Etsy: How to Succeed as a Seller in 2023
Selling on Etsy is an ideal way to launch your creative business. Not only will it give you financial gain, but it also allows for brand building and getting to know your customers. However, it’s essential to realise that selling on Etsy takes time. Therefore, you need to be willing to put in the work and commit to your shop.
Etsy: How to Create A Successful Shop
1. Choose a Product
One of the most challenging parts of running an online store is selecting what product to sell. Identifying which items will likely generate sales for your goods takes time and research. Start by exploring Etsy’s best-selling items. Popular categories include Home & Living, Art and Jewelry; products in these sections will stand out in a crowded marketplace and potentially win your customers’ hearts.
When selecting the ideal product to sell on Etsy, you should keep all options open and make a well-informed decision that aligns with your unique business model and objectives. Do some research on popular items trending and what buyers are searching for.
Some popular items on Etsy include:
- Jewellery: Handmade jewellery is one of the most popular categories on Etsy. This can include earrings, necklaces, bracelets, and rings made from various materials such as beads, gemstones, metals, and leather.
- Home décor: Home décor items like cushions, blankets, wall art, and decorative objects are also popular on Etsy. Customers often look for unique, handmade pieces that add character to their homes.
- Clothing and accessories: Clothing items such as dresses, tops, and skirts, as well as accessories like bags, hats, and scarves, are also popular on Etsy. Many of these items are handmade or feature unique designs.
- Craft supplies: Etsy is also a popular destination for crafters looking for unique project supplies and materials. This can include fabrics, beads, yarns, and patterns.
- Vintage items: Vintage clothing, accessories, and home décor are also popular on Etsy. Many customers appreciate the unique character and history of vintage items.
- Personalised gifts: Customised and personalised items like mugs, phone cases, and jewellery with initials or custom designs are also popular on Etsy. These items make great gifts for special occasions like birthdays and weddings.
This is just a guide; use your imagination – the world is your oyster!
| Top Etsy Sellers |
| Rank |
Seller |
Location |
Location |
30 Day Sales |
| 1 |
CaitlynMinimalist |
United States |
United States |
53,161 |
| 2 |
SilverRainSilver |
United Kingdom |
United Kingdom |
29,155 |
| 3 |
WarungBeads |
United States |
United States |
22,088 |
| 4 |
SeedGeeks |
United States |
United States |
20,908 |
| 5 |
MyPorchPrints |
United States |
United States |
19,937 |
| 6 |
CreationCraftStudio |
China |
China |
19,460 |
| 7 |
TwistStationery |
United Kingdom |
United Kingdom |
18,536 |
| 8 |
ArrowGiftCoLtd |
United Kingdom |
United Kingdom |
18,297 |
| 9 |
Beadboat1 |
United States |
United States |
17,948 |
| 10 |
TheGreenEscape |
United States |
United States |
17,927 |
2. Create a Listing
Listing your items on Etsy can be a great way to increase sales. But you must optimise your listings before beginning to sell them. When creating a listing for your product or category, consider search engine optimisation (SEO). Utilise keywords that are pertinent to both of these aspects. Next, create an informative product description that includes a captivating pitch and detailed features.
Furthermore, utilise an approachable tone and voice to appeal to customers. Finally, make sure to include high-quality photos in your listing. This will give potential buyers a better idea of what they’re purchasing and increase conversion rates on Etsy. Up to 10 high-quality images are available per item sold on the platform.
3. Add a Photo
A great photo can make all the difference between success and failure when selling on Etsy. With millions of shoppers searching for unique items on the site, standing out from the competition can be challenging. A well-crafted photo will help ensure your product stands out from the rest. To draw in shoppers, create a listing with an engaging title and primary listing photo. This will grab their attention and encourage them to click on your shop. You can include your store’s name and a brief item description in the title. Be sure to include a link to your website or other social media pages if anyone wants more information. Add a video to your listing by tapping the “Add Video” button beneath the photo section to give potential buyers a closer look at your item.
4. Add a Description
When selling on Etsy, your description is one of the essential components of your listing. It helps you connect with potential buyers and turn them into customers. A successful Etsy product description should demonstrate to your audience how your item can benefit them and convince them why they should purchase it.
This can be accomplished through various tactics:
- Write in the first person – It is essential to write in the first person when communicating with customers, as it creates a connection and helps build trust between you.
- Utilise concise paragraphs and bullet points – Shoppers need more patience for long descriptions.
- Include All Information – Include all pertinent details about your product, such as its dimensions.
- Include your shop policies – This should include FAQs and return policies as well as processing and shipping timelines. You can save time and close more sales by entering all relevant details. Furthermore, it will give your business a competitive edge by helping it stand out from its peers.
- Add a Price – Setting a price for your listing is one of the essential steps in selling on Etsy.
- Add a Shipping Method – When selling on Etsy, shipping is integral to the process. Setting it up correctly can significantly impact how quickly your listings sell and how easily customers find and purchase what they need.
- Create a Payment Method – Once your shop is up and running, one of the first tasks you should do is create a payment method. This is an efficient way to start collecting payments and monitoring cash flow. Etsy provides customers various payment methods, such as PayPal and credit cards. This makes it simple for buyers to locate merchants that accept their preferred method.
- Establish a deposit schedule – Doing so will enable you to save funds so your bills can be paid each month promptly. You can also utilise a free payment processor such as BitPay to simplify the acceptance of Bitcoin payments. This is ideal for sellers with many digital currency buyers; it eliminates having to send each buyer their wallet address separately.
- Check Out – Etsy is an e-commerce website that allows sellers to sell handmade goods in small quantities. Additionally, it offers downloadable digital items like patterns, tutorials and e-books for sale. Before you start selling on Etsy, it’s essential to conduct some research. Look into similar products and discover what customers are searching for; this will give you a better idea of the price point to set for your item.
and 10. Additionally, it can be beneficial to research keywords relevant to your product and include them in your listing.
Doing this increases the likelihood that your listing will appear in search results if you adhere to Etsy’s SEO guidelines. Utilising the correct keywords is one of the essential steps you can take to expand your business. Marmalead makes this task easier by analysing your shop’s statistics and showing which terms bring in real customers! Another way to boost your sales is by encouraging customers to leave product reviews. This effectively builds buyer trust, boosts customer and market experience scores, and drives sales.
Etsy – Other useful links from our Knowledge Centre:
How To Know If Your Marketing Agency Is Ready To Expand
Why Should You Consolidate Your Business Software?
Useful Tips for Finding Cheap Car Insurance
Remember to Compare Your Business Costs is here to help your business every step of the way from business advice, or saving you time and money on your business purchases such as: