How to select the right sales channel?

When choosing a sales channel, carefully evaluate your business goals, technical expertise, and the type of audience you want to reach. What is effective for one business might deliver different results for another.

With these considerations in mind, you can evaluate the following key aspects to determine the best sales channel for your specific needs.

• Ease of use. Assess how intuitive and user-friendly the sales channel is. Is it easy to set up, navigate, and maintain? How steep is the learning curve? A sales channel with a user-friendly interface can streamline your business operations.
• Design flexibility. Examine the customization options for storefronts, branding, and content. While eCommerce platforms offer the freedom to design an original online store, marketplaces often have a predefined structure, limiting customization possibilities.
• Fees. Evaluate the cost structure, including subscription costs, fees, and transaction processing charges. Considering these costs is important to ensure your t-shirt business remains profitable and competitive.
• Tools and features. Explore each channel’s payment gateways, marketing and analytics tools. Check which ones are built-in and which ones require a subscription. Tools and features increase efficiency, analyze customer data, implement effective marketing strategies, and enhance the customer experience, which drive sales and foster long-term business success.
• Support. Consider the quality and accessibility of customer support, including availability, response times, and support channels. 

If you carefully evaluate your goals and the advantages and limitations of each sales channel, choosing the right one will be much easier.

The best places to sell t-shirts online

Etsy

Etsy is one of the largest eCommerce marketplaces in the world. It boasts over 92 million active buyers worldwide, highlighting a significant customer base for unique products. It’s a great starting point for anyone looking to make money selling t-shirts.

In conclusion, Etsy is one of the best places to sell custom t-shirts online for entrepreneurs who are just starting out.

eBay

eBay, one of the oldest online marketplaces, continues to draw a massive audience with 1.2 billion monthly visits and boasts 132 million active buyers.

eBay has a great reputation and a wide reach. The marketplace allows people and businesses to buy and sell various products worldwide.

Pros:

• Easy to use. Starting an online t-shirt business on eBay is easy. You can set up your store without any technical knowledge. Just create an eBay account and register as a seller.
• A wealth of tools. For example, Terapeak, a research tool, provides valuable insights into popular products; the AI description feature, accessible when listing an item, automatically generates product descriptions; and the Bulk Listing Tool enables faster relisting and revision of items.
• Helpful resources. eBay provides useful resources for existing and new sellers, explaining the process of setting up an account in detail, listing items, and managing sales, as well as giving practical tips for successfully selling products on their marketplace.

Cons:

• Competitive landscape. Similarly to Etsy, eBay is competitive, especially for popular products like t-shirts. However, if you create unique designs, learn how to price a product, and implement effective marketing strategies, it’ll be easier to stand out.
• Various fees. eBay has multiple fees you should be aware of. eBay’s Selling fees page provides a breakdown of the different fees you may incur, including insertion, final value, and optional listing upgrade fees.
• Strict rules and policy. You’re not quite in charge of everything regarding the return policy and other operational details. You need to closely follow eBay’s regulations if you want to sell on their site.

If eBay seems like a good home for your t-shirt brand, watch our webinar on how to sell on eBay in 2024 to learn tips and tricks for increasing your sales. Or, if you prefer reading, here’s a list of essential tips for selling on eBay.

Shopify

Shopify is a great eCommerce platform for building an original store and selling t-shirts online. If you want to start your own brand and have control over your store’s design, functionality, and customer experience, it’s an excellent option.

Pros:

• Intuitive and easy to use. With a user-friendly interface and customizable templates, you can quickly build a professional store without extensive technical knowledge.
• Abundance of themes. The platform offers a wide selection of professional themes, allowing you to customize the look and feel of your store to match your preferences.
• Wealth of apps. The Shopify App Store has a lot of apps for optimizing a store – from marketing to sales to analytics tools. As your t-shirt business grows, you can add additional functionality and features to increase the likelihood of making even more money.

Cons:

• Subscription costs and transaction fees. While Shopify offers various pricing plans, including a basic one for solo entrepreneurs, costs can add up with transaction fees.
• Challenging marketing. The traffic you get depends on how well you market your products online. It has no pre-existing traffic like on eBay or Etsy
• App and add-on costs. While their app store offers many add-ons and plugins to enhance functionality, many come with additional costs. Over time, these expenses can accumulate, impacting your overall profit.

If you’re ready to start a Shopify t-shirt business, our step-by-step guide provides all the information aspiring entrepreneurs need to sell custom t-shirts successfully.

Quick tip

Try Shopify’s free trial to see if it’s a good fit for your business.

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a free, open-source plugin designed for WordPress websites that can transform them into fully functional stores.

Pros:

• Extensively customizable. Check the WooCommerce Theme Store for themes, or find free ones in the WordPress Theme directory.
• A wealth of plugins. Users have access to a wide array of plugins through the WordPress Plugin directory and WooCommerce Extension Store.
• Effective marketing solutions. WooCommerce offers various marketing solutions for social media, email marketing, promotions, and other tools that help increase sales.

Cons:

• Various expenses. Although WooCommerce is free to download and set up, building a functional store requires purchasing extensions, covering transaction fees, and managing hosting costs for your website.
• Requires technical know-how. WooCommerce is more complex than previous options. While it’s relatively easy to use, it does require some technical expertise.
• Limited plugin support. WooCommerce exclusively caters to its own products that are available on its platform. This means that each theme, plugin, and hosting service may have a different support channel.

