Selling pottery online
Selling pottery online can be really worthwhile in many ways. I started selling my pottery online in 2017 and I would say above all else, persistence is needed to get results. Presentation, of course, is key to showcasing work online, and getting to grips with photography is just one of the skills I’ve had to hone. It has helped that I have a background in design – I run a small graphic design business with my wife where recent projects have included, for example, a new website for Rochester Cathedral. However, as creative potters or crafters, all of us should have a good eye and that’s what is needed to ensure online work looks as stunning as possible.
It’s the appeal and perhaps uniqueness of work that achieves sales. One still needs to find customers though, because for every beautiful work of craftsmanship put into an online shop, there will be a hundred (or a hundred thousand) wonderful pieces by other artisans to compete with.
My technique to sell online is detailed in my six simple steps:
1. Products (ideally with a USP – Unique Selling Point)
2. A unique brand
3. Online shopfront (and a way to take payments)
4. Fulfilment (packing, sending to home and abroad)
5. Customers
6. Marketing
I say, six simple steps, but of course there is a lot involved in each of these steps – lots to get to grips with. Notheless, I believe these provide a really good basis to starting to sell handmade products online. I’m not showing you how to become a dot.com millionaire, simply that if you make crafts and are interested to reach a wider, possibly worldwide audience, then this could be a good way to start.
You can browse and purchase Simon’s ceramics in his online Etsy shop at OlleyPottery.com