How to Start an Etsy Business

Since its launch date in 2005, Etsy has become a well-known, respected, and hugely popular platform for creatives to share their handmade or vintage items with the world. Accommodating products that range from clothing, accessories, and jewelry to craft supplies and tools, Etsy enables freelance crafters to pursue their dreams and also make a living. If you want to start an Etsy e-commerce business that stands out from the crowd, follow these tips.

Tips on Starting a Business on Etsy

1. Do Your Research and Be Original

The difference between a mere business idea and a successful business idea is thorough research to determine if starting a business would be profitable. Research similar vendors to see what types of products they are selling, and add a unique twist to your own products. Think about your design signature and what you can do to make your items stand out from a sea of products.

Also consider how you plan to draw in customers and make them buy your products. Will you offer superior quality materials, unique color combinations, or custom tailoring? Take the time to answer these questions and put together a basic business plan to guide you and enable you to set realistic objectives.

2. Don’t Let Choosing the Perfect Name Delay You From Starting Your Etsy Business

The name of your Etsy shop is important, but it’s not everything. The quality of your products weighs much more than the name of the brand. We’re not saying you shouldn’t put any thought into a business name, but don’t waste days or weeks worrying about finding the perfect one. You can easily change your shop name one time if you change your mind further down the line. Also, try not to choose restrictive names such as “Knitted Slippers,” since you might branch out and start selling a wider array of products.

3. Create the Right Environment for Working From Home

Starting a business on Etsy means your home will very likely become your working space (if it isn’t already). It’s important to separate your living space from your work space, so set up a room that's dedicated solely to your business. You should also create a comfortable and productive environment to do your work.

4. Sell at Least 20 Products in Your Etsy Store

Offer your future clients variety. If you’re just starting your Etsy shop, you might be tempted to only offer a few products and wait to see what happens. In truth, having only a few listings will bring you little to no exposure. Your e-commerce shop is still a shop, it's just online. You should be offering a wide range of products that differ in colors, textures, and purposes

For instance, if you choose to sell hand-embroidered clothing pieces, it’s easy to branch out with smaller items to give your shop variety. Embroidered bookmarks and clothing patches are a couple of ideas you can put into practice. Offering a miscellaneous assortment will bring you more clients and gain you more exposure.

5. Price Your Items Carefully

Pricing your products correctly is essential and can play a major role in the success of your business. You should, of course, take into consideration the cost of your materials, as well as the time and effort that goes into making the items. Also, check out your competition to see how much they are selling their items. See if you can beat their prices by offering a cheaper alternative that doesn't sacrifice quality and still makes a profit.

6. Make Sure You Have Good Product Photos and Descriptions

When you are starting a business on Etsy, remember that a picture really is worth a thousand words. Photographs and descriptions play a significant role in how successful you sell on Etsy. When you’re creating a listing for an item, include as many photos as possible that shows the product from different angles. Include close-ups and even style the product if you can. For instance, take shots of you wearing pieces of clothing or jewelry. Take photos in natural light and never upload blurry, dark, or noisy pictures.

Product descriptions should be accurate and detailed. Offer in-depth information about fabrics, materials, patterns, textures, dimensions, and maintenance or washing instructions. Make it easy for buyers to read about the product by using bullet point lists. If you have another product that complements the listed item, include a link to it. All of these efforts combined will yield a professional-looking listing which will help customers know exactly what they are getting and convince them to click the “buy” button without hesitation.

7. Offer Custom-Made Items to Your Etsy Customers

Etsy allows you to add a “Request a custom order” button. This can bring in dozens of orders as custom-made items appeal to a lot of buyers. Allowing customers to choose colors, materials, or design of your product is an excellent technique to boost sales and accumulate loyal customers.

Be sure to always deliver impeccable customer service. Be polite, answer inquiries promptly, and offer suggestions when the customer is uncertain about what they want. Gradually, your customer base will grow—and so will your profits.

8. Don’t Neglect Networking and Social Media

You may not need to do this in the first months after starting a business on Etsy, but it’s essential to think about networking with other Etsy sellers if you want to take your brand to the next level. The first step is to join a team on Etsy. Working from home as a freelancer means you don’t have any colleagues to talk to during lunch break. By joining a team, you can reach out to other Etsy creatives if you have questions or if you’re feeling overwhelmed. You also can benefit from the experience of more seasoned sellers who might share valuable tips and tricks.

Successful Etsy sellers also rely on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram to share their products and reach a wider audience. Pinterest is easy to use and can yield amazing results; Facebook and Instagram can help you keep your customers up-to-date with your latest creations, seasonal sales, and discounts. You can go beyond this and reach out to bloggers or YouTubers who might be interested in featuring your products in their blogs or videos. This can bring you huge exposure and help you increase your sales.

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