If you already have a WordPress website, WooCommerce is an excellent option. However, it’s important to note that it involves a notably steeper learning curve, so it may require more time and effort to set up.

Wix

Wix is a cloud-based platform that allows people to create a beautiful store using drag-and-drop tools, templates, and various features without any coding skills.

Pros:

• User-friendly interface. The platform is intuitive and easy to use. Even beginners can quickly create a fully functional store with Wix.
• A suite of search engine optimization (SEO) tools. The platform has an excellent SEO infrastructure, providing automatic image optimization, personalized SEO setup checklists, Google Search Console integration, and other useful functionality to increase organic traffic.
• Free hosting service. Wix provides reliable hosting services and handles website maintenance, allowing you to focus on marketing and selling t-shirts without worrying about technical aspects.

Cons:

• Wix branding. Nothing’s completely free – the free Wix plans display Wix branding on websites, which can distract potential customers and make your store appear less professional. Removing Wix ads requires upgrading to a paid plan.
• Difficult to switch templates. After you choose your initial Wix template, you can’t switch to a different one. However, it’s possible to make a new Wix site with a new template. Learn more about switching your site template from Wix.
• Long-term cost. While Wix offers free plans, many advanced features and functionalities require paid subscriptions, and costs can add up over time, especially when factoring in additional apps or services.

Wix has both free and paid plans for businesses of all sizes. It’s a great solution for those who want to sell online without a complicated website-building process.

Squarespace

Squarespace is a powerful website builder for entrepreneurs of all skill levels. This all-in-one platform is a major player in the world of eCommerce and is perfect for selling t-shirts.

Pros:

• User-friendly. A great part of Squarespace’s allure is its intuitive and easy-to-use interface, which allows people to create beautiful stores easily.
• Wide variety of templates. Squarespace has a large collection of stunning templates, some of which you can adjust to better suit your vision.
• Great customer support. Squarespace has 24/7 online support, ready to answer any questions, solve problems, and help you build your site.

Cons:

• No multi-currency selling. If you want to offer custom t-shirts to a global audience, other platforms make it a little easier.
• Limited customization. Some users say that templates lack flexibility in design and layout, preventing them from creating sites as complex as they would like.
• Limited third-party integrations. Squarespace has only a curated selection of 41 extensions, which may not cover the full range of functionality that some users require. This limitation can be frustrating for those who rely heavily on specific third-party tools or services.

All that considered, Squarespace is definitely a convenient platform for a print-on-demand t-shirt business.

BigCommerce

BigCommerce is a popular eCommerce platform trusted by small and large businesses worldwide. With BigCommerce, entrepreneurs can quickly create a store and start selling their custom t-shirt designs.

Pros:

• Various features. The platform has blog functionality, professional analytics tools, multi-currency selling, and much more.
• No additional transaction fees. BigCommerce doesn’t charge additional transaction fees. However, there are credit card processing fees, which vary depending on the payment processor.
• Cross-channel eCommerce. The platform provides various cross-channel eCommerce solutions, including Facebook, Pinterest, and Instagram integrations, allowing you to sell custom t-shirts effectively and make more money.

Cons:

• Annual sales threshold. Their plans come with yearly sales limits. You need to upgrade the plan if this limit is exceeded.
• Limited selection of free themes. The platform only has a dozen free themes.
• Expensive abandoned cart saver feature. This feature isn’t included in the Standard plan, so you’ll need a more expensive one.

In short, it’s great for beginners and professionals alike, providing everything they need to start, manage, and grow a business.

PrestaShop

PrestaShop is an open-source eCommerce solution. With a wide selection of features and customization options, it’s one of the best places to sell t-shirts. However, the platform requires some technical knowledge, so it’s possibly not the best solution for beginners.

Pros:

• Flexible customization. PrestaShop offers a lot of customization freedom. You can modify themes, add or remove features, and integrate third-party modules to improve functionality.
• Variety of features. The PrestaShop Add-Ons Marketplace has a wealth of add-ons and modules, including solutions for payment, marketing, and promotions.
• Useful analytics. Use PrestaShop Metrics to gain valuable insights into sales, customer behavior, and site performance. This data can help you to make informed decisions and optimize for better results.

Cons:

• Requires technical know-how. While it’s relatively easy to use, installation requires technical skills.
• Add-on cost. PrestaShop is free to download and use, but you may incur costs for premium themes, modules, or plugins to enhance functionality. These additional expenses can add up over time.
• Steeper learning curve. For people who are new to eCommerce platforms, PrestaShop may have a steeper learning curve compared to more user-friendly alternatives. This could potentially delay the setup process and require additional time.

While this eCommerce solution is free and a great place to sell t-shirts online, there are other costs associated with starting and managing your own shop, such as domain, hosting, and payment solution expenses.

Printify Pop-Up Store

The Printify Pop-Up Store is perfect for aspiring entrepreneurs. It’s a hassle-free way to start a t-shirt store or a merch business.

Pros:

• Quick and easy setup. Simply create a store page and get a unique link to share with your audience.
• Worldwide network of Print Providers. Reach your customers quickly with our extensive network of more than 80 thoroughly vetted Print Providers.
• Streamlined production. As soon as you make a sale, we’ll print, package, and ship your t-shirts directly to your customers.

