Whether you own or run your own jewelry business or are thinking of starting one, you must know where to sell your jewelry online. These days, particularly in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic, many people are resorting to making most of their purchases entirely online.
Fortunately, there are many online platforms that give you the opportunity to market and sell all kinds of jewelry, including earrings, necklaces, beads, brooches, pendants, and cuff links. Here are seven online platforms that can give your jewelry business a boost.
Amazon
It’s no secret that Amazon is the giant in the online shopping world. It is the largest online marketplace in the U.S., and it accounts for more than 50% of jewelry sales online. With more than 197 million visitors to Amazon.com each month, you certainly won’t lack customers. The secret to making significant profits on Amazon is to source your jewelry at low prices from a wholesaler and sell them at a retail price. Look for excellent jewelry wholesalers who have good deals on quality products to help you cut costs.
On Amazon, it’s easier to sell fashion jewelry compared to fine jewelry. Besides the tough competition you’ll face, the downside with selling fine jewelry on Amazon is that sellers must have been in business for more than a year and are required to pay a non-refundable application fee of $5,000. There are other stringent requirements that you must meet before Amazon allows you to sell jewelry on its platform. There are many guides available online to help you learn how to sell your products on Amazon, and Amazon itself can also give guidance for new businesses setting up. Be sure to research this option fully, so you understand the entire process and how you can succeed.
eBay
Much like Amazon, eBay is a huge selling platform. With nearly 180 million active buyers, eBay has plenty of opportunities for any jewelry seller. Although the medium used to be auction-only, it now offers sellers the opportunity to sell their wares in a catalog format.
Unlike Amazon, eBay is not as strict with its policies for selling jewelry. However, it is still a very competitive arena. You’ll need to be intentional and smart about listing and marketing your products to attract buyers. For instance, conducting eBay keyword research can help you know which words to use in your listing and what types of jewelry you should focus on. Here’s a helpful guide to selling jewelry on eBay.
Etsy
Founded in 2005, Etsy has quickly grown to become a leading marketplace for a wide variety of handcrafted goods, vintage items, housewares, and art. It is the perfect place for people who create their own jewelry. In fact, 25% of the 40 million listings on Etsy are for jewelry and accessories. That means that there’s a lot of yearning for jewelry on the platform, but that also means that there’s a lot of competition.
To be successful on Etsy, you’ll have to market your shop and products well. Most buyers on the platform use the search button to find stores and listings, so if you use the right keywords, you’ll appear at the top of many searches. Make sure your shop description, bio, listing titles, tags, and product descriptions are keyword-based. In addition, conduct thorough research of the prices of similar products on Etsy. This research will help you understand how to competitively price your products in a way that entices customers to make a purchase with you, rather than with one of your competitors.
To sell on Etsy, you need to create an account. You don’t pay any fees when creating an account on the platform, but you’ll pay $0.20 per product listing. Listings typically remain on the platform for up to four months. Etsy also charges 5% for each item that you sell.
Etsy has a number of advantages over other online platforms. Because Etsy is a virtual inventory site, you don’t need to have inventory available at any particular location before listing your products. Customers can order based on pictures of the product you put up. Also, the marketplace is community-based, so there are other activities that can help you interact with people directly, as well as get support from other sellers.
Rubylane
If you are looking to sell vintage and unusual items, Rubylane is the place to go. From antiques, to fine art to collectibles, Rubylane is a niche market for people looking for “out-of-the-box” products. Most of its customers are female, so products such as necklaces, bracelets, and brooches sell quickly. Rubylane is picky regarding the kind of vendors it allows. They have high standards and often review listings to ensure they meet their standards. Sometimes, they hire mystery shoppers to ensure a vendor’s package is living up to their promises.
Although the site doesn’t charge vendors per sale, it charges a one-time fee of $100 for setting up a shop. After your shop is up and running, you’ll pay a monthly cost of $69 for maintenance. In addition, you’ll pay a one-time fee of 19 cents for each listing. The good news is that there are discounts on the monthly maintenance fee after your first 150 items.
Brick-and-Mortar vs. Online Shops
The growth of online marketplaces does not mean the end of brick-and-mortar stores. Although online shops make purchases simple and convenient, brick-and-mortar stores can still be helpful if you have the funds to start one. Many shoppers like the opportunity to see what they are buying in person, especially when it comes to jewelry. However, the easiest and most cost-effective way of running a jewelry business is still online, using one of the platforms we’ve recommended in this article.
One online platform may not give you the returns you expect, so you may be better off selling your pieces on multiple platforms. That way, you can reach a larger audience and increase your chances of making larger profits. Other online platforms aside from the ones listed here include ArtFire, OpenSky, Bonanza, Overstock, Sears, and Walmart online. Do some research and choose the ones that will work best for you.