Your Web Store Experience?
Saturday July 11, 2009
Web stores are available to just about every crafter these days through sites such Etsy, ArtFire, and Zibbet. I've been dabbling in these myself for awhile, even though I don't really have the time necessary to put into any of them. For me, Etsy has been the most successful. Now, maybe that's because I've been there longer and thus have been more active over there. In fact, I was a member for years before I even started selling anything.
I know a number of Jewelry Making Forum members have been very active with these types of sites. There's even a forum thread going on now posted by a member who has been thinking along the same lines as I have: Is it time to consolidate? Are duplicate shops really a good idea?
I've been wondering, as far as both selling and buy, which seem to have worked out the best generally speaking. Feel free to post your thoughts in the comments, but I've added a few polls below to help keep track of what (unofficially of course) seems to be general favorites in the crafting community.
Comments
I have been buying from Etsy a lot this year. I love the wide range of handmade items. I have purchased handmade jewelry, jewelry making supplies, and more with no problems.
Interesting poll, Tammy!
I will be interested to check back in a few days and see the results after more people have had a chance to respond.
In my opinion, creative people should put their best energy into developing their own web site and making it successful. These third party sites are great, but I don’t think any of them should be a designer’s total sales strategy.
I’ve sold on many third party sites in the past. In hindsight, I really wish I had put the time into building my own web sites instead.
I have a friend whose full time job is selling his own functional art (including jewelry.) After he invested the time in building own web site, it began to far outperform his ebay store and etsy shop. Just something to think about!
Thanks again for the interesting poll!
If you have the time, I definitely agree on setting up your own web-based store, but then you also have to keep it up to date and there are a lot of techie behind the scenes stuff to deal with. At least for me, I like the convenience of a 3rd party store, but yes, if you are really serious, you’d need a stand alone web store.
I am really interested in the result of your survey. I had tried Ebay a few times with low end and high end jewelry with little luck. It appears some do well but I just have not had results.I guarantee I have spent more in listing fees than I made from my sales.
I have been in several 3rd party stores and so far have sold only in etsy. I had already planned to close up a couple current shops. After seeing the results of this survey I am going to close up two of them today and keep etsy and jellyfiz only. Thank you for this information I will keep checking back for continued results.
I have talked to a lot of people who use 3rd party sites, but very few who have been successful. With third party sites, it is differentiating yourself from others. With your own site it is getting traffic to your site and getting your name known. I have tried a number of things with only moderate success – any suggestions?