Etsy is a one-of-a-kind online marketplace where you can find unique things such as handmade, vintage, and creative items. Etsy.com is a community of makers, small-business owners, and customers that share a passion for bespoke items.
It’s advisable to review their seller policies and learn about Etsy fees to ensure that selling on the platform is right for your business. Etsy is an open marketplace, so you don’t need to be pre-approved or an experienced merchant to sell there.
As a result, all you have to do to get started is go to Etsy’s page, fill out the required information, set up your shop, and start selling.
Open your shop
Before you create your shop, sign in or create an Etsy account. You need to complete the first step of opening your shop on a desktop web browser.
After you’ve created your account, fill out your profile photo and bio to introduce yourself to the Etsy community. To start an Etsy shop, follow these steps:
- Go to Etsy.com and click Sell on Etsy in the top right corner.
- Select Open your Etsy shop from the drop-down menu.
- Choose your shop’s language, country, and currency, then save and proceed. Select a name for your shop, then click Save and Continue.
- On a desktop web browser, you must finish the initial step of setting up your shop.
- Once your shop is up and running, you can use the Sell on Etsy app to manage it.
Do I need a license to sell on Etsy?
Etsy does not require merchants to acquire a business licence in order to sell their products. When selling on Etsy, however, you must abide by all applicable laws as a small business selling online.
Please consult a skilled professional for any queries about which laws apply to you.
Setting up the shop
Once you’ve signed up to sell on Etsy, there are a few steps you need to take to complete your shop set up and prepare to start selling items.
Like any online business, you should think through key factors in your selling workflow. Consider things like production time, policies, and your plan for shipping.
Here are the key shop elements to address:
- Banner and shop logo: Upload clear photos that represent the style of your brand and make a strong first impression on shoppers.
- Shop announcement: Share a brief welcome message with shoppers.
- About section: Upload videos or photos and share the story behind your products, how your business came to be, and what your vision is for your brand.
- Shop members: Introduce any other members of your team or people you collaborate with.
- Shop policies: Outline all your policies for shipping, returns, exchanges, payments, custom items, or any other guidelines that are important for shoppers to know before they make a purchase.
For US sellers, as you finish your shop setup, consider purchasing USPS Shipping Labels on Etsy. You can save up to 30% than the USPS retail rates you would pay at the post office or elsewhere online.
Add listings to your shop
Once you’ve completed all your shop sections, you are ready to start adding products to your Etsy shop. When you add a product to your Etsy shop, it becomes a listing. Here are more details about how to list an item.
Marketing, branding, and promotion
A marketing strategy is a key to the success of your Etsy shop. Marketing will help new customers find your products, lets you keep existing customers up to date with the latest with your shop, and can lead to an overall rise in sales.
Tips for getting started with marketing:
- Make sure you’re optimizing your shop for Etsy search. Make sure to add your location so that your shop can be found in local searches.
- Link your shop to your social media accounts so you can easily craft posts about your business.
- Consider marketing your shop through paid advertising.
- Consider offering discounts to incentivize shoppers to buy with sales and coupons.
- Find a local craft fair or market where you can sell your goods.
- Join the Etsy community and teams where you can network with sellers and shoppers.
Manage your shop
After you’ve listed your items in your shop, there are other factors to manage as your business develops and grows.
Tips for managing your shop:
- Make sure you follow customer service best practices so you’re qualified for Etsy’s Seller Protection Policy.
- Learn what to do when you make your first sale.
- Read about Etsy’s Review system.
- Manage your shop on the go using the Sell on Etsy app.
- Take a break from your shop when needed.
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