Mastering Your Online Store like a Pro: Tips from Big Cartel
Cranking Up the Profits: A Designer's Guide to Slaying the Online Merch Game
Ahoy there fellow creatives! Saddle up and buckle in, because today we've got Big Cartel's very own Product Design Lead, Carl DeCaire, droppin' some serious knowledge bombs on setting up a kickass online merch store. So, grab a cuppa joe, and let's dive in!
1. Planning Your Assault
Whether you're a seasoned art veteran or fresh off the art school battlefield, establishing an online merch store should be treated like any other conquest – which starts with a battle plan. No matter how brilliant your designs, throwing yourself blindly into the digital jungle isn't wise.
There are some crucial questions to ask yourself: What are you selling? Whom are you selling to? How are you going to promote your baby? Rest assured, Big Cartel's got you covered when it comes to knowing where to flaunt your loot, but these questions barely scratch the surface. If hard decisions and endless questions sound daunting, don't lose heart – with the right strategy, you can conquer your dreams and vanquish any doubts.
Pro Tips:
- Keep it simple with a straightforward to-do list, and consistently review and update it.
- Take inventory of any shortcomings that may crop up – like HTML/CSS skills, for instance. If gaps exist in your skill set, don't be shy about reaching out for reinforcements.
- Big Research! Are your customers part of the compelling, mainstream masses, or do they seek out unique, niche treasures? Knowing the answer before you launch onto the battlefield spells success.
2. Simplicity's the Spice of Life
Armed with your plan of attack and fortified by knowledge, you can begin crafting your masterpieces and setting up your online shop. Simplicity is the lifeblood of our digital realm at Big Cartel, and it's our secret weapon.
Recall the words of the wise: “Keep it simple, stupid.” Don't mob your customers with a tsunami of products or dazzle them with a high-falutin' e-commerce platform – focus on building your brand and spin a compelling tale without overwhelming yourself.
Pro Tips:
- Show off your baubles in context, like featuring a person rocking your duds in the great outdoors or a print adorning a plush gallery wall.
- Cohesion is key! Stick to a color palette and font that gel with your brand without stealing the limelight from your designs.
3. Access for All
Accessibility has taken center stage in the online arena and is a priority for designers and devs worldwide. Silly as it may seem, building your shop isn't the only aspect to consider when it comes to accessibility – the design choices you make matter too.
Strive for a 4.5:1 color contrast ratio, and keep your base type size at 16px. There are brilliant tools out there, like Colorable and WAVE, to help guide you. Stay mindful of the most essential content, like product names and prices, to ensure that all customers, including those with vision impairments or color blindness, can access your shop with ease.
4. Keep It Human
Connecting with humanity is about more than just nailing your customer's order deadlines. Go the extra mile by adding some flair, like thoughtful packaging, a thank you note, or a delightful bonus trinket to make the delivery an experience to remember.
Pro Tips
- Jot down a brief tale or bio outlining your artistic journey and add it to a dedicated ‘About’ page for your shop.
- Link up with social media platforms whenever possible to stay connected with your tribe.
- Build an email list and utilize it to keep your followers in the loop about new releases, discounts, and special events.
About Carl:
A warrior for over eight years, Carl DeCaire has been battling alongside artists to help them succeed as a product design lead at Big Cartel. Along with a talented team of designers, they're crafting groundbreaking tools and themes that artists use daily to create stylish, profitable, and successful online merch ventures.
Related Reading
- Designer turned full-time hustler: How she made it happen
- Slaying the merch game: 5 sneaky tips for side hustling success
- Here's the enamel pins you need to gift designer friends who slay
Feeling inspired? Find more creative journeys on our Courtside blog. Catch you next time, warriors!
Bonus Insights:
- Define Your Niche: Identify your target audience and tailor your designs to appeal to them. Develop a distinctive style or niche that sets you apart from competitors.
- Choose the Right Platform: Look into e-commerce platforms such as Shopify, WooCommerce, or Big Cartel, which offer a range of customizable templates and integrations. Consider print-on-demand services like Redbubble or Teespring to tackle the shipping and production headaches.
- Marketing and Promotion: Utilize social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook to showcase your designs and engage with potential customers. Collaborate with influencers in your niche to lend credibility and boost sales.
- Customer Service: Ensure expedient and helpful support for customer inquiries and issues. Encourage feedback to improve products and services.
1. Niche Exploration and Strategic Positioning While diving into the world of online merchandising, it's essential to determine your niche and target audience. Examine the market trends and specific niches such as fashion-and-beauty, food-and-drink, home-and-garden, relationships, travel, cars, and shopping. This understanding will help to create designs that resonate with your potential customers.
2. Market and Customer Research Thoroughly analyzing your competitors, industry leaders, and market trends can provide valuable insights. Understanding their strategies, successes, and failures can help you create a unique selling proposition and promote your products effectively.
3. Expanding Your Merchandise Portfolio As your online store grows, consider expanding your offerings to cater to various interests like fashion, home decor, food, travel-themed merchandise, and cherished keepsakes. Just remember to maintain a balance and not overwhelm your customers with too many options.
4. Amplifying Your Online Presence Building a substantial social media presence can attract potential customers and increase brand awareness. Collaborate with influencers in your niche, create engaging content, and foster relationships with your followers. In addition, listing your products on shopping platforms like Amazon, Etsy, eBay, and specialized others can help broaden your reach.
