Handmade Code: Bizelo

Handmade Code is our series where we showcase interesting and useful apps from our Developer Community. In this article, Ron and James tell us about Bizelo.

One of the constant struggles for Etsy sellers is managing their inventory, keeping track of orders, and handling the various steps between the time an order is received and it goes out the door. This is made more complicated when you are dealing with inventory that appears in many places and is constantly going in and out of stock.

The Bizelo Centralized Inventory Management (CIM) app is specially built for Etsy sellers to manage their Etsy inventory. It pulls all Etsy listings into a central inventory dashboard as well as all recent orders. The system keeps track of both what’s available in your online Etsy shop as well as what you have in your warehouse, and automatically replenishes inventory from your available or on-hand stock when your items sell. The system also allows you to create kits and bundles of items as well as import and replenish your stock in bulk.

In addition, we also simplify the pick and pack process. Bizelo CIM provides a quick and easy way to create optimized packing lists to make sure you include the right items from the right shelves in your packages. The app also provides deep insight into the movement history of your inventory, telling you which items are selling the quickest, and providing insight into your profitability. The app integrates a number of other online services including Magento, Shopify, and Cartkeeper.

Installing Bizelo takes five minutes. Simply go to our e-Retail Inventory Management landing page and create an account. Authenticate your Etsy shop, and then click Sync and your items and orders will appear in our dashboard.

We offer two different plans depending on how many items you have, and whether or not you’re connecting with many external stores. Our regular plan is $19.95 per month and our Pro plan is $29.95 per month. That’s it!

Bizelo is fanatical about customer support. We offer both online as well as phone support, and generally we work during the normal business hours, but we’ve been known to answer calls as late as midnight, to support our customers overseas. We are looking to continue to improve the app, as well as discover new apps that will make a difference in Etsy users’ lives. If you want to provide some insight into what will make your life easier as an Etsy seller, reach out to us. We’d love to hear from you. We regularly reward people who talk to us with free months of subscription, opportunities to beta test our early offerings, and visibility on our site and on our blog.

Past Handmade Code Posts | Seller Handbook

  • Bananamoo

    Bananamoo says:

    Very interesting I will check this out. Thanks!

    123 days ago

  • jamiespinello

    jamiespinello says:

    I wish there was a trial period for this. It sounds very helpful. I might try it out.

    123 days ago

  • pillowlink

    pillowlink says:

    This is really good thing for those who likes to live online. I had a problem with my inventory counting and tracking, but solved this by creating useful tabs with formulas on Excel according to my materials used for craft. Bizelo sounds really serious thing and hope it will help to many Etsians! Thank you for sharing these news!

    123 days ago

  • bizelo

    bizelo says:

    There indeed is a free trial period! 30 days, in fact - looks like it didn't make its way into the above post, but we do have one!

    123 days ago

  • slatternhouse5

    slatternhouse5 says:

    I'm sorry, but if you look at the stats of etsy shops and "inventory" that most etsy shops carry this app doesn't and won't help them. If you are large enough of a "shop" to have a warehouse full of inventory, then obviously it's not handmade by you, nor is it a co-operative of a small group of people.My warehouse is a spare room/shelves and cardboard boxes.

    123 days ago

  • SpiceofLifeDesigns

    SpiceofLifeDesigns says:

    I'm sure there are supply sellers that will find this useful...for the average handmade shop though it is likely to be overkill and too expensive.

    123 days ago

  • cubits

    cubits says:

    This looks like it would help me.

    122 days ago

  • bizelo

    bizelo says:

    Right, most of our customers are supplier sellers. In fact, some of the top rated stores at craftcount.com are users. But you're correct, for OOAK and small-quantity sellers, any inventory app will be overkill. Spreadsheets would do fine in those cases. This is primarily for the volume sellers, which ends up being primarily the suppliers for the reasons you outline.

    122 days ago

  • VeronicaRStudio

    VeronicaRStudio says:

    Loved the warehouse part... My "warehouse" is five plastic bins in my closet, LOL... Pretty easy to manage at the moment, but the application sounds interesting. Definetly something to consider when expanding our businesses to other venues. Thanks!

    122 days ago

  • Parachute425

    Parachute425 says:

    Bravo. Best of luck with your new app.

    122 days ago

  • MegansMenagerie

    MegansMenagerie says:

    Great! Thanks for sharing!

    122 days ago

  • bizelo

    bizelo says:

    @VeronicaRStudio: That's great - when I was selling custom baseball caps, my warehouse were fancy IKEA shelves. And by fancy, I mean $40. @Parachute425: Thanks for the love!

    122 days ago

  • TheIDconnection

    TheIDconnection says:

    Does this work for antique shops?