With the Printify Pop-Up Store, you can say goodbye to intricate store setups, expensive domains, listing fees, and other burdens of starting, running, and managing a store.

A few other noteworthy mentions

T-shirt and artwork marketplaces

Sometimes also referred to as print-on-demand websites, these marketplaces enable you to upload a t-shirt design, create mockups, and sell to a pre-existing audience. A great place for graphic designers and entrepreneurs alike.

Three great examples:

• Redbubble
• Society6
• Threadless

Marketplaces

While everyone knows marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, and eBay that provide an opportunity to reach tens of thousands of potential buyers, there are other marketplaces you might not have heard of.

Two great examples: 

• Bonanza
• Sears

Whichever sales channel you plan on using, carefully study their pricing, fees, and features to avoid any confusion and trouble down the road.

Sell t-shirts online using Printify

With Printify’s print-on-demand service, selling shirts is easy. Anyone can launch their own business and start making money online.

Our beginner-friendly platform is 100% free and available to everyone. With just a few clicks, you can design, create, and sell original print-on-demand t-shirts. Here’s how.

Closing thoughts

Finding the best site to sell t-shirts on is much easier after you explore their strengths and weaknesses.

When choosing a sales channel, the more you learn about it, the better, so carefully study features and pricing to make the right decision for your online store.

Once you’ve selected your sales platform, the next step is to source the t-shirts to sell. That’s where Printify comes in with its global printing network, extensive range of t-shirts, and free automation tools. 

The best part? Printify seamlessly integrates with all the mentioned sales channels, making it the ultimate solution for your t-shirt selling needs.

1. Print on Demand

With Print on Demand (POD), launching your own online store and earning money has never been easier. And the best part? It requires little to no upfront investment.

POD makes it easy to design, create, and sell a broad range of items, including t-shirts, home decor, games, and even custom-printed pint glasses – the possibilities are endless.

While starting is simple, turning it into a success requires effort. You need to set up a polished, professional store, design eye-catching products, and bring your best marketing strategies. But when you nail it, POD can be an excellent source of semi-passive income. Once a customer buys a product from your store, the POD provider takes care of all the heavy lifting – printing, packaging, and shipping – so you can focus on growing your business.

Ready to get inspired? Check out our Success Stories to see how others have unlocked financial freedom with POD.

Find out how to design your own hoodie, create custom tote bags, or even offer print-on-demand beauty products in your shop.

2. Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketing allows you to earn commissions by promoting products and services online. If you’re already a social media influencer, becoming an affiliate is an excellent way to earn passive income.

Typically, affiliates are given a link to track their sales. The affiliate receives a cut of the sale when a customer uses their link to make a purchase.

Affiliates can choose products or services relevant to their audience and promote them through various channels – websites, social media accounts, newsletters, or blogs. Successful affiliates build trust with their audience by providing valuable content and genuine recommendations.

For example, with the Printify Affiliate Program, you get a 5% commission on every order your referrals make for the next 12 months.

3. Freelancing

If you’re good at writing, graphic design, or social media management, offer your expertise online on freelance platforms.

• Fiverr. One of the most popular online marketplaces for freelance services. Fiverr primarily focuses on short-term projects or gigs, so it’s a good option for people who want to make extra cash in their spare time.
• Upwork. Upwork is a freelancing platform that’s better suited for larger projects. It offers a wider range of services and caters to both short-term projects and long-term contracts.

Whether you want to make money online as a freelance graphic designer or social media manager, both of these platforms provide various opportunities.

In short, freelancing is a great option for those who want the freedom to choose their own clients and set their own rates.

4. Start an eCommerce business

Industry experts predict that global retail eCommerce sales will reach $6.3 trillion in 2024, providing opportunities for aspiring entrepreneurs worldwide.

While online businesses require hard work and dedication to get up and running, they can bring in good money.

Here are a few great business models:

• POD. With POD, anyone can start an online business with minimal financial investment and without any inventory. You can design, create, and sell various products. After a sale goes through, the POD company does the rest – printing, packaging, and shipping.
• Dropshipping. While similar to POD, there’s a slight difference – you can’t customize the products you sell. Explore the top dropshipping websites to find a supplier.

Private-label dropshipping. If you have some money to invest, this is a great option. You can customize product specifications and create original products. Similarly to previous ones, the supplier takes care of manufacturing, packaging, and shipping.

5. Online tutoring

Here are a few popular online platforms that can help you get started:

• Wyzant. A tutoring platform that provides an easy way to tutor and make money online.
• Skillshare. A beginner-friendly platform that allows you to create and publish online courses on various subjects.
• Teachable. A great platform for creating and selling learning materials and hosting online classes.
• Pear Deck. One of the best online communities for tutors. The platform helps tutors connect with students and share their knowledge and skills.

While it’ll take some time to put together an engaging online course on a topic that’s in demand, tutoring can bring in good money and even fit around a full-time job.

6. Sell stock photos, videos, and files

If you’re a creative person and want to earn money with your talent, consider the following options.

Try stock photography sites, like Shutterstock (great for stock videos, too), Getty Images, or iStock, to advertise your photos online and find clients.

You can also make money by opening a store on Creative Fabrica and selling stock files, like templates, illustrations, and, of course, photos.

7. Sell online courses

When it comes to creative ways to make money, creating and selling an online course is an excellent option.

