How to Sell On Etsy: A Getting-Started Guide

Do you sell hand-made goods or have a somewhat niche product? Well, you may want to look at selling on Etsy.

Learn how to sell on Etsy and why it could take your budding business to the next level.

What is Etsy and why should you care?

Etsy is an online marketplace for one-of-a-kind goods and supplies. Products sold on Etsy range from handmade jewelry to vintage furnishings. They can be physical products or even digital files. Etsy's focus on unique goods not sold elsewhere creates brand loyalty and a personal shopping experience.

Sellers can distribute their goods to consumers on the Etsy platform in an online Etsy shop. The shop is free to create and maintain. Listing an item costs twenty cents each. Sellers incur a 3.5 percent fee on the selling price and a standard payment processing fee of 3 percent plus 25 cents.

With a community of 20 million members, Etsy offers sellers easy access to a global audience. It also grants sellers tools for marketing, promotion and order fulfillment.

You can even create a custom website that links with your existing Etsy shop. This arrangement makes managing inventory and fulfilling orders easier than ever before.

How do you start selling on Etsy?

Before creating an Etsy shop, read Etsy's policy on allowable items to avoid listing prohibited goods. Then, create a free Etsy account and fill out your public profile and bio.

How do I set up an Etsy shop?

After following the steps above, click "Sell on Etsy" at the top of the site or "Open a shop" at the bottom of the site to create a shop. Pick a shop language, location, currency and shop name.

After creating a shop, add a valid listing with photographs and colorful descriptions. Be sure to specify which forms of payment your shop will accept. Add billing details so you can pay seller's fees.

How do I list an item on Etsy?

Once your shop is open, you can specify your policies on shipping, payment and returns and exchanges. Then simply upload the items you want to sell. You can have the proceeds from sales securely deposited into your bank account.

How to market your Etsy shop

Even though your store is open for business, you will still need to get the word out to shoppers. Start by optimizing your Etsy shop to make it easy for shoppers to find you on Etsy.

Consider leveraging coupon codes, promoted listings, custom orders and a custom website to entice new shoppers. Boost your Etsy presence by word-of-mouth by selling your products at local craft stores.

How much does it cost to sell on Etsy?

Etsy charges 20 cents to publish a listing on the market. When the item sells, there's a 3.5 percent transaction fee on the purchase.

How to maintain your Etsy shop

Even though you aren't running a storefront business, your online shop still needs regular attention:

• Refer to the Etsy Seller Handbook at any time for best practices.
• Use the Shop Sections feature to better organize your store.
• Stay compliant with seller eligibility requirements to remain eligible for Etsy's Seller Protection Policy.
• Keep an eye on buyer star reviews to ensure you are meeting customer expectations.
• Use the Vacation Mode feature when you need to temporarily close your Etsy shop for business.
• Stay on top of your business even when you're away from the office through the "Sell on Etsy" mobile app.

How much money can you make selling on Etsy?

There's no clear data on what the average seller makes. But, there have been breakout successes. Your mileage may vary.