If you make unique handmade jewellery, colourful crochet creations or any other handcrafted item, you may be wondering how to sell handmade items online as a handmade seller or artisan maker.
Although selling handmade items in the UK can seem overwhelming at first. In this article we’ll break it down into a list of the best craft selling sites in the UK, helping makers and small craft businesses choose the right platform, from Etsy to MadeMe and more.
Where to sell handmade items in the UK
When considering where to sell homemade crafts in the UK, most of the sites below are online marketplaces that let indpendent sellers to use their platform to sell your products to customers. They usually charge a membership fee or take a commission of your sales, but they can be an effective way for creative sellers to grow their audience.
Etsy
Etsy is the most well-known online shop for crafts and gifts, so it’s ideal if you want to get your product in front of a global audience. However, it does charge a per-item fee for listings and takes a 6.5% commission of your sales, so you’ll need to decide whether the pricing model works for your maker business. For more information, read our article how to sell your handmade crafts on Etsy.
Folksy
Folksy is a well-established UK-based online market that was first launched back in 2008. Although only UK sellers are able to trade on the platform, customers from around the world can buy your products. The site is known for having a supportive community of buyers, makers and crafters, and it’s a great UK alternative to Etsy.
MadeMe
MadeMe is another UK-based store where handmade sellers can sell their creations online, with the option to disable international shipping if you’d rather just sell to British customers. The website offers a yearly or a monthly subscription, with no additional listing fees or commission fees.
Vinted
Although Vinted is better known as a platform for selling second-hand clothes, some creative sellers use it to sell their handmade crafts. However, the platform does have some rules and restrictions on the types of items that can be sold – for example, paintings, drawings and home fragrances are not permitted.
Amazon Handmade
Amazon Handmade is an Amazon Seller programme that is available via application only, to ensure that your products really are handmade. The application process usually only takes a couple of days, and one of the benefits of this platform is that it is part of the world’s most popular online marketplace. It appeals to artisan producers who want access to a large customer base through Amazon’s platform.
Where to sell handmade items for free in the UK?
Most online marketplaces charge a commission or a fee to sellers for using their platform, but Facebook Marketplace allows handmade sellers to list products for free. It lets you sell locally to people within a 100 mile radius of your location, which can work well for local traders.
However, it doesn’t let you set up your own separate shop on their platform, and Facebook does not offer seller protection or support if anything goes wrong, which can be limiting for independent sellers.
FAQs
- What handmade craft sells best? Many makers find that although the possibilities for selling crafts as a hobby in the UK are almost endless, some products are more popular than others. Handmade jewellery, candles, pottery and soap are among the best-selling items.
- Can you sell handmade things on Vinted? Yes, handmade sellers can use Vinted to sell your art and crafts. However, the platform has some restrictions on the types of items you can sell, so it’s important to check this before going ahead.
- Do I need insurance to sell crafts online? If you only sell your products online, you are not legally required to have insurance. However, it’s important to note that these websites like Etsy are just selling platforms. If you don’t have your own insurance policy, handmade sellers will not be covered if any issues arise with your products. For example, if a customer hurts themselves on a piece of sharp jewellery.
- What type of insurance do I need? Public and Product Liability insurance is recommended for online sellers. It is a good idea to have Public and Products Liability insurance to protect you against any issues. For example, if a customer develops a rash after using one of your soaps. However, if you’re selling products at a market or another physical location as a market trader or stallholder, Public and Products Liability Insurance becomes essential.
Need insurance for crafters? Visit CMTIA’s crafters insurance page for more information, or read our article about how to sell handmade products online.
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