With 3D printing and other automation techniques taking the world by storm, it’s become harder for handcrafted pieces to turn heads and draw customers. Is it still possible for products with a human touch to stand out from their automated competition? The answer lies with Etsy.
What Is Etsy?
Etsy is an e-commerce company that specializes in offering a platform for handcrafted pieces such as jewelry, clothing, vintage treasures, and more. Etsy’s official website says its primary mission is to keep human connection at commerce’s heart.
Can You Make Money With Etsy?
Your success on Etsy depends on your online shop’s viability and success. Some sellers earn less than $40 per month, while others generate enough to turn this website into their full-time jobs. Although Etsy won’t turn you into an instant millionaire, you can make passive income while doing what you love.
Why Should You Start an Etsy Shop?
With millions of users selling the things they love on Etsy, the marketing process of people noticing your items online is very straightforward. Etsy enables you to connect directly with people passionate about what you love and create, which can help your brand grow fast.
Your Guide to Opening an Etsy Shop
Here is a brief breakdown of how to open an Etsy shop and start making cash:
- 1) Decide on Your Products
This step can be a tough decision to make, but if you implement it correctly, it will catapult your business into astounding success. Deciding on your products can be an entirely virtual affair because you don’t always require physical items. Most “shop owners” on Etsy sell digital downloads or imagery they have created for customers to utilize on their websites, channels, and social media platforms.
If your judgment on what to sell on Etsy to generate a steady flow of income is still murky, the best option is to browse the website and see what other shop owners are selling. Doing this in no way equates to lacking creativity; view it as an inspirational journey instead. The trick is to absorb inspiration without copying someone else’s ideas.
As a future shop owner, this opportunity is an excellent platform to order samples of your products or create something of your own. Ordering samples or creating some will allow you to see how the final products look off the website, enable you to snap product photos, and assess quality.
- 2) Name Your Shop and Select a Logo
Since your goal is to create a lasting brand, aim to create a shop name that stands out, and don’t worry too much about people from other continents not knowing how to pronounce it properly. A unique logo will compensate for this, and as long as people are buying your products, you definitely won’t mind if they can’t pronounce the shop name correctly.
To avoid copyright infringements and so forth, you can do an online search of the name options you have in mind and see if they’re not clashing with another existing brand. The good thing about coming up with a name for your Etsy shop is that you get five cracks at it! You can still change your shop’s name even after it goes successfully online, and this aspect won’t impact your sales much.
Most shop owners prefer using Canva to create their custom logos. This free-to-use online software is very similar to Photoshop and more user-friendly. If you’re hesitant to try your creative skills with Canva and design your own shop logo, you can browse through sites such as Upwork or Fiverr and hire a professional to create the vision you have in mind.
- 3) Create Clear and Attractive Images
Excellent visuals are key to sales on Etsy. In fact, they are even more vital than they are on Amazon, Alibaba, or eBay. Since you’re selling a product that has most likely never been seen online before, seeing is believing, so awesome product photos can make or break your bank balance. Here is where the point mentioned earlier about ordering samples proves essential, as this will enable you to capture your own fantastic photos of the products.
Even if you’re not a professional photographer, browsing other Etsy shops that might have similar products will give you an idea of what customers want to see to click on that purchase icon.
- 4) Save Up Cash
Etsy is not one of those free online selling sites, so you will need some cash to list your products. Etsy also offers two account options. They offer a standard account, which is free, and the Etsy Plus account, which has a monthly cost subscription of $9. The Etsy Plus account grants you access to features such as shop customization tools (to stand out from other Etsy stores) and bonus advertising credits.
The e-commerce market is brutal, and Etsy is no different. Your exposure and influence are going to be quite limited in the beginning. If you’re not ready yet to face the competition or feel your profit margins will be non-existent, then the Standard account option will be the best place to begin.
Since Etsy will earn a certain fee from your sales, take your time to calculate a reasonable price for the products you plan to sell and factor in all costs. That way, your shop will be able to offer competitive and fair prices and generate profits. A simple and efficient way to boost your sales is to utilize your YouTube channel, Instagram page, or podcast to promote your products for free.
- 5) On-Time Delivery
On-time delivery can make or break your business, no matter how great your packaging or products are. Choose a courier company or postage plan that works for you. Calculate costs beforehand to avoid spending more on packaging and shipping. This way, you can assess a proper price to generate profits while still servicing customers on their shipping needs.
Final Thoughts
Etsy is a great platform to set up shop for your unique handcrafted creations or antiques. It’s easy to start your shop and keep making improvements as you go. Just be sure to focus on the steps outlined in the guide here so your e-commerce adventure can grow and flourish in no time.
Since your goal is to keep doing what you love with your artistic creations and earn some extra cash, why not use Pawns.app to make money online as well? Pawns.app offers cash for filling out surveys and other tasks, which may also come in handy for covering the extra listing and subscription costs on Etsy.
FAQ
Can You Actually Make Money on Etsy?
As mentioned, it’s possible to make a steady income on Etsy if you offer the correct products. It’s also possible to rake in serious cash through your shop on Etsy to finally turn your back on that 9-to-5 grind.
How Much Does the Average Etsy Seller Make?
Stats and research show that an average Etsy seller can rake in $45,000 to $50,000 annually. It’s certainly enough for the IRS to come knocking if you’re not submitting your tax returns!
What Is the Most Profitable Product to Sell on Etsy?
Although this may vary depending on season and customer taste, jewelry, stickers, personalized cards, and collectibles should always be part of your product listing.
