Inventory, manufacturing process, business success topics for small DTC manufacturers.
bookkeeping tax
You launched your Shopify store. Now your accountant is asking questions you can't answer. This guide covers Shopify bookkeeping for makers: payout reconciliation, COGS tracking, sales tax, and the tools that actually work for product-based businesses.
Learn the COGS formula step by step with real-world examples for small manufacturers. We cover what to include, what to exclude, inventory valuation methods, and how to report COGS on your taxes.
WooCommerce doesn't track COGS natively. Learn your options — from plugins to dedicated manufacturing software — and why makers who produce their own products need a different approach.
Amazon now offers embedded QuickBooks access in Seller Central. But is giving Amazon direct access to your financial data the right move? Here's what you need to know — and a different way to connect your accounting without sharing everything.
The Shopify QuickBooks Connector just forced a major update — and makers are watching their orders fail to sync, customer data vanish, and COGS calculations break. Here's what went wrong, when it makes sense (and doesn't), and a better path for product-based businesses.
QuickBooks is excellent accounting software — but it wasn't built for makers who manufacture products. Here's an honest look at what it does well, where it breaks down for small manufacturers, and how to build a system that actually works.
product updates
Craftybase now syncs your Cost of Goods Sold and inventory valuations directly to QuickBooks Online. No more manual journal entries or month-end scrambles — your books stay accurate automatically.
Learn why Craftybase launched QuickBooks PO Sync first — a lightweight, time-saving way for product-based brands to export POs directly to QuickBooks, and the foundation for deeper integration to come.
Etsy handles your storefront. It doesn't handle your books. Here's how to track expenses, calculate COGS, prepare for 1099-K, and choose the right bookkeeping software as an Etsy maker.
Etsy handles your storefront — but it doesn't handle your books. We compare the best accounting software for Etsy sellers in 2026, from maker-specific tools to general bookkeeping platforms.
We discuss how cash based accounting may not be the best option for your handmade business.
Most bookkeeping tools are built for service businesses. Here's how to find one that actually works when you're making and selling physical products.
Confused about your tax obligations as a handmade seller? Read on to find out how to stay on the right side of the tax man.
inventory management
Thinking of setting up or purchasing a spreadsheet to get your handmade inventory under control? Before you do, you'll want to read this.
We discuss the different structures available for US businesses, and show you the advantages and disadvantages of each one.
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![COGS Formula for Makers — How to Calculate Cost of Goods Sold [2026]](https://craftybase.b-cdn.net/static/blog/posts/how-to-calculate-cost-of-goods-sold-4f8bb66fd0dc0aa9b8af760df26dcf4d57893aa623f7607cb78fc424e7f824ceebce7cbc41d5171c6f026c67b5f7c5797a1ca5beb774891b1875b055009e3181.png)
