Buy and Sell on Riwaya - the world's first online Islamic premium marketplace. We showcase hand selected sellers in the world and put their products in one website. Born in the COVID-19 pandemic, Riwaya looks to provide a platform to bridge the gap between amazing Islamic sellers and their customers.
There are about 2 billion Muslims in the world. That's more than one-quarter of all the people on earth, and Muslims want special products that match their beliefs, which makes the demand for Islamic products really big.
Did you know?
The global halal market’s size is predicted to reach $ 2.8 trillion in the incoming years.
To sell these products, many people use online marketplaces like Etsy, a famous platform where millions of sellers are gathering. Muslims who make and sell products have also chosen Etsy to reach many buyers.
In this guide, we'll look at Etsy. We'll see how it works for Muslim sellers, how much it costs, and how to build a strong Islamic store.
Etsy is an online marketplace where sellers from around the world display their products. Around 5.90 million active sellers are part of Etsy's community in 2023.
Additionally, Etsy sellers have a variety of Islamic products, including wall art, gifts, posters, prayer mats, etc.
Did you know?
Hundreds of thousands of results will appear on Etsy just by searching for Islamic products but with no way to filter further.
You might be wondering if there are alternatives to Etsy that are suitable for selling Islamic products.
Riwaya is an online Islamic marketplace that goes beyond the ordinary. It is the world's first premium Islamic marketplace. Based in the United Kingdom, it caters to the needs of both Islamic consumers and ethical businesses globally. As a user-friendly platform, we match exceptional sellers and Muslim customers in harmony.
What sets us apart? We embody the essence of trust and quality:
1. Trusted and Vetted Sellers: We prioritise trust by curating a community of verified sellers.
2. Secure Payment Options: Riwaya provides secure transaction channels through PayPal, Stripe, Klarna, Apple Pay, and Google Pay, ensuring both sellers and buyers experience trusted seamless transactions.
3. Tailored Features: Our platform is designed with the Islamic and ethical consumer in mind. Examples include our QADR Gift Finder, which helps you generate and find the best gift ideas. As well as features and filters made with Muslims in mind!
4. A Giving Spirit: ;With a commitment to giving back, Riwaya contributes a percentage of our monthly sales to charitable causes.
Shop Islamic Products Online
Interested in Hijabs, Abayas, Thobes, and Islamic books? We offer everything from Islamic clothing and books to fragrances and halal food. Today is the day to start the best shopping experience!
Join Riwaya as a seller and showcase your Islamic products to the right audience. Your journey to success starts here. Start selling Islamic products today!
Okay, so you want to sell online. But first, you need to know what an Islamic product is. Islamic products are designed in a way that aligns with the beliefs and values of Islam. This means they follow certain rules and guidelines to make sure they are appropriate for Muslim consumers.
1. No Forbidden Substances: Islamic products must not have any alcohol, pork, or other forbidden ingredients according to Islamic dietary laws.
It was narrated that Prophet Muhammed PBUH said:
“Truly, Allah has cursed khamr (alcoholic beverages) and has cursed the one who produces it, the one for whom it is produced, the one who drinks it, the one who serves it, the one who carries it, the one for whom it is carried, the one who sells it, the one who earns from the sale of it, the one who buys it, and the one for whom it is bought”
2. Modesty and Respect: Clothing items, especially for women, should be modest and cover the body. Clothing designs should also respect Islamic principles.
It was narrated that Prophet Muhammed PBUH said:
“There are two categories of people of Hell whom I have not yet seen … And women who will be dressed but appear to be naked―they will incline to evil and make others incline to it.”
(Muslim)
3. No Offensive Imagery: Products should avoid any images or symbols that are considered offensive in Islamic culture.
Allah (SWT) says:
"Help you one another in virtue, righteousness and piety but do not help one another in sin and transgression. And fear Allah. Verily, Allah is Severe in punishment."
(Quran 5:2)
4. Honest Pricing and Transactions: Sellers should be truthful about the prices of their products and how transactions work. That means avoiding deceptive pricing techniques like hidden costs, misleading discounts, and bait-and-switch.
5. Accurate Product Descriptions: Sellers should honestly describe what their products are like so buyers know exactly what they're getting.
Prophet Muhammad PBUH said,
“Indeed the merchants will be raised on the Day of Resurrection as evildoers, apart from those who fear Allah and are sincere and honest.”
(Sahih at-Targhib)
So you have your idea of what an Islamic product is. Now it's time to see which types of products you want to start selling.
To determine what to sell on Etsy, you must consider your knowledge, experiences, and market trends. For instance, if you’ve worked in the clothing industry before, you might have an advantage selling Abayas, Hijabs, or Thobes, compared to books.
Moreover, conducting market research to understand what's popular among buyers can provide valuable insights.
Did you know?
The top-selling categories on Etsy include jewellery, vintage clothing, and handmade home decor.
The decision to focus on one category or diversify across multiple depends on your goals and resources. Specialising in a single category, such as Islamic clothing, can have distinct advantages. It allows you to become an expert in that particular category.
This focused approach can help you stand out and build a reputation for quality and authenticity.
