Etsy is an online marketplace for creative handmade and vintage items. With over 2.5 million registered sellers, it is an ideal platform for independent creators and entrepreneurs who want to showcase their talent while also making a profit from it. Unlike larger marketplaces, like eBay and Amazon, Etsy is mostly comprised of small business owners who are offering a personal touch to their products; something we don\u2019t usually come across with the increasing prevalence of fast fashion. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Whether you are a new or experienced seller, you have probably ended up here after wondering how to get sales on Etsy<\/strong>. Maybe you are looking to get your first sale, or simply want to increase your current traffic. Whatever the case may be, you are guaranteed to make more Etsy sales after applying the following tips!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Refining your branding<\/strong> is the foundation of your journey as a successful seller. Getting more sales on Etsy is more probable when your brand stands out from the rest and leaves an impression!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Just as with any foundation, it creates a solid base for your business. In other words, it offers a direction for the next steps you can take to increase your profits. Of course, creating a brand that stands out from millions of sellers is easier said than done. You need to dedicate some time in your day specifically for this purpose. First impressions are lasting impressions after all!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As a beginner in sales, you may be wondering where to start, and as an experienced seller, you might need new ways to make your current branding more unique. To make this process easier for you, we have divided the branding process<\/strong> into steps:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t try to appeal to everyone! <\/p>\n\n\n\n A common rookie mistake is to try and sell a large variety of products to a more diverse audience, hoping that more people will see your items. Unfortunately, this has the opposite effect. When you don\u2019t have a defining product that says what your Etsy shop is all about, people are unlikely to remember you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Sticking to one or two product categories<\/strong> will not only help refine your brand, making you a memorable seller, but will also make your shop appear more specialized in the product- inevitably creating more trust with your target audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, a customer looking for bracelets is more likely to trust a seller who specialises in this product compared to another who sells mugs, candles, bath bombs and bracelets! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Even as you read this sentence, the second shop seems quite disorganised and even\u2026confused about its theme. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Don\u2019t be this seller.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Instead, become a product specialist<\/strong> and follow the next steps to build trust with the particular audience that comes with your brand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Etsy is intended for small business owners, particularly ones that create handmade products. This means that buyers are interested in the personal stories behind their product purchases. <\/p>\n\n\n\n However, with over 2.5 million registered sellers<\/a>, handmade items are in abundance. Therefore, paying special attention to your About section<\/strong> and ensuring that you create a personalised story that makes you stand out from other sellers will make all the difference in the visibility of your shop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Telling your story means that you get to share information about yourself, what inspired you to start your business, and the making-process of it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The lack of face-to-face interaction when shopping online can make the experience seem quite distant. What this means for online sellers is that they must try harder to make themselves stand out from the sea of shops that also sell similar products. By personalising your brand,<\/strong> you create a connection with your buyers, allowing them to get to know you better and increase seller trust<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Etsy<\/a> has an option for you to share your story using up to 5000 characters; giving you plenty of space to make yourself special! <\/p>\n\n\n\n A great idea is to also include a short, but attractive story headline<\/strong> to encourage more people to actually go on and read your brand\u2019s story. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You can make use of etsy shop announcements<\/a> to help share your brand story prominently on your profile. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While writing your story is a must first step to refining your shop, the unfortunate reality is that most people won\u2019t bother reading your well-written efforts. This is why it is highly recommended to also share your brand story through pictures and videos for a better chance of customer engagement<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Etsy\u2019s guide on how to make and upload a shop video<\/a> is particularly useful for those who want to know how to get sales on Etsy via brand refinement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is vital to make your media as personal and brand specific as possible to ensure trust is created between you and your customers. As with the brand story, you should talk about yourself, what inspired you to become an Etsy seller and why you sell a particular product. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another fantastic way to let people in on your brand is to actually show them the process behind making your products if you handmake them yourself. For example, show the process of making your soy wax candles! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, do this briefly to avoid loss of interest. Etsy suggests that you remain within a 2-minute threshold<\/a> for optimum results!