If you would like to sell your crafts online an online craft mall may be the perfect solution for you, but there is more to selling on the internet than just opening up an online shop, when you open up your online shop keep in mind that this shop is a real business and needs to be tended. The same marketing principals apply for your business both on and offline if you want your business to be successful.
Marketing your New Online Shop
First you need to let all of your regular customers know about your new shop in the Craft Mall, tell them that you will now be open for business 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for their convenience. You can encourage them to visit your new online shop by offering them a discount when they buy their first product.
Another way to market your unique handmade crafts is to place small classified ads in publications for crafters, usually these types of publications are read by people who are interested in buying handmade arts and crafts.
Online there are endless places to advertise your new craft shop without it costing you large amounts of money. You can place ads in free craft classifieds, craft forums and craft directories. If you spend just a couple of hours a day promoting your new online craft shop you will soon see a steady flow of new customers coming to your craft shop ready to buy your handmade products.
Another way to grow your business is to attend some of your local craft shows. Be careful when deciding on the craft shows you attend, ask question before you register, find out how many visitors they get each day at the show. If you decide to register for a show make sure you have your business cards and flyers with the web address of your new shop in the online craft mall ready to handout to potential customers. Invite new and regular customers to sign up for your monthly newsletter, this will give you the opportunity to contact these customers at a later date when you have new product or when you are having a sale.
Selling in consignment shops can be another outlet for your crafts and a way to let more people know about your new online craft shop, but make sure that the owner will allow you to place a display with your business cards, flyers and the web address of your new online store.
