Aromatherapy, beauty and business? Moving from a beauty and wellness artisan to an online business owner, is inevitable if you plan to sell your products in today’s marketplace. The digital world offers opportunities to grow beyond your local clientele, and to truly succeed. Therefore, it’s crucial to embrace the process of marketing your products online. While you may love the craft of blending essential oils and formulating your unique beauty products, it’s now time to grow your business mind. It’s time to adapt to the new demands of an online environment.
The shift from artisan to business artisan doesn’t mean losing your passion. It simply means expanding your passion’s reach. Without a strong online presence, your business risks being left behind in an increasingly competitive industry. The online landscape is a rapidly moving train. If you’re not on board, you could miss the ride. Or worse, encounter unforeseen derailments that slow down or halt your growth.
I’ve put together a guide that will help you take that leap. While crafting beauty products in the comfort of your workspace, you can become a confident and capable business owner selling your products online.
I’ll walk you through the basic steps of setting up your online store. I’ll also cover marketing your products effectively, and scaling your business for long-term success. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to take your business to the next level, this guide will equip you with the tools and knowledge you need to thrive in the digital marketplace.
Let’s dive in, step by step, and help you build an online beauty brand that reflects the care and craftsmanship you pour into every product.
As an aromatherapists, you often create, handmade beauty and wellness products with your personal touch and care. Now you’re seriously thinking of selling beauty products online. Transitioning from creating products for local clients to selling online can be both exciting and challenging. This article will guide you through the first steps of moving from artisan to “business artisan” and preparing for success in the digital marketplace.
Before diving in, it’s crucial to understand what e-commerce (online selling) involves. E-commerce refers to selling goods and services via the internet. For you, an aromatherapist, this means setting up an online presence where you can sell your beauty products to customers far beyond your local community.
Key Things to Know:
– E-commerce platforms: Shopify, Etsy, and Squarespace are popular platforms where you can easily set up an online store.
– Web hosting and domains: You will need a website. If you’re not using a pre-built platform like Etsy, buying a domain name (e.g., www.yourbrandname.com) is the first step to creating a professional online presence.
– Payment systems: You’ll need a reliable payment system like PayPal, Stripe, or Square to handle transactions securely.
Branding is key in the online marketplace. Your products might be beautiful, but without a unique brand, they can get lost among thousands of similar items.
Key Steps:
– Brand message: Your story and why you make your products should be clear. Customers want to feel a connection to the products they buy, especially with handmade items.
– Logo and visuals: Invest in a professional-looking logo and consistent visual elements (colors, fonts, and photography) to create a cohesive look for your brand. Fiverr and Upwork are good places to find freelancers to do this work for you. If you’ve worked with Canva and feel you can create your own logo, it’s also a good resource. Remember, time is money. If you can afford to have someone else do this for you and do it well, hand it off to them. This in one less thing you have to concern yourself with.
– Product descriptions: As aromatherapists, you often use unique essential oils and organic ingredients, so highlight these qualities in your product descriptions. Be descriptive but concise.
Choosing the right platform is crucial to reach your target audience and ensure your business’s success. These are just options listed below. With any platform, you have to do your do-diligence. The devil is in the details, so look carefully at fees and terms of service. Competition is everywhere, so don’t be afraid to choose a platform because you see so many other people doing what you do. The more people you see selling what you sell, the better. It means, your product is in demand. Your job is to concentrate on what makes you unique and the solution your product brings to the market with.
Options:
– Etsy: Great for handmade and artisan products. It’s a marketplace known for showcasing small businesses and artisans.
– Shopify: A highly customizable platform that allows you to run your own independent online store.
– Amazon Handmade: You can sell your aromatherapy products through Amazon’s artisan-specific marketplace to reach a larger audience.
4. Building Your Online Store
You need a store that’s easy to navigate, visually appealing, and trustworthy.
Key Elements:
– Product Pages: Each product needs high-quality images, detailed descriptions, and pricing information.
– About Page: This is where you can share your story, philosophy, and why your products are unique.
– Contact Information: Provide a clear way for customers to get in touch with questions.
Getting started with selling online begins with understanding e-commerce and setting up the basics of your brand and store. Take the time to build a professional, polished online presence that reflects the care and craftsmanship you put into your products.
Tomorrow in Part 2, we’ll talk about Marketing and Promotion for your Aromatherapy Business online.
Until next time …. As always ….
Dedicated to Your Success,
Juliette Samuel,
Esthetician/Aromatherapist/Author/Publisher,