So i just made my website and i had a few questions for the people out there that sell their work online. If i take the approach of trying to sell my work via the internet (with prices and buy buttons and all) is it possible i might just sell something? I have no question over if my stuff is good enough to buy, it is simply that i wouldnt think that art collectors would "stumble" across my site and then be willing to shell out money on something they didnt get to see in a gallery. any success stories? I have been turning for a few years, but nobody knows my name yet. So i dont know if that's a factor. Thanks!
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selling over the internet
- Thread starter jcooper
- Start date
DMcIvor
AAW Staff
selling from a web site
I've found that items do occasionally sell from my web site, but rarely so. I don't think I've even covered the cost of developing and maintaining the site. Mostly it is my shaving brushes that sell--a specialized item--and I have had people find a piece (other than brushes) posted on my site and then call me to purchase it (as opposed to using the Paypal system I have set up).
I think of my web site as just one component of my marketing strategy. It's really just a fancy business card--a way for people to find me. You're right that as in any art form, woodturning requires a certain amount of name recognition to help ambivalent shoppers make a buying decision. The process of investigating and deciding to buy a turned piece also has a tactile element. For most of us, we need to be able to pick up the piece and hold it in our hands, an experience the web has yet to provide.
Don
I've found that items do occasionally sell from my web site, but rarely so. I don't think I've even covered the cost of developing and maintaining the site. Mostly it is my shaving brushes that sell--a specialized item--and I have had people find a piece (other than brushes) posted on my site and then call me to purchase it (as opposed to using the Paypal system I have set up).
I think of my web site as just one component of my marketing strategy. It's really just a fancy business card--a way for people to find me. You're right that as in any art form, woodturning requires a certain amount of name recognition to help ambivalent shoppers make a buying decision. The process of investigating and deciding to buy a turned piece also has a tactile element. For most of us, we need to be able to pick up the piece and hold it in our hands, an experience the web has yet to provide.
Don
- Joined
- Feb 24, 2007
- Messages
- 81
- Likes
- 0
- Location
- Bingley, West Yorkshire, England
- Website
- www.bobchapman.co.uk
I sell a steady stream of small pieces from my site, with folk sending a cheque or ringing me to use a card over the phone, but mostly people like to handle before they buy. I've had people travel 200 miles to see a piece before they bought it but that's unusual.
Where the site more than pays for itself is in advertising tuition and demonstrating. I get people coming from all over the UK and Ireland for lessons, and demonstrate all over the north of England. Most of this comes via my website.
Give it a try or you'll never know, but don't expect instant results. It will take months before you can search for yourself with success (if you see what I mean).
Bob
Where the site more than pays for itself is in advertising tuition and demonstrating. I get people coming from all over the UK and Ireland for lessons, and demonstrate all over the north of England. Most of this comes via my website.
Give it a try or you'll never know, but don't expect instant results. It will take months before you can search for yourself with success (if you see what I mean).
Bob
Bill Grumbine
In Memorium
I started my business back before there was an internet, and we spent a fortune on printed materials to promote it. Then, I got to be one of the first five people selling wood pens on the web. There have been many ups and downs, and the competition is huge, but overall, my site has done very well for me, especially with the advent of the videos.
But even if I did not sell a single thing, the price of the site as well as the time maintaining it is still worthwhile as a catalog and a portfolio of my work for potential customers. In the early days of the internet, there was almost no one local who used it. All my customers were from "somewhere else". but now even for local customers, internet access is the rule rather than the exception, and it makes a very inexpensive way to give them something to look at. And now my printing costs have been substantially reduced.
Bill
But even if I did not sell a single thing, the price of the site as well as the time maintaining it is still worthwhile as a catalog and a portfolio of my work for potential customers. In the early days of the internet, there was almost no one local who used it. All my customers were from "somewhere else". but now even for local customers, internet access is the rule rather than the exception, and it makes a very inexpensive way to give them something to look at. And now my printing costs have been substantially reduced.
Bill
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2006
- Messages
- 21
- Likes
- 446
- Location
- Waitahanui, Taupo, New Zealand
- Website
- www.wildwoodgallery.co.nz
Robbie Graham
I sell very little from my website but I find It a great way to advertise my Gallery. I think with woodturning being 3d art, customers like to handle the piece before buying. Good luck with your website. Robbie
http://www.wildwoodgallery.co.nz
I sell very little from my website but I find It a great way to advertise my Gallery. I think with woodturning being 3d art, customers like to handle the piece before buying. Good luck with your website. Robbie
http://www.wildwoodgallery.co.nz
- Joined
- Apr 26, 2004
- Messages
- 349
- Likes
- 0
- Location
- Rural La Farge, Wisconsin
- Website
- www.token.crwoodturner.com
I have had very little sales from people just "stumbling" across my site. But a website is still definitely worth the trouble of making, giving you an "electronic business card" or brochure to show people although I still have to pass out hard copy cards with the website address on it. In other words, there's no substitute for face-to-face contact.
If I may add, there is also the added free advertisement of using Myspace.com. This is a very successful place for putting people together or in touch or as I have seen another way to advertise. I do see people showing off their woodworking, music, Special Makeup Effects, movie directors. It all there, Plus within that, you can sign up to other groups kinda like this site, but its within the Myspace.com community. If you design the site just right, I'm sure you'll get a little more traffic.
Basically, from your new site you just created add a link to the new myspace page and create a link to it and visa versa. You just may get a new audience using the myspace. Myspace is free, you just sign up to be a member. Use something like photobucket or upload pics directly. They say you are not to really be selling stuff on myspace, but I do see it alot. Jewelry makers, mask makers, clothing designers, music and pretty much anything else you can think of. Check it out before you join, look over the community groups there.
Its worth a shot, and when, if you do create a profile stop on by at my page
www.myspace.com/gothycdesigns or www.myspace.com/blackboxpsycho
Have fun and good luck !!! :cool2:
Later,
Ray
Gothyc Designs
Basically, from your new site you just created add a link to the new myspace page and create a link to it and visa versa. You just may get a new audience using the myspace. Myspace is free, you just sign up to be a member. Use something like photobucket or upload pics directly. They say you are not to really be selling stuff on myspace, but I do see it alot. Jewelry makers, mask makers, clothing designers, music and pretty much anything else you can think of. Check it out before you join, look over the community groups there.
Its worth a shot, and when, if you do create a profile stop on by at my page
www.myspace.com/gothycdesigns or www.myspace.com/blackboxpsycho
Have fun and good luck !!! :cool2:
Later,
Ray
Gothyc Designs
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I make Windsor chairs and I have to say 50% of my business comes from the web, The rest comes from shows and the like.
Webing
My wife and I use our site to advertise our shows. Since I made it and maintain it, the cost is minimal. Although she's had quite a few custom orders from it, I've only sold a few things. As said previously, the greatest value is the exposure and for us, our returning customers being able to find where we'll be.
My wife and I use our site to advertise our shows. Since I made it and maintain it, the cost is minimal. Although she's had quite a few custom orders from it, I've only sold a few things. As said previously, the greatest value is the exposure and for us, our returning customers being able to find where we'll be.