BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS ON ETSY

Etsy is an online marketplace where crafters, artists and makers can display and sell their items to a global market. The focus here is on unique products with an emphasis on handmade or vintage items. Since the company was founded in 2005, Etsy has attracted over 1.8 million sellers and 50.4 million members from all corners of the globe.

 

 

So, Why Should I Use Etsy?

 
Basically, Etsy is great way to reach a huge audience, increase sales, and connect with other creative entrepreneurs. The cost of setting up a shop on Etsy is minimal, as they only ask that you pay USD $0.20 per item listed. In addition, Etsy only takes a 3.5% fee for any sales made on the site. While you may not depend solely on your Etsy shop for the majority of your sales, this is a great way to increase brand awareness and your reach.

 

How Do I Get Started?

 
Before setting up a shop on Etsy, you’ll want to check out their Sellers Policy to make sure your products comply with their rules. They really stress that everything should be handmade, although this doesn’t mean that you have to make every single item from scratch without outside help. In fact, they are OK with you using an outside manufacturer to help with production, as long as the designs come from you, you are actively involved in the creative process, and the manufacturer meets their ethical manufacturing policies.

If your items meet Etsy’s requirements, then you can go ahead and start setting up your shop. To do this, simply visit www.etsy.com/sell, fill out the basic information and follow the instructions to start adding your items. Keep in mind that you’ll need to create a company profile and that all the photos you use must be your own. You’ll also need to set up your shop policies, which include methods of payment, shipping times, and rules on returns and exchanges.

 

TIPS ON BUILDING YOUR BUSINESS ON ETSY

 

Define Your Own Unique Style

 
In order to connect with your customers and stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to find your own distinctive style that speaks for your brand and gets your message across. Some things to think about here might be your story—how you got started and why you create what you do. You may also want to think about what makes you different from all the other makers out there. Just like a brick and mortar shop, you’ll also want to draw customers with a compelling look, so try to make sure your logo, banner, photos and descriptions resonate with your vision and the ideas you want to portray.

 

Presentation is Everything

 
Being an online platform, Etsy is all about imagery and enticing customers with great looking visuals. This includes your banner, logo, product packaging and of course, awesome photos. It goes without saying that your product photos should be super appealing, so try to use high-quality images that catch the eye and make people want to click on the product. Try using multiple angles to show off all aspects of your items, and don’t be afraid to try setting up your products in different settings to see what works best. You may also want to think about hiring a professional graphic designer, illustrator or photographer to amp up the visual appeal of your shop and brand.

 

Play With Words

 
Sure, pictures draw in the crowds, but your descriptions will give potential buyers a clear and concise idea of exactly what you are offering. Plus, your word choice will help with SEO. Before labelling a product, think about what keywords someone would type into a search engine to find that specific product. Also, think about how your item stands out from all the other similar items out there, and try to incorporate that into the title, tags and descriptions. Try to add all the necessary details, but don’t go overboard with excessively long descriptions. Also be sure to fill out your About page so your customers can get a sense of what you’re all about.

 

Work the Social Media

 
In this day and age, social media is an absolute marketing must. Platforms like Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat are great ways to drive people to your Etsy shop or personal ecommerce site. They also allow you to create an engaging online persona. In your Etsy settings you can link your shop to a Facebook page or Twitter account, which will create buttons below your banners for people to ‘like’ you on Facebook or follow you on Twitter. You can also include links to your social media platforms in your Etsy profile.

 

Use Shop Stats to Track What Works

 
Once your shop is up and running, you can check in with the Shop Stats tool to see detailed information about your sales, traffic and reach. The dashboard will tell you how many people have viewed your shop over a certain time period, where your traffic is coming from, what keywords people are using to find your products, and how many orders have been placed. this is invaluable information that can help you decide which keywords are working and which aren’t, what social media sites are driving traffic to your site, and what type of products are selling best.

 

Communication is Key

 
While great visuals and words work wonders, at the end of the day the success of your business lies mainly with the relationships you build with your clientele. Be sure to respond to any questions your customers may have in a timely manner and be open, honest and helpful. You can also encourage your audience to interact with you through social media outlets, and keep them in the loop about new products and processes going on. Once you’ve developed a great rapport with your customers, they’re sure to keep coming back and refer other people to your brand.