Online Selling research

Online Selling Research

As part of our Visual Storytelling module it was important we looked at the idea of our own professional promotion and also the point of sale. A step within this is to look at other creatives and how they promote their work and which platform they use.

Common online market places;

-Etsy

-Not on the high street

-folksy

-Trovia

-Depop

-Redbubble

All the platforms are very popular for smaller businesses to use, as it allows them to promote themselves on an already established website where not only can your own customers can buy your products, but new ones that find you promoted when searching. This allows you to create growth within your business and your brand unlike just a website where users would only find when promoted on social media. However, these platforms definitely have some negatives as they can take quite a big cut per listing and sale for helping with the transaction and using their website base. Some shops also have newer elements that supposedly are to help the business. For example Etsy, has a premium option which you must pay monthly and therefore will promote you higher within the algorithm, it has also created a new element known as 'straseller'. Star seller is a special badge that can be earned by getting all five star reviews, no late or overdue orders and Etsy's own personal postage labels must be used, which often can be a lot more expensive then other options such as royal mail. Once you achieve this 'star seller' you are bumped up within the algorithm and given an advantage. This idea has it perks however, i feel it creates unnecessary pressure on the seller as well as taking more money.

Other online point of sales;

-Instagram

-Facebook

-Twitter

-Tik Tok

-Shopify

-Patereon

There is also a range of other ways to sell online, including social media's in which you are able to promote yourself as well as sell via DMs. Social Media is a great way to sell when first starting up as it allows you to create a community, sell and also develop your brand all at once. However, although this is a great tool it can become rather difficult once orders become heavier, as orders can be forgotten and lost easily amongst other direct messages, and therefore lack a sense of organisation that other point of sales provide.