Are you an artisan looking to reach a global audience with your handmade creations? Amazon Handmade is a powerful platform that connects sellers like you with millions of potential customers worldwide. In this article, we’ll guide you through everything you need to know about selling on Amazon Handmade, from the application process to marketing strategies and tips for optimizing your listings.
Table of Contents:
- What is Amazon Handmade?
- Why Sell on Amazon Handmade?
- Who can sell on Amazon handmade?
- What Products Can You Sell on Amazon Handmade?
- How to apply for Amazon Handmade?
- Marketing Your Handmade Products
- Best Selling Handmade Listings
- Amazon Handmade vs. Etsy: What’s the Difference?
- Conclusion
- Frequently Asked Questions
Want to reach millions with your handmade products? Amazon Handmade lets artisans showcase their creations to a huge audience.
- What is Amazon Handmade?
Amazon Handmade is a dedicated marketplace within Amazon where artisans and creators can sell their unique, handcrafted products. Unlike other areas on Amazon that are dominated by mass-produced items, Amazon Handmade provides a niche space for those who make their products by hand, making it a great opportunity for sellers looking to stand out.
All products sold on Amazon Handmade must be crafted by hand, hand-altered, or hand-assembled—mass-produced items are not permitted.
- Why Sale on Amazon Handmade?
Amazon Handmade works by allowing artisans to create a dedicated storefront on Amazon to sell their handcrafted products. Here’s a breakdown of how does Amazon Handmade works for sellers:
Amazon Handmade Fees: As an approved Amazon Handmade Seller, you get access to tools and resources with the Professional selling plan—no monthly fees are required. Save $480 per year!
Pay Only When You Sell: Creating a Handmade storefront on Amazon is free to set up. You only pay a 15% referral fee when you make a sale, with no extra listing or payment fees involved in selling on Amazon Handmade.
Focus on What You Love: With tools like Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA), you can let Amazon handle shipping and storage, giving you more time to focus on your craft.
Showcase Your Craft: The approval process ensures that only genuine handmade products are featured. You can also create a personalized profile to share your story with customers.
Join a Community: Connect with other makers, get support, and find resources in the Handmade Hub and Seller Forums to help grow your business.
Low Competition: Since fewer sellers are tapping into this marketplace, it’s easier to stand out and rank higher.
High Demand: Consumers love unique, handcrafted items. With the rise of custom gifts and eco-conscious buying habits, handmade products are in high demand.
Premium Prices: Handmade items often have higher perceived value, allowing you to price your products higher than mass-produced alternatives.
Amazon’s Trust: Leveraging Amazon’s immense traffic and infrastructure means reaching millions of potential customers without building your own website from scratch.
- Who can sell on Amazon Handmade?
To sell on Amazon Handmade, you need to be an approved maker or part of a collaborative group.
Approved Makers: If you’re an individual artisan who creates handmade products, you can apply to sell on Amazon Handmade. This includes artists, crafters, and creators of all kinds who make their products from scratch or using traditional techniques.
Collaborative Groups: This category includes cooperatives, nonprofits, and charities that work with artisans. These groups can also apply to sell handmade items on Amazon. However, the products must still meet Amazon’s handmade standards.
Application Process: Amazon requires an application to ensure that only genuine handmade items are listed in the Handmade category. This process helps customers shop confidently, knowing that the products are truly handmade by skilled artisans or collaborative groups.
To become an approved seller, you’ll need to submit your application, and Amazon will review your products to ensure they meet the platform’s guidelines.
Once approved, you’ll have access to Amazon Handmade’s marketplace and be able to sell your creations to millions of customers worldwide.
- What Products Can You Sell on Amazon Handmade?
Amazon Handmade is dedicated to products made by hand, and there are several categories where you can list your products, such as:
- Jewellery
- Home Décor
- Clothing & Accessories
- Toys & Games
- Health & Beauty
- Stationery
Ensure that your products meet Amazon’s guidelines for handmade items, as they strictly enforce this rule to maintain the integrity of the marketplace.
- How to Apply for Amazon Handmade?
Before you can start selling, you’ll need to apply for approval to list products in Amazon Handmade. Once approved, you can proceed with the Amazon Handmade login to start listing and selling your handcrafted items. The process is straightforward and includes:
- Submit Your Application: Fill out an application with details about your business and the types of products you plan to sell.
- Provide Proof of Craftsmanship: You’ll need to verify that your products are indeed handmade. Be prepared to share photos, descriptions, or videos of your production process.
- Wait for Approval: Amazon will review your application, which typically takes a few days to a couple of weeks. Once approved, you can start listing your products.
- Marketing Your Handmade Products
To stand out and increase your sales, marketing your products is key.
- Amazon Ads: Use Amazon’s advertising tools to promote your handmade products. Sponsored Products and Sponsored Brands can help you get in front of more customers.