Platforms like Udemy, Teachable, and Skillshare streamline the process of creating and selling courses to a wide audience.

8. Start a YouTube channel

If you know a thing or two about geopolitics, mysteries of nature, secrets of science, or any other interesting subject, consider starting a YouTube channel.

While it’s a great way to make money online, it requires careful preparation. You need equipment, study video editing, and create content that attracts followers.

Additionally, you can monetize a channel only after you become eligible for the YouTube Partner Program, which means you need at least 1,000 subscribers with 4,000 valid public watch hours in the last 12 months.

After monetizing a channel, you’ll also be able to use the YouTube Super Chat feature. It allows your followers to pay for a highlighted message during streams.

On average, a YouTuber earns around $0.018 for each view or $18 for every 1,000 views.

9. Become a streamer

If you enjoy gaming and interacting with people, it’s an excellent option that you can pursue in your free time as well.

After you build a loyal following, you can earn money via donations, brand partnerships, and selling merchandise for your fans.

10. Start a blog

Blogging is a rewarding way to sharpen your writing skills and share your creative ideas with the world. You can blog about anything – from your daily life experiences to your passion for a particular hobby or interest.

But can you really make money blogging? Yes, but it’s important to gain followers first, so promote the blog via your social media accounts or by using Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok ads.

After you build a loyal following, you can earn from ad revenue, sponsored posts, and affiliate marketing.

A few good platforms for blogging are Squarespace, Wix, and WordPress.

11. Answer online surveys

While they can be time-consuming, paid online surveys are a great way to make extra money.

Sign up on sites like Swagbucks, Survey Junkie, or LifePoints. Then, select topics and start making money by answering questions.

Additionally, consider joining local in-person or online focus groups on sites like User Interviews or Ipsos iSay.

12. Test digital products

This is a great way to make extra money online – test websites, apps, and software.

As a tester, you’ll note observations about the interface, functionality, or usability errors, and the company will pay you for your feedback.

Try sites like UserTesting or Userlytics to get started on your testing journey.

13. Pet sitting and dog walking

If you enjoy spending time with animals, starting a pet sitting or a dog walking business might be the right side hustle for you.

Use platforms like Rover and Wag! to find people who need pet-sitting services, or build your own website using Shopify or WooCommerce to start a full-fledged business.

Alternatively, offer these services via your social media or local community bulletin boards.

14. Renting out realty

If you own a property, starting a side hustle is easy. Rent out an apartment, spare room, or garage to make some extra cash.

Here are two options:

• Airbnb. A marketplace for rentals, connecting hosts with guests looking for unique accommodations worldwide.
• Neighbor. A storage-sharing marketplace that helps rent out spaces like garages, driveways, and unpaved lots.

15. Become a personal trainer

Becoming a personal trainer is a good option for fitness enthusiasts who love to inspire and educate others about wellness. However, obtaining certification from a reputable organization is essential to establish credibility and attract clients.

After all, the worldwide health and wellness market size is expected to reach around $7 trillion by 2025, providing a promising opportunity for those wanting to build a career in the fitness industry.

16. Car washing and detailing

With the increasing number of vehicles on the road and people striving to keep them in good condition, car washing and detailing can be a financially rewarding business.

Detailing goes beyond a typical car wash, focusing on cleaning, polishing, and protecting every surface of the vehicle, including the exterior paint, wheels, tires, glass, interior upholstery, and dashboard.

While you’ll need an initial investment in equipment (such as a pressure washer, wheel and tire brushes, a steam cleaner, and interior protectants, to name a few), it can quickly become a profitable venture.

17. Mystery shopping

A mystery shopper gives feedback about their experience in a company’s store. Typically, assignments involve visiting a business, evaluating its service, and writing a review.

Since most businesses want to improve their customer’s shopping experience, it’s a great way to earn extra income.

Search on Google to find local businesses looking for mystery shoppers and contact them to see what opportunities they offer.

18. Flip different Items

Flipping items involves buying undervalued items, improving them, and selling them for a profit. This can quickly turn into a profitable side hustle.

Here are a few ideas where you can find various inexpensive items:

• Amazon, eBay, Facebook Marketplace. Search for products with a profit potential and then resell them elsewhere.
• Garage sale, flea market, craft fair. Great places to find various items – from clothing and accessories to electronics and furniture.

While you can simply resell items for a higher price on online marketplaces or in local markets, improving their quality is a good way to significantly increase their value.

19. House cleaning

House cleaning has a low barrier to entry and requires minimal startup costs. Apart from basic cleaning supplies, there are no other expenses. 

It’s a relatively easy way to make money, and it’s a flexible job that allows you to set your own schedule and work independently.

Try freelancing websites like TIDY and TaskRabbit, offer your services via social media, or check if local companies are hiring.

20. Event planning

If you’re detail-oriented, organized, and enjoy bringing people together, event planning might be a fulfilling opportunity for you.

While event planning can be challenging – it requires strong communication skills and the ability to think on your feet – the satisfaction of planning a successful event can be incredibly rewarding, both personally and financially.

21. Sell handmade or vintage items

Good at crafts or enjoy searching for vintage treasures? Turn your hobby into profit.

Vintage items like antique furniture, 70s clothing, and retro decor appeal to collectors and enthusiasts alike.

There is a high demand for handmade jewelry, accessories, and artwork, too. After all, industry experts forecast that the worldwide arts and crafts market will reach $50.9 billion in 2024.

