Start a Craft Business in 2024
If your goal is to start a craft business next year or even right now, then you’re in the right place! I have faith that you are absolutely ready to be seen as a serious creative and start your own successful online handmade business.
Before we dive in and talk about how to make it happen, I want to say the flexibility of working from home, being your own boss, and being in control of your own schedule is awesome! Doing what you love and making money doing it is even better.
With patience, persistence, and passion, you can make it your reality. It’s not as hard as you think, it just takes dedication and work.
You have to have a desire to make things happen and a dedication to see it through. Do you have what it takes? If so, keep reading!
Build a Following
After you pick your niche and get the legal portion of building your business completed, your next step is to build a following of fans who can’t get enough of what it is that you are selling. I know what you’re thinking right now. This is impossible. I hate social media. I don’t have time. Stop right there! With the right steps and tools, you have exactly what it takes to pull this off.
If you want to grow a sustainable online craft business and get the chance to quit your job, then this needs to be one of your primary goals.
I just want to make sales so why do I need to worry about a following?
One word? Relationships.
When you’re an online seller, people need to be able to trust you. If people don’t trust you, or feel comfortable and safe on your website, they won’t purchase your products and that’s not good for you.
Building relationships with your followers is sort of like making lots of new friends. You need to treat them just like you would a good friend. People who feel a personal and friendly connection with you are going to become your best customers. They’ll refer you to others and brag about your products. They’ll become your loyal online besties which is an absolute win for your business!
How do I know this? Well, because I did it!
Get a Website
Selling on Etsy is great for getting your feet wet, but if you want to start a craft business that is sustainable with a solid foundation, you need your own website.
Artisans in all sorts of craft trades who want to establish themselves as an expert, inspire, build a loyal following, and look professional always get websites for their businesses.
If you are not really serious and want to just make some side cash then sticking with Etsy alone is perfectly fine.
There are hobby artists who just enjoy doing some work and then there are dedicated artists who want to build a brand and go all in. That’s okay to be either one.
This article is mainly for the ones who want to put on the CEO hat and create a handmade business that will replace their full-time income.
If you’re tech-savvy, you can start a website for your business with self-hosted WordPress or Shopify. For a reasonable fee, you can search for folks who will build the site for you. There are ways to make things happen so don’t let your fear of tech cause you to throw in the towel.
I used to be terrible with technology, but I taught myself and learned as I went along and now I know enough to keep my business flowing.
Your first 1000 followers will always be the hardest to get but once you hit that mark, things will start speeding up and getting easier.
Can you imagine starting a craft business that would:
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Bring in your ideal customer on autopilot
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Sell your work for you while you sleep
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Bring in potential clients and customer inquiries on the regular
The Craft Blueprint
That’s what’s possible with the proper craft business setup.
Below is the exact framework I used in my own craft business. So many successful handmade business entrepreneurs use it too.
You can replicate the process for your business.
The C.R.A.F.T. Blueprint
C: Content
Content is anything you create and share with your followers. This could be email, blog post, social media content, photos, resource lists, or videos. You need content in order to connect with and draw in potential customers.
R: Revenue
Income you make through product sales, commissions, etc.
A: A Website
This is your kingdom, your thriving empire. The one place where you have full control over everything!
Everything you do will ultimately link back to your website. This is where your customers will learn more about your products, and how to connect with you and shop your products. It will showcase you as an expert in your field and be the place for establishing trust with your potential buyers.
F: Followers
Followers as we already know are pretty important, but subscribers to your emails should be the top priority. Email subscribers are much more likely to purchase from you than social media followers. This is why it really helps to build up your email list.
T: Traffic
Traffic is the lifeblood of an online business. Your product and website can be perfect but if you don’t have traffic, your sales are dead. Traffic means anyone who is visiting your website.
Domain, Host, and Website Options
You’ll need to set up your domain name (yourwebsite.com) which is an inexpensive investment. You do need to do some research before you decide upon a name.
I recommend thinking about domain names that resonate with what your business is about, and what your selling. Be sure you leave room for pivoting (branching out to other products) in case your business expands. For example: Janice’s quilts would not be a good fit if Janice wants to sell birdhouses one day.
Make sure you do a domain name search and Google search to verify no one already has that name.
Make sure to Google the domain name you want as well because you don’t want to spend money on a name only to find out someone else is using it.
Set up a Shopify store or WordPress site.
Share why you became a maker/creator. Include beautiful photos and add a blog. List your contact information in an easy-to-find spot on your website. Keep everything organized and make sure your site design is simple. Nothing drives potential shoppers off faster than being unable to navigate a website easily.
Your website is important but don’t get stuck on nitpicking. You can come back and make changes at any time. Get the site going, get it edited for errors and most importantly get it active so you can start making money.
Your Email List
Your email list is the bread and butter of your business. This is what drives a huge chunk of income for online businesses. Every subscriber you get will become a member of your craft business fan club. Each one is an important part of your business.
Here is a list of email service providers. Out of this list, I prefer Convertkit.
Convertkit
Constant Contact
Aweber
Mailerlite
Mailchimp
Do your research and see what you think. You will want to start with one and try to stick with them because making changes down the road can sometimes be a hassle.
Convertkit is nice and free for almost all the features minus automation up to 1000 subscribers.
Don’t get discouraged if your list doesn’t instantly start building. Every business is different. Just work on it and give it time but don’t give up. Give them content that makes them want to keep coming back to your site for more.
It’s better to have a smaller email list of die-hard fans than a huge list of disinterested people. Quality over quantity.
Stay positive and consistently invite people to follow your work via newsletters and updates.
Content is King When you Start a Craft Business
In conclusion, starting an online craft business is a huge step but an exciting one! If you’re excited and passionate about your work, it’s gonna show. If you’re determined to succeed, you will put in the effort you need and make it happen. Grow a following that engages with you and your content. Share content that resonates with your followers’ wants and needs. As for feedback and interact with your followers. Step outside of your comfort zone. Learn what works and what doesn’t and adjust accordingly. Push yourself to keep growing and learning. Be open to change and don’t fear trying new things. Invest in yourself and your education because it will take your business far!
If you are trying to figure out how to get your handmade craft business going, I have the perfect roadmap to help you along the way. My free guide, Handmade Business Startup Blueprint gives you what you need to get your business started. Download it here and get your business started the right way.