Amazon is fast becoming a competitor to Etsy, since launch in September 2016, more than 5,000 artisans from the UK and across Europe are now selling on Handmade at Amazon.
Handmade at Amazon features products across 10 categories including Jewellery, Home Decor, Artwork, Kitchen and Dining, and Furniture, with more than a third of items available for personalisation. Personalisation is one of the things always tricky on a marketplace as it involves communication with the customer and a delay in shipping – both things Amazon is normally famed for avoiding.
This is borne out by the fact that many Artisans are already using the Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA) service, whereby Amazon stores, picks, packs and delivers items to customers on their behalf. Artisans who have enrolled in the FBA programme have seen increase in sales opportunities by an average of five times higher that of Artisans who handle their own shipping. If only it were possible to use FBA for personalised items.
In fairness to Amazon, they do make the customisation process easier than other marketplaces, Amazon Handmade has built tools to allow Artisans to specify what can be customised directly on the detail page and customers can specify the options they want, including personalisation such as names and dates during the ordering process.
“Handmade at Amazon provides Artisans with an unique opportunity to quickly and effectively grow their business, providing more time to spend in their workshop on what matters – crafting unique items for customers,”
Francois Saugier, VP, Amazon Seller Services, Europe.
Handmade at Amazon Features for Artisans
Handmade at Amazon offers tailored features to help Artisans grow their business and make personalisation orders simple. This includes offering Artisans:
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World class support
Artisans benefit from a world class Amazon seller support to help them set up shop and manage the business on Amazon.
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Be discovered by customers
Every Artisan creates an Artisan profile page with a unique URL to share their story with imagery and room to describe how they make their items.
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Spend time on what matters
Professional tools and reports make it easy for Artisans to manage their business on Amazon, and get back to their craft.
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Custom orders are quick and easy
Amazon Handmade has built tools to allow Artisans to specify what can be customised directly on the detail page and customers can specify the options they want, including personalisation such as names and dates during the ordering process.
If you are considering selling on Handmade at Amazon, go to services.amazon.co.uk/handmade.html for more information and support.
