Selling on Etsy: How To Get Started in 10 Days

You’ve found your product. You’ve identified your market niche. It’s now time to open your Etsy shop and begin selling.

Etsy is the place to sell original, handcrafted or vintage items. Selling on Etsy can be a great idea. Etsy has the sixth-largest online marketplace worldwide, with more than 46 million users. Your product will be seen by millions of people worldwide if it is listed on Etsy.

 

Because people love small businesses, now is the best time to start selling on Etsy. The impact of the pandemic upon small businesses has received a lot media attention. Community support could be a great starting point for an Etsy shop.

We can assist you in setting up Etsy and selling your first product within 10 days, no matter if you are looking for a job or a part-time gig.

Day 1 – Create Your Brand

Before you log in to Etsy. Take a day to build your brand.

Select a unique and memorable name

It can be difficult to choose your storename, but it is an important part of the set-up process. Your store name should convey the feeling you want to associate with your products and store. When choosing a moniker for your Etsy shop, think about the main draw. You should include the uniqueness of your Etsy store’s handmade, organic or vintage items in your brand name.

Be sure to search Etsy/Google first for names similar to yours before you decide on a name. Also, make sure the name isn’t already taken, or confusing to potential customers who may stumble upon a shop with a similar name. You don’t want to make your name so generic it doesn’t show up in a search.

Names of stores should not only evoke a feeling or provide information about the product, but they also need to be memorable and easy to remember.

 

Maeven Vintage is an excellent example shop name that works. It describes the products being sold. “Vintage” is useful. Maeven is an uncommon form of Maven, which literally means “expert/connoisseur” and adds elegance and panache.

Invest in Logo Design

Your logo should also be clear and simple, but still memorable and catchy. It’s a good idea to get in touch with a Fiverr designer or other gig site who can help you create a professional logo.

Your logo is your first image and it is an important impression. This is the first thing customers see about your brand.

We’ll be calling out Maeven once more, because, hey! we’re still here. This logo is simple and clean. It oozes vintage art deco, but has a modern feel of speed and sharpness that recalls modern design. Although the words appear to be faded, the clean lines indicate that they are still fresh.

Create a Communication Strategy

It is important to establish your brand’s voice in advance. You don’t need to get too technical here. But, make a plan of how you will communicate with your customers and be consistent.

You will want to communicate with customers directly. However, Etsy thrives off professionalism. It is important to keep some of your personality in communication with customers.

Your first step is to answer customers’ questions promptly. Thank them for purchasing the product or asking questions. Etsy sellers often include a thank you card or small gift, such as a sample product that customers might purchase in full-size.

Day 2 – Create Your Etsy Account

Day two: Once your brand is in place, it’s time for you to create your Etsy account.

Register for an Account

To create your Etsy shop, we recommend that you use a laptop or a desktop computer. Once the store is created, you can manage it later via Etsy’s app.

An Etsy account is required to set up a shop. You can still use an Etsy account if you have previously purchased on Etsy. Simply click “Sell with Etsy”, near the top of any page.

 

You will need to create an Etsy account if you don’t have one. Go to Etsy.com and click on “Sign in” at the top right corner. Then click on “Register” in a new window. Follow the prompts to fill in your email address and create a new password. Finally, confirm your account.

Fill Out Your Etsy Profile

After your Etsy store/Account is set up, you can begin to add personality to your Etsy profile by creating an opening announcement or filling in some information.

Your shop banner and logo should be included in your opening announcement. This will let customers and other retailers know what your shop/brand stands for.

You can add personality to your profile by including a photo of you and a compelling story. What is the story behind your business? What was your inspiration to create/find these products? To reach customers, you may include a video explaining how the product is made. Passion is infectious. Share your passion.

This is a great place to describe the process of creating products or outline details like organic ingredients or sustainability practices. Customers and members of the Etsy community will learn more about your business and you by reviewing your profile.

Day 3 – Learn the Etsy Policies Related to Your Store

There are many rules and regulations involved in opening a store online. To better understand how Etsy works and how you are paid, as well as how your store will be protected, it is a good idea to familiarize yourself with Etsy policies.

Etsy charges per listing

Etsy charges a $.20 listing fee when it is created. This applies regardless of whether or not the product sells.

Listings for most products expire after four month. Etsy offers an auto-renew option that allows sellers to keep their listings active for longer than four months.

After the expiry of the four-months, the $.20 fee will be automatically charged to renew your listing. This allows you to keep track of inventory and not have to create new listings.

