handmade soap market

Maythorn · Dec 28, 2012

It seems like it might be getting saturated? I've looked on Etsy and there are so many pages of handmade soaps I quit at about page 30 although they were quite nice to look at. But it looked as if there was about 170 pages or more I started wondering if online is the way to go when you are eventually ready to sell. Possibly its better to sell at markets or try to have a website of your own?

Genny · Dec 28, 2012

I opened an online shop last summer and have gotten some sales, but nothing to brag about. I do markets and basically use my online shop & FB page as a way for my market customers to find me during the off season.
But I do know that there are many soapers that do excellent on Etsy and other places like that.

lsg · Dec 28, 2012

I have a website also, but have never sold a thing from it. I do better by word of mouth and selling wholesale to local businesses.

Lindy · Dec 28, 2012

Although I have an Etsy shop it is more to just have a presence there than anything.

I do get sales off my website but that is by being on forums that my product actually of interest to the members....

Maythorn · Dec 28, 2012

Thank you for your input and information on this. I think my photography block is really going to be an impediment to trying anything online. I'm just not a camera person and stellar photos seem a requirement to get soaps noticed. Online you can admire the beauty but not the scent. At a fair people could smell the soaps and that must help alot. I take passable photos of family on holidays. At least soaps will hold still. Lol.

Lindy · Dec 29, 2012

Maythorn I'm thinking about taking a photography course so I can learn to take better product photo's.I think it might be a good investment. I have the right camera for it, but, well, I need to get better at it.

Maythorn · Dec 29, 2012

That's a good idea about taking a class Lindy. Start from square 1 and really get comfortable with a camera and all the different things you can do with photography.