    122 days ago

  • jammerjewelry

    jammerjewelry says:

    Wonderfully done congrats on your article

    122 days ago

  • Iammie

    Iammie says:

    Cool!

    122 days ago

  • uniquefabricgifts

    uniquefabricgifts says:

    Thanks for the sharing!

    122 days ago

  • CrushedBotanicals

    CrushedBotanicals says:

    I love this company, they did a little blog article/interview that I participated on which is in my profile. Great company! well done!

    122 days ago

  • slatternhouse5

    slatternhouse5 says:

    From your blog posting "If you want to provide some insight into what will make your life easier as an Etsy seller, reach out to us" may I make a suggestion if this is true, My life and Everyone elses life shop on Etsy would benefit from a intergrated shipping app built into Etsy. My life shop and every other one on Etsy would benefit from a revamp of the current skewed feedback rating sytem on Etsy, please develop these 2 programs and sell it to Etsy, you apparently have the ear of Etsy and 1000's of Etsy shop owners don't

    122 days ago

  • bizelo

    bizelo says:

    @CrushedBotanicals we love you too! We'd love a write-up review of our app if you're interested.

    122 days ago

  • bizelo

    bizelo says:

    @slatternhouse5 YES - we've heard both of these comments from many others. We're planning a Pack and Ship app that you might find useful, altho it is also $24.95 a month, and for USPS requires a Stamps.com account. For UPS and Fedex, it requires a developer API key, which is free, but is a tad bit of a hassle to get. If this interests you, keep us on your ticker - it's coming out soon. For the review stuff - that's interesting. Do you think Etsy would be open to a third-party review system, or would that somehow be out of their acceptable use terms?

    122 days ago

  • WhisperingOak

    WhisperingOak says:

    I felt the same way when I read the article. Great product! But for a small shop with one crafter where every single item is handmade this tracking system is not necessary. A spreadsheet does the work for me. But, it sure sounds nice to have the inventory tracking problem....maybe some day.

    122 days ago

  • slatternhouse5

    slatternhouse5 says:

    bizelo says: @slatternhouse5 YES - we've heard both of these comments from many others. We're planning a Pack and Ship app that you might find useful, altho it is also $24.95 a month, and for USPS requires a Stamps.com account. For UPS and Fedex, it requires a developer API key, which is free, but is a tad bit of a hassle to get. If this interests you, keep us on your ticker - it's coming out soon. For the review stuff - that's interesting. Do you think Etsy would be open to a third-party review system, or would that somehow be out of their acceptable use terms? take a gander on the front page of Etsy business forum right now, and multiple that thread concerning seller buyer feedback by hundreds perhaps 100's and add all the comments up that and an itergraed shipping calculator. i want to stop the madness of all the convo's and unanswered e-mails sent to possible customers concerning shipping costs etc. Here's a link to the latest thread http://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/business-topics/discuss/9617805/page/1

    122 days ago

  • jdesigner16

    jdesigner16 says:

    It sounds like a very good idea and would be helpful for shops that carry a inventory. Thanx for sharing!

    122 days ago

  • lilinspirations
  • baconsquarefarm

    baconsquarefarm says:

    Thank you off to check this out~

    122 days ago

  • sonyarasi

    sonyarasi says:

    Excellent!

    122 days ago

  • bellenessa

    bellenessa says:

    This is great! It will be a big help for those stores that sell a lot, and can include an extra $19.95 to $29.95 on their monthly bills.

    122 days ago

  • amyawalters

    amyawalters says:

    thanks for using my watch print for this story!

    122 days ago

  • AlisaDesign

    AlisaDesign says:

    Great!

    122 days ago

  • BlueMoonLights
  • opendoorstudio

    opendoorstudio says:

    This sounds like a great idea for Ebay sellers. Have you explored that. I am sure some Supply shops would find it helpful.. I am just hoping to avoid folks dropshipping anything... on Etsy. I like the little handwrapped and hand written invoices for packaging personally... I think that is what sets etsy apart from all the other "cookie cutter" sites. I am a Vintage seller and sadly... I wish my "warehouse" dock workers ( ie son and husband) would get on the ball and help a little more than they do :) I appreciate what you are doing and wish you luck.

    122 days ago

  • quirkyshop

    quirkyshop says:

    Awesome!

    122 days ago

  • WayuuSusu

    WayuuSusu says:

    will have to check it out. I will need it in the spring when i reopen. thanks

    122 days ago

  • VintageJaneToo

    VintageJaneToo says:

    Great concept for large suppliers.

    122 days ago

  • SusiesBoutiqueTLC

    SusiesBoutiqueTLC says:

    Great article. Thanks.

    122 days ago

  • rememorydesigns

    rememorydesigns says:

    Sounds very useful. Would like to see a trial period to test before committing monthly funds. Helpful article.