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Alternatively, if you don\u2019t provide handmade services, you can show your stock behind the scenes. In other words, show your storage space! Possible buyers will be more likely to trust your shop when they can see physical proof of its existence.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have to create multiple image variations you can use a canva automation<\/a> app such as canvasmate to get the job done quickly. This is useful for making personalized promotional images for your products or customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And finally, don\u2019t forget to add captions<\/strong> to your videos for the most inclusive audience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n While code-switching comes naturally to us in our daily lives, avoid doing this when speaking as the representative of your brand. Not only is this unprofessional, but it also prevents your store from having character. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Personalising your brand means that you are presenting your business in a certain light. Thus, deciding on a particular writing style<\/strong> and sticking to it is an additional small step you can take to make your brand unique and get more sales on Etsy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n You can choose between different types of tones such as casual, formal, humorous, lively and so on! <\/p>\n\n\n\n The best product descriptions are both brief and comprehensive<\/strong>. A lack of information creates mistrust, yet a lengthy description will have the buyers feeling bored. They will quickly choose a more readable choice instead. <\/p>\n\n\n\n A great way to create more readable texts is by breaking them down into bullet points<\/strong>. You can do this with the key features and benefits<\/strong> of the product. While most guides will urge you to choose either\/or, we encourage you to include both the features and benefits in a concise way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Let\u2019s take soy wax candles as a product example<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Key Feature<\/em>: 100% soy wax<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Key Benefit<\/em>: No toxins and carcinogens<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Key feature & benefit<\/em>: made of 100% soy wax- no toxins, no carcinogens<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Your product description should state as many basic product specifications as applicable, ranging from origin, expiry date, production date, size etc. The more information the better. <\/p>\n\n\n\n When buyers are getting all the information they need from a product description, they are less likely to go looking for another one. This is because it is easier for them to make an informed decision when they have a comprehensive description in front of them.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus tip<\/strong>:<\/strong> Link other similar products in your product description. Maybe a buyer is unsure about the item they are looking at, so why not tempt them with a similar product that may be more fitting for them?<\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only will you increase your chances of getting more sales, but you are increasing the time customers are spending in your shop. The more time in your shop, the more memorable your brand will be to possible future buyers!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While a compelling product description is an important aspect of increasing your sales on Etsy, equal (if not more!) attention should be placed on product photos for two reasons:<\/p>\n\n\n\n People will only look at the product description if they are intrigued by the listing pictures. This means that if your photos aren\u2019t convincing or interesting enough, your well-written description will go to waste!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Think of your listing photos as the first step before your customers decide whether your product is worth looking into. They are the visual marketing of your shop. Therefore, it\u2019s significant to use your photos to say what you have already written in the description. You can do this by mentioning key features and benefits, basic information, announcements, customer reviews and discounts.<\/strong> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Not only will this invite customers to read more, but it will also show that your shop is always active and up to date.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For better or for worse, selling good quality products isn\u2019t enough to get you more sales on Etsy. As with any online marketplace, visuals are all the customers get before deciding on a purchase. Thus, a level of trust needs to be built<\/strong> to encourage them to move forward with the sale. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Creatively aesthetic photos are also what will you set you apart from your competitors. With thousands of sellers listing similar products, a way to stand out is by taking eye-catching photos.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can do this by:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Avoid dark images with background shadows by using natural light or flash.<\/strong> Alternatively, a ring light<\/strong> in the evening is a great choice to increase camera focus, evenly distribute light and minimise harsh shadows. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Customers are more likely to consider your items when they can see them from different points of view. As a seller, you want to avoid the possibility of your products not meeting the customers\u2019 expectations due to a lack of visibility in your images.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The magic in the details! Avoid taking blurry photos and opt for a high-quality camera<\/strong>. The close-up images should be able to showcase small details of the products, such as fabric, material type, color, designs etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n While adding other objects or vibrant backgrounds can make a photo look more aesthetic, it can confuse buyers about which product is the one being promoted. Your customers need to be able to know what the listing product is without having to read the title or product description. Always place the main product in the middle of the picture and if applicable blur the background. You can also do this via photo editing sites.