There can be a lot to learn when you make the decision to open an Etsy shop to sell your handmade products. However, rather than trying to learn “all the things” I always recommend to new sellers that they narrow it down to the most important things.
There are the obvious must haves like ensuring you are selling a quality product at a price that is fair to both you and the buyer, having policies in place and shipping on time.
In my experience as a handmade Etsy seller over the past 15 years and after almost 10,000 sales, I think there are 3 essentials that will best set you up for success on Etsy.
Before I talk about my recommended essentials, I’d like to point out why I think Etsy is a great place for beginner (and veteran) sellers.
Etsy has been around for a long time now and unlike some online platforms, you won’t have to jump through hoops to set up an account, list some items and start getting sales. The process is very simple and doesn’t require special technical knowledge.
Etsy takes care of all the payment processing for you and although they do take a percentage of each sale as commission, it takes that additional stress off you when you’re starting out.
Etsy is a marketplace, meaning shoppers can search for what they are wanting to buy. It’s a great way to get found and start building a customer base.
According to Capital One’s Research Report, there are over 100 million people worldwide using Etsy to buy and sell. They say that there are 277 million visits by shoppers every month to the platform. That is a lot of potential eyeballs on your products!
Now let’s have a look at my 3 Etsy essentials!
- Photos
This is an absolute non negotiable for Etsy success. The only real downside to selling online is that the buyer does not have the ability to see and touch your handmade item in person. Your goal should be to bring that in person experience to them as much as possible. Excellent photos are a must.
You can present your handmade items best by ensuring your photographs are well lit (natural light is best when possible), clear (nothing will turn off a buyer like a blurry photo will!) and appropriate composition.
If you don’t have any experience with photography, don’t worry! Almost any smartphone these days will take very nice photos and they are basically point and shoot.
If you are brand new to photography or feel that you can make some improvements, I have an excellent free resource for you:
2. Customer Service
When selling online, customer service begins when you list your item, ensuring you have great photos and descriptions so that the buyer can make a well informed decision. For some transactions, that is as far as the customer service needs to go.
But quite often you will need to have some form of contact with the buyer. On Etsy, this happens through direct messaging. It’s a great opportunity to answer buyer questions and to assure them of their purchase.
This is your time to shine as a seller. Your job is to make the sale as easy and positive for the buyer as you possibly can. A happy sale means a happy buyer and this is crucial to a successful business. Why?
Well, firstly, a happy customer will tell others about you. Never underestimate the value of word of mouth advertising (and it’s free for you as the seller!) Secondly, a happy customer will leave you a positive review which will tell other potential buyers that your business can be trusted. And thirdly, a happy buyer will likely become a repeat and loyal customer. Win, win, win!
One simple move that you can make towards providing great customer service on Etsy is to check your messages regularly and respond to them promptly. A 24 hour time frame is good, but if you can reply sooner than that, even better. Buyers love a fast response – remember, they are waiting to make a decision on whether to buy or not, so that is time sensitive.
When you do respond to messages, make sure your reply is friendly and polite. Check your grammar and spelling. If the buyer has a problem, offer a resolution. It’s not always easy to convey meaning within the confines of text, so read over any of your messages before sending to make sure they are coherent and professional.
3. Description
Your description section can be so much more than simply describing the item you are selling. I think of it as one of the little pieces of real estate available in my Etsy shop. I use it to let shoppers know more about the item they are interested in, but I also use it to let shoppers get to know me a little more by the tone I use. It’s also the perfect space to tell a story about the item – the way it was made, what it means to you, how it will enrich the life of the buyer.
Here is an example of one of my actual listings for a PDF download pattern in my shop. The listing text is in italics and my commentary is in bold.
Description
Please note – this is a PDF pattern, not a finished item. (Telling the buyer exactly what they’re purchasing).
This project is designed for those who are familiar with the basics of rigid heddle weaving. (Is this skill level appropriate to the buyer?)
This wrap is inspired by and dedicated to Cheryl. Cheryl was a student of the Online Weaving School and a valued member of the private member’s group.
Sadly, Cheryl lost her battle with cancer in October 2021.
Weaving brought great joy to her life during her illness and I know she would have loved this wrap. (Telling the story of how the pattern came about and why).
When you complete this project, you can choose from either a long version (pictured) for luxurious multiple wrapping, or a shorter, more scarf like version. (Giving the buyer choices or variations).
You will need:
Rigid heddle loom with a width 16 inches or wider
1x 10 dent heddle
A stick shuttle longer than the width of the project or a boat shuttle
A warping board or frame for hybrid warping (if you are weaving the longer version).
A reed and threading hook
Tapestry needle
A fringe twister is very handy
Full yarn and materials list is given when you purchase the pattern. (Telling the buyer what they need for the project, so there are no surprises).
The printable PDF file is 30 pages long and includes instructions, lots of colour photos and video tutorial links to ensure your success. (Instilling confidence in the buyer that they can complete the project).
This PDF is not just a pattern, it’s a lesson!
In the additional resource pages, you will learn all about colcolastic yarn and the hybrid warping method.
Any questions? Simply message me and I’ll get back to you ASAP. (Ensuring support to the buyer).
What happens when you purchase a digital file? (Further information for a smooth transaction).
Following checkout you will receive an email from Etsy with a download link. If you don’t see the email in a timely matter, please check your spam/junk email folder.
If for any reason you are not able to access your file in this way, you can find it by logging into your Etsy account, clicking on your profile picture in the top right hand corner of your page, then choosing “Purchases and Reviews” from the drop down menu.
If you need further help, please feel free to message me 😊
I finish this listing my linking to my other available scarf patterns in my shop, using that available real estate to advertise my other products that could be of interest to the buyer.
If you are interested in selling your handmade pieces, I have a number of resources that you will find most helpful:
3 ways to start selling online for free…
Do you want to start selling your weaving?..
10 things I’ve learned about Etsy in 10 years…
I hope you found this post interesting and useful, feel free to leave a comment or ask any questions down below!
Until next time…
Happy Weaving!
*This post may contain affiliate links. For further information, please see my disclosure policy.
