Etsy is one of the largest marketplaces for handmade products. There are more than 3 million stores on Etsy, most of which are making sound money. In 15 years of existence, Etsy has paved the way for thousands of craftsmen. If you are wondering about setting up your profile on Etsy, you should be well-versed with how it works and how you can promote your goods on the platform. Here, we will share a step-by-step guide on how you can sell your goods on Etsy.
Step 1: Do Your Research and Planning
Research and planning is the most crucial step. You must research and understand how the platform works before you start listing or selling your products. Keep in mind that E tsy allows you to sell vintage, handmade, and craft supplies. Make sure your products fall into these categories. Most sellers offer customization and personalization options to make their products more appealing to the customers. Check out how competitors have set their prices. It might be a good idea to cut down on your costs to win over the competition. Etsy also charges fees, and you will have to create the price structure accordingly. Take your time to understand the way you would be able to generate profits.
Know What Etsy Charges
It makes sense to understand the different types of charges that you will have to pay. Note that there are no user or monthly charges. Instead, here are the charges for selling crafts on Etsy:
- You will have to pay 20 cents to list an item for a period of four months.
- You'll have to pay a 6.5% fee per transaction on every sale.
- Besides this, there will be a payment processing fee of 3% on the sale, plus 25 cents to ensure that the transaction is performed securely.
Like Amazon, Etsy also provides opportunities to sellers to promote and advertise their listings. Etsy Plus Program, available for $10, may help you stand out from the crowd and create advanced customization features.
Step 2: Setting Up Etsy Account
Once you know the platform and other conditions, you may set up your profile on Etsy. You can register with a Google or Facebook account. Create a username and password for your Etsy profile. Setting up an Etsy profile may not take time. Here are certain steps that you must follow to set your store on Etsy successfully:
Choose a shop name – The most important thing you need to determine is your shop's unique name. Make sure the name is limited to twenty characters. Keep it unique and memorable. Search on Etsy to find out if there are sellers with the same name.
Create a logo – If you already have a logo, you may consider using it. You may use online free platforms such as Canva to create a logo.
List down your inventory – After the initial steps, you may want to start listing your inventory items. Use a high-quality camera or hire a professional photographer to click the pictures of the products. Etsy has a dedicated guide to photos that will help you understand the guidelines for uploading pictures. Make sure you use the right props, models, and backdrops for your pictures. Try to keep the background minimalistic and uncluttered. For instance, you may use a white background to ensure that the focus is on the product. Etsy reveals that poor photography is one of the reasons why customers may look down upon your products. Therefore, it is necessary to pay attention to the photographs.
Step 3: Eye-Catching Listings and Product Descriptions
The product descriptions will act as a cherry on the cake and may ignite the interest of the user s . Make sure you include all the details related to the product in the description. Try to include all key attributes of the product in the title and the description. Although it is necessary to be descriptive and use appropriate words, you should try keeping the titles and descriptions short and effective. Try to analyze your competitors and observe the language they use.
Step 4: Add Payment Options and Billing Information
There are multiple electronic payment methods available on Etsy. From credit and debit cards to store credits, Etsy gift cards, and PayPal, you will find a lot of options. Try to offer as many options as possible to make it more convenient for the customers. Besides this, you will have to add your billing information.
Step 5: Optimize Your Shop
Here are a few other tactics you may use to optimize your store.
Add user profile – You may consider adding your photo and a short bio to your profile to increase your store's credibility.
Add a store bio – Etsy gives 5,000 characters that you can use to describe the essence of your business.
Add shop policies – Try to include all the FAQs in the shop policies. If you have any specific criteria on shipping or cannot deliver to a particular location, try to answer everything in the policy.
Learn Etsy SEO – The basics of Etsy SEO are the same, and it is all about using the right keywords. You may consider doing a short course to learn more about Etsy SEO. See the products that appear on the top and try to use those relevant keywords in your listings.
Study the data – Analyze and study other data to keep track of your store's performance.
Do not copy the listing details – Analyzing the competitors does not mean keeping your listings and information similar. Take that as an inspiration and create your own unique content.
Step 6: Use Social Media to Promote Your Etsy Shop
Creating your Etsy shop is not just enough; you need to promote and advertise your store. Social media is one of the most effective ways to create buzz and awareness about your store and products. It may help in finding potential buyers. Here are some of the types of posts that you must consider sharing on social media:
- Five-star reviews or testimonials
- Items you have favorited
- Most recent listings or products that you have added to the store
- Updates about upcoming sales and coupons
- Updates about the shop
- Milestones achieved by your Etsy store
Try to post regularly and create a proper calendar for social media. Make sure that all your posts are not about buying your products. Understand that it takes time to grow your audience on social media. Put in all your efforts and stay consistent on your social media. Do not forget to respond to the comments and queries.
Step 7: Set Up Database and Collect Email Addresses
Never ignore the importance of maintaining excel and databases. It will allow you to monitor the products that are available in stock and that are out of stock. You should also start collecting the email addresses of your customers. You can consider an email marketing strategy to build relationships with your customers. Do not assume that the customers will come rolling. Instead, you will have to use a mix of marketing techniques to reach out to them and build that connection.
Step 8: Provide Excellent Customer Services
There are multiple store owners on Etsy who might be selling the same types of products. Therefore, it becomes necessary to build a connection with the customers. Provide excellent customer service and resolve their queries at the earliest . Respond right away and provide effective shipping services to ensure the customers have a seamless experience.
Give Time to Grow Your Store
Being an Etsy shop owner can be exciting and challenging at the same time. You will have to commit your time and put in efforts to grow your business. Follow the above steps to create a unique identity for your store and generate more sales. Research well and plan the future. Once you are prepared, take all the steps needed to grow and sell your crafts on Etsy.
