So, you think you're ready to start a shop on Etsy.
Did you get that anxious feeling in the pit of your stomach when I said that? Don't worry. It's entirely natural to feel apprehensive when starting a new business or adding another revenue stream to the one you already have.
However, before you [take the big, notable step – e.g., start your own business], you should make sure you've done the following things.
By the end of this post, that nervous feeling will be [defeated / conquered / long gone].
[BODY]
#1. Develop a business plan:
This one will seem like a no-brainer, but you'd be surprised how many people don't have a plan when they first start their Etsy shops. Define your products, target audience, competition, and pricing strategy. This will help you stay focused and make informed decisions.
Don't be lazy and make sure you create a plan before you start to avoid not making any sales after your shop opens.
#2. Research Etsy policies:
Would you call yourself a researcher? That's okay, few people are, but you can get a grip on Etsy's rules and regulations fairly quickly. Start by familiarizing yourself with seller fees, copyright laws, and prohibited items.
Top tip: My favorite place to do this research is from Etsy itself. Click here to read up on seller best practices.
#3. Source materials:
Bear with me; this one can be a lot of work.
When you're getting ready to open an etsy shop, it can be easy to focus on the never-ending to-do list.
However, putting all your focus on the technical pieces can leave you scrambling to find affordable materials.
By ensuring you're not leaving your [intuition / inner knowledge] by the wayside, you know whether you're still moving in the right direction.
Here are some places you can look to source your materials:
- Local craft stores: Visit local craft stores to find a wide variety of materials, including fabric, yarn, beads, and more. Some examples of craft stores are Michaels, Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Stores, and Hobby Lobby. These are often more expensive options but it's convenient and you can actually see the items before you buy them.
- Etsy: There is a huge market for materials on Etsy but make sure you're not over paying! It's always great to support other small businesses BUT not at the expense of your own.
- Wholesalers: Places like Alibaba are great if you're ordering large quantities of items. They may take awhile to ship due to being mainly in other countries but you're sure to get the best price.
#4. Remember: Create high-quality product images
I can see you scrambling for a pen. Thank goodness we had this talk.
Have you sorted out your product images yet?
Your images are arguably the most important part of your listings on Etsy. Take clear and visually appealing photos of your products by using natural lighting and a neutral background to showcase your items.
High-quality product photos are essential for several reasons:
- Attracting potential buyers: The first thing a potential buyer sees when they come across your Etsy shop is your product photos. If your photos are blurry, dark, or poorly lit, buyers may move on to another shop without giving your products a chance.
- Showcasing the details: Your product photos should showcase the details of your products, including the texture, color, and unique features. High-quality photos help highlight these details and make your products stand out.
- Building trust with buyers: Clear, high-quality product photos help build trust with buyers by showing that you take your business and products seriously. Buyers are more likely to trust and purchase from shops with professional-looking photos.
- Setting accurate expectations: Accurate and detailed photos help set expectations for buyers about what they will receive when they make a purchase. This can reduce the likelihood of returns or negative reviews due to unmet expectations.
- Improving SEO: Etsy's search algorithm takes into account the quality of product photos when ranking search results. High-quality photos can help improve your shop's visibility and attract more potential buyers.
By investing the time and effort into taking high-quality product photos, you can increase your chances of attracting potential buyers, building trust with customers, and ultimately growing your Etsy business.
#5. Set up payment and shipping options:
Etsy will help walk you through this but it's important enough to mention. You need to decide on your preferred payment methods and enable direct checkout. Set up shipping profiles and calculate shipping costs for your products.
Many people skip through this step instead of taking the time to do it right. That's very understandable, but if you don't take the time to set up your shipping options right away, it will only take more time when filling orders.
Setting the correct weight and box size allows Etsy to accurately create your shipping labels.
#6. Write Keyword Rich Product Descriptions:
One of my clients, Sarah, had beautiful handmade jewelry but struggled to get traffic in to her shop, limiting her sales. She couldn't figure out why her products weren't selling even though she had high-quality photos.
When Sarah realized that her product descriptions were lacking and didn't provide enough details, she quickly updated her product listings with detailed descriptions with keyword rich descriptions that highlighted the unique features and materials used in her jewelry.
