| Let's face it-the Internet is full of crafts sites. | | | | again and again. |
| There are the big ones such as eBay, Big Cartel, | | | | No matter what your craft, it's important to |
| and Etsy, and then the myriad of smaller sites by | | | | photograph it in the best possible light. One of the |
| individuals, all vying for space and sales on the | | | | smartest investments you can make in your new |
| web. It can be difficult to stand out among the | | | | online business is a quality digital camera. When |
| crowd. With some creative packaging, personal | | | | photographing your product, avoid matching your |
| touches, and smart planning, you should be able to | | | | craft color with the background color, as you'll |
| make a great impression with both other sites | | | | lose the color of your work. Unusual shots and |
| and your customers, bringing them back to your | | | | angles can really give you an intriguing photo-avoid |
| site, and recommending it to others. | | | | shooting with direct sunlight, as this tends to wash |
| Begin with the look of the site-whether it's a site | | | | out the pieces. Also, remember that because |
| you designed and maintain yourself, or if you use | | | | your customers can't touch or examine the piece |
| a modified commercial shop page (i.e. BigCartel), | | | | up close, be sure to take photos that show as |
| it's imperative to give your site distinction. This | | | | much of the work as possible, including 'boring' |
| can be done first and foremost through color and | | | | photos of clasps, chains, and sizings. Make sure |
| style. Find the color which sums up your work | | | | your descriptions are as lively as your photos. |
| most succinctly. My site's choice of pink reflects | | | | Customers should want to buy your products |
| fun and frivolity. My friend K's site, focusing on | | | | based on the descriptions alone! |
| hand knitted leg and arm warmers, chose lime | | | | Finally, be sure to package the products |
| green-bringing a little 80's retro into the mix. Your | | | | attractively. If you look at the packaging as |
| color is the first thing people will see, and set the | | | | preparing a gift to your customer you can't go |
| tone for the rest of your design and branding. | | | | wrong. Include a business card and something fun |
| You'll then need a banner for your site. There are | | | | which reflects your brand, if possible. One of my |
| plenty of designers who can help you build a | | | | suppliers always includes a Tootsie Roll and a Bit |
| banner that reflects your style and feel. Etsy is a | | | | O' Honey candy in each order-a fun treat here in |
| great place to start-there are many designers | | | | the U.K. |
| who can provide you with amazing work for very | | | | From start to finish you want your work to stand |
| reasonable rates. It is also worth checking if you | | | | out. By ensuring you have a cohesive color |
| can use the same font and color scheme you | | | | scheme, attractive photographs, business cards, |
| assign your banners for smaller business cards to | | | | descriptions, and nice packaging, you can give |
| include with your packaging. While this may cost, it | | | | both a strong brand sense and bring a sense of |
| reinforces your brand's identity both at the time | | | | fun to your work that will keep customers |
| you sell the product and the time the customer | | | | coming back for more. |
| receives it-which will hopefully bring them back | | | | |