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After finding your niche, you should know your customers best. Create backgrounds that match the visual tastes of your buyers. Not only will this make them feel a connection to your product, but it might also encourage them to make a purchase if they have a visual example of how to use it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if you sell crochet tops you could model it with a whole matching outfit to show customers a way it could be worn. Again, keep in mind that the top should be the main focus and everything else would be secondary. <\/p>\n\n\n\n This is a great idea to attract those customers who are on the fence about an item because they aren\u2019t sure how to use or style it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Adding a video to your listings is a more personal<\/strong> way of sharing information about your products that can convey more detail than a picture or description. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Etsy<\/a> allows one video per listing that can range from 5 to 15 seconds<\/strong>. The video cannot have audio, so your focus should be entirely on the visual aspect.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marketing statistics produced by Hubspot<\/a> showed that 72% of buyers preferred to learn about a product through a video.<\/p>\n\n\n\n This is particularly useful with clothes, as a video can show the way it fits and moves on a body; something a photo cannot do as accurately.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Therefore, including product videos to your listings is a more innovative way of increasing your sales on Etsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Search Engine Optimisation, commonly known as SEO, is the process of boosting traffic to one\u2019s site by ranking high on search engines. As a seller there is nothing more satisfying than ranking at the top of the Etsy search results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Of course, becoming a top seller doesn\u2019t happen in a day. SEO may sound complicated if you\u2019re new to it, but it is actually pretty simple and a great way to get more sales on Etsy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Why should I consider SEO for my Etsy shop?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Search results on Etsy appear based on query relevance and ranking<\/a>. This means that you need to optimise certain aspects of your shop and product listings in order to increase your relevance to the search results, and consequently rank higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n How can I optimise my shop?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many great tools such as eRank that can help you find the top keywords of your topic of interest on Etsy. Keep in mind some are not free but will certainly make the searching process quicker for you.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you\u2019d rather keep your money spending to a minimal, you can carry out your research manually by looking for \u2018\u2019patterns\u2019\u2019 amongst your competitors. This is a good start for beginners who are trying to optimise their keyword use.<\/p>\n\n\n\n What are some common keywords the top sellers in your niche are using? <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Make sure you observe the title, tags, attributes, categories, product information and description.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Pinterest <\/strong>is also another great place to look for keywords for two reasons<\/strong>:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, Etsy and Pinterest share identical demographics<\/strong>. For example, the majority of users are female. Secondly, Etsy buyers tend to get inspiration <\/strong>from Pinterest to help them make an informed decision on what products they are looking for. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You should take advantage of this relationship between Pinterest and Etsy and find common keywords the most popular accounts are using for the items of your interest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n To stay up to date, check this frequently to observe any keyword changes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you have discovered the most relevant keywords that will rank you higher on Etsy search, it is time to put them to the test beginning with your product title<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Your main keyword should be at the very start <\/strong>of your title, as this is what your busy shoppers will see when quickly browsing through numerous products on the search results. You need the title to appear as relevant to their queries as possible, therefore using the keyword in the first position is ideal. This should then be followed by other keywords you have found in your research, such as material, origin etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Be careful not to create long and confusing titles that will make your product less comprehensive to your customers. The ideal number of characters should be between 70 and 130<\/strong>. Keep it short, simple and to the point! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Similar to the title, include your main keywords at the first few sentences of your product description.<\/strong> Customers often don\u2019t read entire listing descriptions, so it\u2019s important to capture their interest from the beginning. Make sure that you don\u2019t simply repeat your title in your product description, as this will come across as unprofessional and lazy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out our analytical guide on how to increase traffic on Etsy<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Tags are a simplified version of SEO offered by Etsy, so take advantage of all 13 that you can include in your listing! