Create Your Marketplace for Print-on-Demand Products as a Side Hustle in Australia

Are you in Australia and love being creative? What if you could turn your creativity into a money-making side job? Here, we'll show you how to create your own online store for custom-made products, like T-shirts or mugs. It's called a "print-on-demand" business. You can design the products, or work with artists, and customers can personalize them. We'll guide you through the steps, from picking what to sell to making your website and telling people about it. This could be a fun way to earn money as a side hustle in Australia. Let's get started!

What is a Print-on-Demand business model?

Print-on-demand (POD) is a business model where you collaborate with suppliers to customize and produce products only when a customer places an order. Unlike traditional e-commerce, you don't need to hold inventory, which reduces upfront costs and risks. Key benefits of the POD model include:

• No Inventory: You don't need to invest in or manage inventory, reducing storage costs and risks.
  

• Customization: Customers can personalize products, creating a unique shopping experience.
  

• Low Startup Costs: You can start with minimal upfront expenses, making it ideal for a side hustle.
  

• Scalability: The POD model easily scales with demand, and you can expand your product offerings.
  

How to research the market and choose a niche?

Before diving into the world of print-on-demand (POD) as a side hustle in Australia, it's crucial to conduct thorough market research and carefully select your niche. This is a key step to your side hustle's success. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

1. Identify Your Interests and Passions: Start by considering your own interests, hobbies, and passions. A niche that aligns with your own interests is more likely to keep you motivated and engaged in the long run.
   

2. Research Industry Trends: Use online tools and resources to research current industry trends in Australia. Look for emerging niches or markets that show growth potential.
   

3. Analyze Competitor Landscape: Research your potential competitors within the chosen niche. Analyze their products, pricing strategies, and customer base.
   

4. Define Your Target Audience: Determine who your ideal customers are within the chosen niche. Consider factors such as age, gender, location, interests, and buying behavior.
   

5. Keyword Research: Conduct keyword research using tools like Google Keyword Planner or SEMrush to identify popular search terms related to your niche.
   

6. Validate Demand and Profitability: Look for evidence of demand and profitability within the niche. You can do this by:
   

• Checking if there are online communities, forums, or social media groups dedicated to the niche.
  

• Analyzing the sales and reviews of similar products on marketplaces like Etsy, Redbubble, or Amazon.
  

• Calculating potential profit margins by estimating product costs and comparing them to potential selling prices.
  

Is print-on-demand business profitable?

A print-on-demand (POD) business has proved to be profitable, but it depends on factors like:

• The niche you choose
  

• How well you price your products
  

• How effectively you market them
  

Picking a niche with a demand for unique products is essential. You need to set reasonable prices that cover your costs while remaining competitive helps boost profits. Moreover, effective marketing and offering high-quality products are crucial for attracting customers and keeping them coming back.

How to promote your POD marketplace?

Promoting your print-on-demand (POD) marketplace effectively is important to attract customers and grow your business. Here are steps to promote your POD marketplace:

1. Optimize Your Website for SEO

• Implement on-page and off-page SEO strategies to improve your website's visibility on search engines like Google.
  

• Use relevant keywords in product descriptions, titles, and meta tags.
  

• Create high-quality, informative content that appeals to both search engines and your target audience.
  

2. Use Social Media Marketing

• Establish a presence on social media platforms relevant to your audience (e.g., Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest).
  

• Share visually appealing product images, engage with your followers, and run targeted ads to reach potential customers.
  

3. Leverage Email Marketing

• Build an email list of interested customers and send regular newsletters with product updates, promotions, and valuable content.
  

• Personalize email campaigns to cater to customer preferences and behaviors.
  

4. Collaborate with Influencers

• Partner with influencers or bloggers in your niche to promote your products. They can provide authentic reviews and reach a broader audience.
  

• Ensure that influencers align with your brand and target audience.
  

5. Paid Advertising

• Invest in pay-per-click (PPC) advertising through platforms like Google Ads and social media advertising to reach a broader audience.
  

• Set a budget, target specific demographics, and optimize ad campaigns for the best results.
  

6. Content Marketing:

• Create blog posts, videos, and other informative content related to your niche.
  

• Share these on your website and social media to establish your expertise and engage your audience.
  

• Consider guest posting on relevant blogs or publications to expand your reach.
  

What is the biggest challenge of creating a marketplace for POD products?

One of the most significant challenges in the POD marketplace is dealing with intense competition. The market is saturated with numerous POD businesses offering a wide range of products.

Another challenge of creating a print-on-demand (POD) business in Australia is maintaining strict quality control measures. In a POD business, ensuring consistent product quality is paramount to customer satisfaction and reputation management. This involves monitoring the production process, print quality, materials used, and overall product integrity.

With a wide array of customizable products and multiple print providers, maintaining a high standard of quality across the entire product range can be a complex undertaking. However, it's essential to address this challenge to prevent issues like defective or subpar products, which can lead to customer complaints, returns, and negative reviews.