Whether you want to show off your skills or simply sell vintage goods, set up a store on Etsy or Shopify to reach a wide audience.

22. Personal shopping services

A personal shopper helps people find and purchase items based on their specific needs. They assist with everything from clothing and accessories to home decor and gifts, providing a tailored shopping experience.

As with every business idea, this requires a professional approach, so writing a business plan outlining your services, target market, and pricing structure is essential.

23. Lawn care and landscaping

If you’re passionate about nature and enjoy working outdoors, starting a lawn care and landscaping business could be the perfect fit for you.

By offering services such as mowing, weeding, and planting, you can help clients achieve the outdoor oasis of their dreams.

While it can be a rewarding business opportunity, initial investment is a must – you’ll need a truck, a lawn mower, trimming equipment, and other essential tools like safety gear, rakes, shovels, and pruners, to name a few.

Alternatively, search for yard work on platforms like Handy or TaskRabbit.

24. Catering services

Industry experts forecast that the worldwide catering services and food contractors market size will reach $378.39 billion by 2026.

From corporate events and weddings to holiday parties and fundraisers, there’s always a need for professional catering services.

While it’s a great business idea, it’s not easy to start. You’ll need to write a business plan and invest in a well-equipped kitchen, commercial-grade appliances, food storage, and transportation.

Additionally, obtaining the necessary permits and certifications and ensuring compliance with food safety regulations is vital to meet legal requirements, build consumer trust, protect public health, and maintain the reputation and sustainability of your business.

Be creative and earn money with Printify

Start making money online with Printify’s POD service. Our beginner-friendly platform is 100% free and accessible to everyone, everywhere.

You can design, create, and sell original products with just a few clicks. Here’s how.

Closing thoughts

While there are many creative ways to make money, each has its own advantages and disadvantages.

If you’re ready to dip your toes into a more adventurous path than traditional employment, all of these opportunities are a great place to start.

Whichever you choose, carefully consider your strengths, skills, and goals first. Then, let your passion guide you toward the right opportunity.

What kind of supplier do you need?

The type of supplier you choose depends on your business model and goals. Not every supplier will be a good fit, so weighing up their advantages and limitations is vital to finding the right one.

We’ve outlined the different types of suppliers to help make evaluating your options easier.

Find and research suppliers

In eCommerce, researching and vetting suppliers is crucial since they’ll be your closest business partners – whose products and services can make or break your success.

Consider these factors when reviewing suppliers: 

• Reputation. A solid reputation is a must for every supplier. Check third-party reviews, paying close attention to the quality of their products, communication, and shipping times.
• Location. Check for domestic instead of overseas suppliers if you want to sell locally. This way, you can reduce shipping costs and time.
• Quality and selection. Make sure the supplier offers a wide variety of products that meet your brand’s quality standards.
• Fair price. Compare your competitors’ pricing to ensure you’re getting the best deal for your business.
• Turnaround time. Find out whether they create and deliver products as promised and in a timely manner.
• eCommerce store integrations. Check whether the supplier offers integrations with your preferred sales channel.
• Order requirements. Start by choosing suppliers without order minimums. This way, you can avoid buying in bulk, reducing the risk of losing money due to overpricing or overstocking.

A few examples of suppliers

We’ve listed a few suppliers worth looking into. Each one provides a range of products and services for businesses of all sizes.

Printify

Printify is an all-in-one POD platform with no upfront costs and a variety of high-quality products anyone can customize to their heart’s content.

With just a few clicks, you can design and add original products to your store and stand out among other businesses.

We have a worldwide network of around 80 thoroughly-vetted Print Providers in the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Slovenia, Poland, the Netherlands, Latvia, Germany, Czechia, Canada, Australia, and China.

CJDropshipping

CJDropshipping is a great wholesale supplier with a massive selection of products. They offer integrations with both online marketplaces and platforms. You can even filter products for specific locations.

They have warehouses in the US, Germany, Australia, Canada, the UK, France, Italy, and China.

NicheDropshipping

A dropshipping supplier who aims to help small businesses source items from China.

Their services include product sourcing, warehousing, and private labeling. In addition, they can help to build your branded dropshipping business by offering tailored dropshipping services.

They have warehouses in the US and China.

AliExpress

AliExpress is one of the largest retail marketplaces in the world, with more than 100 million products at fair prices. They cater to a wide variety of niches and even have a selection of private-label suppliers.

However, with an abundance of options, sifting through and finding the best product supplier may be challenging because you have to contact these suppliers directly.

They have warehouses in China and Europe.

Quick tip

If you want more options, explore our article on the top 15 dropshipping suppliers to find the right one for your needs.

Contacting suppliers 101

After finding a potential supplier, contact the company directly to discuss product offerings, pricing, fulfillment timeframes, and essential details applicable to your business.

It’s also an excellent way to start building a relationship with the supplier, which is highly important in the long run.

Explore these tips for smooth and professional communication:

• Get familiar with the company’s services. Before reaching out, be one step ahead and learn about their offerings, product costs, reviews, and reputation in the industry.
• Project confidence. Even if you’re new to eCommerce, show that you’re well-informed by using clear, concise, and industry-specific language.
• Call the company. Talk to a real person. This will help you gauge their customer service and responsiveness, giving you a better idea of what to expect when working with them.

What questions to ask a supplier?

