Now, all those items you’ve been showing off—with admirers coveting and requesting for themselves—can go into your own shop and up for sale. It’s not just easy to create your own online marketplace, it’s fun and rewarding, literally. And Shapeways is glad to have you on board, encouraging and offering helpful tips at any turn.
So, if you are looking for an easy way to dip your toes in the water and start your very own business, finding that ‘passion’ everyone is so fond of talking about, Shapeways offers easy tips to do so, beginning with these simple steps:
- Log in or create an account.
- Open your shop and create a name.
- Upload your banner and then your logo (fun!).
- Add a shop description and do some marketing—give insight into your brand.
- Add links to your social profiles (share!).
- Organize your shop by categories (for ex., rings, pendants, necklaces).
You may want to work on Google Analytics later, but don’t underestimate what a great marketing tool this is from your end, for understanding more about your customers, learning what interests them, and how to optimize your sales for the best return. There can be a bit of a learning curve as you really delve into that area, but it’s well worth it—and also makes you sound oh so smart as you explain your knowledge about who is buying your wares, where they are from, and what their interests are product-wise.
Through opening your own shop, you can add pictures of the products you worked so hard on, tell the world about yourself and why you enjoy 3D design, as well as working on establishing a brand—who knows, it could go global! And according to Shapeways, you have the opportunity to start making money right after your first sale. That’s one of the best parts about joining their marketplace and community: there’s no outlay of cash to get started.
“You design, set markup, and share your products,” states the team at Shapeways. “We handle the rest.”
For drawing attention to your shop, it’s very important to take care of basics like uploading models, supplying numerous pictures, and tagging your products for more expanded promotion. Take care with your logo and banner—these are, after all, going to be synonymous with your presence. Take quality photos of your models—and don’t be afraid to use some color in the background.
Not only are there numerous paths to showing you how to get set up, there are countless avenues for inspiration offered by a team of talented individuals who are just as passionate as you are about design and 3D printing. Be a part of the community of designers and makers who are leading the way towards mass personalization, via community, design and creativity—and Shapeways. Is an online shop something that appeals to you? Let’s talk about it in the Sell 3D Prints at Shapeways forum over at 3DPB.com.