How to Sell on Etsy – Steps & Experts Tips

Etsy got its start in 2005 and has since become one of world’s biggest online retail marketplaces.

There are over 82 million active buyers and more than 4 million Etsy sellers.

Moreover, there are more than 50 million unique items currently listed for sale on Etsy.

Etsy combines the appeal of an art fair with the marketplace fun of eBay.

Since Etsy is such a large retail hub, many have built their entire business – or a large chunk of it – directly selling on the site.

It can be one of the best way to make money online if you sell physical, unique products. It can be done in parallel, or in lieu of, starting your own e-commerce site.

If you’re considering selling on Etsy and want to know how to get started and have success on the platform, this article is for you.

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace focused on selling handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies.

It’s a popular platform for many artisans and crafters to sell their wares.

If you have a knack for making anything from jewelry to paintings to quilts, then Etsy could be a great place to turn your hobby into a money-making venture.

How Does Etsy Work?

Etsy is very similar to other e-commerce platforms like eBay or Amazon in that it acts as a middleman between buyers and sellers.

The site provides the infrastructure and tools for businesses to build and operate their online shops.

This includes everything from hosting product photos to processing payments.

Etsy Fees

Etsy also takes a small cut of every sale made through its platform.

It costs $0.20 to set up an Etsy account and list an item to its online marketplace. A listing will remain active for four months or until the item is sold.

Once an item sells, there will be a 5% transaction fee on the sale price, which means you clear 95%.

This fee is in addition to any payment processing fees charged by Etsy or your chosen payment processor.

When a buyer checks out on Etsy and uses the Etsy payment system, Etsy charges a payment processing fee of 3% along with $0.25 per transaction.

What about shipping costs on Etsy?

The buyer pays for shipping. This is a cost you’ll need to factor in when you’re setting the price for your items.

You can either absorb the shipping cost into your product price or add it as an additional fee at checkout.

How you handle shipping cost is up to you, but just be sure to factor it into your overall pricing strategy.

What Can You Sell on Etsy?

The great thing about Etsy is that you can sell just about anything handmade, vintage, or craft supplies.

However, there are a few things that you cannot sell on Etsy, such as:

– Alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and medical drugs

– Animals and animal products (with the exception of taxidermy)

– Crime scene photos or items

– Dangerous items

– Elderly season items

– Hazardous materials

– Human remains or body parts

– Items that promote hate, discrimination, or violence

– Pornographic material

– Recalled items

If you’re unsure whether your product falls under one of these categories, be sure to check with Etsy before listing it for sale.

How to Sell on Etsy – Getting Started

The first step to selling on Etsy is to create an account. You can do this by going to Etsy.com and clicking the “Register” button in the top-right corner of the homepage.

From there, you’ll need to provide some basic information about yourself, including your name, email address, and a password.

You’ll also need to come up with a username for your Etsy shop. This is the name that will be displayed to customers when they visit your shop.

Choose something that is short, catchy, and easy to remember.

Once you’ve registered for an account, you’ll be taken to your Etsy dashboard.

This is where you’ll manage all aspects of your shop, including listing products, processing orders, and managing payments.

To start setting up your shop, click the “Open Your Shop” button on the right-hand side of the screen.

You’ll then be taken through a series of steps to help you get your shop up and running.

First, you’ll need to choose your shop language, country, and currency. You’ll also need to come up with a name for your shop and create a short description.

This is where you’ll want to let customers know what they can expect to find in your shop.

For example, if you sell handmade jewelry, you might write something like “Welcome to my Etsy shop! Here you will find a beautiful selection of handmade jewelry.”

Once you’ve completed all of the steps, you’ll be taken to your Etsy shop dashboard. This is where you can start adding products, processing orders, and managing your shop.

To add a product, click the “Add a Listing” button on the right-hand side of the screen.

You’ll then be prompted to fill out some information about your product.

Add Photos

The first thing you’ll need to do is add some photos of your product. Etsy allows you to upload up to 10 photos per listing.

It’s important to choose high-quality photos that accurately represent your product. Customers will often base their decision on whether or not to buy a product based on the photos they see, so it’s important to make sure they are clear and attractive.

You’ll also want to include at least one photo that shows the item being used in some way.

For example, if you’re selling a scarf, you might want to include a photo of the scarf being worn.

This will help customers visualize how they might use the product and give them a better idea of what it looks like in real life.

Adjust thumbnails

Once you’ve uploaded your photos, you can adjust their order by dragging and dropping them into place.

You can also choose which photo will be used as the “main” photo for your listing. This is the photo that will be displayed when customers are browsing through listings.

If you have a particularly attractive or eye-catching photo, you may want to choose this one as your main image.

Complete your listing information – Add a title and description

The next thing you’ll need to do is add a title and description for your product. The title should be short and to the point.

Include keywords that potential customers might use when searching for a product like yours. For example, if you’re selling a scarf, you might include keywords such as “scarf,” “winter scarf,” or “wool scarf.”

