How makers can build a profile that shows their work clearly

If you make something people can buy, your profile should do more than say “handmade with love.”

Customers may want to know what you make, what your style looks like, whether you accept custom orders, how long things take and how collection or delivery works.

You don't need to sound like a big retailer. You just need to make the important details easy to understand.

Start with what you actually make

Be specific.

Instead of:

“I make handmade items.”

Try describing the products you genuinely offer, such as:

• beadwork;
• jewellery;
• pottery and ceramics;
• paintings and prints;
• crochet or knitting;
• sewing and textiles;
• woodwork;
• furniture;
• candles;
• soaps or body products;
• personalised gifts;
• baked goods;
• preserves;
• plants and seedlings;
• home décor; or
• other handmade products.

If you specialise in something particular, say so.

Show your style through your work

Photographs can help customers understand your style before contacting you.

Choose clear examples that represent the work you currently offer.

Depending on what you make, show:

• different styles;
• sizes;
• finishes;
• colours;
• materials;
• personalised examples; or
• useful close-up details.

Your previous work is a portfolio, not a guarantee that every future piece will be identical.

Use your own photographs responsibly

Where possible, use photographs that accurately represent your own work.

Don't present another maker's work as something you've made.

If a photograph includes a customer, their home, a personalised item or other identifying information, make sure you have appropriate permission before publishing it.

Explain whether you take custom orders

Don't say “custom orders available” unless you actually offer them.

If you do, explain what customers can customise.

That might include:

• colour;
• size;
• wording;
• names;
• dates;
• materials;
• design details;
• quantities; or
• another relevant option.

If there are things you won't customise, that's useful information too.

Tell customers what you need for a custom order

A clear brief helps avoid misunderstandings.

Depending on your work, you might need:

• dimensions;
• reference images;
• spelling;
• names or dates;
• colour choices;
• quantity;
• intended use;
• event date; or
• delivery location.

For personalised work, confirm important details before production begins.

Nobody wants to remake 50 personalised items because one surname was spelled incorrectly.

Be realistic about handmade variation

Some handmade products naturally vary.

Depending on your craft, there may be differences in:

• colour;
• glaze;
• wood grain;
• pattern;
• texture;
• shape; or
• finish.

If customers should expect natural variation, explain that before they order.

Don't use “handmade” as an excuse for defects, but don't promise machine-level uniformity where the nature of your craft makes that unrealistic.

Make pricing easier to understand

You don't necessarily need one fixed price for everything.

If prices vary, explain what affects them.

For example:

• size;
• material;
• quantity;
• complexity;
• personalisation;
• packaging;
• delivery; or
• urgency.

Where practical, showing starting prices, examples or price ranges can help customers understand whether your work fits their budget.

Make clear what is and isn't included.

Explain your deposit and payment process

If you require a deposit for custom work, explain:

• how much is required;
• when it's due;
• what it covers;
• when the balance is payable;
• what happens if the customer cancels;
• what happens if you can't complete the order; and
• how changes to the original request affect the price.

Don't leave important payment terms until after a customer has already paid.

Give realistic turnaround information

Handmade work takes different amounts of time.

Some products are ready immediately. Others need:

• materials to be ordered;
• design time;
• production;
• drying;
• curing;
• firing;
• finishing;
• packaging; or
• another production step.

Give customers a realistic estimate rather than promising the fastest possible completion time.

If busy seasons affect your turnaround, keep your profile or customer communication current.

Explain collection and delivery

Tell customers how they can receive their order.

Depending on your business, you might offer:

• collection;
• local delivery;
• courier;
• nationwide shipping; or
• selected delivery areas.

Explain whether delivery is included or charged separately.

For fragile, large, living or perishable products, explain any special arrangements that matter.

Package products appropriately

Packaging requirements depend on what you sell.

Ceramics need different protection from a crocheted item. Plants need different handling from a framed artwork. Baked goods have different needs again.

Think about the journey between you and the customer, not just how the product looks when it leaves your hands.

If you sell food, food safety is separate from ID verification

Makers selling baked goods, preserves or other prepared foods have additional responsibilities.

South African food-hygiene requirements can apply to premises where food is handled for sale, including requirements relating to a Certificate of Acceptability.

Understand the requirements that apply to your operation and comply with them.

Customers may also need information about:

• ingredients;
• allergens;
• storage;
• refrigeration;
• shelf life; and
• collection or delivery.

Know a Pro's ID Verified badge is not a food-safety certificate and doesn't replace applicable food requirements.

If you make skincare or body products, give useful product information

“Natural” and “handmade” don't automatically mean suitable for everyone.

If you make soaps, skincare, bath products or similar goods, give customers accurate information relevant to the product, including ingredients and intended use where appropriate.

Don't make unsupported health or treatment claims.

Customers with allergies or sensitivities may need more information before buying.

If you sell plants, describe them properly

Plant buyers may need more than a pretty photograph.

Depending on what you sell, useful information can include:

• plant name;
• approximate size;
• sun requirements;
• watering;
• growing conditions;
• whether it is established or newly propagated;
• pot/container information; and
• collection or transport arrangements.

Accurate descriptions help customers decide whether the plant suits their space.

Use reviews responsibly

Genuine customer reviews can describe previous experiences with your work.

They might discuss:

• communication;
• ordering;
• workmanship;
• packaging;
• delivery; or
• problem resolution.

Don't tell customers what rating to leave or write reviews for them.

Don't claim that reviews prove you're reliable, trustworthy or better than another maker.

Past reviews don't guarantee the outcome of a future order.

Understand what ID Verified means

South African Pros complete identity verification as part of the Know a Pro signup process before their profile can go live.

Once completed, their profile can display the ID Verified badge.

ID Verified relates to identity verification.

It does not prove:

• craftsmanship;
• product quality;
• reliability;
• honesty;
• food safety;
• product safety;
• regulatory compliance;
• delivery performance; or
• customer satisfaction.

Don't present the badge as a Know a Pro endorsement or guarantee of your products.

Tell your story, but keep it useful

Customers may enjoy knowing who makes the product and how the business started.

A short story can give your profile personality.

You might mention:

• how you learned the craft;
• what you enjoy making;
• materials you like working with;
• your design style;
• where inspiration comes from; or
• what makes your process distinctive.

Keep the practical ordering information easy to find too.

Keep your profile current

Update your profile when something important changes, such as:

• products;
• custom-order availability;
• prices or pricing approach;
• turnaround times;
• service/collection area;
• delivery options;
• contact information; or
• other material ordering details.

Don't keep advertising a product or service you no longer offer.

Share your Know a Pro profile

Your Know a Pro profile has its own shareable page link.

You can use that link through appropriate business channels such as:

• WhatsApp;
• Facebook;
• Instagram;
• your website;
• email;
• online market pages; or
• other business material.

This gives customers another place to see the information and work you've chosen to display.

What it costs to list

Know a Pro uses a monthly membership model.

Independent Pro — R300/month

Suitable for an independent maker or sole trader.

Registered Business — R500/month

For a registered business.

Know a Pro does not take a percentage of the jobs you receive through the platform. Your applicable monthly membership fee still applies.

Make it easy to understand what you create

Your profile doesn't need to prove that you're the best maker in town.

Show what you make, explain how ordering works, be clear about prices and timelines, and give customers enough information to decide whether your work fits what they're looking for.

Clear beats complicated.

This article provides general business guidance and was reviewed in September 2026. Product, food-safety and other regulatory requirements vary according to what you make or sell and how your business operates. Confirm and comply with the requirements that apply to your products and operation.

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