Suddenly, Sarah started getting more sales! Sarah's Etsy shop continues to grow and thrive. If you're looking for other tips on how to make the most of your listings, check out this article on the Etsy website.
#7. Build Brand Identity:
There is soo much that goes into developing a strong brand identity. Creating a logo, business name, and tagline, choosing colors, fonts, and imagery that reflect your brand personality are just a few of the pieces to get started with.
The key to having a successful brand is being authentic in how you promote yourself and your business. If you're wanting to focus on creating an authentic brand, head of to Maddie Peschong's blog. Her post about building an authentic personal brand is spot on.
#8. Conduct Keyword Research:
Keywords are important in Etsy listings because they help potential customers find your products when they search for specific terms. By including relevant keywords in your product titles, tags, and descriptions, you can increase the visibility of your products in search results.
For example, if you sell handmade soap, including keywords such as “natural soap,” “organic soap,” or “handmade soap bars” can help customers who are searching for those specific terms find your products more easily.
Including keywords that accurately describe your products can also help attract the right customers who are more likely to be interested in and purchase your items.
Additionally, using relevant keywords can help improve your shop's SEO and overall online presence. By doing keyword research and including relevant keywords in your listings, you can increase your chances of reaching a larger audience and growing your Etsy business.
My favorite tool for keyword research is Everbee. It saves me so much time and creative energy when it comes to determining my titles, product tags and descriptions! Click here to check it out!
#9. Create Social Media Accounts:
When starting a shop on Etsy, you should also set up social media accounts for their business to promote their products and engage with customers.
Social media platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook are excellent marketing tools that can help Etsy sellers reach a wider audience and build a loyal customer base. By sharing high-quality images of your products on social media, you can attract potential customers and increase the visibility of your Etsy shop.
You can also use social media to engage with your customers by responding to comments, answering questions, and sharing behind-the-scenes glimpses of your creative process. This type of engagement can help build trust with your customers and foster brand loyalty.
Additionally, social media can serve as a valuable source of feedback and inspiration, as you can learn from other creatives in your community and stay up-to-date on the latest trends and techniques.
#10. Determine a Pricing Strategy:
Determining the appropriate pricing strategy for your products is essential for the success of your Etsy shop. Here are a few reasons why:
- Covering Production Costs: Pricing your products correctly ensures that you are covering your production costs. If you price your products too low, you may not be able to sustain your business due to a lack of profit margin. On the other hand, pricing your products too high may deter potential customers from purchasing your items.
- Competitor Pricing: Your competitors' prices can serve as a benchmark for determining your own pricing strategy. If your products are priced significantly higher than your competitors, you may struggle to attract customers. However, if your prices are too low, you may undercut the value of your products and harm your reputation as a seller.
- Potential Profit Margins: Determining your potential profit margins is crucial when setting your prices. You need to account for all of your expenses, including labor, materials, and fees, to ensure that you are making a profit on each sale. Setting prices that yield healthy profit margins will help you build a sustainable business with room for growth.
- Perception of Value: Your pricing strategy can also affect how potential customers perceive the value of your products. If you price your products too low, customers may assume that they are low quality. On the other hand, if your prices are too high, customers may perceive your products as overly expensive or unattainable.
Determining the appropriate pricing strategy for your products is crucial for running a successful Etsy shop. By pricing your products competitively, covering your production costs, and ensuring healthy profit margins, you can build a profitable business that attracts the right customers and fosters long-term growth.
That’s a Wrap!
Check, check, and check!
Thank you for trusting me to take you through my checklist of things to do before starting a shop on Etsy.
Do you feel better now that you know what things you need to get done and how far you've already come?
If you still need help, know that I'm always one email (marissa@marissarehder.com) or Instagram message away. If you're ready to make more money and grow your sales, be sure to check out my other post- 10 Easy Things to Do to See Product Sales Increase.
I’ve made it my passion to help product based businesses grow and scale.
My 6 years of experience has given me a wealth of knowledge and business lessons to share with you.
One last thing:
If you're looking to really take your business to the next level, check out my monthly membership- The Get it Done Academy! I will personally walk you through exactly how to do each of the things in the blog post and even more! Plus you'll be welcomed into a community of women who want to see you succeed just as much as I do!
