I know what brought you here.
You’re interested in opening an Etsy shop and want to know exactly what to do to get sales flowing. Whether you’re a creative person who wants to show the world your products, or simply someone with a hobby you want to share with others, you’ve come to the right place.
And you won’t just learn how to sell on Etsy. You’ll also learn how to earn on Etsy.
Ready to get started?
What is Etsy?
Before we talk about how to sell on Etsy, we need to understand what Etsy is and what it isn’t.
In short, Etsy is, in most cases, a home for handmade goods. While other platforms (such as eBay and Amazon) provide a marketplace primarily for cheap and mass-produced goods, Etsy is the best place to buy and sell if you’re looking for quality and originality, the unique and the unusual. It is the sixth largest online marketplace in the world, with more than 3 million sellers and 60 million buyers across 234 countries.
Open Your Own Etsy Shop
How do you move a mountain? One stone at a time. If you want to start selling on Etsy, first move the smallest stone. Open your Etsy shop by going to Etsy.com and clicking the “Register” button in the top right corner. If you already have an Etsy account, you can skip this step. From there, return to the profile menu in the top right corner and select “Sell on Etsy” and then “Open your Etsy shop.” Keep in mind that you’ll need to create one listing to activate your shop, so have at least one product in mind that you’ll post when you open your Etsy shop.
Set Up All the Information for Your Shop
First, choose a name for your shop (don’t worry, you can change it later). You have 20 characters available for the name. Think about what will make your brand unique, what feeling you want your shop to evoke, and what story you’re trying to tell. Then optimize your Etsy shop profile.
This means:
- Your seller profile – include a short bio and a photo or logo to start building your brand.
- Your shop bio – here you have 5,000 characters to introduce your brand, technical qualifications, achievements, and – most importantly – your inspiration.
- Your shop policy – these are your shop’s specific guidelines for payments, shipping timelines, and refund policy.
If this task isn’t your strong suit, don’t worry – Etsy has templates to help you with it.
I’m happy to share some tips on how to earn on Etsy and how to increase sales if you’re already selling on the platform but aren’t satisfied with your results.
With an ever-growing number of sellers on the platform, your products and Etsy shop can easily get lost among your competitors.
- Etsy SEO
Etsy SEO is probably one of the most important things you can do to increase the visibility of your shop and products. This is how you boost your sales on Etsy. One of the most important strategies in Etsy SEO is extensive keyword research. Keyword research is the process of finding the search terms your customers use. By using the right keywords, your product can rank in Etsy search. A good way to find them is by using listings and categories on Etsy. The keywords you find can now be incorporated into the title and tags of your product listing.
Important:
Target longer keywords, as they have less competition and are easier to rank for. A good and compelling product description will greatly improve your conversion rate.
Capture the attention of a potential buyer. Show how the product can improve their life or solve their problem. Many other Etsy sellers forget this point and start writing things they want to say, such as color, size, etc. These are also important pieces of information, but you need to ask yourself what benefit your potential customer will gain.
2. Photographing the Products You Sell
Natural light is the easiest to work with. Avoid direct harsh sunlight, and instead use light that reflects off other objects, light through a thin curtain, or lighting in the early morning/late afternoon. Learning to work with photo editing tools is also essential. Photos taken with your phone or camera won’t be perfect. That’s why you can correct colors and edit them using available tools to make them brighter and more contrasted. Sometimes this plays a key role in whether a buyer will click on your product or not.
3. Bestsellers in your shop
You probably have some “bestsellers” in your shop – products that you sell very well. These products seem to be loved by many buyers. Products that consistently sell, have good ratings and good feedback, and generate returning customers. Take a close look at these products and find out what makes them stand out. Reading positive reviews about these products can help. You can then create similar products or products in different colors, materials, and so on.
Another way to create successful new products is to check how you can fill a gap in your target market niche. Listen to your potential customers online. Find them among negative reviews on Etsy, Amazon, eBay, or forums. Check whether there is an opportunity to create a better product that will meet their needs.
Creating “seasonal products” is also a great way to reach new customers. Make special versions of your popular items for Christmas, Halloween, Easter, etc. This way, you will have good opportunities to increase your Etsy sales during these periods.
4. Focus on products that aren’t selling well
Products have started selling, but you’re not satisfied with the sales. Now is the time to identify the reasons why they aren’t selling and improve the products. It could be poor photos, a boring product description, missing information, perhaps the product is too expensive or too cheap, etc. If you identify any of the above, go back to the previous tips. All of the above information is, in fact, the foundation for selling a product with high conversion.
5. Use Etsy advertising for rapid sales growth
Etsy advertising is one of the most direct ways to quickly increase sales of your products. Of course, if you do it correctly.
A few simple tips for Etsy advertising:
- First, advertise your bestsellers, as buyers are more likely to click on them and purchase them. Then promote your mid-range products.
- Check consistently, especially at the beginning, and turn off promoted ads that aren’t selling (especially if they have high views and no sales).
- Make sure the costs don’t exceed your profit.
6. Create a brand that customers love
When you think of coffee, Starbucks comes to mind. Sneakers – Nike and Adidas. Brand and brand recognition are among the most important factors in a company’s success. And it’s also one of the hardest things to get right in order for products to sell well. Many people think that a brand is simply a shop name, a logo, or the design of your business card, but it’s much more than that. It includes all the “touchpoints” with your customers. A customer feels the brand every time they interact with your shop. From the logo to the service you provide to the customer at the point of sale, the packaging of your product, etc. So think carefully about how to make an impression on your target customer.