Nevertheless, considering multiple categories can expand your customer base and attract a broader audience. Offering a wider selection of Islamic gifts or journals, for example, can increase sales.
Therefore, the best approach is to start with a niche store, selling one single category, and gradually expand your offering.
Examples of Islamic Products
As the global Muslim population continues to expand, the demand for authentic Islamic products is also on the rise.
Did you know?
The global Islamic clothing market is expected to reach $122.73 billion in 2030.
Beyond clothing, there's a diverse array of Islamic products that are gaining popularity.Islamic art, prayer mats, and digital offerings like e-books and artwork are becoming more sought-after.
So you have your product type. Here are 4 steps for getting them live on Etsy.
Your shop's name serves as an introduction to potential buyers and can leave a lasting impression. Choose a name that either clearly represents the category of products you're offering or aligns with the values and identity of your target audience.
Ensure that the name is both memorable and easily understandable, as this will play a significant role in attracting buyers.
For instance, if you're focusing on Islamic clothing like thobes, consider names that reflect this speciality, such as "ThobeTreasures" or "ModestThobesHub." For an oud shop, names like "OudElegance" or "PureOudEssence" could communicate the essence of your offerings.
For inspiration, you could navigate our various Riwaya sellers by category, and see how they match their shop name with the product category that they offer.
To start, create at least one listing for your shop. To ensure your listing details are SEO-friendly (for people to easily find your listing when they search for its category), include keywords so if you're selling Islamic Journals, consider including keywords like "Islamic Journals" in the title.
Consider this example of an optimised Abaya listing:
Select the appropriate category, add relevant tags, and segment your listing to make it thorough and appealing. Then, create an attention-grabbing thumbnail since visual appeal captures buyers' attention.
As a final step, use the description section to set yourself apart from your competitors, explaining what makes your Islamic products unique and their value to customers.
The challenge in listing on Etsy, however, lies in the platform being overcrowded. With millions of sellers, it’s quite hard for your listing to get high visibility.
Additionally, it is not possible to filter Islamic products on the platform, so if Muslim buyers were on Etsy, they would have to search for your category to potentially stumble upon your listing.
Therefore, listing your Islamic products on an Islamic-only marketplace would be the best way to stand out. This will give you greater visibility since it won't be as crowded as Etsy, it allows greater filtering for Islamic categories, and it gives you access to your target audience: Muslim buyers. With Riwaya, the largest Islamic marketplace in the UK, your products will shine!
When it comes to pricing your products, it's crucial to factor in all the costs associated with creating each one. This includes the materials and supplies used, as well as the time spent crafting the product.
Additionally, you should consider Etsy’s various fees, like listing and payment processing fees, as well as shipping fees if applicable. Consider fair compensation for your efforts as a top priority.
It’s also important to note that Etsy’s fees are high compared to an Islamic marketplace like Riwaya. High fees lower your profit margin, and may even force you to increase your prices.
Do you want to sell your products without paying lots of fees? Now is the time to become a Riwaya seller!
Let’s have a quick look at Etsy’s fees, compared to Riwaya’s:
| Fees | Etsy | Riwaya |
| Transaction Costs | 6.5% | 5% |
| Payment Processing Fees | 4% + £0.20 | 1.5%+ £0.20 |
| Listing Fees | £0.16 | None |
| Regulatory Operating Fee (UK) | 0.32% | None |
| Additional Costs | Yes (ads costs) | No |
| Crowded Out | Yes | No |
| Holds money | Yes (in the cases of sudden sales surge, recent first sale, policy violation, or other risk factors) | Automatic payment after 2 weeks |
When comparing fees and other aspects, Riwaya's model is designed to be more seller-friendly, with only a 5% fee when you make a sale. On the other hand, Etsy has several fees, making it hard to make high profits as a small seller.
Example:
Suppose you sell a product for £45 with a £3 shipping cost on both Etsy and Riwaya, your profit will be as follows:
Platform |
Product Price |
Shipping |
Platform Fees |
Profit |
Etsy |
£45 |
£3 |
£7.07 |
£40.93 |
Riwaya |
£45 |
£3 |
£3.32 |
£44.68 |
Riwaya doesn't have additional costs, doesn't get crowded out with excessive competition and doesn't require payment if your product doesn't sell. This makes Riwaya a more attractive platform for Islamic product sellers.
Your Etsy shop is more than just a page; it is your brand: Pay attention to detail by adding comprehensive elements such as announcements and videos to your shop. These features give buyers a clearer understanding of your offerings and demonstrate your commitment to quality.
Additionally, setting up a presence on social platforms like Instagram or Facebook can increase your shop's visibility.
Etsy's popularity has led to fierce competition among sellers, making it difficult for new stores to gain visibility. Meanwhile, Riwaya offers an advantage due to its focus on Islamic products.
As a Riwaya seller, you're not just another face in the crowd. We appreciate you and understand the significance of the products you offer. We connect you directly with a Muslim audience seeking products aligned with their faith and lifestyle.
With Riwaya, you have the advantage of a less crowded space, direct reach to Muslims, and incredible growth opportunities. Join Riwaya as a seller today, and start growing your halal business.
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