Introduction

Businesses specializing in DIY and crafting materials face unique operational challenges, from managing extensive inventories of diverse products to facilitating creative workshops and classes. Adopting workflow automation tools can streamline these complex processes, freeing up valuable time to nurture creativity and innovation. These tools enhance efficiency across e-commerce, inventory management, and customer engagement. Here are seven excellent tools that can revolutionize the workflows of businesses focused on DIY and crafting materials.

1. Bizway

• What is it? A versatile business management platform with AI integration, designed to streamline the multifaceted tasks of operating a DIY and crafting materials business.
• Key Features: AI Assistants, task automation, comprehensive project tracking, KPI dashboards, and business analytics for retail insight.
• Pros: AI-powered decision-making, an all-in-one toolkit for various aspects of the business, intuitive design for easy management.
• Cons: AI functionalities may have a learning curve, tailored to small or medium-sized businesses.
• Pricing: Starts with a Starter plan at $49/mo, Scale for $99/mo, and Portfolio for $199/mo.
• Best For: Craft and DIY material store owners seeking intelligent workflow solutions for e-commerce, inventory management, and customer data analysis.

2. Shopify

• What is it? A comprehensive e-commerce platform enabling businesses to build an online store, manage inventory, and process sales with ease.
• Key Features: Online store creation, payment processing, inventory management, marketing tools, and sales channel integration.
• Pros: User-friendly platform, large app ecosystem for extended features, excellent for multichannel selling.
• Cons: Costs can accumulate with transaction fees and third-party apps, advanced customization may require technical expertise.
• Pricing: Plans start at $29/month.
• Best For: DIY and craft supply businesses wanting to establish or grow their online store presence with a comprehensive e-commerce solution.

3. WooCommerce

• What is it? An open-source e-commerce plugin for WordPress, allowing businesses to add online sales features to their existing website.
• Key Features: Customizable product listings, payment gateway integration, themes, and extensions for additional functionalities.
• Pros: High level of customization, complete content ownership, and integration with WordPress’s CMS.
• Cons: May require WordPress knowledge and additional extensions for complex functionalities.
• Pricing: Plugin is free, additional costs for extensions, theming, and hosting services.
• Best For: DIY and crafting materials stores looking for a customizable and integrative solution within their WordPress website.

4. Square POS

• What is it? A point-of-sale system that combines sales processing, inventory management, and customer relationship tools ideal for small craft stores.
• Key Features: Inventory tracking, sales analytics, customer profiles, online payment solutions, and integration with an online store.
• Pros: Free POS option available, integrates offline and online sales, user-friendly interface.
• Cons: Transaction fees may be high, additional hardware costs for offline sales.
• Pricing: No monthly fees for the basic POS; transaction fees apply.
• Best For: Smaller crafting stores that operate both physical and online sales needing a unified payment processing system.

5. QuickBooks Online

• What is it? An accounting software designed for small and medium-sized businesses, perfect for managing the financial side of a crafting supplies e-shop.
• Key Features: Expense tracking, invoicing, inventory tracking, reporting, and payroll.
• Pros: Simplifies financial management, integrates with other e-commerce platforms, automates tax calculations.
• Cons: Inventory tracking and additional features may require a higher-tier subscription.
• Pricing: Plans begin at $25 per month.
• Best For: Craft store owners seeking financial software to efficiently handle sales transactions, bookkeeping, and inventory costs.

6. Etsy

• What is it? An online marketplace known for handmade goods and craft supplies, which includes a back-end suite of tools for sellers to run their businesses.
• Key Features: Marketplace listing setup, shop management tools, sales and order processing, promotion tools.
• Pros: Targeted marketplace for craft supplies, built-in audience, and supportive seller community.
• Cons: Listing and transaction fees, highly competitive marketplace.
• Pricing: Fees for listing items, plus transaction costs and payment processing fees.
• Best For: Craft supply businesses looking for a community-driven marketplace with high exposure to craft enthusiasts.

7. BigCommerce

• What is it? A powerful e-commerce platform that caters to businesses of all sizes with advanced features for selling products online, including crafting materials.
• Key Features: E-commerce storefront builder, multi-channel retailing, diverse payment gateways, extensive customization.
• Pros: Scalable platform for growing businesses, strong SEO capabilities, robust feature set for product management.
• Cons: Can be more costly than other platforms for the full range of features, may require developer support for customizations.
• Pricing: Standard plans start at $29.95/month.
• Best For: Crafting materials retailers requiring a comprehensive e-commerce solution to scale operations and offer extensive product catalogs.