Building products out of wood is one of the most profitable businesses in the world. People are in constant demand for wood products for aesthetic, professional, and home uses. Despite it being a rewarding venture, many beginner crafters face the dilemma of where to sell their wood crafts.
In this post, I’ll be sharing my best recommendations and tips on where to sell woodworking projects.
Where to Sell Woodworking Projects?
Selling woodworking projects for profit is usually the endgame of all crafters and woodworkers. That’s why identifying the places where you can sell them is paramount. Aside from it, you should also consider the right pricing of your woodworking projects for a more profitable and successful business.
However, it can be a challenge to know which method I am most comfortable with and am willing to do. I need to ask myself where I want to sell my woodworking projects. Online, offline, or locally?
Unlike selling offline, where you need some good level of approach, selling online requires learning things like how to manage promotional campaigns, upload product pictures, among others[1]. Because of this, some crafters opt for offline methods.
However, once you are conversant with the procedures, selling your wood crafts or even well-designed beginner woodworking projects online is as convenient and straightforward as selling offline or locally. Below are ways and platforms where you can sell your woodworking projects.
Etsy
Etsy is a famous online marketplace where you can sell all sorts of handmade goods including your lovely DIY wood signs . Etsy was launched in 2005 and has become one of the major online platforms that connect buyers and sellers. There are many users and buyers on this platform, and pitching your woodworking projects here is highly rewarding.
The online platform also endeavors to keep up with trends and adjust to today’s market dynamism. I typically recommend using either their website or their mobile app to make sales. Both options are quite user-friendly for both buyers and sellers.
I find that although you stand a chance of getting some sales when beginning your woodworking business on the platform, there are lots of competition. You might not make quick sales as you would expect at first due to the massive numbers of users, even if you run some promotional ad campaigns.
Social Media Platforms
Facebook has been part of us for several years and still counting. The social media giant is one of the best marketplaces where you can sell your woodworking projects.
Facebook has an estimated 2.4 billion active users monthly, meaning that a significant amount of the world’s population logs in to their Facebook profile per month. That makes it incredible for buyers to meet sellers. Despite the huge number of users, the Facebook Marketplace isn’t as competitive as Etsy, meaning you have a better chance of making sales.
You can post your crafts using your Facebook profile in the marketplace’s general area for free. Facebook also permits you to buy ads to promote your listings in an area outside your current location.
Unlike Etsy and Facebook, Instagram is not popularly known as a place for selling products. However, it’s an ideal place to market your impressive wood turning projects due to its high number of users.
While Instagram may not be as widely recognized as Etsy or Facebook for selling products, it offers an ideal platform for product marketing due to its large user base.
Promoting my items on Instagram involves a slightly different approach compared to Etsy and Facebook. To showcase my woodworking craft effectively, I make sure to capture a high-quality photo of my item. Thankfully, Instagram offers some fantastic filters that can transform lower-quality images into more professional-looking ones.
After that, you need to enter a description of your item. It’s best to make it as brief as possible. I recommend posting consistently to adapt to the platform’s algorithm. Also add hashtags that are relevant to the product in order to increase your brand’s visibility.
Start a Website
Building an eCommerce website is another alternative method of selling your craft online. With a website, you can reach more customers and have total exclusivity because your products are the only ones sold there.
With Shopify, you can build your website within an hour, with or without any technical know-how. However, creating a website with Shopify is relatively costly. You can opt for other cheaper alternatives like WordPress.
Your website must be professional-looking to give buyers the impression that your products are worth buying.
Craigslist
With Craigslist, you can sell your crafts locally, and it’s simple to set up. Before the arrival of social media giants like Facebook and Instagram, Craigslist was a popular way of selling products. However, it’s no longer viable as it was due to buyers’ unreliability to show up to complete transactions.
Buyers still use Craigslist to sell their products because it’s free to use. The user interface is hassle-free, and you can post as many ads as you want.
Amazon
Undoubtedly, Amazon stands out as the most popular online store, boasting an extensive array of products. Back in 2015, they introduced the Amazon Handmade platform, allowing sellers like myself to feature our handmade goods. It’s worth noting, though, that this opportunity comes with a relatively high cost.
The downside of this program is that not all products get approval. If a product fails to meet any criteria as stipulated, it gets disapproved.
Markets and Shops
You could sell your woodworking crafts in the market by renting a booth or space. This option is cost-effective, but sales are unlimited, and you get to dictate everything. Plus, you could also make use of online platforms to sell your products.
Fairs
Another way to get some revenues is by showcasing your products at craft fairs. I recommend selling your crafts in fairs to help you meet and build relationships with potential customers. For a starter, it can help them build a long list of clients.
Before You Sell Your Work
Take Photos
Taking high-quality photos is imperative for selling and profiting from your woodworking products. Photos tell it all. Buyers love what they see, even without a proper description.
Your photos must be crisp to ensure that buyers get a clear picture of what you are selling.
Promote Online and Offline
One effective strategy I’ve found for gaining sales and customers is through online and offline promotions. If you’re considering an online approach, creating dedicated pages on Instagram and Facebook can be an excellent way to showcase your products.
For offline methods, you could create handbills, use word of mouth advertising, or provide items to selected persons for free. Once they see how good you are, they would drop by to order for more.
FAQ
Can you make money selling wood projects?
Yes, you can make money selling wood projects. Making and selling wood items is a lucrative venture that will reward you financially if you are good at what you do.
How do I start selling wood projects?
You can start selling wood projects, by identifying first what you want to start sell, your location, and the materials you need to start building your projects. Once your woodworking project is completed, you can decide to sell online or offline, or both. If you want, you can even sell your wooden projects as NFTs online.
What wood items sell best?
Wood items that sell best include wooden toys, furniture, shelves, wooden picture frames, wood clocks, and wood-framed magnetic chalkboard. Other items that sell best are scrap wood wall art, storage boxes, cutting board, etc.
Also Read: Woodworking Project Terms
Conclusion
One of the dilemmas a woodworker faces is where to sell woodworking projects. In this post, I recommended some of the most tried and tested venues where you can sell your crafts for profit. However, it’s good to choose the method that works best for you, as all of them have their respective pros and cons. It may be challenging in the beginning to attract buyers, but with the right platform and constant effort, you can sell your woodworking projects successfully.
Of course, you want to promote your brand, and knowing how to sign your wood projects here, is the cheapest way to do that. Read next!
Robert Johnson is a passionate furniture maker & carpenter, sought after for his knowledge on the craft.
You’ve probably seen his down-to-earth wisdom in USA Today, Bobvila, Family Handyman, and The Spruce, where he has shared commentary and guidance on various woodworking topics.
Robert is the brain behind Sawinery, where he aims to share tips, tricks, and a passion for all things carpentry.
