Start your new online business from home without spending a single penny.

Hi,
I just started my new online business and making good profit so far. I learned a lot from this forum and I want to give it back, so I would like to share how you could too start an online business and of course without spending a single penny.

STEP1
Register your account on Etsy.com .
I will also get 40 listings free, so a win win situation for both of us
I prefer Etsy over ebay because the competition is less and products sells like crazy. Etsy only allow handmade creations, vintage goods, and craft supplies.

STEP2
Start selling handmade items like necklaces, jewelry supplies etc (You could easily find it in nearby stores)

STEP3
Listing costs 0.20$ per listing (You will get 40 free listings if you register using my link). Etsy also charges transaction fee.

 

Prashant, I think you need to be a craftsman yourself to sell / trade in products at ETSY. Even if you are not, you should some how carry some kind of a proof - certificate / photograph, whatever, which would suggest that you are directly associated with the crafts project. This was the rule when I checked up some 3 - 4 months back. I am not sure if they have made some changes to it.

All the best!

 

I opened my shop without providing any proof, certificate etc...I think they have changed the rules now!!

 

That is great news Prashant. However, just check / review their rules before you invest heavily. Read between the lines as a precautionary measure. The last thing you would like to have is being banned. Best wishes.

 

Never heard about this website but all the good/well known product selling website is start from unknown. By the way, there is another big point to be considered is the shopping cost, it normal happen to those small product/low cost product that the shipping cost is higher than the product and make very less margin

 

My wife prefers Etsy over Ebay. I don't know what's up with Ebay, but it seems like handmade stuff/crafts don't sell all that great on it anymore.

 

Hi Prashant, No change in Policy - Please go through Etsy Guidelines - Handmade items are designed and created by the shops that sell them. Because transparency matters on Etsy, we ask sellers to list shop members and share information about manufacturers involved in creating their items. Reselling an item you were not involved in creating is not allowed in our handmade category.

 

My girlfriend sells quite a bit on Etsy and they police these standards relatively heavily. You will be banned if they determine that you are not creating the goods.

 

True.

I think Etsy is a different market as compared to other e-commerce stores.

 

OP, I suggest you to create your own website and do SEO. Start building high PR links on your website till it ranks. Once you start getting natural traffic, then selling is a breeze. Just my 2 cents.

 

Etsy recent search update has proven to be a disaster for old sellers there. Sellers are crying in etsy that their conversion is down by over 90%.
So i don't thinks opening an account in ETSY will be a win win situation.

 

Even if you create your own goods.. Etsy can and WILL ban your account and hold all money in your shop payment account for 90 days. Doesn't matter if you fill out their questionaire and send in 100 trade secret pictures.

 

I am owner of the workshop where in artist make stone idols, its all hand made, have opened a shop on Etsy but no response yet...any suggestion or better platform ??

 

@Ramagrawal, what other channels are you using to promote your products. Some info on your existing efforts should help us share more inputs.
Thanks.

 

I have a question Prashant.. So I could go to my local store or flea market, get home made crafts, and sell it for a higher price on Etsy?

 

@Somen I have listed my products on Amazon and Snapdeal in India and using facebook for promotion, need to know the better ways of promotion specially to attract international buyers, I am getting a website designed also

 

@Ramagrawal - Generally, being in Amazon, you can use their affiliates to promote your products. This process will be tedious as there are millions of products listed out there, along with your competitors.

So, if you are a new entrant, you should focus on getting as much customer reviews for your products in Amazon. These should be genuine reviews.

You may also explore CPA networks to get these reviews, wherein a reviewer gets a sample from you by submitting their contact details (email ids). You build you own list as well as get product reviews over a period of time which serves dual purpose. Getting more positive reviews also helps your product appear in Amazon searches (niche) for a specific star ratings.

Look for JV partners in complimentary niches. Your immediate objective should be to let people know about your product and its features.

Start an in-house affiliate program and go all-out to promote the program. If your resources permit, get yourself enlisted in affiliate networks like Shareasale, Linkshare, CJ etc.

You should already have had a website. If it is not yet ready, get it done ASAP.

Hope this helps.

 

Here is another source, free marketplace - Glabex.com, comparing with Amazon or etsy you do not pay any commission on your sales or listing, additionally store is free to set up and upload as many products as you want.