Benable — create shareable lists of things you recommend!
E.g., products you love, local businesses, travel recs - you can add anything to a Benable list!
Craft to Market: Resources for Handmade Sellers
34
items This list provides essential resources to help small businesses sell handmade products locally and online, covering platforms, marketplaces, and tools for marketing, shipping, and legal compliance. Each section includes targeted links and guides to s...
Sections
5
Local Selling
Online Marketplace
Branding & Marketing
Business Guidance
Packaging & Shipping
Local Selling
Guidance on how to find local markets, fairs, pop-up shops, and small businesses that showcase local artisans
Search within your state to find the local farmers markets
National Farmer's Market Directory | Find a local farmers market near you
Search by metro area or state to find the markets nearest to you
Atlanta, GA - Farmers Markets / Family Farms / CSA ...
The USDA has a list of local farmers markets. Check your location there may be more than you know!
Local Food Directories: National Farmers Market Directory | Agricultural Marketing Service
Pick your state and get the list of all the local fairs and markets by date.
Georgia Fairs and Festivals, Craft Shows, Art Fairs, Events
The Women's Expo happens is so many cities its a great opportunity for small businesses to sell locally.
Women's Expo | UWE | The Nations Largest Women's Events
Search your area for local pop-up markets
Find Local Pop-Up Markets
Online Marketplace
A breakdown of popular online platforms like Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Discuss their pros and cons, fees, and key tips.
Before you set up shop on Etsy check out this list of Pros and Cons. Be mindful now all shops include a new shop fee that's about $20
18 Pros And Cons Of Selling On Etsy
If you're ready for Etsy here you go to get started
How to sell on Etsy United States
A worthy read if you're considering selling on Amazon Handmade
Selling on Amazon Handmade: 2024 Guide to Boosting Your Craft Sales
If you're ready to join Amazon Handmade sign up here
Amazon Handmade Seller Application
Articles on how to set up shop, create great listings and more. What you need to be successful on Etsy.
Etsy Seller Handbook
Amazon Handmade requires an application process but offers a large customer base keep in mind you'll also be competing with Amazon in house brands
Amazon.com: Handmade
Branding & Marketing
Resources for developing a brand identity, creating eye-catching product photos, writing product descriptions, and engaging with customers on social media to increase visibility.
My go to for creating everything from custom labels, logos, to social media posts and more. Integrate your social media and schedule your posts.
Canva: Visual Suite for Everyone
Create a business page and link it to your website to drive sales and even more traffic to your business
Pinterest
For email marketing. There's a free plan.
Turn emails into revenue | Mailchimp
Pretty solid free plan, and if you opt to pay compare it to mailchimp before deciding.
Create Email Marketing Your Audience Will Love - MailerLite
Use on the desktop or phone. Great tool for making or editing videos to post to your listings and social media.
CapCut | All-in-one video editor & graphic design tool driven ...
SEO tool that works with Etsy and Amazon Handmade. Pay to see how you compare against the comp.
eRank - FREE Etsy SEO, Keyword Research, Top Seller, and Trend Tools
Business Guidance
Information on business registration, trademarks, and setting up payment options. Include links to resources for basic financial planning, bookkeeping, and local small business support centers.
Small business support. Find a mentor, get additional information on topics important to you.
SCORE | Small Business Success Starts Here
The SBA uses Small Business Development Centers to provide counseling and training to small businesses. They provide informational tools to support business start-ups and existing business expansion.
Small Business Development Centers (SBDC)
If you're thinking of trademarks, copyrights, and patents this is your first stop.
United States Patent and Trademark Office
A bookkeeping option for your business
QuickBooks®: official Site | Smart Tools. Better Business.
Bookkeeping management option for small businesses
Wave: Small Business Software - Wave Financial
Think SAP but free to start and build as you grow
Open Source ERP and CRM | Odoo
Create Privacy policies and more
TermsFeed | Stay Compliant with Policies
Another option for creating free privacy policy
Create Your FreeWebsite Privacy Policys.
Find your local SBDC
Home - America's SBDC
Start or get additional guidance for your business
LegalZoom: Start Your Business, Form Your LLC or INC
Packaging & Shipping
Advice on sourcing sustainable packaging, organizing inventory, choosing shipping carriers, and setting up policies for shipping, returns, and handling customer service issues.
If you're not using a platform with shipping capabilities built in consider this as an option.
Shipping Software for Ecommerce Fulfillment
They provides eco-friendly packaging options tailored to handmade businesses.
Sustainable Packaging and Shipping Supplies | EcoEnclose
Another ecofriendly custom packaging alternative
Custom Packaging That's Sustainable & Eco-Friendly | noissue
Economical and you can print from computer or your phone.
JADENS Thermal Printer, 4''x6'' Bluetooth Label Printer for Shipping Packages, Compatible with Windows Smartphone
A great option for less than $100 and comes in 3 colors
JADENS Bluetooth Thermal Label Printer, 4x6 Wireless Shipping Label Printer for Small Business and Packages, Compatible with Smartphones, Windows, White
If you plan on shipping internationally and even some states like California it's good to understand the expectations and option
Guide to Packaging Compliance | EcoEnclose