so, do you think people will be willing to go to another website just to purchase a pattern? (talking specifically the animal series) I’ve heard from various marketing teachers that the more links people have to follow, they are less likely to purchase the product
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Hi, welcome to Ribblr!!! I’m new to making patterns myself, so I don’t know what to say
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I’m happy to see you here! what patterns do you make?
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okay, first of all, your patterns are adorable. though, just as a general for everyone in this thread, please stop tagging ribblr. they have asked that we only tag them once per thread and might get upset if you keep tagging them. they also might get upset that you are mentioning ravelry as past posts that havw have been taken down.
all that being said, i definitely agree that they need more payment options. from what ive heard ribblr negates the majority of stripe sale fees, so it might be worth a shot? i feel like its important not to undermine your work, and should definotely wait until you can get a payment method on ribblr, as these patterns are so cute!
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Your bear pattern is beautiful 
I would definitely go on Ravelry to buy it, but I think you would reach more people if you add it on multiple platforms. Personnally, get some sales on all platforms, but it is mostly on Ribblr, although I guess it’s different for each person. You could also try Etsy. I live in Europe and use Stripe, and it’s no problem. I didn’t notice the fees were much different, because I think the Ravelry website itself takes more fees than Ribblr, so it ends up kind of the same, even though I might be wrong, I didn’t verify it in the details. It would be nice if we could connect paypal, but whatever the fees are, I think you would get more money anyway if you add your patterns on here, because you would reach more people. However, I understand you prefer to keep them in PDF, and I think adding the clothes on Ribblr is a good idea, and it might work to advertise your patterns. For sure it is worth being a paid pattern, the design is amazing and your work looks professional.
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Hard question. Not having anything on ribblr = missing out on lots of (younger in part) potential customers that might not have heard of or use sites like Ravelry.
But how many will go find you hard to say.
Yes ideally be better if everything was available on each platform you are right…more steps to purchase less likely to happen. but if you don’t want to use stripe you don’t have much choice.
Either sign up to stripe. Or Put only a few patterns on ribblr for free as a ‘lost leader’ and encourage visits to your blog, insta or wherever you put your other pattern site links and maybe some people will go find more of your patterns.
Or you put basic versions of everything with links to pemium versions but a lot of effort.
Tbh maybe better to focus energy building more patterns on sites you can get paid on? If you’re not on etsy its worth a go. Yes fees are high, but they do the marketing for you. If you’re in Ravelry you can automatically upload from there to lovecrafts .
Check out Pam Grice @thecrochetpreneur youtube videos about selling patterns - lots if amazing free advice on building a profitable crochet business x hope this helps
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Thank you didn’t realise about the tagging thing. But am conscious difficult to help answer this person’s questions honestly without mentioning other sites but also really want ribblr to see that these are common issues thoughts concerns from users and that its hindering ribblrs growth.
I soooo want it to grow because its so much more fun and user friendly than said unmentionable site… it’s just so frustrating… can I suggest to users wanting to discuss crochet business in general its hard to do that in app without controvening user agreements etc and definitely don’t want to undermine this app
So i can suggest some really good Facebook pages /you tube channels instead.
Facebook group Crochet designer support group - you need to prove you have published at least 2 patterns
Facebokk group Crochet business chat Crochetpreneurs making money wuth crochet - you need a fb biz acc to join this
Pam Grice @thecrochetpreneur on YouTube
@Garnknuten here on ribblr is a fantastic designer and really switched on with business. She has a YouTube series on running a crochet business with some great printables and her amigurumi academy which teaches ami design .
@crochetbygenna on YouTube
There are loads of others but i have experience of all except the last one, but included that to give other options. There are loads out there!
When i first started i watched/ listened to @E’Claire Makery though i think she has stepped away from crochet design her YT channel is still available.
And @ACraftyConcept on Yt has crochet business chat livestreams every week with pat streams available
Xxx
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hm, they take down threads that mention other pattern selling websites? that seems a bit weird…
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Thanks for sharing!
To offer a bit more context -
We currently only operate with Stripe. It is limited in some ways, particularly with countries support (around 50).
It has lower fees compared to PayPal and is a more modern and secure service overall.
You can certainly use Ribbuild to generate patterns and export a PDF to sell on anotherif you can’t use stripe or offer your patterns for free.
However if you are from Europe then know you are likely to be able to join Stripe and enjoy fees much cheaper than PayPal.
We are looking at ways to expand our payments options, though it won’t be before the end of this year.
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It’s such an amazing pattern!
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@FluffyYarnCreations @Hookanory @Devojcicaiheklica
Just wanted to clarify there’s no issue mentioning other platforms, Ribblr just don’t allow external links for two reasons:
- It’s unsafe
- It can easily turn the community into an ad board
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thank you!
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I’ve seen quite a few discussions that mentioned sites like Etsy and Ravelry. I think the only times threads were taken down were if someone was using Ribblr to advertise for other sites (although I think they also discourage people publicly posting links to purchase patterns on sites like that, as far as I’m aware blogs and YouTube are okay though).
Stripe is used by a lot of big names like Amazon, Google, and Shopify. Regarding fees PayPal charges 2.59%-3.49% + $0.49 per online transaction and Stripe charges 2.9% + $0.30, so Stripe is actually cheaper than PayPal. I’m also in Australia (we have GST, similar to VAT) and I haven’t encountered any tax issues so far.
Your patterns are really lovely, and they’re definitely worth charging for. There are ways of adding images and other things to Ribblr’s system if you want to offer everything the pdf versions have (I put tips and tricks in a “Notes” section at the start of the pattern). If Stripe is available in your country, I would definitely give it a try 
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Sorry, I was meaning in response to you saying you would feel bad charging for a lesser pattern. When youbare able to charge on ribblr you don’t need to have a lesser pattern as you can attack the pdf’s. I didn’t make that clear, sorry again.
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Great info thank you.
Looks like Auz has ca high threshold for gst so yr prob ok atm?.
FAO anyone sellimg on own website
Re GST Sales tax and VAT
if anyone wants info on these topics I found this site that lists the rates, thresholds and criteria for each country and state worldwide.
Def worth a look and to check if your digital products are taxable .
The definition of the digital product is important because if its classed as a saas product (digital product sold as a service) ie no physical item it is exempt in a lot of states but if you have printable materials this might not be the case.
I’m no expert…I’m trying to learn this stuff but its something to be aware of especially if you sell via shopify/your own website that doesn’t automatically collect these taxes.
For example in the eu 20% on digital goods from the first sale made biz to customer.
Prob wont apply to your ribblr sales( ??? Don’t quote me go check yourselves) but will apply to own website sales.
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