20 Etsy Tips for Beginners
You’re ready to turn your hobby into some extra cash, but you’re wondering “how do you start an Etsy shop?”
There are so many things to think about from naming your Etsy store to items to sell in an Etsy shop and logistical things like how to mail your products, keep inventory, and buy supplies. You can easily get distracted from all the work that needs to get done in order to start your Etsy shop.
I’ve compiled a list of the most helpful Etsy tips for beginners that will help you focus on the steps you need to take to rock your Etsy store’s grand opening!
1. Etsy Seller Handbook
The Etsy Seller Handbook is the first place to get the information you need to start a successful Etsy shop. Take time to read through the free material that Etsy provides on their site. They give you tons of basic information that teaches you how to start an Etsy shop.
Before you purchase a course on how to set up and build an amazing Etsy shop, take the time to read and learn using the free resources from the Etsy platform.
2. What to Sell in an Etsy Store
Before starting a business on Etsy, you need to do some research into what to sell in your Etsy shop.
Think about what you want to make, your talents, and crafts that you enjoy.
You can set yourself up for success by There are some popular categories that do well year after year…
- Baby
- Clothing & Accessories
- Craft Supplies
- Home Decor
- Jewelry
- Printables
- Vintage
- Wedding
This post gives you more details about the items in each category that are popular.
3. How to Research Popular Items on Etsy
This post from Melinda Wood Designs shows you exactly how to find out what you should sell on Etsy. I think that doing your own research and learning how to find popular niches on Etsy will help you start your business and grow over time.
In the video, Justin talks about how your business should evolve over time. Any business not making new products or upgrading current products will lose business. It’s a good idea to learn how to do research as a beginner Etsy seller because it’s a skill you will use over and over again.
4. Trending Etsy Crafts
I put together this list of trending Etsy crafts for 2019. I’m always looking for quick ways to make money, and these categories listed in the post below have been very successful. Printables stand out as one of the best ways to start a business with virtually no start-up cost.
Check out the rest of the most popular niches from 2019!
5. Market Research on Etsy
This post from Paperly People gives a very detailed guide on how to create best selling digital downloads, but you can absolutely use the steps in this post to research any niche.
I think a big take away from this post is that you should focus on niches and trending products that are actually bringing in cash. You can use tools like CraftCount.com and a research tool Marmalead to help you find the best marketing information.
6. Etsy SEO + Keyword Research
Before you can make any money, you need people to see your products. SEO is how you get your Etsy shop noticed in the Etsy feed.
Search Engine Optimization is one of the most important factors to get eyes on your products. You have to use keywords, words that people actually type into the search bar, in all the right places so that Etsy knows what your store is all about.
Etsy SEO can be overwhelming, but this post has 10 actionable steps that will help you from the very beginning as an Etsy seller.
7. Photography on Etsy
Selling products online means that you have to use really good photography. But what elements make up great photography on Etsy? This post gives you great tips and photography hacks for product and art photos on Etsy with real examples.
Photography is very important and worth your time to learn how to take high quality pictures that showcase your handmade products.
8. Choosing a Target Audience
Finding the right audience for your crafts is important to making sales and growing your business. After you find your niche decide who you want to target within that niche. Start by thinking about who wants to buy your product.
Building a shop around your audience will make it easier to solve problems with products that they actually want.
9. Create a Business Plan
Creating a business plan is a great way to clarify your vision for your business. The simplicity of this one page business plan is perfect for a creative small scale business.
Elements of a one page business plan:
- Problem
- Solution
- Money
- Competition
- Customers
- Marketing
- Action Plan
10. Branding Your Etsy Shop
Branding your Etsy shop helps people to recognize your items when they are searching on Etsy. Choosing a color theme and style for your business can be used for your logo and your banner. Branding can also be used in your style of photography and for your packaging.
11. Packaging Your Products
Why is packaging important for your business? Of course, you want your package to protect the product. One of the fun aspects of purchasing a handmade item on Etsy is knowing that the item was created by a real person. Adding personal notes and fun personalized details to your product creates a relationship with your customer that you can build on through email, social media, etc.
12. Marketing as an Etsy Seller
Marketing sometimes sounds like a bad word. You don’t want to be salesy, but marketing is more about getting your product in front of people who will actually want to buy what you’re selling.
There are so many incredible ways to get in front of your audience and this 16 tips from this post are the best marketing strategies I have seen.
13. Shipping Costs
There are some great tips in this post from a beginner Etsy seller about shipping your items. I think the best tip is to learn how to print shipping labels from Etsy and ship from your mailbox. That saves you time and a trip to the post office!
14. Pricing Your Products for an Etsy Shop
Setting your prices can be a struggle especially if you’ve never had to decide how much your handmade items are worth. This post gives you a formula to guide you through creating a fair price that includes your hourly income, expenses, payment fees, and other aspects to consider.
Often times people think they will be able to earn more money if they drop their prices lower than their competitors. This rarely helps with your sales and can ultimately hurt your bottom line.
Don’t forget to consider offering a wholesale price and a retail price.
15. Inventory
16. Organizing your Etsy Store
Organizing your Etsy store from the beginning will help you especially when you get busy. A shipping station, systems to create your handmade items, and inventory bins will all make your business flow smoothly.
16. Buying Supplies
Where should you buy your craft supplies? This list gives you great places to shop online to save money on crafts. If you are shopping online with Amazon make sure you use Ebates. You can also save money by shopping at Joann’s with the Ibotta app.
17. Taxes & Your Etsy Store
Turning your hobby into extra income seems like a simple idea. But if you’re like me, then you never even thought about keeping track of earnings and how much to pay in taxes. This post breaks down taxes and helps you plan for paying taxes from the beginning.
18. Your Shop Won’t Be Perfect from the Beginning…
I love this advice! Whether you are creating a blog or an Etsy shop, you can put pressure on yourself to make your shop perfect before you officially launch. You have to reach a point where you officially launch and then adjust your strategy to meet your target audience.
One of the most important keys to success is being able to learn as you go!
19. Etsy Seller Policy
Start your business the right way by reading through the Etsy Seller Policy. You want to make sure you are following the rules of the platform, before you start setting up your shop.
Also, make a plan for your shop policy.
20. Provide the BEST Customer Service
Customer service is everything! Your customer service is directly related to your reviews that customers will leave for your shop. Help yourself by going above and beyond on customer service. Just be honest and up front with your customers about shipping, turnaround, and returns. Customer service can set you apart in your niche!
How to Run a Successful Etsy Business
This is just the beginning to running a successful Etsy business online. Make sure you research and learn as much as you can about starting and growing an online craft business. Be patient when it comes to growing your business and making money. Posting new items consistently over a period of time will help your rankings in search on Etsy.
Check out these inspiring craft ideas for your Etsy shop!
vinyl projects? These 
to see if you will actually use the free shipping for your vinyl crafting business.
