Online shop for leather goods: bags, belts and small leather goods

A leather bag is something you touch, open, and check the stitching of. That’s why leather goods sell so well in a shop, and why people hesitate to put them online. Yet your customers are already searching for “leather bag” on their phones before they walk through the door.

A shop on 123ventes.com shows them your window before they even arrive, and also sells to those who live too far away. Here are the questions leather goods sellers ask, and how 123Ventes answers them.

How do I make people want a bag they can’t touch?

With photos and with words. Show the bag from the front, from the back, open, worn on the shoulder, and a close-up of the leather and the stitching. In your 123Ventes shop, each product page has its photos and a long description: name the leather (cowhide, lambskin, vegetable-tanned), the lining, the fastenings, and what fits inside, “an A4 sheet and a water bottle”.

Give the dimensions in centimetres, the length of the shoulder strap and the weight. That is what prevents the most returns.

The same bag in five colours: do I need five product pages?

No. On 123Ventes, you create one product page per design, and the customer chooses the colour from a list of options. An option can add an extra charge: grained leather costs 15 € more? The price updates automatically. For a limited run, enter the real stock: when it is sold out, the bag can no longer be ordered. See catalogue management.

Can I offer initials engraving?

Yes, it is an option like any other, with its own price. The customer writes their initials in the note attached to the order, and you show the lead time on the product page: “engraved within 3 days”. A personalised item can’t be taken back: say so clearly in your terms of sale.

How do I send a bag without it arriving out of shape?

Stuff it with tissue paper, slip it into its dust bag, and choose a box the right size. Shipping costs are worked out according to weight and destination, and the customer chooses between home delivery, a pick-up point or collection from the shop. For a valuable bag, go for tracked delivery with a signature. See the delivery options.

I have a shop: how do I avoid selling the same bag twice?

The till built into 123Ventes records sales at the counter, and the stock is shared with the website. The last cognac bag sold in the shop on Saturday also disappears from the online shop. In-store collection brings in customers who often leave with a belt or a card holder as well.

How can I sell more at Christmas and for Mother’s Day?

Small leather goods make perfect gifts: wallets, card holders, glasses cases. Create a “Gift ideas” category and offer gift wrapping as an option. The 123Ventes promotion rules offer free delivery above a set amount, or a discount from two items upwards. A newsletter announces new arrivals to your loyal customers. See customer relations.

What do I need to know about returns and the word “leather”?

For distance selling, a private customer has 14 days to change their mind, except for a personalised item. Write your returns policy simply: it is a selling point. In France, the word “leather” (cuir) is reserved for materials that really are leather: for a synthetic material, say “faux leather” or “synthetic”.

For the exact rules, the French consumer protection authority (DGCCRF) or your trade federation can advise you.

How do I get found online as a leather goods seller?

Each product page in your 123Ventes shop has its own title and description, which you set in the dashboard. Write what customers type: “camel leather crossbody bag”, not just the name of the design. Add the name of your town for local customers, and your shop’s link to your Google Business Profile. See search engine optimisation.

How much does a 123Ventes shop cost for a leather goods shop?

The subscription costs 29.90 € a month or 319.90 € a year, with hosting and the security certificate included. 123Ventes takes no commission on your sales: on a 180 € bag, only your payment provider’s fees apply. The turnkey set-up costs 400 €. The details are on the pricing page.

Your questions

Why 123Ventes rather than a marketplace?

On a marketplace, your bag sits next to a competitor’s, and a commission is taken on every sale. On 123ventes.com, the shop is in your name, with no commission, for a fixed subscription.

How many products can I put online?

As many as you like: the number of products is unlimited on 123Ventes, with several photos per product page.

Can I sell in the shop and online from the same stock?

Yes. The built-in till records sales at the counter, and the stock is shared with the online shop.

Do I need to know how to build a website?

No. The shop is created in a minute and filled in with forms, with no code. And the turnkey set-up puts it online for you if you prefer.

Who helps me if I get stuck?

123Ventes support answers in French, by email and by phone, and it is included in the subscription. Your data is hosted in France.