Websites

[Etaf]

Maybe step back and just look at the business
you say

NOT selling via a shop
NOT selling at fairs

Have a review of the products you have sold
look maybe at how you market products and get people to kno wabout you and products
Is there a Market for what you make, maybe a chang ein what you make may result in a change of sales

I have no idea what you are making and how selling

But as said , a website can be easy to setup with the various tools now around , I have setup a few for people using IONOS tools and wordpress
Then the ongoing hosting costs , maybe around >£200

The BIG issue is getting in seen by people , getting traffic and then sales , again as mentioned that can be the very expensive part

 

[Stigmorgan]

Maybe step back and just look at the business
you say

NOT selling via a shop
NOT selling at fairs

Have a review of the products you have sold
look maybe at how you market products and get people to kno wabout you and products
Is there a Market for what you make, maybe a chang ein what you make may result in a change of sales

I have no idea what you are making and how selling

But as said , a website can be easy to setup with the various tools now around , I have setup a few for people using IONOS tools and wordpress
Then the ongoing hosting costs , maybe around >£200

The BIG issue is getting in seen by people , getting traffic and then sales , again as mentioned that can be the very expensive part

Thanks for this, I'm fairly aware of the work needed to advertise etc, it's more the yearly/monthly costs I want to assess at the minute.
I generally make whatever enters my head when I go out to the lathe, unless I'm working on a request/commission I don't really plan what I'm going to make, currently have a dough bowl, tealight holders and an espresso cup display on the request list, I also have sketchbooks around the house, makerspace and at work with (very) rough sketches of ideas that have entered my head, usually random shapes that I then give myself a headache trying to think of ways to make them possible on the lathe, I'm hoping to get to some of them this year.

 

[Sachakins]

Making what comes into your is great fun and I enjoy that approach too,
But sadly that doesn't necessarily translate into sellable products, or even products that can be sold profitability.
I stepped back from making anything specifically for selling, as it was ruining my enjoyment of what is my hobby.
I think that first you need to decide if this venture is a business or a hobby. I ended up choosing it as a hobby, but will make one off pieces for a select few who I know will appreciate and afford to be able to pay for that one off speciality item. The only caveat to that is that I accept its a one off and would never repeat a design for others. To me I have been asked to produce a one off and I respect that and assure that I won't repeat repeat it for others, even if asked. Thats my respect to those asking for my services. So I only do 2 or 3 pieces a year at most, often none at all. Rather I make for my own enjoyment and for gifts I give.

The other thing to remember now, is that from Jan 1st 2025, ALL platforms that you sell on or through will and must report this to HMRC when number of sales is 30 or more or the value of sales exceeds £1000 in a year. Yearly sales of £1000 or more now require a self assessment return to HMRC.
There are exclusions, ie if your clearing out your house etc. But if your selling a product HMRC want to know.