The description is where you can provide more information about your product. Be sure to include all relevant details, such as materials, dimensions, care instructions, etc.

You’ll also want to use this space to describe the unique features of your product and what sets it apart from similar items.

For example, if you’re selling a handmade scarf, you might mention that each one is made with high-quality materials and is unique in design.

Choose a category and add tags

The next step is to choose a category for your listing. Etsy has a wide range of categories to choose from, so be sure to select the one that best describes your product.

You can also add up to 13 tags for your listing. Tags are keywords that potential customers might use when searching for a product like yours.

For example, if you’re selling a scarf, some relevant tags might be “scarf,” “winter scarf,” or “wool scarf.”

Enter inventory quantity and price information

The next step is to add pricing information for your product. You’ll need to enter both the base price of your product as well as the shipping cost.

If you plan on selling internationally, you’ll need to add the shipping cost for each country you plan on shipping to.

You’ll also need to specify the quantity of each product you have in stock. If you have more than one of the same product, be sure to adjust the quantity accordingly.

Finally, you can add a “sale price” for your product if you’d like.

This is optional, but can be a great way to attract customers and make more sales.

Choose when your listing will expire

The next step is to choose how long you want your listing to be active for. By default, listings are set to expire after four weeks.

If you want your listing to be active for longer than this, you can choose to have it expire after eight or twelve weeks.

You can also choose to have your listing expire after a certain number of sales. For example, you could set your listing to expire after ten sales have been made if that’s indeed your quantity.

This is a good option if you only have a limited quantity of a product and want to make sure it doesn’t sell out before you have a chance to restock.

Set the shipping fee

You’ll want to set your shipping fee to help compensate you for the cost.

You can also simply choose to bake it into the listing price and allow for free shipping to increase conversion rates.

Review your listing

Before you publish your listing, be sure to take a look at it one last time to make sure everything looks correct.

Once you’re satisfied with your listing, click the “Publish Listing” button and your listing will go live!

Congratulations, you’ve now learned how to sell on Etsy! Just remember to keep adding new listings regularly and promoting your shop to attract more customers. With a little effort, you should start seeing some sales come in no time.

Select Your Payment Method

Next, you’ll want to select your payment method. Etsy offers a few different options, including PayPal and direct checkout.

If you’re selling internationally, you’ll need to sign up for Etsy Payments in order to accept foreign currencies.

Once you’ve selected your payment method, click the “Save and Continue” button to complete the setup process.

Include Billing Information

The final step is to include your billing information. This is necessary in order to get paid for any sales you make.

Enter your name, address, and contact information, then click the “Save and Continue” button.

You’ll now be taken to your Etsy shop’s dashboard.

From here, you can start adding listings, managing orders, and promoting your shop!

Optimize Your Shop

Now that you know how to sell on Etsy, it’s time to start optimizing your shop to attract more customers.

First, take a look at your shop banner and make sure it represents your brand well.

You can also add sections to your shop to help organize your listings and make it easier for customers to find what they’re looking for.

Finally, be sure to fill out your “About” section so customers can learn more about you and your business.

By taking the time to optimize your shop, you’ll be much more likely to attract customers and make sales.

Related: How to Use Psychology to Sell More

Start Promoting Your Shop

Once you have everything set up, it’s time to start promoting your Etsy shop.

There are a number of ways to do this, but one of the best is to use social media.

Be sure to share your listings on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, and don’t forget to include a link back to your Etsy shop.

You can also join relevant online communities and forums and share your listings there.

By promoting your shop in a variety of places, you’ll be much more likely to attract customers and make sales.

More Tips for Selling on Etsy

Now that you’ve got your Etsy shop up and running, it’s all about getting conversions and sales.

This includes tips on Etsy SEO and just generally impressing your customers and getting orders.

#1 Get a professional photographer

This is one of the most important investments you can make when selling on Etsy. People want to see high-quality, well-lit photos before they purchase something.

If your photos are dark or blurry, potential customers will move on to someone else’s listing.

Invest in a good camera and take the time to learn how to use it, or hire a professional photographer to take pictures of your products.

It’s also a good idea to invest in some props and backdrops to help make your photos more visually appealing.

#2 Improve your Etsy SEO through keyword-rich titles and descriptions

When writing your listings, be sure to include relevant keywords in both the title and description.

This will help potential customers find your listing when they’re searching for specific items on Etsy.

Don’t stuff your listings with too many keywords, however, as this will just turn people off.

Instead, focus on using a few well-chosen keywords throughout your listing.

#3 Create attractive and eye-catching packaging

When customers receive their orders, they should be happy with both the product and the packaging.

Invest in some high-quality packaging materials and take the time to package each order carefully.

If you can, include a handwritten note or small gift with each order to really impress your customers.

By going the extra mile with your packaging, you’ll encourage customers to leave positive reviews and come back for more in the future.

#4 Optimize Your Pricing

You want to make a profit, but you also need to be competitive.

