1. Identify Your Wine Selection

Determine which wines, in formats such as bottles, bag-in-box, or cans, are best suited for online sales. Explore your strengths and interests to identify profitable niches. Consider looking at successful online sellers' wine products, such as those on Avelyn - Great Wines' top-selling list, to understand their appeal to buyers based on factors like price, reviews, seasonality, and size.

2. Sourcing Wines for Avelyn and Traditional Sales:

Wineries, selling both through Avelyn's Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) channels and traditional routes like importers and distributors, need to balance their wine allocation to meet rising demand on Avelyn's DTC platform.

Once wines for sale are identified, consider sourcing directly from wineries or vineyards for tailored selections. Avelyn offers ecommerce storefronts and inventory management, catering to both DTC and traditional sales.

Effectively balancing wine allocation among these channels is crucial for wineries selling directly to consumers and HoReCa via Avelyn.

3. Choose your Sales Channels:

Selling on Avelyn provides access to these three sales channels:

  1. Avelyn.com - marketplace.
  2. Winery Online Brand Store - powered by Avelyn.
  3. An In-store POS solution for wine tastings and physical wine shops in wineries.

Consider utilizing one or more of these Avelyn sales channels to establish your online presence. Avelyn offers a streamlined infrastructure for payments, customer reviews, and essential sales data.Experiment to find the ideal sales channel or a mix that suits your winery's unique model. Don't overlook local avenues such as classifieds, radio, or TV advertising to complement your online presence on Avelyn.

4. Check Fees for Avelyn Selling:

When selling wines on Avelyn, understand the various fees involved in online sales.

There may be listing fees (a flat or monthly charge), selling fees (a percentage of the selling price), and payment processing fees for credit cards. To minimize costs, consider plans that charge fees at the end of the sale. Avelyn offers different options for wineries, allowing them to make informed decisions tailored to their unique needs.

5. Choose Your Avelyn Shipping Approach:

Selling wines on Avelyn offers three shipping choices:

1) Fulfillment By Winery: Handle shipping directly from your winery, offering a personal touch.

2) Fulfillment By Avelyn: Let Avelyn manage logistics for efficiency. (2024)

3) Customer Pickup: Provide the convenience of in-person collection at tastings or your winery's shop.

Select the method that suits your winery's objectives and customer preferences.

6. Enhance Your Wine Photos for Avelyn:

To attract customers, create compelling wine visuals with these tips:

  1. Photograph wines in well-lit settings.
  2. Use a plain background for focus.
  3. Avoid photo filters.
  4. Include multiple angles per product.
  5. Don't mix unrelated items.
  6. Consider adding a product video for a better customer experience.

Great visuals are key to boosting wine sales and reducing returns. Review Avelyn's photography guidelines for specifics.

7. Craft Descriptive Wine Listings for Avelyn:

Your wine listings on Avelyn serve as constant sales representatives. Provide comprehensive and accurate information to assist shoppers in making informed decisions.

Quality images and detailed descriptions about the wines are crucial. Here are tips to enhance your wine listings:

  1. Use clear and concise language.
  2. Avoid confusing jargon or technical terms.
  3. Employ SEO best practices for improved search visibility.

The goal is to help customers understand the wines and emphasize why they should choose yours over competitors.

8. Research the right selling price

Setting the right price for wines on Avelyn is key for profitability and attracting buyers. Consider costs and desired profit margins when calculating prices.

To find the right price:

  1. Research on Avelyn and use the Seller app to compare and adjust prices.
  2. Utilize the Automate Pricing tool based on market demand.
  3. Explore resources like Winespectator to assist in finding the right price.

Compare your wines to similar offerings, adjusting prices for affordability or adding value with options like color variations or bundled deals. Finding this balance is crucial for successful wine sales on Avelyn.

9. Ensure Secure Wine Packaging for Shipping:

To safeguard wine shipments, order UPS approved Shipping boxes from UPS or other shipping box providers. 

For self-packaging (Fulfilment By Winery):

  1. Use proper-sized boxes to prevent damage.
  2. Include protective cushioning materials.
  3. Seal boxes securely with strong tape.
  4. Insert a packing slip with customer details.
  5. Accurately label packages to avoid delivery errors.

10. To Enhance Customer Satisfaction on Avelyn:

  1. Customer-Centric Approach: Tailor offerings to your target audience, whether enthusiasts or a broader customer base.

  2. Monitor and Respond to Reviews: Actively engage with customer reviews using tools like Avelyn's Review Insights.

  3. Timely Responses: Promptly address customer queries to build connections and show dedication.

  4. Reward Loyalty: Appreciate repeat customers with discounts or bonus gifts to encourage their loyalty and repeat business.

This customer-focused strategy boosts satisfaction and loyalty, essential for successful sales on Avelyn.

Selling your wines directly to consumers online can be a lucrative venture for wineries