This post about Folksy is part of Tamebay’s January 2018 Marketplaces series sponsored by Flubit. To find a full list of marketplaces we’ve written about this month, visit our Marketplaces 2018 page here.
Web address: https://folksy.com
Marketplace Overview
In the world of craft selling there is more than Etsy. Folksy is a UK based and focussed craft and craft supplies marketplace that is getting noticed. The latest user and visitor numbers come from January 2017 and are quite decent. In 2016 the total number of visitors was 4,287,165 (up 4% from 2015). They noted 9,014 sellers and a total of 242,126 items for sale over the year.
As they say in their mission statement: “Cottage industries are the future. Small scale production and handmade goods offer ways to be creative, manage resources effectively and support local economies. We’re not anti-corporate but we want thriving micro-global people brands too.”
Seller registration and requirements
It is free to join Folksy and you get your first 3 listings for free. There is no process of accreditation. But they do expect goods to be original or handmade and do allow the resale of craft supplies too. You have the choice of two selling packages. Basic or Plus.
They charge fees for listing items and also a commission fee when you sell an item. On the Basic package listings are £0.15 + VAT a pop. A Plus account is £45 per year including VAT and gives you unlimited listings and free relisting too. No matter if you are on the Basic or Plus account, listings last for 120 days (approx. 4 months) unless the item is sold out or the quantity is reduced to zero. You can relist items before their expiry date, up to once per day. All fees are paid through PayPal and its used for payments too.
Product listings and fulfilment
You create your own Folksy listings and provide photography too of the items you’re selling. You also fulfil your own sales. There are no requirements for tracking although you can take a view on that. Building beautiful listings with exquisite snaps is how you win on Folksy. You can keep abreast of the weekly best sellers here.
Tamebay’s take on Folksy
If you’re based in the UK and already selling via Etsy, then there’s no reason why you shouldn’t also be having a go with Folksy if your goods fit with their criteria. It’s a UK based concern that is keen to retain its community feel and reputation as a unique outlet for original craft items and supplies. Despite its small size, and creditable popularity with people in the know, we’d love to see it get bigger and enjoy better profile. A buyer marketing and brand campaign to raise awareness with the wider public is long overdue.
If you have you any experience selling on Folksy, please do share your experiences.
For more information about marketplaces check out the Tamebay Guide.