Editing a preexisting listing does not require you to pay a listing fee. Although there are different rules for creating private listings for certain products, this does not limit your exposure to Etsy customers.

The Etsy fee structure can be confusing. To get a better understanding, read our complete guide to Etsy fees . Learn more about Etsy’s fees, including how they are charged and why.

Your shop’s reputation can make or break it

Etsy reviews are extremely important. Reviews are important because they determine whether customers will choose your shop or another shop. They also influence how much Etsy will place on your shop.

Etsy offers a 5-star rating system for customers who purchase products marked as “delivered”

Here’s the problem: reviews expire after 100 days. Etsy does this to ensure that new customers have the most up-to-date information, but it also means that you cannot rest on your laurels. You might add “Please review your experience” or another message to all customer communications and confirmation emails.

It will reduce the number of negative reviews that focus on the shipping process and customer service. You can help people who are unhappy with the delivery of their product by including up-to-date shipping information.

Clicking on the shop name in “Sales Channels” and clicking on “Reviews” will bring up their reviews. You can also see your rating. High ratings not only increase your shop’s authority, but also determine whether you are eligible for Etsy’s Seller Protection Policy.

Etsy’s Seller Protection policy helps resolve disputes

Etsy has a seller insurance policy that most shops can qualify for. This policy does not require any outside policies. Your shop must be in good standing, use Etsypay, and have basic features such as Etsypay to qualify for the seller protection program.

If there is a problem, Etsy can help the seller through its protection policy. This is generally used to mediate disputes between sellers and buyers over product quality, shipping issues, chargesbacks and other payment disputes.

Day 4 – Visit the Etsy Forums

It can be lonely to manage an online shop. Take advantage of Etsy’s community to get advice from experts and possibly create a network.

For newbies to Etsy, forums are a great place to ask questions. You can discuss anything in forums, including the latest trends and tips from sellers. The Etsy community is diverse and knowledgeable. You can explore forums when you set up your shop to find useful information.

Cross-promotion is possible by contacting other sellers. Cross-promotion should be done with sellers who offer something similar to your product but not one you provide.

If your Etsy shop sells antiques from the Depression, but a customer is interested in something mid-century modern and antiques from the 1930s, it would be great if they connected with another antique dealer who specializes only in this style. You can also cross-promote each other’s shop, which will result in a larger buyer base. To meet like-minded sellers, you can use Etsy Team.

Day 5 – Take a crash course in SEO to perfect your copy

Next, spend a day studying SEO–search engine optimization. Google crawls your website’s copy text and uses it to direct users towards or away from your site. Making your copy as search-engine-friendly as possible is paramount.

Although you may not have the time or patience to be an SEO expert within a matter of hours, a few lessons can help Google (and future clients) find your Etsy shop.

Search for your Keywords

SEO’s most fundamental principle is to identify a keyword that people search for.

If you are selling furniture, keywords to search for include “couch,” reclining chair, or “end table.” Custom jewelry might also be searched using “crystals,” homemade jewelry, or (surprise!) “custom jewelry.”

You can do some keyword research before you start your search using free tools. Keyword Tracker, Google trends, , , , and keyword generator will tell you if people are searching for those terms and how difficult it may be to get Google’s attention using your products.

 

These search tools will return results if you enter keywords related to your product. You can then adjust your writing to reflect these keywords, by adding them into your product descriptions or marketing materials.

Do not be afraid to brag about your expertise

Another principle of SEO is “EAT” or “Expertise Authority and Trustworthiness.” You must include at least three pillars in your product copy, store description, marketing and product copy. You could also start a blog with product-related topics that can sneakily improve your shop’s SEO.

Your expertise should be displayed — why are they selling this product or making it? And why should we care about them? Authority can be a bit more difficult when you’re just starting out. This is basically a measure of your clout or your established credentials or how loved your product or brand is. This is something you’ll be working towards. The third is Trustworthiness.this area is where testimonials and reviews come in.

High-quality photos can show how well your product was made.

Day 6 – Take High-Quality Product Images

The product photo is the first impression that shoppers get. Make sure it’s a great one. The product photo is the first thing that most people will see when they visit your shop. Here are some tips to help you make the most of basic lighting, and even a simple camera phone for photography.

Lighting is a great investment

It’s important for photos to look consistent (same background/lighting) and to include matching labels to make them professional.

You can showcase products by using an early-morning or outdoor light, but you can also buy a ring lamp to create indoor listings.

