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Etsy is an online marketplace that has brought in revenues of over $600 million. Most of the Etsy sellers run their shop from home and most of them are women. It is a place for creatives to sell their unique items and personalize their online shop. In 2017, there were 33.36 million Etsy sellers. That number rose to 39.45 in 2018 and then to 45.7 in 2020. It’s safe to say that the Etsy marketplace is booming, and it is not slowing down any time soon. So, if you’re thinking about launching your startup on Etsy, this is your sign to take the leap. It can seem a bit overwhelming – you have all of these ideas, and now you have to put them to action. The good news is, Etsy makes it easy. This article will ease your anxiety and tell you all you need to know so you can seamlessly build business on Etsy.
Choose Your Niche
What do you want to sell? Is it picture frames, art prints, jewelry, handmade furniture, or clothing? Roam around the Etsy marketplace to get some inspiration how to advertise your shop. What is their tagline? What do their products look like? How do they make their listings look aesthetically pleasing? Consider how you will create your products and package them. Where will you get your materials from? How will you ensure quality customer service? Will you market yourself on social media?
Set up Your Account
Now it’s time to set up your account. It will ask you for your email address, your full name, and then you will create a password. Then, at the top right of the screen, you will click your profile and on the dropdown menu you will click “sell on Etsy.” The page will give you all of the information you need to know before you click “Open your Etsy Shop.” There are no additional, monthly fees, secure transactions, automatic deposits, and seller protection. Your listing fee is $0.20. Listings are active for four months, or until they sell. When you sell an item, there’s a small commission and standard payment processing fee (5% transaction fee, 3% + $0.25 payment processing fee). There’s also a 15% Offsite Ads Fee. Etsy pays to advertise your items across the web through Offsite Ads. You only pay a fee when you make a sale from one of those ads.
Create Your Bio
Add a photograph of yourself or your shop’s logo as your icon. Don’t forget to add a banner as well. It will give your shop a certain tone and make you stand out from other Etsy sellers. Let people know who you are by writing about yourself. Tell your potential customers why you started your shop, what your goal is, and what you’re passionate about. What makes your products unique? Who do you want your customers to be? What are your brand values?
Add Your Listings
Now it’s time to stock your shop. Take photographs of your products that attract buyers, promote your products with your description, add an accurate title and tags, and publish your listing!
What not to do
To build business on Etsy, here is what you need to avoid.
Use blurry, Rushed Images
It can be exciting to start adding your listing to your Etsy shop, but that doesn’t mean you should rush the process to get it done. You don’t need a professional camera or equipment, but you need to take your time. Use daylight to enhance the quality of your pictures and do not take it too far away. Avoid getting a messy background and consider a flat lay to make your product look its best.
Have an Impersonal Description
You don’t want to have a quick and plain description. It is one of the first details of your listing that potential customers will see and that means it will either deter them from purchasing your item or it will encourage them to purchase your item. Make it heartfelt, welcoming, and add as many details as possible.
Avoid Brushing Up on Your SEO Knowledge
Using the right keywords is essential to build business on Etsy. It is the only way customers will come across your listing. When adding keywords, you want to make sure they are popular and accurate. If you were a shopper looking for your item, what would you type in? Keyword examples include rustic, nature-inspired, first anniversary, and drawer organizer.
Have any more tips for launching your startup on Etsy? Let us know down in the comments.
This article originally published on GREY Journal.
