How to start a small online bead supply business?

I want to start a small online business that sells beads and beading equipment for beading jewellery and other stuff. Can anyone tell me where to start? Or if your a bead lover what you would like to see in the store and what would do want/expect froma bead suppliers?

Hi there. If you want just a small online business then maybe your best bet is to start trading on eBay. Try to buy the beads and tools wholesale as this will give you your best profit margin. The beads I like best are Swarovski as you cannot buy better crystal beads and also you would need a range of basic tools too. Different types of thread such as Fireline, Softflex and Nymo would be an advantage as beaders come in all shapes and sizes and also a nice range of low-mid priced beads such as wooden beads (for the surfer ranges) and ceramic beads. Sterling silver always sells well, but also try to stock gold fill too as well as the plated stuff for people just starting out. Vermeil is nice as not a lot of people stock this and try to have a nice range of clasps; Bali silver is always a good bet. The one thing I would suggest is though, try to stock something exclusive that's really hard to find somewhere else. Do you know anyone who makes their own Boro beads or perhaps polymer clay beads that you could sell exclusively? I hope I have given you some food for thought but have you tried to sell beads at a local market if you have one, just to test the water? I only say this because setting up online (if you aren't going to use eBay) can be quite costly. Even if you use an online host such as 1-1 or Easyhost (as I first did) you aren't guarenteed the traffic you will need to make your online business a success. It's all very well having a great looking site stocked chock full of beading goodies, but if no-one gets to see it, what's the use? I have recently signed up to SBI! It's great, but it does take a lot of hard work to build up as it focuses on content first rather than going in for the hard sell and all you have to do is focus on building your site as they do all the behind the scenes hard stuff for you! Take a look, http://ilovesbi.sitesell.com/sarahcassid... or if you don't want to commit to that, theres always this at no cost whatsoever http://affiliatemarketing.sitesell.com/s...

This is my site if you want to take a look (p.s I'm not selling you anything!)
http://www.jewellery-making-guide.com

I hope I've helped you in some way, good luck with your venture, whichever path you decide. x

anal beads ofcourse is a must

Advertise through Free yellow pages.

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