I want to start a small online business where I make and sell moderately priced jewelry?

Question

How do I begin? I already have a website in the works, but how do I make it profitable. I'm not talking about anything other than making a little money on the side while doing something I love. I love top make jewelry, but I get to where I have so much of it and I don't really wear it.

Answer 1

Whether its a web based business or a bricks and mortar business you'll have some of the same start up challenges. I would strongly recommend that you talk to a business counselor before you do anything especially spend money. I'd call the local office of SCORE (go to http://www.score.org and input your zip code to find the chapter nearest you), the advice is FREE.

The counselor at SCORE will most likely advise you to write a business plan which is very good advice because it will force you to dig out all of the start up details and the costs of starting jewelry business and force you to also understand all of the aspects of this business including the customers you'll concentrate on (your market ) and how you'll go after them.

Try this link :
http://www.ychange.com/small-business-consulting-articles.html
and read some of the articles especially the ones about a business plan and starting a business.

Answer 2

You might find it better to start out by selling directly to friends, co-workers, and others in your social circle. Also, you might want to consider selling at any local craft fairs - you can probably sell out your inventory in a weekend, if there are enough buyers in attendance. And a good way to sell something is to get someone else to sell it for you, so you could also try bringing your pieces to local stores and boutiques to see if they will sell them on consignment.

Websites aren't like a field of dreams - if you build it, they won't necessarily come. It will cost you time and effort to build a website, set up a merchant account, market the website, and remember you'll be doing all the packing and shipping yourself, which is going to take a big bite out of the free time you have, which you would probably prefer to spend making more jewelry. If you're determined to do it online, check some of the resources in bead and jewelry magazines, or see some other jewelry websites to see how it's done.

Answer 3

Siobhan,
It is a lovely idea, and clever too. You need to be able to get targeted traffic to your site (if you have one built), in order to make it profitable. There are several ways to do that.

Basically, the site has to be good and full of informative content and keyword focused pages. You also need to get some inbound links to your site from outside sources that will increase your search engine ranking. You can definitely make it work if you have the right instruction on how to make it a success. Unfortunately, there is no way I could put all the info. you need in this space that yahoo allows for answers. =)

If you seriously want to do this, I recommend that you look in my profile and follow the link about targeted traffic, as well as any of the others that you think may help.

I have a site myself http://www.chocolate-candy-mall.com about chocolate candy. I never thought I could do this, but with the right tools and instruction - wow - it makes a world of difference.

Wishing you success...

Answer 4

Use eBay, building a website is for more manufactures for products. That you can always get supply from.

If the pieces you bought was at retail price, then you won't make any money, unless it is collector's item.

Answer 5

Perhaps you should try selling on ebay first.
Have an online shop on ebay and refer to your website on your sales until your website picks up. Use paypal to receive payment and charge for posting just like ebay.
People will email you from ebay. Keep their email addresses and email them to go look at your website for more like above.

Answer 6

well get help from the net sites

Answer 7

ebay