7 Tools That Can Simplify Design Merchandising And Save Time

The bygone era did not encourage earning from creative endeavors. With the varying tools of the internet at one's disposal, this isn't the case anymore. The internet has opened up a myriad of opportunities for catering to a global audience. The process of Design Merchandising has become more streamlined and time-saving. A service supports every step of the process. Here's our list of essential tools that will make you an efficient designer.  

Social Media 

Almost all designers make use of social media for promoting their artworks. Social networking is the most cost-effective medium to market your products. Not to mention, a single post has the potential to reach millions. If you haven't already, do create a business account on these sites:

• Instagram: 

Reels are all the rage now. Many small-scale entrepreneurs are creating engaging content to increase their traffic. Using trending hashtags will also give your page more exposure.

• Facebook: 

Creating a Facebook page is one of the best ways to raise brand awareness. It is also an effective means to connect with your customers. 

• Pinterest: 

You can use Pinterest to display your designs and attract people to your works. 

In short, social media marketing is one of the best ways to reach a broad range of audiences in a short amount of time.  

Online Retailers 

Online retailers serve as the middlemen between you and customers. Since they have a wider reach, they will save you the trouble of finding audiences. For a small commission, you can exhibit and sell your works on these sites. Here are some of the tried-and-tested retailers in Design Merchandising:

• Etsy: 

Etsy is a global marketplace with over 5 million customers. It's a craft-centric platform that supports independent creators. You can sell your designs here with a small listing and transaction fee. 

• Design Hill: 

It will display your artwork and take care of shipping and transactions for you.

• Creative Market: 

This is another marketplace where you can set your price and keep 70% of your sale. It has over 5 million audiences.  

Honorable mentions include: This is a Limited Edition, Not on the High Street, Big Cartel, and Design By Humans.

Your Website

The next step in Design Merchandising is to create your website. This way, you will not have to spend money on retail fees. Building a website will also cement your brand image.  

Steps For Increasing Traffic:

• Create an eye-catching website with a good layout.

• Display an attractive and well-rounded portfolio of your designs to illustrate credibility.  This will also eliminate the need to send your works to individual customers. 

• Plug your website into social media sites and online marketplaces. 

You can create your website using: 

1. WordPress: It is a free service with a user-friendly interface. 

2. Squarespace: Although it is not free, it offers more in-built features than WordPress. 

E-commerce Plugin

E-commerce plugins are software that assists you in managing your business website. It makes Design Merchandising simpler by taking care of your online store. You can join the following sites- 

• woocommerce- It is designed for online businesses using WordPress. It provides overall assistance besides inventory and shipping management.

• Shopify- Shopify requires minimal tech knowledge to set up, and it is easy to use. It comprises features such as customization, customer support, and many templates. 

Email Newsletter Provider

Emails help you stay connected with your audience. But composing emails and sending them to individual customers can be time-consuming. By using a newsletter provider, you can send high-quality emails to your clients. Here are two reliable newsletter providers:  

• MailChimp: It will allow you to select your email content and customize your contacts. 

• Constant Connect: It is easy to use and lets you contact customers directly. 

Photo Editing Software

It is crucial to make your designs look beautiful. Image quality translates into product quality. One of the best things you can do in marketing your designs is investing in a good photo editor like:  

• Adobe Photoshop: It will give your photos a professional touch. Clients will leave your website with brand awareness. 

• Lightroom: It offers step-by-step tutorials so that even beginners can edit photos. Besides, your designs will be in higher resolution. 

• Remote Shops: Finally, it may be a viable option to sell your designs remotely through a shop or design fairs. This will help you realize what sells and what doesn't. Understanding market psychology will save you time and money in the long run. You will be able to create designs that cater to their tastes.  

Conclusion 

The internet is the best place to promote your Design Merchandising. The web offers a wide range of services like social media networking and hosting online marketplaces. With these digital tools at your disposal, you can save time and focus on improving your craft.