10 Tips For Selling On Etsy
Starting an Etsy shop is a big decision. It means putting you and your creations out into the world, learning how to market them, and holding your breath until that first sale rolls in. But don’t be alarmed – selling on Etsy can be hugely rewarding. Whether it’s your full-time business or just a way to make a little extra cash, it’s great for putting your creative talent to good use. Since many of our customers are Etsy sellers, we’ve gathered a few top tips for selling on Etsy, Folksy, Shopify and other creative online marketplaces.
1. Research the market for your product
It’s important that you place the right value on your product before you list it on Etsy. Research other similar products on the marketplace and find out where your price point should be in relation to those products. If you price your item too low, it can devalue it and undercut other products on the market. If you price it too high you risk not selling your products, especially if there’s a lot of competition out there at a lower price point.
2. Create a brand identity
Making your shop look professional is tricky, but there are lots of great online design tools to help you out. Canva’s free version comes with tons of templates and images for creating great content, and there are also a number of cut-price design courses out there if you want to try your hand at more complex artistry. The important thing is: a professional-looking shop builds trust in your potential buyers, so pay attention to the graphics and imagery of your brand. Plus, a recognisable brand also makes it easy for previous customers to find you again, leading to repeat business!
3. Take great pictures
Your photos are your chance to grab a potential customer’s attention – so they’ve got to be good. Not everyone’s a natural photographer or has an expensive camera, and that’s OK – but you still need to make sure your photographs are – at the very least – well-lit and in-focus. Etsy also allows you to upload up to 10 photos of your product – use as many of these slots as you can! It provides your buyers an all-round view of what they’re buying, which means fewer refunds and higher customer satisfaction.
4. Use keywords in your product descriptions
Keywords are a powerful tool when it comes to reaching your prospective buyers. Use a keyword tool to find out what terms people are searching for in relation to your product, and then use these terms in your product titles and descriptions to make it easier for people to find your items. You can find out more about keyword research here.
5. Find your USP
Online marketplaces make it easy to list and sell your product, but there’s a LOT of competition – so you need to find what makes your products different from the rest. Do you offer personalisation? Source from all-natural or organic materials? Sell in bulk? Whatever sets you apart from your competitors is your USP (unique selling point). Make sure you communicate your USP in your shop bio and across your product range so you reach the people your USP resonates with.
6. Package your products beautifully
A fantastic way to ensure repeat customers on Etsy is to package your products in style. Lots of Etsy shops send out thank you cards, stickers or sweets with their parcels, which is not only a cute little treat for your customers, but also super shareable social media content. If you’re supplying skincare balms, haircare products, or other cosmetic goods, take a look at our range of quality beauty bottles and jars to give your products a little extra sparkle.
7. Make use of social media
Social media is the Etsy shop owner’s best friend, as it gives you a platform to promote your products and tell the world about your new venture. It can be tempting to use your personal social media pages to promote your shop, but ultimately a branded social media page will have better engagement because your followers are already engaged and interested in your products.
8. Use your tag allowance
A lot of Etsy shop owners neglect the tags on their products, but tags are actually a great way for you to add keywords to your listings and help your customers find you. Make sure you use all 13 for maximum engagement!
9. Offer free shipping
Etsy LOVES shops who offer free shipping – and so do customers. That’s why it’s great if you can absorb or incorporate the cost of shipping into the price of your products. Etsy prioritises listings that offer free delivery, so it’s an easy way to gain extra exposure on the marketplace.
10. Provide service your customers want to rave about
Finally, the easiest way to get more sales is to retain your customers. If you’ve sold them something they love in a hassle-free way, they’re sure to return the next time they’re looking for something similar. Happy customers are also often willing to give your shop a good review, which is another helpful tool for boosting your sales!
Etsy is a fantastic tool for home crafters and creative startups to start or expand their business ventures. Make sure you get the best from it using these top tips for selling on Etsy!
