International e-commerce allows customers to buy the most authentic and sustainable products crafted manually by artisans and entrepreneurs. This supports the shifting trend toward unique, ethically manufactured goods over mass-produced alternatives.
The shift in preferences creates an opportunity for artists and small business owners to tap into a wider market and build a global identity.
However, that’s easier said than done.
Producing excellent products through traditional and eco-friendly methods and running an international e-commerce store are two different things. The latter includes the former, especially for growing artisans, making it significantly more complicated to execute and scale up.
Therefore, to capitalize on the opportunities brought by this venture, entrepreneurs selling handmade products must find solutions to the associated challenges.
The associated challenges when selling handmade products internationally emerge from various business aspects, such as logistics, manufacturing, and brand promotion.
Shipping may be delayed, legal issues may arise, and products may arrive damaged. Dealing with these difficulties distracts business owners and artisans from doing what they love: creating authentic goods.
Fortunately, there are best practices and tools or solutions that can help navigate around various roadblocks effectively.
In this article, let’s look at how to sell handmade products globally without getting overwhelmed.
How to Price Handmade Products for International Markets
Determining how much your products cost to international buyers is difficult because it encompasses multiple variables. Entrepreneurs need to calculate the cost of running their production and of raw materials.
Then, add the expense of digital infrastructure, such as the website and content marketing charges. Finally, include packing, shipping, domestic and international taxes, and the desired profit margin.
What makes the process even more complicated is that all factors are dynamic. For instance, the cost of raw materials and international taxes or tariffs can fluctuate frequently.
An effective way to streamline the process is through automation. The handmade products store’s website should detect the customer’s location and provide an accurate, real-time quote.
The invoice should break down the cost. The customer should be informed of the product price, taxes, and any other extra handling charges. It can also be a good practice to send the real-time final invoice to their inbox so the buyer can view it later, improving transparency and trust.
Artisans can leverage a free invoice generator to expedite this process while minimizing costs. Such tools can generate a professional invoice, tailored to the current customer, containing all the details of the goods in seconds.
Moreover, artisan e-commerce stores can offer time-sensitive coupons within the invoice to give the buyer an idea of how much they can save if they act fast. It can nudge them to complete the purchase instantly.
What Can Be Done to Streamline Global Shipping
A package shipped across the globe changes many hands. From the entrepreneur who manufactures it to the buyer, the product undergoes numerous stages of packaging, shipping, and handling.
Then, add the operational variables, which include the on-field logistics executives and customs officials.
Basically, anything can happen. The customer may receive damaged goods, the shipment may get lost, it could get stuck in customs, and so much more. E-commerce stores that sell handmade products internationally must minimize or prevent parcels from being damaged or delayed in delivery by navigating these problems.
First, it’s crucial to understand international shipping regulations and take precautions. The package should meet regulatory standards, and the goods should be legal according to their respective jurisdictions.
This will ensure the parcel reaches its destination without delays, fines, or returns.
Another consideration is the operational resilience of the international parcel post services vendor. Artisans and business owners must vet them thoroughly before partnering with them. Crucial areas to look at include client testimonials, brand reputation, and past or ongoing events of non-compliance or inefficiencies.
If possible, sellers should prefer international parcel post services vendors that offer multiple types of shipping. Some customers are okay with “regular” shipping, for instance, while others may go for “express” or “premium.”
A vendor that provides both allows e-commerce shops of handcrafted goods to tap into a broader market. It goes without saying that the invoice should highlight the shipping charges if incurred by the customer.
What Can Scale a Handmade Items Store Globally
As mentioned earlier, managing an e-commerce store requires extra effort from artisans and entrepreneurs who produce goods manually. Naturally, this would reduce the production volume, which can lead to “out of stock” situations, disappointing customers.
Hence, it is pivotal to find areas of optimization within the manufacturing process to make it leaner and more efficient while preserving the quality of the end product.
Start by looking for relatively simple tasks in the production process, such as bringing raw materials to the workshop or factory, and delegate them. Creators can transfer the relevant knowledge to apprentices or employees.
Second, remove bottlenecks. Using the raw materials example, if entrepreneurs encounter vendor reliability or capacity issues, they should seek alternative suppliers. This establishes operational stability and speeds up the preparation of international parcels.
Next, analyze the current tech stack to discover tools that need upgrading. Artisans can continually find machines and platforms that help them do more. These can significantly scale up manufacturing.
The final and most important component of scaling up is marketing. There is no point in improving the manufacturing and administrative processes unless there are people to purchase the goods produced.
SEO, influencer collaboration, blogging, guest posting, and social media promotion are effective ways to reach a global audience that wants authentic, handcrafted products. The topics could range from manufacturing methods to cultural relevance and value proposition.
Wrapping Up
There is a growing demand for authentic, handmade goods in the international market. Buyers desire products that reflect quality, sustainability, and uniqueness. Artisans and entrepreneurs can leverage this opportunity by enhancing their global e-commerce operations.
Pricing the individual products, shipping safely and quickly to offshore buyers, and scaling up the businesses are three key challenges owners face.
Pricing should be dynamic and consider all the relevant factors in real-time. Choosing a reliable international parcel post services vendor that offers multiple options is valuable. Then, scale up by improving the manufacturing process, delegating tasks, and marketing the brand.