Now that you’ve researched and found suppliers, it’s time to ask the right questions to ensure the company meets your requirements. Try these examples:

• What’s your company’s background? Inquire about the company’s history and request references from other customers. If they avoid sharing this information, consider looking elsewhere.
• What’s the cost per unit? Inquire about the price. Usually, the more products you order, the lower your cost per unit.
• Are there any minimum order requirements? Ask about the minimum quantity required for orders and whether there’s flexibility based on your needs.
• What’s your return and refund policy? If the product you order happens to be defective or damaged, it’s important to know how they will act and what guarantees they provide.
• What’s the fulfillment timeframe? Ask how long production and shipping usually take to ensure they align with your customers’ needs.
• What are your payment terms? Ask about accepted payment methods, deadlines, and whether paying early warrants a discount.
• What could affect your supply chain? Don’t risk working with a supplier who will make you wait. Find out everything you can about their supply chain and potential disruptions before committing to them.

The questions will vary depending on your business model, goals, and priorities.

For example, suppose you market your brand as ethical, sustainable, and eco-friendly. In that case, you should ask about the company’s commitment to sustainability. Including where their manufacturers get raw materials from and if they comply with environmental regulations and standards.

Order samples

Order a sample from the supplier’s product catalog as the final step to check the product and design quality, plus the fulfillment and shipping timeframe.

It’s a great way to ensure they meet your standards before placing a larger order.

In addition, ordering samples gives you the opportunity to test the supplier’s customer service and responsiveness. Also, if you’re satisfied with the products, use the samples to take photos for your listings. 

Sample pricing will vary depending on the supplier, but the investment is worth every penny.

Alternative ways to find a supplier

Let’s briefly explore other ways to find manufacturers and suppliers, both on and offline:

• Industry contacts. If a supplier can’t accommodate your needs, ask them for recommendations or referrals to others they may know.
• Trade shows. Attend a trade show to network with potential suppliers and see their products in person before deciding.
• Social media. Join social media groups for eCommerce sellers and ask what suppliers they use.
• Professional networks. Join industry-specific networks, trade organizations, or online forums to connect with suppliers and get recommendations from others in your field.

Additionally, contact local chambers of commerce or business associations for recommendations and networking opportunities.

While these aren’t the easiest ways to find suppliers, they have the advantage of being more personal, so you may get better results.

Start an online business with Printify

With the help of our POD service, anyone can open a store and sell online. We provide everything you need to design, create, and start selling products with ease.

Our beginner-friendly platform is 100% free and accessible to everyone, everywhere.

You don’t need to invest in any inventory or storage space. As soon as you make a sale, we’ll take care of everything from printing, packaging, and shipping products directly to your customer’s doorstep.

If any questions arise, our Merchant Support Team will gladly help you find a solution in the most efficient way possible, 24/7.

Frequently asked questions

Closing thoughts

Diligence is key when learning how to find suppliers. Be sure to thoroughly research, carefully vet, and clearly communicate with your potential suppliers.

Contact several companies, compare prices and fulfillment times, and assess their reliability before settling on a choice.

Start on the right foot by following this guide, and you’ll be on your way to building strong relationships, better deals, pleasant communication, and overall eCommerce success!

Slide into the footwear business and start making money with Print on Demand (POD). In this article, you’ll learn how to start a flip flop business the easy way.

Our step-by-step guide will walk you through all the essentials of selling flip flops with POD while offering key growth strategies to make the most out of your entrepreneurial journey.

Is Print on Demand a profitable business model?

Print on Demand (POD) is a business model that’s changing how people build profitable businesses and side hustles, especially in the apparel and shoe industry. 

POD and Printify give you distinct advantages over selling through traditional physical stores. See if they’re beneficial for your business.

Low initial investment

Print on Demand eliminates high upfront costs, as your flip flops are only customized after a customer places an order. This drastically reduces financial risk, especially for small businesses, making it easier for new entrepreneurs to start without the burden of holding stock.

Scale fast

Test designs and concepts without punching a hole in your bank account when buying inventory. This flexibility allows you to scale your business, expand your product range, and adapt quickly to market trends, customer feedback, and seasonal changes.

Sit back and profit

Your task is to sell the flip flops. When you do, POD companies will take care of the rest – printing, packaging, and shipping. Watch your sales roll in, or use the extra time to work on your next bestsellers.

Creative freedom

POD services like Printify are user-friendly and offer many design tools for newbies and experienced sellers. Whether you’re an experienced designer or just starting, creating unique flip flop designs and adding them to your online store is easy.

Access to a global market

Sell globally without any hassle, fast. Our smart order routing features, integrations with global eCommerce platforms, and vast network of Print Providers make it easy to sell to customers worldwide.

Do market research and select a niche

Research your chosen niche to understand what your customers want. The more you know about your customer base, the better you can accommodate them, and the better your marketing plan will be.

Know your audience

Study your target market to understand who your customers are, what they value, and how they behave. This involves:

• Observing consumer behavior. How do potential customers interact with flip flop brands? What influences their buying decisions?

• Analyzing target market trends. What are the current and emerging trends in the flip flop market? Are there any customer-preferred styles you can offer?

• Researching competitor strategies. What are your competitors doing well, and how could you do it better than them?

Use social media analytics, Google Trends, customer surveys, and competitor reviews to gain insight into customer preferences. This research helps you understand your market and anticipate future shifts in consumer behavior.

