What You'll Need

A Shopify store (any plan)
Shopify admin access
5 minutes

The CraftBridge Setup Process

Create Your CraftBridge Merchant Account

Go to CraftBridge.com and click "Join as Merchant."

Enter your email and password (10+ chars, 1 letter, 1 number)
Add your store name and website URL
Complete the signup

Time: ~2 minutes

Browse the Artisan Catalog

Filter by category (ceramics, jewelry, leather, textiles)
Filter by supplier tier (Bronze, Silver, Gold)
View product details: description, images, wholesale price, lead time
Click a product to see full supplier information and customer reviews

Tip: Start with 5–10 products across 2 categories. Quality over quantity.

Time: ~10–15 minutes (first time browsing)

Connect Your Shopify Store

In your merchant dashboard, go to "Integrations" → "Connect Shopify."

Enter your Shopify store URL (e.g., mystore.myshopify.com)
Click "Authorize"
You'll be redirected to Shopify to grant CraftBridge permission to access your store
Confirm the permissions and click "Install app"

What CraftBridge can do: Create products, update pricing, manage inventory, see orders.

What CraftBridge cannot do: Access customer data, change store settings, access other apps.

Time: ~1 minute

Import Products to Shopify

Back in your CraftBridge dashboard, click a product you want to import.

Click the blue "Import to Shopify" button
CraftBridge automatically creates a product in your Shopify store with:
✓ Product title, description, images (high-res)
✓ SKU tagged with CraftBridge ID for tracking
✓ Wholesale price + recommended retail price
✓ Supplier information (name, tier, origin)
Adjust the retail price in Shopify if desired
Publish the product to your store

Price Recommendation: CraftBridge suggests 2.5–3x wholesale as retail. Customize per product.

Time per product: ~30 seconds

✓ You're live! Products appear in your Shopify store. When a customer orders, CraftBridge routes the order to the supplier, who fulfills and ships directly to your customer.

Your First Week: Optimization Tips

1. Take Better Product Photos

CraftBridge images are high-quality, but your brand photos are even better. Add lifestyle shots, close-ups, and lifestyle context. Show the product in use.

2. Customize Your Store Description

Edit product descriptions in Shopify to tell the maker's story. E.g., "Handthrown stoneware by Elena Marino, a third-generation potter from Portugal." This narrative drives conversion.

3. Set Your Markup Strategy

Example breakdown (ceramic mug):

Wholesale cost: $10
Your margin target: 55% profit
Retail price: $22.22
Your profit per sale: $12.22

4. Create a Product Collection

In Shopify, group products by category ("Ceramics," "Handmade Jewelry") or aesthetic ("Earthy Tones," "Modern Design"). Collections drive discovery and increase average order value.

5. Write Product Reviews (Fake It Till You Make It)

Encourage early customers to leave reviews. Offer a 10% discount code for verified purchases that include a review. Reviews build trust and ranking on CraftBridge.

Managing Orders & Fulfillment

Customer Places Order in Your Store

Order flow:

Customer buys from your Shopify store
Payment is processed (you collect full retail price)
CraftBridge automatically notifies the supplier
Supplier fulfills and ships directly to customer with tracking
You pay supplier the wholesale cost from your Shopify payment
Your margin (retail − wholesale) is your profit

Payouts & Costs

You collect: $22 (retail from Shopify)
You pay supplier: $10 (wholesale)
Your profit: $12 before Shopify fees
Shopify fee (2.9% + 30¢): ~$1 (varies by plan)
Net profit: ~$11

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I hold inventory?

No. CraftBridge suppliers ship directly to your customers. You only pay for orders after they're placed.

What if a product is out of stock?

CraftBridge updates inventory in real-time. Out-of-stock products are automatically removed from your store. You can re-enable them once back in stock.

Can I return a product to adjust price?

Yes, anytime. Go to your dashboard, click "Manage Imports," and select "Remove from Shopify" for any product. You can re-import later.

What if a customer wants to return the product?

You set your return policy in Shopify. Approved returns are sent to the supplier (or customer keeps it, depending on your policy). CraftBridge credits your merchant account.

Can I customize the packaging?

Some suppliers offer custom packaging (branded tissue, thank-you cards) for a small upcharge. Contact the supplier through CraftBridge to discuss options.

How long does shipping take?

Varies by supplier. Most ship within 5–10 business days. Tracking is provided automatically, and customers see the tracking link in their Shopify account.

Can I import to multiple Shopify stores?

Yes. Create separate merchant accounts for each store, or connect multiple stores to one account. Contact support for multi-store setup.

Pro Tips for Success

Start with 10 products. Test customer demand and supplier quality before scaling to 50+.
Monitor supplier performance. Track on-time shipping and customer reviews. Suppliers with issues should be deprioritized.
Rotate seasonal products. Add holiday items in September, summer goods in May. Seasonal variety keeps your store fresh.
Build email list. Offer 10% off first order in exchange for email signup. Re-engage with "New Arrivals" emails monthly.
Use Instagram/TikTok. Post unboxing videos, maker interviews, product storytelling. Artisan products are inherently social.
Engage suppliers for content. Ask makers for behind-the-scenes photos. Feature supplier stories in your store. Builds authenticity.

Ready? Let's Get Started

Your first artisan product is 5 minutes away. Join CraftBridge and explore thousands of verified handmade products curated for Shopify merchants.

Are you an artisan? Apply here →

What Happens Next?

After you import your first products, we'll send onboarding emails with:

Marketing templates (social media, email)
Pricing optimization tips based on your category
Best practices from high-performing CraftBridge merchants
Access to our community Slack for questions and peer support

You're not alone in this. CraftBridge supports your growth every step of the way.

How to Add Premium Artisan Products to Your Shopify Store