How to Sell on Not On The High Street

Proud to be the UK’s number one curated online marketplace, Not On The High Street was founded back in 2006 by home-grown entrepreneurs Sophie Cornish and Holly Tucker. Not On The High Street is home to thousands of sellers, and even more products; you’ll find everything from artisanal whisky to wedding stationery, clothing, handmade jewellery and homeware.

A platform dedicated to showcasing the UK’s finest small businesses, and selling a whole host of creative products which you wouldn’t find in your average high street store, NOTHS is the perfect choice if you’re a boutique maker, craftsman or artist looking to set up shop online.

How to Become a NOTHS Seller

If you apply to Not On The High Street as a seller, you’ll be joining ranks with thousands of small, successful businesses based in the UK. Here’s how to get started:

1. Fill out an application form.

At this stage, NOTHS will ask for some basic details about yourself, as well as your business. This includes the nature of your work (for example, whether you’re an artist, a jeweller etc) and how you would categorise your products. You’ll also need to provide a small introduction to your company – this is your chance to impress the team at Not On The High Street, so make sure you do your brand justice. Emphasise any unique selling points and explain why you think your range would be a good fit for NOTHS.

2. Pay the one-off joining fee.

If the team at Not On The High Street accepts your application to join them as a seller, you’ll need to pay the one-off signup fee, which is £199. Once you’ve made this initial payment, you’ll have three months to get setup up on their site. Unlike other online marketplaces, NOTHS doesn’t charge any listing fees, but they will take a 25% cut of whatever you do sell, not including VAT.

3. Set up your stall.

You’ve been accepted and paid your joining fee – it’s time to set up your stall! Start by building the profile of your brand; share the origin story and if your products are handmade, shed a little light on the process and skills you use to make them. While clear, aesthetically pleasing images are sure to go down well with your customers, accurate and informative product descriptions are important too. Don’t forget to list materials, packaging details and any options for customisation.

How much does it cost to sell with Not On The High Street?

When Not On The High Street accepts your application to be a seller, you’ll need to pay a stand-alone joining fee of £199. NOTHS doesn’t restrict or charge for product listings, no matter how many items your put up for sale – however, they do take a 25% cut of whatever you make, not including VAT.

What can I sell on Not On The High Street?

Not On The High Street is the number one curated online marketplace in the UK. It’s home to a wide variety of small businesses, which sell a multitude of artisanal, handmade and boutique items. Here are some of the most popular product categories:

• Jewellery
• Fashion accessories
• Homeware
• Health and beauty
• Travel accessories
• Prints and illustrations
• Wedding stationery
• Bridal accessories
• Cards
• Gifts
• Personalised products
• Food and drink hampers
• Experience days
• Pet products

If you’re a potential seller and your collection of products doesn’t meet any of these descriptions, that doesn’t mean that NOTHS won’t be interested in selling; Not On The High Street is dedicated to championing the unique.

The Benefits of Joining NOTHS

Between a guaranteed boost in business and the experienced network of sellers, there are plenty of benefits to joining Not On The High Street. Here are some of the biggest advantages you can expect to enjoy:

• Access to a community

  Becoming a seller at NOTHS means becoming a member of a small business community. You’ll be able to speak to like-minded sellers, be inspired by their trade and learn from their experiences.

• New business

  NOTHS consistently invests in large-scale print and digital marketing campaigns. You’ll see their ads in magazines, on buses, on TV, online and all over social media. These campaigns put their sellers front and centre, which means you’ll undoubtedly feel the benefit of their marketing efforts, without lifting a finger yourself.

• Increased exposure

  Being the UK’s number one curated online marketplace, NOTHS receives a huge amount of relevant site traffic. Having your products listed by Not On The High Street means more exposure for your business, and a greater chance of converting visitors into sales.

• Support and guidance

  NOTHS offers a range of support and guidance for their sellers to utilise – including handy resources like the product trends tool. Not On The High Street also has a team of ambassadors, which is made up of some of the most experienced sellers. These ambassadors run workshops and masterclasses to help you build your brand, and make the most of the platform.

Tips and Tricks for Selling on NOTHS

Selling on NOTHS guarantees you a certain amount of passing customers, but if you don’t have the budget to spend on sponsored listings, there are plenty of ways you can make your products stand out in the crowd. Take a look at the tips below:

• Share your brand story

  NOTHS is all about celebrating unique craftsmanship, finding boutique items and niche products which aren’t available in your average store. Putting a personal spin on your brand’s origin story is a great way to engage customers; for example, if you first learned how to make pottery from your grandma at the kitchen table, make sure that features!

• Make product images pop

  Photography should be crisp and clear, and it should be obvious which item in the shot is for sale. If your product images are looking a bit plain, add an attractive backdrop or include some relevant props – you want the photos on your page to be as Instagram-friendly as possible.

• Keep an eye on your competitors

  You can always learn from other sellers with products in the same category. Not sure how to price your items? Use the cost of similar items already up for sale as a reference point. Need a bit of photography inspiration? Browse the listings of the most successful sellers and see what you could be doing differently.

• Be efficient and friendly

  While your products and photography are crucial to your success – so is your customer service. Set realistic shipping expectations to avoid disappointment, and respond promptly and politely to any buyer questions. Customer reviews and feedback can really make a difference to your business!