Select your niche based on the insights gathered

Once you understand your market, it’s time to find your niche. These factors will play into your decision: 

• Demographics. Who are your potential customers? Consider age, gender, physical location, and lifestyle.
• Interests. What are your customers passionate about? Find out if they are passionate about sustainability, favor specific style trends, or participate in activities where flip flops are useful.
• Unmet Needs. Is there a gap in the market that your flip flops can fill? There may be a demand for flip flops made from sustainable materials or in a particular style. 

Selecting a niche means finding the intersection between what your target customers want and what your brand can offer. Once you’ve pinpointed your niche, it’s time to start building your brand.

Build a brand identity for your flip flop business

Your flip flop brand ties together your company’s core values, visual elements, and how you communicate and connect with your audience.

Core values and mission

Start by choosing a company name and defining what your brand is all about. This will guide all other aspects of your business, and your target audience should be able to relate to it.

Brand voice

Develop a communication and marketing style that resonates with your new customers. Whether it’s casual and friendly or formal and professional, your brand voice should be consistent across all communication channels.

Visual identity

Distinguish your brand from others and leave a lasting impression on shoppers with a unique visual identity. It includes your logo, color scheme, typography, and other custom branding features.

Channel consistency

Apply your brand identity across your website, social media, marketing materials, and product design. Consistency strengthens your brand’s recognition and customer trust.

Communication and engagement

Engage with your audience through social channels to create a community. Listen to their feedback to fine-tune your brand identity.

Choose flip flops to sell

Customize our high-quality personalized flip flops and start your own business with ease. Printify lets you create cost-effective products and test multiple designs for free.

• Vibrant colors
• Flexible materials
• Slip-resistant sole
• All Over Print

Start designing with the Printify product creator

Our Product Creator is a free, beginner-friendly design tool for creating custom flip flops. See how your designs look on realistic mockup images before sending them to your customers.

1. Go to our Catalog, select the flip flops you want to design, choose a Print Provider, and click Start Designing.
2. Choose an Image. Upload an image from your device or create one from scratch in our Product Creator. 
3. Place Your Design. Drag the image to your desired location and adjust the size if needed. 
4. Layer and Edit. Add multiple images for different layers, create all-over patterns, remove backgrounds, fit and fill images, and snap and crop as you like.
5. Add more details. Create unique products using our free images, Shutterstock library integration, text editing tools, and more.
6. Preview and Save. Finally, use the Preview tab to see your mockups come to life. Once you’re happy with your design, click Save Product.

Decide where to sell

You need to select a sales channel to reach your target audience and maximize sales. Printify offers multiple integrations, partnering with the top online eCommerce platforms and marketplaces.

There are three types of eCommerce sales channels to choose from.

eCommerce platforms

These sites offer tools to create your online store, with customization options to represent your brand. However, you will be responsible for generating and promoting website traffic.

• Shopify. Versatile eCommerce platform for creating online stores with integrated templates, payment processing, and app functionalities.
• PrestaShop. Free, open-source eCommerce platform with community support.
• BigCommerce. Supports businesses of all sizes and provides advanced site-building features.

Online marketplaces

Etsy, eBay, and Walmart can provide greater reach and credibility, especially when targeting consumers looking for unique or specialized products. These public sales channels have more immediate competition but larger growth potential.

• Etsy. Marketplace specializing in handmade, vintage, and unique items. Ideal for a creative small business.
• Walmart. Extensive online marketplace with a lot of pre-existing traffic.
• eBay. Global online auction and sales platform for selling new or used items.
• TikTok Shop. Feature in the social media platform allowing influencers to sell products through video content.

Your own website

Consider designing your store through website builders like Squarespace for ultimate control over your brand experience. This approach provides greater customization and branding opportunities, though it may require more effort.

• Squarespace. Offers templates for building websites with integrated eCommerce features, emphasizing design and user experience.
• WooCommerce. Customize everything with this open-source eCommerce plugin for WordPress sites.

Market your business

Marketing should revolve around your brand identity and make it easy for customers to access your products. Use several different techniques to attract and retain customers.

Social media marketing

Social media marketing through high-traffic platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and TikTok, engaging with followers, and running ads increase the likelihood of your target audience seeing your products.

Email marketing

Create a mailing list by collecting email addresses (e.g., through sign-up incentives on your website) and use email campaigns to follow up with potential customers, announce new designs, and offer deals.

Content marketing and SEO

Search engine optimization (SEO) helps drive traffic to your store with content that’s catered to your customers. This can include blog posts about shoe care, styling tips, or the inspiration behind your designs.

Paid advertising

Consider using Google Ads and targeted social media advertising to increase visibility and drive traffic to your store. Testing different types of ads and tracking their performance helps you get the most out of your marketing budget.

Adjust according to performance

Regularly analyze your revenue data and customer reviews to identify trends and find opportunities to increase sales.

Use this data to refine your product offerings and marketing strategies. Consider discontinuing designs that don’t perform well and introducing new ones that match your customers’ interests better.

Introduce more products

As your shoe business grows, we recommend diversifying your product line. Here are a few items to consider adding to your store:

• Complementary Products. Introduce items that complement your flip flops, such as beach bags, swimwear, or sun hats, to create a beachy lifestyle brand.
• Seasonal Offerings. Expand your range to become a shoe brand, offering season-appropriate shoes like sandals for summer, boots for winter, or indoor slippers to stay relevant year-round. 
• Special Editions. Collaborate with artists or influencers to create limited edition designs, generating buzz and exclusivity around your brand.

Explore the Printify Catalog for other products to complement your shoe company.

Men's Mesh Sneakers

By Generic brand

From $35.94 From $26.44 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 2 colors Smart Printee

Women's Low Top Sneakers

By Generic brand

From $28.91 From $21.92 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 2 colors Smart Printee

Men's Indoor Slippers

By Generic brand

From $9.38 From $7.11 with Printify Premium

4 sizes 1 colors Smart Printee

Women's High Top Sneakers

By Generic brand

From $31.25 From $22.99 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 2 colors Smart Printee

Sell flip flops with Printify

Embrace the full potential of POD with Printify’s fulfillment network. Explore our advantages:

• Largest Selection in POD: Explore hundreds of custom items and make more money by offering fun and affordable products.
• Automated Fulfillment: We will print, package, and ship custom flip flops on behalf of your business with full quality control.
• No Minimum Order: Get the most out of print-on-demand production – sell as many products as you want.
• Creative Freedom: Experiment with your new business ideas using Printify’s free custom design tools. 
• Seamless Integration: Connect Printify with your online store to sell shoes with a smooth production and fulfillment process.

To summarize

Starting a flip flop business with Print on Demand offers an accessible path to entrepreneurship. It allows for creativity, flexibility, and growth without the financial burden of a physical store.

Focusing on brand identity, market research, and a solid advertising strategy will capture your target audience’s attention and bring in significant profits.

Why is Printify the best choice for the UK market?

Printify makes targeting and catering to UK customers easy.

We provide automated solutions for entrepreneurs of all skill levels to streamline business operations and maximise efficiency.

We have one of the largest UK Print Provider networks, offering an extensive selection of high-quality products, quick production, and fast shipping to ensure customer satisfaction and repeat business. 

Intuitive product setup

With our platform’s intuitive interface, creating one-of-a-kind products is an easy, straightforward, and hassle-free process. We seamlessly guide you through every step, giving you the space to work on designs.

Designing and creating products is 100% free. You don’t need any software or professional help – we provide all the tools you need to easily design beautiful products without any cost.

Here’s a brief overview of how our streamlined setup works, so you can create products and start selling quickly.

• Select a product from our Catalog and click Start designing on the right side of the screen.
• Use our beginner-friendly Product Creator to upload a design or create an entirely new one with the help of our AI Image Generator, Text Editor, Graphics Library, and other useful features.
• Click Save product. Select mockups, write or use the existing product title and description, and set a retail price.
• Publish the product to your sales channel. You can add as many products as you like at no additional cost, so you can test what sells best without the risk of losing money.

Quick tip

Read our step-by-step guide on creating products with Printify.

Fast fulfilment and shipping

The average fulfilment time for our UK Print Providers is impressive, two business days for personalised orders. That means your customers can enjoy their custom goods in a jiffy, leaving a lasting – positive – impression and encouraging repeat sales.

Print Clever, one of our leading Print Providers, fulfils 90% of Direct to Garment (DTG) orders in the UK within one business day!

Remember that the fulfilment time for an order depends on several factors, including the time of year, product availability, and order size.

Quick tip

Visit our Network Fulfilment Status page for up-to-date operational information on our Print Providers.

Wide selection of products

The Printify Catalog has over 900 products you can customise and add to your store within minutes. Perfect for any niche, occasion, and target market.

Here are our product categories:

• Men’s Clothing
• Women’s Clothing
• Kids’ Clothing
• Accessories
• Home and Living Products

Narrow the search with the help of our Catalog sections to find the right products faster:

• Bestsellers
• New Arrivals
• Eco-Friendly Products
• AOP Clothing
• Products with Neck Labels
• Summer Picks

Whether you’re looking to start a POD business or create one-of-a-kind gifts, we’ve got a wide variety of fantastic products ready for customisation.

Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee

By Gildan · 5000

From $8.61 From $5.89 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 70 colors 22 print providers

Unisex Crewneck Sweatshirt

By Lane Seven · LS14004

From $22.77 From $16.84 with Printify Premium

7 sizes 9 colors 7 print providers

Unisex Jersey Short Sleeve Tee

By Bella+Canvas · 3001

From $10.87 From $8.69 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 126 colors 21 print providers

Unisex Softstyle T-Shirt

By Gildan · 64000

From $7.71 From $5.78 with Printify Premium

9 sizes 66 colors 22 print providers

Make it happen today!

Start selling

Join Printify!

Efficiency is necessary in eCommerce, and that’s where Printify excels. We’ve built an all-in-one solution for entrepreneurs of all skill levels. Whether you’re just starting out or looking to expand, we’re here to help you succeed.

Here’s a quick recap of Printify’s features and benefits:

• Automatic target market and currency selection for hassle-free localization
• Product selection based on location to save time and avoid confusion
• Automated international routing to expand your reach
• Intuitive product setup to create products and start selling quickly
• One of the largest UK Print Provider networks for a nationwide reach
• Fast fulfilment and shipping so orders reach customers promptly
• Wide selection of products to cater to diverse customer preferences

With Printify at your fingertips, you can start a business from the comfort of your home and easily sell in the UK and worldwide.