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Choosing the right tags shouldn\u2019t be random, but rather an informed decision from the keyword research you have carried out. This means that the tags should also match with the keywords you have included in your title and product description. <\/p>\n\n\n\n The more tags you have, the higher the chance you will match with a search query; resulting in you getting more visibility and sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Additionally, you should aim for long-tail keywords<\/strong>, as they have less competition and are more specific. This means that you are more likely to rank higher in the search results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n For instance, ranking high for \u2018soy wax candles\u2019 will be easier than \u2018candles.\u2019 Etsy allows you to use up to 20 characters, so take advantage of this free opportunity to optimise your listings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Statistics from invespcro<\/a> have shown that 88% of buyers trust online reviews<\/strong> the same way they trust personal recommendations and 90% read them before going ahead with a purchase.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Credibility<\/strong> is one of the most important elements of your business that will help you get sales on Etsy. <\/p>\n\n\n\n You may even know this from your own experience as a buyer. How many times have you looked at a product\u2019s reviews to help you make a decision on your purchase? We\u2019re sure the answer is plural!<\/p>\n\n\n\n So, as a seller you should always try to put yourself in the shoes of your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Credibility leads to trust, thus prioritising getting those top product reviews will ensure more successful sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, now that you have understood the importance of SEO, Etsy reviews are another way to rank higher in those top searches. Etsy algorithm<\/strong> sees 5-star reviews as more relevant and consequently promotes the product higher in their search results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n How do I get good product reviews?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n The answer to how to get positive reviews isn\u2019t a straightforward one, but rather a combination of everything we have shared in this blog. For example, accurate product descriptions <\/strong>and clear pictures<\/strong> will automatically lead to higher customer satisfaction as they minimise the risk of feeling catfished. Therefore, this guide on how to get sales on Etsy should also be understood as a guide to build your credibility as a seller and get more positive feedback.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A small tip we would like to share with you is to never be afraid to ask for feedback<\/strong> after a sale has been completed successfully. Writing a review isn\u2019t always on a buyer\u2019s mind, so asking them is a way of prompting the ones that are willing to do it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Bonus:<\/strong> Contacting them after a purchase builds rapport and makes you appear professional and caring. This will leave a good impression and will increase both positive feedback and repeat sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you often receive similar questions from your customers, then this is your sign your shop needs a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. While contacting you is one way for possible buyers to get the information they need, majority of them would rather avoid direct communication and choose someone that already has this information available on their listings. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Creating a comprehensive FAQs will give customers the answers to their questions, prevent \u2018\u2019unnecessary\u2019\u2019 communication for those who are more fast paced in their shopping approach and will present you as a professional buyer that is knowledgeable on their products. <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n As an experienced seller you may already have a list of questions you have received that you know will be ideal for your FAQs section. However, if you are new to this or you just simply don\u2019t have enough questions, the best way to start is by looking at your competitors FAQs<\/strong>; specifically, the top sellers that are appearing at the top of the search results. <\/p>\n\n\n\n They are at the top for a reason, and they have optimised keywords that you can take and use in your owns shop to increase traffic and sales.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You have probably noticed by now that we have mentioned the importance of top seller research<\/strong> across this guide. While it isn\u2019t the only aspect of being a successful seller that will guarantee more sales, it is an extremely important one, especially when you are unsure of where your stand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n As mentioned earlier, eRank is a great tool to use not just for keyword research but also for tracking the daily activity of your competitors; including their listings and daily sales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Research can always be carried out manually, by tracking those details yourself on a daily or weekly basis. Some key things<\/strong> to look out for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n All these points can help you improve your own shop by incorporating some ideas to optimise it and will also inform your future decisions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, if a top seller has launched a coconut wax candle with a wooden wick, you can monitor their success on the product and decide whether that\u2019s an efficient launch idea for your own shop. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Needless to say, you should never base your entire approach on competitor search. Their unsuccessful attempt with a product doesn\u2019t mean you will also fail; however, it is still a key approach that will help you improve your business and get more sales on Etsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n You should aim to add a new product to your store every few weeks<\/strong>. This is especially important if you don\u2019t have many listings (less than 40).