Listing photos should always be well-lit and clear. Avoid blurring or shadows. Use a camera phone to adjust settings to avoid flash and panoramic views. Flash can wash out a product, making it appear flat and two-dimensional. To make a product appear more three-dimensional, light it from several angles when lighting it.

If you want professional-looking lighting, you can also purchase lighting and background equipment at a very affordable price.

 

Get better at photography

If you have good lighting and patience, your phone’s camera should work well. However, you can make your photos look amazing with some affordable accessories. You can choose from a variety of lenses to fit your camera phone’s needs. Nelomo , Olloclip and Moment are excellent, affordable lenses that can be attached to your phone.

A photo “to scale” can be included with something that the customer can refer to, such as a quarter. If you sell lip balm in 1-ounce tins and want to give the customer an idea of the product included in your listing, include a quarter beside the tin.

Hire an expert to edit your basic photos if you don’t wish to be an expert in product photography. These experts can be found on Fiverr, Upwork and Freelancer. You can achieve a professional appearance with less effort.

Day 7 – Create Your Listings

You won’t rest on the seventh day. Instead, you will be performing one of the most important tasks creating listings to sell on Etsy.

You will need a photo, a description of your product, and shipping details to create a listing. To add your product listings, sign in to your account and click “Shop Manager”, then “Listings”.

 

You must select a thumbnail image if you have multiple product photos. This will be the one that customers see when they search for your product.

 

Pricing your product. Use Google and Etsy to research similar products and gauge your price accordingly. To get more traffic to your shop, you might offer special pricing or an introductory sale price.

 

Name, categorize and describe your product. Your listing should be given a title, the product name. Next, select the appropriate category. Simply start typing your category (“women’s shoes” or “custom jewelry”) to get suggestions.

Then, describe your product. This is a chance to showcase your personality and to provide any information that buyers may find useful. If you are selling plants, for example, are they rooted or cuttings? Transparency increases trust in your shop.

 

Set up shipping. You can do this in the “Settings”, section under “Shop manager” and then “Shipping.” There is a lot of options depending on size, weight, and whether you are shipping internationally or domestically. It’s a great place to ask questions and consult other Etsy sellers if you are unsure about the best shipping option for your shop.

Don’t be afraid of asking for help. There are lots of tools available to help your listings go further or to help you handle the more complex aspects of listing, such as Etsy’s taxonomic organization. Sellbrite offers multiple listing platforms (googleshop+etsy), or listings that integrate with other apps.

Day 8 – Download the Etsy App

The Etsy mobile application is not just for buyers. You can also manage your entire store using a smartphone or tablet.

Download the Etsy mobile application for free from the App Store or Google Play.

 

Register to your seller account. You can manage reviews, orders, listings, and reviews. Also, you can increase your social media presence for the shop.

You can send notifications to your mobile app so you can instantly respond to customers or answer questions. This will ensure that you provide solid customer service in your shop. Your customer service reputation will be enhanced if you respond quickly to customers’ questions.

Day 9 – Launch Your Shop

Day nine is when you officially open your Etsy shop. This allows you to send your child to kindergarten and make new friends.

Once your listings and profile are complete, you can open your shop. Sign in to your seller account, click “Open Your Shop” and you will be able to make your shop live. Successful launches are not just about having everything in order. They also include social media and marketing. Make sure you have those campaigns in place to generate buzz and help customers find you shop.

Your shop is open and available to sell your products. Customers can contact you or purchase your products once the shop opens. Make sure that you open at a time that you are available to fulfill the commitments of regular customers.

Day 10 – Market Your Etsy Shop Anywhere

The real selling begins on the 10th day — selling your brand and products and selling yourself. It’s now time to channel your inner Don Draper, and get into marketing.

You can promote your shop using social media in many simple and effective ways.

Use social media to share your top products. You can use social media marketing to your advantage. Make sure you choose the most amazing products and create a short description about your shop. You can use most of the keywords that you used in your SEO campaign as hashtags on Instagram.

You might consider buying ads. You can buy ads or set up campaigns with social media companies. Facebook ads or Tweet ads are very easy to set up and you can choose a budget per day or per click to ensure you don’t end up with a large bill.

Get involved in the community. Small-business owners can also find many communities on social media. To connect with other businesses, find one that is based on your location, product, and socioeconomic background. You can find hashtags that are related to your industry or product, and browse them for frequent posters.

Share video on social networks Make videos of your most interesting products. Even five-second clips can be created with dynamic editing and fun music.