Print This Post
Though there are a few things I wish I had known before starting my Etsy shop, Purple and Lime, I am happy I was able to look at my drawbacks and figure out how to turn them into positive lessons which continue to help me today. I hope you learn a thing or two!
1. What to Focus On
When I first joined Etsy I made both clothing and jewelry. The jewelry sold really well and wasn’t too laborious to make, while the clothing wasn’t as popular and it took me hours to make one garment. I kept trying to make the clothing side of my business work against my better instincts. If you’re still trying to sell items that are not profitable it’s time to reevaluate your focus. Once I started listing only jewelry (and occasionally accessories), my revenue definitely increased along with my own personal happiness!
2. SEO Basics
Before I started selling on Etsy I didn’t even know what SEO meant. SEO, or “Search Engine Optimization,” is essentially using the correct keywords to make sure your items, pages, website, etc. are more likely to be found by search engines. Etsy SEO is not that much different than regular website search optimization, plus you can learn all the basics through online research. Many handmade business blogs have information about using keywords in your Etsy listings and tags. I recommend doing lots of reading to maximize your understanding of SEO on Etsy before starting. This will increase your views and visibility, and eventually lead to more sales!
(PSSST you can also check out another awesome post by Rebecca where she covers SEO basics like a champ!)
3. How Mail Works
I’ve learned so much about the mail system through selling on Etsy. Before you open your online store, I suggest thoroughly researching the best options for mailing your products. Compare what you plan to sell with those of similar existing Etsy sellers to get an idea of typical shipping prices, time frames, and other info you might need. I would also invest in a postage scale so you can accurately weigh packages. Once you know your package weight it’s easy to print postage yourself, which saves money in the long run.
4. Sourcing Supplies
When creating items as a hobby it’s fine to purchase supplies at retail store rates, but once you go professional as a business you should buy in bulk or wholesale. This will save you money and increase your profit margins in the long run. Keep in mind some companies require a tax ID number and certificate to be able to pay wholesale rates and buy supplies tax-free.
5. Offering Amazing Customer Service
One of my favorite things about selling on Etsy is getting to communicate directly with my customers. Providing excellent customer service is a must when you run a shop- especially since buyers can leave visible feedback for their purchases. You want to create and sustain a positive reputation as a seller on Etsy. This means responding to messages quickly and always addressing any issues or problems in a polite and professional manner. If you make your customers a priority they will keep coming back in the future!
6. Consistent Branding
Creating a unified shop is really important for success on Etsy. Your shop’s avatar, banner, and photos should all flow together, utilizing the same fonts, backgrounds, and materials when possible. Uniting your shop with branding will help your business create an identity- which is essential to long term-success. This doesn’t mean all of your products have to be the same color scheme or theme, just that they all relate in some way that is identifiable.
What other lessons have you had to learn quickly through selling on Etsy?
Rebecca George
Latest posts by Rebecca George (see all)
- Five Easy (and Fast) Ways to Improve Your Etsy Shop - February 10, 2018
- Pricing Your Handmade Goods for Craft Shows - October 13, 2017
- 5 Unexpected Items to Use in a Craft Show Display - September 21, 2017
Print This Post
Es así que click here tome su tiempo. Jeff Revell ha triunfado porque sus
textos e imágenes son una serie de libros.
Thank for taking the time to show this info, really happy to be able to get it right.
Kind regards,
Tess
I enjoyed your post. I had an etsy account but never converted it. I stopped using etsy because I could not get help or a forum. Your post has made me want to try it again since you are having success with your etsy shop. Thanks for the post.
Thank you for sharing with us. I really enjoyed your post!
This was helpful and to the point.I thank you for sharing positive experiences..how many months on etsy till you saw what was succesful in your eyes?thanks
I, too, have found that what I started out wanting to do morphed into something entirely different. While I, by now means, have a huge successful shop, I have found that fewer people were interested in my downloadable pattern and crocheted bonnets but more are interested in my earth-friendly craft supplies that I listed on a whim.