<\/p>\n\n\n\n New listings are necessary for visibility and portray you as an active seller<\/strong>. If your last listing was made 4 months ago, some customers may question your trustworthiness as they don\u2019t have proof of your activity status. Of course, there is other ways to remain active, such as doing shop announcements<\/strong> and frequently posting on social media<\/strong>, however adding new products is the most direct and upfront way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Constantly selling new items will also encourage the Etsy algorithm<\/strong> to rank you higher in the search results, as it acts to optimise your relevance to queries. <\/p>\n\n\n\n In addition, customers who have already viewed your store will have more reasons to come back as there\u2019s more variety<\/strong>. The new listings don\u2019t have to be a completely new product, so you can list new variations of a current product you already have.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, customers are more likely to return to your shop if you have added a crochet top in multiple colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n It is a great starting point to add variations to your best-selling products<\/strong>. Apart from the returning customers, you are also more likely to appear more times in buyers\u2019 search results due to the higher volume of products you are selling. This will make you more visible on Etsy and increase your chances of getting more sales. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Another reason you should continue listing new products is to meet buyer needs<\/strong>. If you have had any negative feedback from previous customers, it is a good opportunity for you to create products following their advice. If you have social media linked to your business, you can also read through the comments and DMs and use any complaints or recommendations for inspiration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n After all, your products will sell more when they meet the needs of your customers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Frequently adding new listings to your shop is great, however, it shouldn\u2019t distract you from improving your old products. Having best-seller and low-performance listings is an inevitable part of selling, but have you ever considered why some are not performing as well?<\/p>\n\n\n\n If you have answered no to one more of the questions above, it is time for you to use this guide to improve some of your listings\u2019 performance and get more sales!<\/p>\n\n\n\n While becoming a top-seller on Etsy is possible, if you truly want to up your game and make some serious profit from your business, you should crosslist on multiple marketplaces.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There\u2019s a number of benefits to crosslisting<\/a> and they will all get you more sales:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Popular platforms to crosslist to include: Depop, eBay, Poshmark, Vinted and Mercari<\/strong>. As each marketplace targets different types of audiences, you can list the appropriate products to the right marketplaces in order to target the audience that you\u2019re more likely to cater to. If you are in the U.K reach our guide on best marketplaces to sell on here<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n Crosslisting is great for your business and can be carried out manually. However, if you have quite a few listings it can be a pain having to copy and paste all the information on multiple platforms. This process could take hours!<\/p>\n\n\n\n We recommend using \n
MAKE YOUR BRAND STAND OUT<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Niche down<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Share your brand story<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Don\u2019t be stingy with pictures and videos<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Create a consistent brand voice<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
WRITE CONCISE PRODUCT DESCRIPTIONS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
While including either the feature or benefit of a soy wax candle is useful, including both together makes the product description more informational, making the seller appear professional and knowledgeable on the specifications of their products. Therefore, including both is key to building business authority<\/strong> and getting more sales on Etsy.<\/p>\n\n\n\nUSE PRODUCT PHOTOS EFFECTIVELY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
First impressions are the best impressions!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Aesthetics matter!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Using good lighting<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Showing different angles<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Taking clear pictures<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Making your product the focus of the photo<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Adding images that match the aesthetic of your target audience<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
USE PRODUCT VIDEOS <\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
DO KEYWORD RESEARCH<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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MAKE USE OF TAGS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
PRODUCT REVIEWS MATTER<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
INCLUDE A HELPFUL FAQs SECTION<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
RESEARCH YOUR COMPETITORS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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CONTINUE LISTING NEW PRODUCTS FREQUENTLY<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
IMPROVE LOW-PERFORMING PRODUCTS<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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CROSSLIST ACROSS DIFFERENT MARKETPLACES<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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