How to sell handicrafts online in Pakistan

Do you have a soft spot for e-commerce in Pakistan and handcrafts designs? We had you in mind when writing this article, whose aim is to provide sellers with a guide on how to start selling handicraft products within the online B2B marketplace in Pakistan. We start with a comprehensive overview of the handicraft market in Pakistan and the benefits of selling handmade items online. If you want to know how to start an online business focusing on selling handicrafts in Pakistan, then you have come to the right place. We have provided you with a step-by-step guide on starting an online handicraft business, some useful tips to make your business profitable, and how creating an account on Alibaba.com can help you achieve that goal mentioned above!

Why should you start selling handicrafts online?

Around the world, there has been an increased demand for unique artisan products that convey a sense of global significance, a unique approach, and an ethos of authentic luxury. The changes that have taken place over time in the values of global sustainability, particularly among young and well-informed consumers, continue to drive a more sustainable outlook.

As a result, the global economy is increasingly focused on fair trade, which has created an opportunity for handcrafted products targeting a rapidly growing market segment.

With this in mind, you may be interested in the benefits of selling handmade crafts online in Pakistan. The web has penetrated the core of the Pakistani heartland. The number of internet users in the country reached a robust 61 million in January 2021.¹

Taken together, this exponential growth in web usage in Pakistan is staggering. Yet, these numbers do not suggest a decline in the future, which makes Pakistan a rich breeding ground on which to develop online crafts!

Selling online, especially through marketplaces such as Alibaba.com, brings the following benefits:

1. You don't have to commute and keep stock in stock. Everything is handled online. You can enjoy the freedom of taking orders and arranging connections with customers and suppliers in the comfort of your home.
2. If you choose to sell online, you can easily showcase your products, allowing potential sellers to get a feel for your products and brand. Therefore, allowing them to assess the suitability of your products for their store.
3. You have unlimited access to your ideal customers no matter the city in which they reside. In addition, you don't have to be present in Pakistan to sell. With your online platform all set, transactions can be done from any geographic location, even if you are on vacation. Once you have an internet connection, you are on your way!
4. You can have a store on different sites and choose the online platform that suits you better. All you can do is simply throw products into your online store through a few clips, thanks to the automated add-ons.

These are just a few advantages for sellers who want to start a B2B online business selling handmade crafts in Pakistan. We can go on and on in listing other benefits, but maybe that will be a topic for a separate article. So, are you convinced that you can make a fortune selling handmade products online in Pakistan as an online trader?

Then become a successful seller using Alibaba.com, known as the largest B2B online marketplace for buying and selling goods. By starting an online business through Alibaba.com, you can discover that making money can be fun!

6 steps to selling handicrafts online in Pakistan

Before figuring out how to create a website and successfully sell handicrafts online in Pakistan, you need to do some important things beforehand. We've provided you with a few steps to help you set yourself up for success and build what will hopefully become a thriving handicraft business. Whether you are a new online seller of handmade items or one of the well-established crafters looking to increase sales, the following steps will help you have a successful craft business.

Step 1. Find your niche

It is very common to think that having a wide variety of products or crafts can be more attractive to customers. However, the opposite is quite common for artisans and products related to handmade designs. The narrower the range of products, the stronger the online business will be.

If you aim to please a wider audience and people with different needs and wants by including different types of products, your online store can be perceived as a pawn shop. Therefore, try your best to provide a specific offer and how it will facilitate our segmentation and target marketing process.

Step 2. Building a strong brand

Finding your niche in the first step will build a strong brand! How? Well, you can easily position yourself in a certain niche and build great brand equity by being recognized as a store with specific handmade artisan products.

However, you need to recognize that the key factor in building a strong brand identity is putting time into it! So take the time to get to know yourself as a brand, what you represent, the story behind your brand, and why you are better than your competitors. By doing this, you will be able to know the core of your brand and your values and ultimately translate this from your store, your choice of colors, your logo, and even how you present yourself on social media.

Step 3: Get your pricing right from the start

Most online store owners have trouble finding the right balance when pricing products. Suppose you are considering setting the right price. In that case, it's important to take into account various elements, from sourcing or manufacturing products to presenting them to clients, while also understanding who your clients are, which means segmentation and target marketing also play a vital role in determining the right pricing strategy. In addition, don't forget to consider the promotions associated with product launches. With all this in mind, indicate how much it costs you and how much profit you want to make.

Step 4: List your product on search engines

Once you've determined the core of your business, established your brand identity, and set up your store, it's time to list your products on search engines! To this end, it's important to make sure you write simple and attractive titles along with product descriptions that contain the right SEO keywords that a person would type on Google to find your store or products.

In addition, always make sure that you have great photos. It has been found that stores that usually sell more usually have good product photos. Your photos can make the difference between scrolling or making a sale, so be effective in this regard! We won't fail to mention the importance of adding tags to your listings! Trust us! They can have a big impact on the searchability of your products.

Step 5: Spread the word on social media and build an online community

You might wonder what better way to tell people about your online craft business in Pakistan than through social media. With a plethora of social media sites, including Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok, Pinterest, and YouTube, it's easy to opt to use all of them. But you don't have to; simply choose the ones that your potential customers mostly use and build a community on those specific digital platforms. Most and focus on that one. Remember, you shouldn't just publish posts, and that's the end! Create interactions, have discussions, respond to comments, etc.

Don't forget to tag and use hashtags to connect with potential customers, start a conversation, and make it fun for your followers and yourself through constellations, games, etc.

Step 6. Keep your inventory up to date and refresh your store regularly

Try to keep your online store well-stocked and constantly update with new products. Keeping the same items for a long time can lead to a loss of customer interest, eventually resulting in a drop in sales. However, constantly adding new products or updating images will give you a fresh touch and attract new customers to your online store.

4 tips for a successful online handmade business

If your dream is to make a living selling handmade products, we have good news! It's more than achievable, and we're here to provide you with some helpful tips! Now let's dive into them!

1. Sell craft products that are in demand

Ensure the niche you are targeting and the products you want to sell are in demand! Therefore, research, research and research. Whether you want to sell dresses or lamps in international markets, you need to make sure you are offering something that will be profitable for you, i.e., something that is trendy and people want to buy! So before you set up your online store and start running a marathon, find out first if your craft will sell!

2. Be patient and work on it every day

Whenever sales are as slow as I'd like, I remember that it's not a sprint. It's a marathon. As children, a business takes time and can take years to grow and blossom. So to make it, you need patience and perseverance!

3. Build a mailing list

Have you ever wondered why you get emails from so many retailers about new products, promotions, and more? Well, it's simply because email remains the most effective and direct way to get in touch with customers.

4. Price for profit

Again, we are putting more emphasis on pricing. Remember that one of the goals of a person who has a B2B online store is to sell wholesale handmade items and make a profit. Therefore, always keep profit in mind when pricing your products! So, pricing too high or pricing too low might not lead to profit. Find the right prices that will go in line with your goal!

Start selling on Alibaba.com

Alibaba.com is here to help small and medium entrepreneurs like you start an online handicraft business or increase sales by providing you with all the necessary tools and support to successfully sell your items online in Pakistan. Alibaba.com wants you to earn and enjoy the benefits of our online business, including flexibility, no hidden travel costs, and more!

Don't wait another minute. Open a seller account on Alibaba.com, start buying and selling handicrafts in Pakistan today and see your business flourish by following the tips in this article!