    122 days ago

  • lickabee

    lickabee says:

    This sounds awesome! Even though I'm just starting, this helps with achievable dreams! Thanks for always working on making etsy a great place to be! :)

    121 days ago

  • LennyMud

    LennyMud says:

    My shop is currently on vacation, but the first thing I am doing when I re-open in Feb. is signing up for this app. It is EXACTLY what I need and would have made life during the holiday season so much easier. I am a medium sized biz-not a supply seller-but still had trouble managing my inventory and am so happy you developed this program: for my buck, totally worth the expense for how thoughtfully crafted it is. You're awesome!

    121 days ago

  • BullyPaws

    BullyPaws says:

    Way too pricey for me...I don't need to add another monthly fee to my list of bills. I can organize my inventory (though I don't have THAT much) with Numbers from Apple. Like Excell sort of, but a little simpler, and way less expensive. It's a cool idea, I love it, but $20-$30 a month? I would think only big time sellers and huge suppliers could afford that. Maybe that will change for me if I ever get "big" enough :)

    121 days ago

  • Soupis

    Soupis says:

    I love charts and graphs.

    121 days ago

  • mathushinee

    mathushinee says:

    Its a great idea! Definetely one to think about

    121 days ago

  • TastECakes

    TastECakes says:

    You definately need a free trial period. This sounds interesting, but too much of an investment to see if it works for me.

    121 days ago

  • bellasparty

    bellasparty says:

    Great!

    120 days ago

  • bizelo

    bizelo says:

    @TastECakes @rememorydesigns - Yes - There IS a free trial period! 30 DAY FREE TRIAL! Somehow the trial got omitted in the blog entry, but there is definitely a free trial!

    119 days ago

  • irenejohnson4

    irenejohnson4 says:

    Interesting items. I'd like to give it a go and will as soon as I can.

    119 days ago

  • 4four

    4four says:

    How is this different from Stitchlabs.com? Stitch is cheaper and as far as I can tell does the same thing. I reviewed it here: http://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/business-topics/discuss/9314818/page/1/ Just saying...

    116 days ago

  • bizelo

    bizelo says:

    Hi @4four - Yes, we've seen your great reviews for their product, and it seems they have a great advocate in you! I'm glad you found this review useful. Our products are indeed different. I think it's great that Etsy offers its sellers such great choices for great products! I'd be happy to comment in the thread you reference above as well about all the great stuff we offer our customers. Thanks for sharing that link!

    111 days ago

  • Voyowoo

    Voyowoo says:

    This sounds like a great app. Thanks for introducing! But right now my Paper Cutting business is mostly done by paypal aside from etsy. So I don't know if it's worthy for my paper arts store. But it's definitely great asset for many etsy owners!

    107 days ago

  • pickleladyfarm

    Kate from pickleladyfarm says:

    If there's one thing handmade sellers have, it's warehouses and bulk amounts of merchandise. Thanks for catering to the small independent individual sellers, Etsy! It's great to be part of a site that's all about the little guy.

    96 days ago

  • charmsbydiana

    Diana from charmsbydiana says:

    What if i don't have a warehouse? I'm a small independent seller who works from their home. I thought that was what Etsy is all about, right?

    96 days ago

  • VintageCostumes

    Vintage Costumes from VintageCostumes says:

    pardon me while I cut and paste, but slatternhouse5 said it best, so it bears repeating: I'm sorry, but if you look at the stats of etsy shops and "inventory" that most etsy shops carry this app doesn't and won't help them. If you are large enough of a "shop" to have a warehouse full of inventory, then obviously it's not handmade by you, nor is it a co-operative of a small group of people.My warehouse is a spare room/shelves and cardboard boxes.

    96 days ago

  • bizelo

    Bizelo Team says:

    @Vintage Costumes @slatternhouse5 -- I completely agree with you! This app is not really best suited to small sellers who make products on demand or are one of a kind. The app is primarily for the Supplier sellers and those with some stock, or who also sell their items at road shows and other places outside of Etsy where they want to keep their inventory in sync with the online store. But, you're completely correct!

    90 days ago

  • bizelo

    Bizelo Team says:

    Also, the app is for those who want to manage their SUPPLIES - that is, the components that make up their items, such as fabric, buttons, etc. We allow users to create "assemblies" and automatically deduct the inventory count for all the component items when an Etsy item is ordered. Again, this is for those folks who have a lot of little pieces to keep track of (especially high-value items such as jewelry), but not for perhaps those who make and buy on demand.

    90 days ago

  • jakawcreations1

    jakawcreations1 from jakawcreations1 says:

    I found this app interesting. As others have stated, I feel it is for large shops with more inventory. I do believe Etsy should continue to offer varied apps for all types and sizes of shops.

    79 days ago