Start Growing Your Online Business: Marketing and Selling Methods to Jumpstart Your Success

Starting an online business in 2025 offers endless opportunities for creative entrepreneurs. Whether you’re a textile artist, a designer, or a small business owner, the digital marketplace is filled with potential! For your business to thrive, you must have a solid marketing and selling foundation. The good news? With the right approach, you can quickly grow your online business, stand out, and build a loyal customer base.

We at FiberArt love to see artists succeed online, and over the years, we’ve worked with them and collected some valuable insights. Here’s our guide to the best practices for marketing and selling that will help you jumpstart your online business and turn your passion into a profitable venture!

1. Build a Solid Online Presence

First and foremost, establish a user-friendly website that reflects your brand and is easy for customers to navigate, no matter how tech-savvy they are.  Whether using platforms like Shopify, Etsy, or your custom domain, having a professional, organized site is key to building customer trust.

When designing your website, remember to:

•Highlight your best products on the homepage. Make sure the most popular or newest items are easy to find.

•Optimize for mobile since many users shop from their phones or tablets. 

•Create compelling product descriptions and high-quality images that capture the unique qualities of your items.

2. Master Social Media Marketing

Social media is a game-changer for growing your online business. It’s one of the most effective ways to engage with your target audience, share your products, and build a community. Here’s how you can get started.

Use Multiple Platforms

Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest, and TikTok are all fantastic platforms for businesses, and they’re all free! Instagram is great for visual products like textiles and art, while Pinterest helps with long-term traffic and discoverability. TikTok is perfect for showcasing your creative process, connecting with younger audiences, and going “viral.”

Post Consistently 

Think behind-the-scenes videos, customer testimonials, and tutorials on how your products are made or used. Engage with your audience by responding to comments, sharing user-generated content, and hosting live Q&As or product reveals. Building relationships with your followers is crucial to turning them into loyal customers.

3. Offer Exclusive Deals and Promotions

Offering exclusive deals is a great way to drive traffic to your store. Promotions such as limited-time sales, free shipping, or “buy one, get one free” deals can incentivize potential customers to make a purchase. You can also use the “early bird specials” strategy for new product launches, creating a sense of urgency and exclusivity.

We also recommend you consider creating a loyalty program— this way, repeat customers earn points for every purchase, which can be redeemed for discounts or special offers, which not only helps retain customers but also encourages repeat business.

4. Leverage Email Marketing

Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to nurture relationships with potential and existing customers. By sending out a weekly or monthly newsletter, you can keep your customers informed about new products, upcoming sales, and business updates. And, while most respectful people won’t deal with this, you own your email list; your audience can’t be lost from being banned on social media platforms. 

Best practices for email marketing:

•Segment your email list based on customer preferences or buying behavior to make your emails highly relevant.

•Use compelling subject lines that grab attention and encourage users to open the email.

•Provide value in each email, whether a special discount, exclusive behind-the-scenes content, or valuable tips related to your product.

5. Invest in Paid Advertising

Paid ads can be a great way to boost visibility, especially in the early stages of growing your online business. Platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads offer highly targeted advertising, allowing you to reach potential customers based on their interests, behaviors, and demographics.

Start with a small budget and experiment with different ad types, such as:

•Carousel ads that showcase multiple products at once

•Retargeting ads to re-engage customers who visited your site but didn’t purchase

•Video ads to demonstrate the quality and uniqueness of your products

6. Optimize for Search Engines (SEO)

Search engine optimization (SEO) is an ongoing effort, but it’s essential for growing your online business organically. By optimizing your website and product listings for the right keywords, you’ll increase your chances of being discovered by people searching for products like yours.

Here’s how to improve your SEO:

•Research relevant keywords for your products and integrate them into your website copy, product descriptions, and blog posts.

•Optimize product images by including descriptive alt text and compressing images to improve page load speed.

•Start a blog that shares valuable content related to your products or industry, provide value to your audience, and improve your search engine ranking.

7. Provide Exceptional Customer Service

Customer service is a critical element of growing your online business. When customers feel valued, they’re more likely to return and recommend your store to others.

Some tips for excellent customer service include:

•Respond quickly to inquiries, whether they’re via email, social media, or live chat.

•Handle returns and complaints professionally. Make the process easy and hassle-free for customers.

•Personalize your service by remembering repeat customers and offering personalized recommendations.

8. Collaborate with Influencers and Other Artists

Influencer marketing can be highly effective, especially if you’re just starting and trying to expand your reach. Look for influencers or other creators who align with your brand and values, and propose collaborations such as giveaways, product reviews, or sponsored content.

Additionally, consider cross-promoting with other artists or businesses that share your target audience. Collaborating on a new product or promoting each other’s stores will expand your reach to new potential customers.

9. Focus on High-Quality Product Photography

Since customers can’t touch or try your products online, clear, high-quality photos are essential for making a sale. Invest in good photography or learn how to take professional-looking pictures yourself. Showcase your products in well-lit environments, from multiple angles, and highlight key details that make your items unique.

10. Track Your Progress and Adjust Your Strategy

Finally, regularly track your business performance using analytics tools like Google Analytics, Facebook Insights, and Instagram Insights. Monitor how visitors interact with your website, which marketing strategies drive the most sales, and what your customers say in reviews. This data will help you adjust your marketing and selling strategies to ensure your online business continues to grow.

Starting an online business requires a mix of creativity, strategy, and persistence. By focusing on building a solid online presence, leveraging social media, offering promotions, and focusing on exceptional customer service, you can jumpstart your online business and see it flourish in 2025. FiberArt is here to support your creative endeavors with custom products that can help you succeed, from woven textiles to unique merchandise. Start building your brand today, and watch it grow into something extraordinary!