Artisans young and old, regardless of their craft will find an audience and customers online at Etsy. What is Etsy, you ask? Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling all things handmade ” think Amazon for handmade products.
Released in 2005, Etsy hosts more than 100,000 sellers worldwide. These sellers market everything from jewelry and candles to soap, clothing, and domestic products. While Etsy created its foundation in the buying and selling of homemade products, sellers can also sell craft supplies and vintage items as well.
Benefits of Selling On Etsy
Etsy store owners receive their own customizable store, a URL to link to and drive visitors to, and an abundance of marketing tools and resources to build awareness and of course profits.
No programming or HTML knowledge required. Etsy makes it easy to focus on what you do best and leave the rest to others. Creating your store, managing transactions, and communications with customers are quick and simple processes.
Its free to get started selling on Etsy.
Your First Step
Step one for selling on Etsy is to register for a seller account. This requires you to provide the typical information which will include your name, address and such but will also include adding a credit card to your account. There is no charge to sign up however your credit card will be used to pay for your listing and transaction fees and is therefore a requirement to signing up as a seller.
When you make a sale Etsy will charge a 3.5% transaction fee and each item you list costs .20 cents however each listing lasts for four months.
Optimizing your Etsy Online Store
Etsy is growing and that means more competition. A few careful strategies will help you stand out from the crowd. Create a unique username, which will also become your store name.
Choose your username wisely. Your username is what will become your store URL. Make a positive impression. Like eBay, sellers can build credibility through positive feedback ratings from customers.
Research your competition. Its also critical to spend some time checking out the Etsy website, your competition, and other artisans. This will help you set prices, create your online store, and position your products competitively.
Captivating photos. Your customers want to see your fantastic products. Be sure to take great pictures, pictures that represent all you have to offer.
Describe your products accurately. A detailed product description will help sell it and if you happen to have a knack for creative and entertaining catalog copy then by all means use it. Share your items story, engage your customer, and make them want to share the experience by buying your products.
Search Engine Optimization. Take advantage of keyword tagging and category features to position your store and products well. Each store owner gets fourteen keywords per product; make sure to use them all to position yourself competitively.
Drive Traffic. Utilize other marketing tools, including your business website if you have one, to drive traffic to your Etsy store. Post a link to your Etsy storefront in your newsletter and spread the word to boost profits and traffic.
If you sell homemade products, crafting supplies, or vintage wares, building an Etsy store is a great way to add dollars to your bottom line. Its a fantastic and easy to use tool to showcase your wares, build a community, and to grow your business.
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