• Idea: If you think about how to set up your own online store than you probably already have some idea of business, product range and potential customers of your online store. The case seems simple and obvious, but it is worth to stop for a moment on this point before we get to the proper setting up of an online store. Think about exactly what kind of products and prices you will include in your shop. Is it worth it to open a specialized online store or perhaps your business should rather be offline?

• Software, hosting, domain: The elements necessary to set up an online store are software online store, hosting and domain. The most difficult part is choosing which software to use our online shop. There are several possibilities, from free to expensive tailor made software. "All in the package" software’s offer maintenance, installation, but sometimes the problem with pre-configured online stores is that technically it is the users who have to adapt their business to the software and not vice versa. In case of only shops it might be worth, in terms of ROI, to spend a little bit more and have an ad hoc platform.

• Be unique, unless you are actually producing your own products: There is a good chance that you are using product feeds, including photographs and descriptions supplied by the manufacturer. This is a bad idea because the content is going to be the same as hundreds of other online shops that purchase from the same supplier.

• Consider general e-commerce services: Companies like Shopify and Yahoo! Stores will allow you to set up professional-looking online storefronts when you ship your own inventory. Hosted e-commerce solutions go further to provide storefront design, secure payment, hosting, mailing lists, selling statistics, customers support. This is attractive for those who don't want to do their own programming.

• Look into reselling products for a profit: Affiliate store services such as Amazon eStores LLC allow you to resell products carried by Buy.com and other merchants by writing reviews of products and focusing on a theme that makes consumers' lives easier. Amazon eStores stores allow you to get running quickly, but don't allow you to carry your own physical inventory.

• Take eBay to the next level: If you've already sold some stuff on eBay, and you're confident that most of your customer base will find you there, then you can "graduate" to an eBay store to save money on listing fees.

• Sell crafts on Etsy: Etsy is a popular choice for people who make what they sell. There's a 20 cents charge for every item listed, and Etsy keeps 3.5% of your sale price if the item is sold. You get paid directly and are responsible for shipping the item. You're charged fees (depending on what sold) on a monthly basis.



• Payment methods: Make sure you offer you customers different payment methods in order to widen your target. Possibilities are: bank transfer, PayPal, Credit Cards, Google Checkout, Cash on delivery, etc.

And if you don’t’ want to run your own online shop, you still have the possibility to sell online through external market places.

• Best Online Marketplaces To Sell Your Art & Crafts (And Buy Affordable Art)

1. Etsy

Etsy is one of the most popular sites for buying and selling art and crafts. Etsy sellers offer everything from handmade furniture to vintage purses to one of a kind artwork. Often, this artwork is priced to sell, so buyers not only have a lot of selection, but also access to some pretty good prices as well. Etsy has apps for iPhone and Android for those of you looking to buy and sell on the go.



2. Society6

Society6 is another popular website. Vendors can sell their artwork as prints, pillows, iPhone and Android cases, and t-shirts. For buyers, this site is a great way to get framed or unframed prints at a low price. Moreover, if you find an artist you like, you can get their artwork in a variety of forms!



3. Zatista

Zatista is a great place to find original paintings, photographs, and mixed media artwork. This site allows you to refine your search by price, size, and type of artwork to ensure that you find just the piece you are looking for.



4. IndieMade

IndieMade helps artists create professional looking websites in order to sell better their artwork. The site helps you set up your site and helps you attract potential customers, and since it is designed specifically for artists, the websites are all tailored to be as navigable and attractive as possible.



5. CollegeArtOnline

CollegeArtOnline is a place for students to sell their artwork. Because of this, the prices are often lower than they would be at a gallery, and each purchase goes towards supporting a budding artist. The site also allows student artists to sell their artwork.