I’ve been thinking about starting an Etsy shop, but I’m not sure what steps to take to make sure it’s profitable. I know the marketplace is competitive, so how do you find the right product to sell? Any advice on how to set prices and market your shop?
I started my Etsy shop selling handmade jewelry. The key is finding a product niche that you’re passionate about. Do some research on what’s selling well, but also make sure it’s something you enjoy making. That way, it doesn’t feel like a chore!
@Flippa
Thanks for the advice! How did you figure out what to charge for your items?
Keenan said:
@Flippa
Thanks for the advice! How did you figure out what to charge for your items?
I checked out similar items on Etsy to get an idea of what people were charging. Don’t forget to factor in material costs, time, and Etsy’s fees. You need to make sure you’re actually making a profit!
Etsy fees can really add up. There’s a $0.20 listing fee, plus a 6.5% transaction fee on each sale. Make sure you factor those into your pricing. I also set aside money for taxes, just in case.
Macon said:
Etsy fees can really add up. There’s a $0.20 listing fee, plus a 6.5% transaction fee on each sale. Make sure you factor those into your pricing. I also set aside money for taxes, just in case.
Good point. I wasn’t thinking about Etsy fees when I started and ended up pricing my stuff too low at first. Now I’ve built the fees into my prices, so I don’t lose money on each sale.
For marketing, Instagram and Pinterest have been really helpful for me. I post pictures of my products and use hashtags that are relevant to my audience. Social media’s a great way to drive traffic to your shop for free.
@Olivia
I second this! I also started a monthly newsletter to keep my customers engaged and share updates about new products. It’s a bit of work but worth it.
Make sure your product photos are clear and well-lit. That’s the first thing people see, and it really makes a difference in whether they click on your listing or not. I use natural lighting and take close-ups of all the details.
@Lydia
That’s great advice. Do you need any fancy equipment for that, or will a smartphone work?
Keenan said:
@Lydia
That’s great advice. Do you need any fancy equipment for that, or will a smartphone work?
A smartphone works fine! Just make sure the lighting is good and that you show off your products from different angles. You don’t need a fancy camera to get good results.
Once you open your shop, definitely check out Etsy’s seller handbook. It has tons of tips for new sellers and ideas on how to grow your business. I found it really helpful when I was starting out.
Sayer said:
Once you open your shop, definitely check out Etsy’s seller handbook. It has tons of tips for new sellers and ideas on how to grow your business. I found it really helpful when I was starting out.
I agree! The handbook walks you through everything from writing good descriptions to optimizing your listings for Etsy search. Super useful.