7. Use email marketing for long-term customers
Email marketing is one of the most powerful ways to build a strong relationship with your customers. This way, customers are likely to return for future purchases. Your shop will be the first that comes to their mind when they need something you sell. And how do you get their email address? You can get it when a customer makes their first purchase. Alternatively, you can offer potential customers who visit your shop an e-book related to the products you sell. When they want to download the e-book, they will leave their email address. This is how you build your database. You send this database news, tips, useful information, and of course occasionally sell something. Don’t make every email you send purely a sales pitch for your products, as you will certainly lose quite a few of the contacts you’ve gained this way. People don’t like constant selling. However, they do enjoy reading useful information or a tip that can improve or brighten their everyday life.
8. Sell the right way
Offering discounts is a quick way to generate additional sales of your products, but there are a few things to keep in mind if you want to avoid falling into a trap. One of the biggest mistakes sellers can make is giving discounts so frequently that customers come to expect them. Customers are smart. They can very quickly detect a pattern in what you’re doing. And so they simply wait for your discounts.
By lowering the price of your product (especially if you do it frequently), you’re essentially creating a new “regular” price, which reduces your profit. That’s why it’s crucial to know when to offer discounts and when not to.
Another point is that many buyers are tired of overly salesy phrases. “Mega sale!”, “Today only!”, “Limited offer!” … Overusing these phrases will undermine your customers’ trust. And in all likelihood, you will lose many customers this way.
9. Create a product bundle
Bundling your bestsellers (products that sell very well) with some other products can be a great way to increase orders. However, make sure the bundle makes sense first. The products can be of a similar style, they can often be used together (for example, a razor with shaving cream), etc. Of course, with such a bundle offer, you can provide a discount in the sense that the bundle is cheaper than buying the items individually.
10. Include a small gift – free of charge, to delight your customers
A small gesture increases sales and customer loyalty. A study has shown that buyers are more likely to return and make a repeat purchase if they receive a small gift or a pleasant surprise, especially for handmade products. So surprise them with a small gift. This gift should not exceed the value of the product you are sending. It’s a small token that delights your buyer, as they don’t expect such a gesture.
11. Encouraging repeat purchases with coupons
Coupon codes are a great way to entice customers to return to your shop. In addition to sending them an email with a coupon, there is an even easier way to send them a coupon – using Etsy’s own “thank you” coupon system. Typically, a coupon for 10–15% off can trigger additional sales. Reserve higher discounts (20–30% off) for major sales events in the future, should you decide to run them.
12. The “scarcity” feature – e.g. only 3 items left
One strategy that some sellers use to drive sales through their Etsy shop is creating “scarcity.” For some of your products, you can indicate that only, for example, 3 items are available. This way, buyers feel a sense of “discomfort,” as they get the impression that if they don’t buy the product right away, they won’t be able to purchase it anymore. This strategy creates a strong sense of urgency for your potential buyer.
13. Offer free shipping
On July 30, 2019, Etsy changed its algorithm to give priority to product listings that offer free shipping above a certain amount. Offering free shipping will improve your search ranking and potentially increase sales in your Etsy shop. A clear shipping policy for your products should also be prominently displayed in your shop.
14. Use social media to drive additional sales
Who doesn’t have a Facebook or Instagram profile these days? If your social media accounts are set up correctly, they can skyrocket your Etsy sales. However, many sellers make the mistake of viewing social media purely as a sales tool. They post only product photos and expect sales to follow. Instead, you need to post content that benefits people, while of course maintaining a connection to your shop. If you sell home décor, you can post content about how to style a product in your home. If you sell clothing, you can share outfit combination tips, which is a great path to selling your products. The goal of social media is to showcase a strong image of your brand and build relationships with your potential customers. These relationships then become essential when potential customers are ready to make a purchase, as your brand will be the first thing that comes to mind.
15. Write a blog to generate external traffic
Having your own blog is a long-term strategy for driving traffic to your Etsy shop. However, be prepared to spend a lot of time on it. Results may not appear for months or even years. This is not a quick way to boost sales on Etsy. The goal is to have your website (blog) appear in search engines like Google, or even on social media platforms like Pinterest. You then direct those visitors to your Etsy shop. Write blog articles that help your potential customers. When they are searching for information, you can present yourself as an expert and provide them with the information they are looking for. If you approach blogging correctly, you can even obtain their email address, which helps you with further communication and, of course, selling your products.
16. Be active on forums
When I talk about forums, I mean forums outside of Etsy. Don’t waste your time promoting yourself on Etsy forums, as they are mostly made up of sellers who, regardless of how good your product is, are not interested in buying. This is another way you can attract new potential customers. However, nobody wants you to simply promote your products in every forum post. Instead, use your expertise and skills to answer your potential customers’ questions. Show them that you are a trustworthy expert in your field. If you provide useful information, people who read it will want to find out more about you. Therefore, make sure your shop information is available on your profile so that visitors can find your shop when they are ready.
In conclusion
Selling your products on Etsy can be a great way to build your business, whether you want to become a full-time maker or earn some extra money alongside your regular job.
As with any business, there will be a lot of trial and error. Don’t give up too quickly. Keep testing different strategies until you find the ones that work for you, and soon you will notice that your Etsy shop is generating income.
