From understanding Etsy listings to promotions, find out how you can take your art to a virtual marketplace. 

By, Sakina Chaudary

Etsy has become a go-to, accessible place for self-employed creators. The ease and convenience of running an Etsy shop remotely have led to an increase in use since the start of the pandemic.  This article will take you through the basics of starting an Etsy shop, highlighting some indispensable tips you should know, and providing personal insight from a seasoned professional. 

About Etsy

Since its start in 2005, Etsy has been working as a unique online marketplace for handmade items, craft supplies, jewelry, clothing, decor and vintage goods. Etsy hosts a community of makers, small-businesses owners and sellers who have a passion for their work. 

Especially during the pandemic, it is important for creators and artists to find ways to make money. Etsy is an effective and accessible platform to do just that. Before you open your own shop,  get comfortable with navigating the website, the different types of sellers, costs involved and the competition. 

 Create an account 

The first thing you need to do is sign in or create an Etsy account. This account will be used to run the shop and to purchase goods from other sellers on Etsy. It is wise to add a profile picture and biography to your account to let your consumers know exactly who you are. 

Opening your shop

The following steps need to be completed on a desktop web browser. Once the store is open, you have the option to manage it from the Etsy app. 

 Step 1: Select Sell on Etsy at the top right of Etsy.com.

Step 2: Select Open your Etsy shop.

Step 3: Select your shop language, country, and currency. When finished, click Save and continue.

Step 4: Pick your store name, then click Save and continue.

While you do not need a business licence to sell on Etsy, you are required to follow all laws that apply to you as a business selling online. 

Setting up shop

It is important to consider key factors such as production time, policies and shipping before you begin selling, as well as more aesthetic factors to make selling a smooth experience for both you and your customers.

1. Banner and Shop Logo: These should be clear photos that represent the style of your brand. This is a cardinal marketing facet because it will most likely be the first impression for most customers as well as the identity for your business. 

2. Shop Announcement: Share a brief but notable welcome message with customers. 

3. About Section: Showcase photos and videos that capture the essence of your brand. These should convey the story behind the products, how the business emerged, and your vision for the future. 

4. Shop Policies: Ensure that you clearly outline all your policies for shipping, returns, exchanges, payments, custom items and any other guidelines that are important for shoppers to know before they make their purchase.

Add shop listings

Once you have successfully set up your shop, it is time to start listing. Adding a product to your shop is often described as a listing. This Etsy resource effectively goes into detail on how to add listings. 

It is important to note that there is a $0.20 USD (roughly $0.26 CAD) listing fee. Listings are active until the product sells, or for four months subsequent to the initial posting. There is also a five per cent transaction fee and an approximate three to four per cent processing fee each time you sell an item. Lastly, there is a 15 per cent off-site ads fee. This is for when Etsy pays to advertise your items across the web. You only pay this fee when you make a sale from an offsite ad. Offsite advertising is optional for most sellers but may be required depending on how much you make in sales over a twelve-month period.

Branding, Marketing, Promotion 

A good marketing strategy is integral to the success of an Etsy shop. It can help new customers find your products, keep current customers up to date and help your shop maintain relevance. Combined, these marketing tips can generally lead to a rise in sales.

• Ensure you are optimizing your shop for Etsy search, and adding your location so you can be found by local shoppers. 

• Link your shop to social media accounts so followers can stay updated with your store and you can create promotional content about the business.

• You can consider using paid advertising, or offering coupons and discounts as an incentive to purchase. 

• Sell your goods at local markets and fairs.

• Network with fellow Etsy sellers and shoppers. 

Managing your shop

Now that your shop is up and running, familiarize yourself with Etsy’s review system and seller protection policy. Always remember to take breaks when needed to avoid burnout and to practice self-care. Good luck!

Expert Advice

CanCulture spoke with experienced Etsy seller Olivier Gratton-Gagné. Based in Montreal, he began selling on Etsy in 2012 and offers a variety of items including unique handmade maps, subway routes, skyline prints and jewelry.

Here are some of his tips:

1. You can achieve success and acquire sales quickly on Etsy if you sell the right product at the right price. There is a bit of luck involved, but it is definitely worth trying.

2. Marketing is essential. It doesn’t always have to do with your art, it’s about placing the product right in front of the audience. There are great possibilities if you get it right, and tons of successful sellers on Etsy can vouch for that.

3. Great images are so important. Sometimes, you have to put more effort into presenting your work than actually doing it. You have to come up with a best-selling product and make it pitch-perfect on the platform.

4. A clear and extensive description of the product is always helpful. Oftentimes, it’s too short. For instance, jewelry is something that people keep close to them and wear every day, so naturally, they want to know more about it. At a live show, you would be able to hold the product and ask the seller many questions. The seller is very knowledgeable and Many times, the product description does not display their expertise. 

5. When you do a product write-up, every nook and cranny has to be covered. A complete breakdown with the artist behind it is best.

6. Place yourself into the buyer’s shoes. Think of the user journey. How will they discover you? Most of my customers have discovered me through Etsy’s search engine. They search with keywords such as “gifts”. Make sure to use relevant keywords that the buyers would use.

7. Their first impression is not through the shop page or through the website, it’s through the search engine. This is where your product is among dozens of others. So how do you stand out from there? 

8. You have to acknowledge that marketing is hard. You are on a global marketplace, so think globally! Thinking solely about the Canadian market is really missing the whole point of Etsy. You have access to an American market, and there are options to ship reliably to the U.S. and internationally. 

You can visit Olivier’s store here.