- Social Media: Share your creations on social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. Hashtags like #handmade, #etsyshop, or #shoplocal can increase visibility.
- Influencers & Bloggers: Collaborate with influencers or bloggers who specialize in handmade products to expand your reach.
- Best Selling Handmade Listings
Once you’re set up on Amazon Handmade, it’s important to optimize your listings to ensure they get noticed. Here are some tips:
- High-Quality Photos: Showcase your products with clear, high-resolution images. Customers want to see the details and quality of your work.
- Compelling Descriptions: Write engaging, detailed descriptions that explain your creative process and what makes your product unique.
- Pricing: Set competitive but profitable prices. Factor in material costs, production time, and Amazon’s fees.
- Customer Reviews: Encourage buyers to leave reviews, as positive feedback can increase trust and drive sales.
- Amazon Handmade vs Etsy: What’s the Difference?
Both Amazon Handmade and Etsy are popular marketplaces for selling handmade products, but they have key differences in terms of fees, audience, competition, and seller requirements. Here’s a breakdown:
1. Application & Approval Process
- Amazon Handmade: Requires sellers to apply and get approved before listing products. This ensures that only genuine handmade products are sold.
- Etsy: No approval is required; anyone can create an Etsy shop and start selling handmade, vintage, or craft supply products.
2. Fees & Costs
- Amazon Handmade: No listing fees, but charges a 15% referral fee per sale.
- Etsy: Charges $0.20 per listing, plus a 6.5% transaction fee and a 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee per sale.
3. Audience & Market Reach
- Amazon Handmade: Access to Amazon’s massive customer base (over 300M users), attracting buyers who prioritize fast shipping and convenience.
- Etsy: Focuses on a niche audience looking for unique, creative, and personalized handmade products.
4. Product Categories
- Amazon Handmade: Allows only handmade products. No mass-produced, vintage, or craft supplies are allowed.
- Etsy: Supports handmade, vintage (20+ years old), and craft supplies, giving sellers more flexibility.
5. Seller Competition
- Amazon Handmade: Competition is lower since sellers need approval, but competition with mass-produced products on Amazon can be a challenge.
- Etsy: Higher seller competition since it’s a dedicated handmade marketplace with millions of artisans.
6. Fulfillment & Shipping
- Amazon Handmade: Sellers can use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) for fast Prime shipping or ship products themselves.
- Etsy: Sellers must handle their own shipping or use Etsy’s shipping labels for discounts.
7. Branding & Customization
- Amazon Handmade: Limited store customization. Focus is more on Amazon’s standard product listing format.
- Etsy: Allows for more brand personalization, including shop banners, policies, and direct customer interaction.
Which One is Better?
Choose Amazon Handmade if you want access to Amazon’s vast customer base, don’t mind the approval process, and are okay with higher fees in exchange for potential higher sales.
Choose Etsy if you prefer more control over branding, have a niche product, or want to sell vintage or craft supplies in addition to handmade items.
- Conclusion: Start Selling Today!
Amazon Handmade is a fantastic opportunity for artisans looking to reach a larger audience while still maintaining control over their business. With low competition, high demand, and the ability to sell premium-priced items, it’s a platform worth exploring.
Ready to get started? Follow the steps above to get approved, set up your listings, and watch your business grow. Don’t forget to tap into both Amazon Handmade and Etsy for maximum exposure, and always focus on delivering quality, unique products to your customers.
- Frequently Asked Questions
Who can sell on Amazon Handmade?
Approved makers, as well as cooperative groups, nonprofits, and charities, can sell on Amazon Handmade. You must apply to join and be approved before selling.
What products qualify for Handmade?
Handmade products include:
- Hand-altered: Items like t-shirts or mugs with added designs.
- Hand-designed: Original designs such as art prints.
- Handcrafted: Items made entirely by hand from raw materials.
- Repurposed: Items transformed for a new use, like a tire turned into a planter.
- Upcycled: Items improved in quality, like refinished furniture.
What categories can I sell in?
Amazon Handmade includes categories like Accessories, Jewelry, Clothing, Home Decor, Beauty, Toys, and more. Items outside these categories can’t be sold on Handmade but may be listed in the general Amazon store.
Can I sell if I already use Amazon or Etsy?
If you sell on Amazon, you can add Handmade attributes to your listings once approved. For Etsy sellers, you can transfer your product details directly to Amazon Handmade.
Can I customize products on Handmade?
Yes, you can offer customizations and personalizations through Amazon Custom. Note that custom products can’t use Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) and must be fulfilled by you.
How do I check my Handmade application status?
You can check your application status in Seller Central with your confirmation code and email.
What if I’m still being charged a monthly fee after joining Handmade?
Once approved, the monthly fee will be waived after the first month. If you’re still being charged, contact support through Seller Central.
What kind of handmade products are you most excited to sell on Amazon? Share your ideas and inspiration in the comments below.
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