Take a look at what similar sellers are charging for their products and price your items accordingly.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of materials and shipping when pricing your items.

By pricing your items competitively, you’ll be more likely to attract customers and make sales.

Selling on Etsy can be a great way to earn some extra money or even build a full-time business.

#5 Keep Good Bookkeeping

Financial records are important to keep.

Not only do you need to track your income and expenses for tax purposes, but you also need to know how your business is doing financially.

Invest in some good accounting software or hire an accountant to help you keep track of your finances.

By staying on top of your bookkeeping, you’ll be able to make sound financial decisions for your business.

#6 Make Data-Driven Decisions Using Etsy Analytics

Etsy has an analytics interface that will allow you to check you clicks, sales, and other data.

This might tell you where you can improve and what products to focus more time on and what products you might want to not list at all.

By using Etsy Analytics, you can make data-driven decisions that will help your business grow.

Never do these 4 things on Etsy – 4 mistakes to avoid when selling on Etsy

#7 Use Others’ Listings as Inspiration

When you’re first starting out, it can be helpful to look at other successful Etsy shops for inspiration.

See what kind of products they’re selling, how they’re pricing their items, and what sort of photos and descriptions they’re using.

You can also get ideas for marketing and promotions by looking at other Etsy shops.

Of course, you don’t want to copy someone else’s business exactly, but using others as inspiration is a great way to get started.

#8 Take Different Types of Payments

Etsy allows you to take different types of payments, including credit cards, PayPal, and Etsy gift cards.

By offering a variety of payment options, you’ll make it easy for customers to buy from you.

You can also offer discounts for customers who pay with cash or Etsy gift cards.

#9 Offer Discounts and Sales

From time to time, offer discounts and sales on your products.

This is a great way to attract new customers and boost sales.

Just be sure not to discount your prices too much or you won’t make a profit.

#10 Promote Your Shop Offline or on Other Channels

In addition to promoting your Etsy shop online, you can also promote it offline.

For example, you can hand out business cards or flyers in local businesses, or participate in craft fairs and other events.

You can also promote your Etsy shop on social media or through online ads.

By promoting your shop in a variety of ways, you’ll reach more potential customers and make more sales.

#11 Keep Good Inventory Organization Through a Database

Selling on Etsy is a great way to earn some extra money or even build a full-time business.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success.

#12 Start Collecting Emails From Customers

Email marketing can be a great way to stay in touch with your customers and promote your products.

Start collecting emails from customers when they make a purchase, and then send out periodic newsletters or coupons, which will require some type of CRM.

By staying in touch with your customers via email, you’ll be more likely to make sales.

How to Sell on Etsy – FAQs

Q: How do I get started selling on Etsy?

A: Getting started on Etsy is easy.

First, sign up for an account and create your shop.

Then, start adding products and pricing them accordingly.

Don’t forget to factor in the cost of materials and shipping when pricing your items.

By pricing your items competitively, you’ll be more likely to attract customers and make sales.

Q: How much does it cost to sell on Etsy?

A: There are a few costs associated with selling on Etsy.

First, there is a listing fee of $0.20 per item.

When your item sells, you will also pay a transaction fee of 5% of the total sale price.

Lastly, if you accept payments through Etsy Payments, there is a processing fee of 3% + $0.25 per transaction.

Q: How do I price my items on Etsy?

A: When pricing your items on Etsy, be sure to factor in the cost of materials and shipping.

You’ll also want to price your items competitively in order to attract customers.

Keep in mind that you will also be paying a listing fee and a transaction fee when your item sells, so you’ll need to factor those costs into your price as well.

Q: How do I ship my items on Etsy?

A: When you sell an item on Etsy, the buyer will pay for shipping.

You can either ship the item yourself or use Etsy’s shipping labels.

Shipping labels allow you to print a label directly from Etsy, which makes shipping your items easier.

If you use Etsy’s shipping labels, you’ll be charged a fee of $0.20 per label.

Q: How do I promote my Etsy shop?

A: There are a number of ways to promote your Etsy shop.

You can start by promoting your shop on social media and other online channels.

You can also participate in craft fairs and other events.

Additionally, you can hand out business cards or flyers in local businesses.

By promoting your shop in a variety of ways, you’ll reach more potential customers and make more sales.

 

Summary – How to Sell on Etsy

Selling on Etsy is a great way to earn some extra money or even build a full-time business.

First, sign up for an Etsy account and create your shop. Then, start adding products and pricing them accordingly. Don’t forget to factor in the cost of materials and shipping when pricing your items.

Next, start promoting your Etsy shop online and offline. You can promote your shop on social media, through online ads, or by participating in craft fairs and other events.

Finally, keep good inventory organization through a database, and start collecting emails from customers so you can stay in touch with them and promote your products over time.

Etsy is a great platform for selling handmade goods, vintage items, or craft supplies. If you’re interested in starting your own Etsy shop, follow these tips to increase your chances of success.