Which platforms offer POD services?

Here are some notable POD platforms:

1. Printful: Printful is a widely used POD platform known for its extensive range of customizable products, including apparel, accessories, and home goods. It integrates seamlessly with popular e-commerce platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and Etsy.
   

2. Printify: This one offers a global network of print providers and a user-friendly interface. It enables you to create and sell custom products on various e-commerce platforms, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and Selldone.
   

3. T-Pop: T-Pop is a sustainable POD platform that focuses on eco-friendly products and ethical manufacturing. It offers apparel, accessories, and homeware, and it's suitable for businesses with a strong emphasis on sustainability.
   

4. AOP+ (All Over Print): It specializes in all-over sublimation printing. It allows you to create fully customized, vibrant designs on a wide range of products, from clothing to home decor.
   

5. SPOD (Spreadshirt Print-On-Demand): This one offers fast, reliable POD services with a focus on quick turnaround times. They have a wide variety of customizable products and integration options for various e-commerce platforms.
   

6. Redbubble: Redbubble is an online marketplace where artists and designers can upload their artwork to be printed on various products, including clothing, stickers, home decor, and more. It's known for its creative and artistic community.
   

What is the return policy for POD marketplaces in Australia?

Return policies for print-on-demand (POD) marketplaces in Australia can vary depending on the specific marketplace or platform you are using. POD marketplaces typically allow vendors to define their own return policies, so it's essential to review the policies of each specific vendor or store within the marketplace.

Since POD products are often customized with unique designs, many vendors may not accept returns. However, if there is a defect or error on the part of the vendor, such as a printing mistake, they tend to return the product. Also, some vendors may offer exchanges or returns for products that do not fit as expected. On the other hand, others may not accept returns for size-related reasons. It's important to check the specific vendor's policy.

How to provide excellent customer service for your POD marketplace in Australia?

In the realm of a print-on-demand (POD) marketplace, customer service and quality control stand as pillars of success. Customer service involves addressing customer inquiries and issues promptly while providing exceptional support throughout their shopping experience. This entails responsive communication, resolving concerns effectively, and ensuring a positive shopping journey.

Quality control, on the other hand, is the linchpin of product excellence. Implementing stringent quality checks ensures that products meet and even exceed customer expectations. An equally important aspect is the feedback loop, which invites customers to share their thoughts and experiences. By actively encouraging customer feedback, POD businesses gain valuable insights that drive continuous improvement in both product quality and service.

How does Selldone and Printify integration help you with your POD business?

Not sure how to create your online platform and integrate it with POD services? Selldone comes to the rescue to kill two birds with one stone! Selldone is a Business OS that helps you create your marketplace as simply as possible. The integration of Selldone with Printify offers significant advantages for entrepreneurs and businesses in the print-on-demand (POD) industry. Here's how this integration can help with your POD business:

1. User-Friendly Solution: The integration ensures a user-friendly experience, making it accessible for even newcomers. Whether you're tech-savvy or not, you'll find the combined interface intuitive and easy to navigate. So, you’ll face fewer challenges in your journey.
   

2. High Efficiency: With Printify handling production, order management, and shipping, your business gains efficiency. So, you can focus more on core activities like creating compelling designs and devising effective marketing strategies. This allows you to streamline operations and allocate your energy where it matters most.
   

3. Unlimited Product Choice: Printify offers a wide range of product catalogs. This gives you the opportunity to diversify and curate a collection that caters to a large number of consumer preferences. This diversity enables you to appeal to a broader audience and potentially boost sales.
   

What other features does Selldone offer to pave the way for you?

In addition to integration with Printify and bringing many advantages, Selldone offers other features for your marketplace. So, you will be all set to kickstart your POD business journey.

• No-plugin, No code
  

Selldone eliminates the need for hiring web developers or learning how to code. It includes all the essential features built directly into its platform.

• Multi-Vendor Marketplace
  

Want to work with several vendors? Selldone has got you covered! With the multi-vendor feature, Selldone guarantees a smooth and efficient operational process. So, the marketplace owners can expand their platform.

• Specific Brand Page for Vendors
  

Marketplace owners can use Selldone's drag-and-drop theme designer to create dedicated brand pages for vendors. These pages can be tailored to align with each vendor's unique products and branding identity. This way, you can ensure a cohesive and personalized presentation.

• Payment and Commission Management
  

Selldone features a robust payment system that allows vendors to receive direct payments. It simultaneously offers marketplace owners the flexibility to charge commissions on each transaction.

• Auto-payment with Stripe Connect integration
  

Selldone also integrates with Stripe Connect, which enables marketplaces to collect payments from customers. The system automatically pays a portion to the vendors, as well.

• Tax Calculation
  

The tax system helps vendors set and adjust taxes as required by tax laws. It provides tools to create tax rules, such as tax rates for various places or particular products.

What do our customers say about Selldone?

Here are some reviews from our previous customers:

From G2:

From Trustpilot: