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Products & Listings

Create compelling listings that convert browsers into buyers

Creating a Listing

To create a new product listing:

  1. Go to your Seller Dashboard
  2. Click "Listings" in the sidebar
  3. Click the "Add Product" button
  4. Fill in the product details (see sections below)
  5. Click "Save as Draft" or "Publish"

Required Information

  • Title: Descriptive, keyword-rich name (max 140 characters)
  • Description: Detailed product information
  • Price: Your selling price
  • Category: Select the most relevant category
  • Photos: At least 1 photo (5+ recommended)
  • Inventory: Quantity available
  • Shipping: Weight and dimensions for rate calculation

Photo Guidelines

Great photos are the #1 factor in converting views to sales. Here's how to take product photos that sell:

Technical Requirements

  • Minimum resolution: 1000 x 1000 pixels
  • Recommended: 2000 x 2000 pixels or higher
  • Format: JPEG or PNG
  • Maximum file size: 20MB per image
  • Up to 10 photos per listing

What to Include

Hero Shot

Your main photo showing the full product. This appears in search results.

Multiple Angles

Front, back, side views so buyers can see the entire product.

Detail Shots

Close-ups of textures, materials, stitching, or special features.

Scale Reference

Show the item being held or next to a common object for size context.

Lifestyle Shot

The product in use or styled in a real-life setting.

Packaging

If gift-ready packaging is a selling point, show it!

Photography Tips

  • Lighting: Natural daylight near a window is best. Avoid harsh direct sun.
  • Background: Use white, cream, or natural wood. Keep it simple.
  • Editing: Adjust brightness/contrast, but keep colors accurate.
  • Consistency: Use similar styling across all your listings.

Pricing Your Products

Pricing handmade items can be tricky. Here's a framework to help:

Pricing Formula

(Materials + Labor + Overhead) × 2 = Wholesale Price
Wholesale Price × 2 = Retail Price

Cost Components

  • Materials: All supplies used to make the item
  • Labor: Your time at a fair hourly rate ($15-50/hr depending on skill)
  • Overhead: Tools, workspace, packaging, listing fees, etc.

Market Research

  • Search for similar items on 406 Makers and other platforms
  • Note the price range and what differentiates high vs. low prices
  • Consider your unique value (quality, materials, story)

Don't underprice! Buyers often associate low prices with low quality. Price reflects the value of your craftsmanship.

Product Variations

Use variations when you offer the same product in different options (colors, sizes, materials).

When to Use Variations

  • Same item in multiple colors or patterns
  • Different sizes (S/M/L, dimensions, etc.)
  • Material options (wood type, metal finish, etc.)
  • Scent or flavor options for consumables

Setting Up Variations

  1. Create your listing with the base product info
  2. Click "Add Variations" in the listing editor
  3. Add variation types (e.g., "Color", "Size")
  4. Add options for each type (e.g., "Red", "Blue", "Green")
  5. Set price and inventory for each combination

Tip: Add photos for each variation. Buyers want to see exactly what they're getting.

Managing Listings

Editing Listings

You can edit any listing at any time. Go to Listings → click the listing → click "Edit". Changes take effect immediately.

Inventory Management

  • Set low stock alerts to get notified when inventory is running low
  • Bulk update inventory from the Listings page
  • Items automatically hide when inventory reaches 0

Listing Status

  • Active: Visible to buyers and available for purchase
  • Draft: Saved but not published
  • Inactive: Hidden from buyers (you can reactivate anytime)
  • Out of Stock: Automatically set when inventory is 0

Deleting Listings

To delete a listing, edit it and click "Delete Listing" at the bottom. Deleted listings cannot be recovered, but you can archive them instead to keep the data.

Need help with your listings?

Contact Seller Support
406 MT Makers - Montana Made Marketplace