How to Create a Custom Virtual Clothing Online
Custom-made clothing has grown in business and creativity as everyone is looking for that special design totally geared toward them. Customers would rather spend a little more money for a well-made garment than to purchase a cheap item. If you are a creative seamstress with great ideas and a well thought out plan, custom-made clothing online might be your dream come true.
Items you will need:
- Sewing machine
- Fabric
Now get started with a design and a purpose in mind.
- Determine your special line of clothing. If you plan to have a variety in your custom clothing store online, you need to have prototypes of each.
- Take photos of each of the items, write careful descriptions of the fabric used and any special features you want your potential buyers to take notice of, and figure out the price you want to charge per item. Do your research to see what competitors are charging for their custom clothing. When writing descriptions, be very specific. Consider how your clothing is different from what is on the market. Highlight the advantages of custom-made clothing - i.e., perfect fit, tailor-made and more comfortable.
- Consider beginning your custom clothing store on Etsy.com. Etsy specializes in all things creative and custom-made. Once you have a large following and begin making money selling your custom clothing then you can think about hosting your own website and shopping cart. Etsy is free and is the perfect place to get started.
- Create a measuring kit that you can send to interested customers. Include a measuring tape that can be ordered in bulk from fabric stores. Shop around for good prices. You want to send customers a measuring tape so they will measure from the same tape you are going to use to make their clothes. Centimeters are better than inches as they give you accurate measurements. Include in your measuring kit photos and detailed, easy to follow instructions for what measurements you need from your customers. Ask customers to mail back their measurements and any photos you might need of them to give you a good idea of their body type and height. Decide if you want to offer the measuring kit free or charge them something to cover your expenses.
- Determine whether you will need help. Sewing clothing takes time, so you need to determine how long it will take you to make and ship your clothing. If you get more orders than you expected, you may have to get help filling them. Have backup help or be prepared to tell your customers that there is a long waiting period, which might affect orders and sales.
- Determine what equipment and materials you need and the best places to purchase items. Starting small is a good idea. Make sure you have a sewing machine that does everything you need. Determine what sort of material, patterns, thread, buttons, zippers, linings, padding and scissors that you will need for your custom clothing. Also, find the manufacturers locally or online that can provide you what you need in bulk and at a good discount.
- Promote your custom clothing store to friends, family, work associates, the Etsy community and other online markets. Join forums, start a blog, send out press releases and get the word out.