is very well known so the traffic there is terrific but so is the competition. Art Fire is now the number 2 selling site and will suit highly creative artisans who love to churn out tons of stuff. FunkyFinds though has a very attractive pricing policy if shops cost is most important to you - a consideration for all businesses and especially new ones.
Remember, no matter which you choose, you still have to work at promoting your store!
For tutorials check out my Jewelry Making Tips
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The Beading Gem's Journal
7 comments:
Great post for the beginner artisan to get their business up and going. It could even benefit more seasoned artisans as well. Thanks for sharing the link!
-Stephanie
I've never heard of FunkyFindsUS...will have to check it out!!! Although I've never done well in sales online...so I've let my sites dwindle...may give it another try now that my busy season is winding down!
There is also iCraft.ca...I don't remember if I've ever seen you mention it here??? I'm sure you have and I just don't remember... :0)
Cheers
Thanks for the tip on iCraft.ca. If anyone is interested in that one (open to international sellers), they charge a one time fee of $25. No commission charges. Free shop of 5 items. The next shop up is $5 per month - not as cheap as Funkyfinds. You can add extra items to each shop category for 20 cents per item.
Hi there!
I wanted to point out that your information on FREE Basic shops on Artfire is outdated. Artfire currently allows UNLIMITED listings for the free basic accounts (no longer limited to 12 items).
Please update your blog post with this information... thanks! Nathalie
Thanks Nathalie for the updated info! I have amended the post.
Hello,
This is Joe & Jessica from Funky Finds!
Receive an additional two free months with The Shops@FunkyFinds when you mention "The Beading Gem's Journal" upon sign up.
http://www.funkyfinds.us/theshops/compare.php
* Good For Any Shop Type
* Offer Expires 12-31-09
CHEERS!
http://www.FunkyFinds.us
Wow! Thanks for offering that Joe and Jessica.
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