Candles are easy and inexpensive to make. Candles can be made by anyone who is able to combine simple ingredients. Making candles can be a profitable business venture. According to Allied Market Research, home-made candles are now a must-have item in the home. The market for them is expected to grow to $838 billion by 2027.
Are you interested in selling candles? This article will show you how to make candles at home and start your own candle business. You can make candles and still make money. Let’s get started!
Why not sell your own candles?
Candles made from homemade wax are a great way to add warmth and comfort to any room. According to the National Candle Association, consumers also purchase candles to rekindle old memories and for sleep aromatherapy and relaxation. The global candle market size shows that candles are a popular choice.
- Candles are popular and offer business owners many other benefits.
Entry cost is low. Although some candles can be more expensive than others, candlemakers can still make their candles with relatively little capital. Candles are not as expensive as other items, and you don’t need to store them in special containers.
Customizable product. You can personalize candles with a variety of scents and materials. This allows you to stand out from your competitors. Once you master the basics, you can quickly create a variety of this popular product.
It’s easy to sell anywhere. Your homemade candles can be sold almost anywhere online, including online selling sites and your own online shop. You can rent a stall at your local craft fair. You can sell your homemade candles offline as well as online.
How to Start an Online Candle Business in 6 Steps
1. Choose your candles
The first decision you need to make when creating your candle business strategy is which type of candles you want to sell. There are many options:
Paraffin wax. Paraffin wax is simple and cheap. It can be used to make a variety of candles from tealights and votives to pillars, pillars, and tarts.
Soy candles. Soy candles are one of the most sought-after on the market. Because the vegetable-based wax is renewable, it makes candles more environmentally-friendly. Soy candles are also more economical and burn for a longer time, making them an excellent choice.
Scented candles. There are many sizes and types of wax available for scented candles. These candles are distinguished by their fragrance, which is often made with essential oils or perfumed ingredients.
Vegan candles. Vegan candles are free from beeswax and use modified formulas that include plant-based ingredients such as soy wax. These candles can be targeted at a growing number of consumers who are concerned about the use of animal byproducts in candle manufacturing.
Decorative candles. Decorative candles are made with unique shapes, colors and patterns. They emphasize aesthetics more than scent or performance. These candles are not meant to be burned. However, they can be used for decorative purposes.
2. Define your market
Your target market is the group you wish to reach with your marketing efforts. You may have many types of customers who are interested in your products. The following are the most common target markets in the candle industry:
Mass market. Mass market candles might not contain special ingredients or components but they can still smell and look great. This market is ideal if you are looking to reach customers on a tight budget. Manufacturing costs typically range between $7 and $10 per candle.
Mid-market. Mid-market customers have broad tastes and often shop for candles in a variety of scents such as rose water, grapefruit, basil or basil. Although they are not the most expensive candles available, mid-market varieties can be more costly to make than mass-market options.
Prestige. These candles are a rapidly growing segment in the candle industry. A candle can cost between $20-$80 for a prestige buyer, but luxury candles such as those made by CireTrudon can sell for up to $325. Premium packaging, premium fragrances and brands that tell great stories are all attractive to prestige buyers.
Choose the audience you want to target. Are you a fan of premium packaging and expensive fragrances? Prestige may be the best option. You want to keep manufacturing costs low while still making a good profit. You might be a mid-market candlemaker.
3. Light some candles
You can start making candles by identifying your candle type and your target audience.
It is best to have someone help you through this process. Silver Dollar Candle Co. is one example of a private label manufacturer that can produce candles to your specifications. You can concentrate on your brand and the manufacturer will take care of the production.
You can also make candles at home if that is what you prefer. It may prove more difficult to scale up your production process in this manner.
Source your materials. You will need specific types of wax, wicks, containers to hold your candles, essential oils and fragrances, spatulas, super glue and any other tools you might need to label your candles.
Prepare your wax. Measure the exact amount of wax required to make each candle using the measurements on the wax flakes or pellets. To ensure that your wax doesn’t burn, slowly melt the wax in a microwave. Stir every 30 seconds. To add oils to your candles, you will also need to test the temperature. To ensure that fragrance mixes well, the wax must be at least 185 degrees Fahrenheit. A meat thermometer can help you determine this temperature.
You can customize the mixture. As the wax melts, make your own jar by gluing the end of your wick at the bottom. To keep the wick straight, wrap it around a stick. Fill the jar with your wax, preferably with the scent already added. If you desire a particular color, you can add wax dyes.
Complete your candle. Let the wax cool, then top it up with any remaining mixture. Once the candle has set, remove any excess wick and add any decorations such as orange peel pieces or flower petals. Your candle is now ready to go.
4. Create your online store
After you have all the details in place, it’s time to start an online store.
It seems daunting to build an online store when you consider selling candles on Etsy. These selling websites can cut into your profits and prevent you from freely expressing your brand. Your online store is not only a home for your brand but also helps you to become more profitable over time.
Shopify is the easiest ecommerce platform to use. You get a stunning storefront, built in hosting, cart abandonment recovery and SSL certifications for a low $29 per month. There are also other helpful sales and marketing tools available.
Even better, you can even access themes that place your photos first and allow you to display your candles right on your homepage. We recommend themes for home decor businesses like Minimal, Artisan or Modular.
Shopify offers a free trial, which allows you to test the platform before you decide to buy a plan. It also allows you to purchase your domain name and link it with your Shopify store through its domain registration platform.
5. Design a brand identity
The best way to influence the perception of your candle business is by creating a brand identity.
Begin by taking high-quality images of your products. Photographs should clearly show the candle’s shape, texture, colors, and label. Are you creative? You can create a scene of a candle in the home to inspire others. Shopify Experts can take photos of your home or capture high-quality images using your smartphone.
Next, create a brand story. This is the story that defines and communicates your brand’s identity to others. Candle brands’ brand stories are often honest, engaging, and human. People should feel something in your story that motivates them to look further.
Lightscapes is a great example. The founder of Lightscapes spent nearly two decades in marketing and product development positions at candle and wine companies. She learned about the importance of fragrance, and how it can affect the quality of candles. She wanted to create lasting memories with scents and this experience led her to start a candle company.
- Ask yourself these questions to find your story
- What made me get into candle-making?
- Whom am I targeting? What impact do you want to make on them?
- What reputation do you want in the market?
6. Promote your candle business
There is a lot of competition in the candle market. It’s important to find ways to increase your product awareness. One thing is that candles are designed for social selling. Channels like Instagram and Snapchat will be crucial for you. To drive traffic to Shopify’s website or specific product pages, you can tap into other digital channels.
Take a look at the following channels and tips:
Pinterest. Pinterest is the most popular platform for people to search for products and brands. Home decor is very popular. Candle business owners should consider Pinterest when developing their digital marketing strategy.
Instagram. A beautiful Instagram feed is a great way to market your candle brand. You can show people your candles by taking photos and building a large following. Instagram can be used to show off your candle-making process.
Giveaways and contests. You can offer your products as prizes in giveaways as part of your social media marketing efforts. These promotions can help you increase brand awareness and give you the chance to demonstrate how your candles work.
Promoting holiday sales and promotions is a great idea. Candles are a great gift idea for your loved ones. This is why holiday demand surges, especially around Valentine’s Day, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Use colors, shapes and seasonal motifs to get creative.
Let scents fuel your business
This means that you have an excellent understanding of how to sell candles online. You now have the tools and knowledge to make and sell candles at home, which will allow you to create an income stream from a popular item that people love to buy.
Do you have any ideas for how to start a candle business? Please leave your tips and advice in the comments below.