How to Start a Craft Business from Home: UK Guide for Beginners

Thinking of starting a craft business from home? This honest, no-fluff guide covers everything from selling on Shopify to SEO basics, social media challenges, and time management tips — all based on lived experience.

I didn’t always dream of starting a craft business — I started Watership Down Crafts to help supplement my income and, hopefully, give me a bit more financial security when I eventually retire. I was almost 60 when I began, so if you’re wondering whether it’s too late to start something new, trust me — it isn’t.

It began with a few sewing projects and a vague idea that I might sell a bag or two online. I had no clue what I was doing, no background in websites or search engine optimisation (SEO), and I definitely wasn’t tech-savvy. But here I am, nearly two years later, with a fully functioning online shop, a blog that brings in traffic, and a head full of things I never thought I’d understand.

If you're thinking about how to start a craft business from home but feel overwhelmed by all the tech, this post is for you. I’ll walk you through what worked for me – without pretending I’ve got it all figured out.

Start with What You Love

Start with the thing you genuinely enjoy making. Don’t chase trends or overthink it. If you love working with fabric, start there. If your heart's in woodwork or paper crafts, follow that.

It’s easy to get distracted trying to make things that you think will sell, but when you’re just starting a handmade craft business, it matters more that you enjoy the process. Focus on one main product line to keep things manageable.

Set Realistic Goals for Your Craft Business

Success looks different for everyone. Maybe you want to earn a little extra each month, maybe you want to go full-time one day. Whatever it is, start with a goal that feels achievable.

You don’t need to do everything at once. I learned the hard way that trying to be everywhere and do everything just leads to burnout. Work at your own pace, and don’t compare yourself to people who’ve been running a craft business for years. Everyone starts somewhere — and small steps count just as much as big ones.

Learn How to Sell Crafts Online (Without the Overwhelm)

You don’t need to be a tech genius to sell your work. I use Shopify, but I’ll be honest — it was a huge learning curve. I watched dozens of YouTube tutorials and still found myself stuck more often than not. What really helped was joining the Facebook group Shopify for Beginners. The support and guidance I received from that group was invaluable — and still is. I’m learning new things all the time.

I was also incredibly lucky to receive one-to-one support from someone with real experience and insight. I honestly don’t think I’d have made it this far without that guidance. It helped me stay focused, gave me clarity when I felt overwhelmed, and taught me things I never would’ve figured out on my own. If you can find a mentor or trusted expert to guide you — even just now and then — it can be a complete game changer, and something I’ll always be grateful for.

A quick word of warning: if someone randomly contacts you via Messenger or email offering their services, especially if you haven’t asked for help, be cautious. Most genuine experts won’t cold message you. Sadly, many of the people who do are scammers. If you're not sure, check with one of the official experts in the Shopify for Beginners group before hiring anyone. And remember — sending DMs in that group is against the rules for a reason.

I deliberately chose not to sell on Etsy or Folksy. Etsy in particular felt like it was losing its original "handmade" ethos. The platform had become saturated with mass-produced, imported items being passed off as handmade — and I knew I’d never be able to compete with that on price. I didn’t want to be buried in a sea of cheap imitations.

What I really wanted was something that felt like mine. A space where I could build a brand that stood on its own — not just be one tiny stall in the middle of a noisy marketplace. With Shopify, I could design the website how I wanted, tell my story properly, and have full control over everything from branding to layout.

Good product photos and clear descriptions make a huge difference. For mine, I use a combination of Canva and The Photoroom app. It takes a bit of trial and error, but it works. And with the rapid advancement of AI, creating high-quality product images will soon be a doddle — even for complete beginners.

Get to Know SEO (Without the Overwhelm)

Search engine optimisation (SEO) sounded terrifying to me at first — and to be honest, I’m still very much in the learning stages. Google’s SEO Starter Guide is a great place to begin if you're curious. But it’s really just a way to help people find your products and content online.

Start by learning how to write blog posts that answer questions people are actually searching for. Use clear keywords in your product titles, image alt text, and headings. Once you get the hang of it, SEO becomes a powerful tool – and it works while you sleep.

Social Media Tips for Small Craft Businesses

I spent a lot of time creating good-quality reels for Instagram and Facebook, especially in the early days. But when the algorithm changed, everything shifted. Because I didn’t already have a large following, it became harder and harder to get any visibility — let alone engagement. It was frustrating, especially knowing how much time and effort I’d put in.

The truth is, platforms like Instagram and Facebook just aren’t pushing small businesses anymore unless you’re paying for ads. That might work for some, but it wasn’t an option for me. I realised I needed to shift my energy towards something more sustainable.

Now my focus leans more towards Pinterest. I’m still keeping a presence on Facebook and Instagram, and I do hope to return to them more actively in the future. Right now, I’m working on automations and creating Pins in bulk — and once that’s running smoothly, I hope to free up more time for social media again. I genuinely believe it’s vital for any business to maintain a consistent social media presence.

Pick one or two platforms you can manage without stress. You don’t have to go viral to get results – you just need to show up consistently and stay true to your style.

Time Management for Handmade Business Owners

Running a craft business from home means wearing a lot of hats — making, admin, blogging, photography, customer emails... and in my case, running a second business too. It’s relentless at times, and the to-do list never ends.

People say you must rest to avoid burnout — and they’re probably right — but I’m a bit old school. For now, I rest when I sleep at night. There’s too much to do and never quite enough time!

What’s helped me is getting more organised with my time. I now block out my regular tasks in Google Calendar, which has definitely helped me stay on track and focused.

If you're setting up a small craft business from home, it’s so important to understand just how much work is involved. You’ll need to work consistently, show up even when you’re tired, and keep going — especially when things feel slow or overwhelming. You definitely need grit and resilience. They say the first few years are the hardest... I’ll let you know! Ha!

Automations (like scheduling blog posts or Pins) have also saved me hours and helped streamline the chaos. If you can build structure into your week, it really makes a difference — even if there’s never quite enough time to do everything.

Start Selling Crafts from Home (and What You’ll Learn Fast)

There comes a point when you just have to put your work out there. I waited way too long, thinking I wasn’t ready. But you learn more from one real customer than from reading a hundred articles.

Honestly, that moment when that first sale comes through is one of the best feelings in the world. It’s not just about the money — it’s the validation that someone out there sees value in what you’ve made. Your first sale might be small, but it’ll mean absolutely everything.

Yes, you’ll make mistakes – we all do. But that’s how you learn. Ask questions, even if they feel silly. You can’t know something until you’ve learned it — and there’s no shame in that. The important thing is to keep moving forward, keep doing the work, and trust that the progress will come.

Final Thoughts

Running a small business from home is not easy — and that’s because it asks more of you than just making and selling. It’s a crash course in marketing, SEO, tech, time management, and resilience, all rolled into one. And let me tell you — it can be incredibly frustrating. I’ve had moments where I’ve nearly launched my computer out the window. I’ve cried, I’ve had tantrums, and I’ve said words so rude even a drunken sailor would have told me to wash my mouth out with soap!

But despite all that, I absolutely love the challenges. I love the learning, the problem-solving, and the sense of achievement that comes from figuring something out on my own. There’s something deeply satisfying about building a business that’s truly mine — from the products to the branding to every tiny decision along the way.

It takes time, consistency, and a fair amount of stubbornness. If it were easy, everyone would do it. But if you love what you’re building and you’re willing to learn along the way, it really can be worth it.

You don’t need to be perfect — you just need to be persistent. Keep it simple, keep going, and remember: every step forward is still progress, no matter how small.