How to sell on Etsy

There are many platforms out there for e-commerce firms, but Etsy can be one of the most convenient ones for those starting completely from scratch.

Every e-commerce firm needs a platform that works well for them. In some cases, particularly larger firms, this can be an in-house operation. Others, however, may benefit from using a host website like Etsy.

What is Etsy all about?

Etsy is a platform designed for small e-commerce firms selling hand-crafted, home-made or vintage items. By definition, this means its partners are likely to be sole traders or micro-businesses. Formed in 2005, the company is based in New York and the US remains its prime market. However, it does have a significant presence in the UK.

Those wanting to sell on Etsy can initially join for free and set up an account but will have to pay a fee to list products and the site also takes a small cut of the profit on each item sold. This is how Etsy makes its money.

In addition, there are also options regarding the package you can have. For example, you could opt for the Standard package, which is all you really need to get started. However, for those who have established their online business and want to grow and market their brand more, there is the (paid for) Plus package. A more advanced ’Premier’ package was due to arrive in 2019, but has yet to appear.

Etsy also offers data on sales, site visits, income and also comments left by customers or those simply visiting your page. This can all provide useful information to help you track your progress and develop your marketing efforts.

What do you need to do to get started?

•          Having set up an account, you choose your shop preferences. These include your country, currency, language, what you are selling and whether it is part or full-time.

•          Give your shop a name (you must check this has not already been taken)

•         Stock the shop with listings. Each listing is active on your ‘shop’ page for four months or until it sells.

•          Add important product description details such as size, weight, materials used, colour options, price and number of items in stock.

How you get paid?

This depends on where your business is located. If you are in an eligible country, you can get paid via an internal system called Etsy payments. If not, the following are alternative options:

•          PayPal

•          Cheque or money order

•          Other methods including credit cards, such as Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover or Carte Bleue (France)

Marketing matters

You can do some marketing through Etsy, such as via its free social media platform or paid keyword listings, but you can also do some content marketing yourself, like blogs. These can include some very powerful elements.

•          Content that outlines the company’s story, unique selling points and motivations 

•          Videos can also be very useful, particularly if they demonstrate how to use an item.

The last of these is very important: It is where your content marketing begins as it tells a story that people can buy into. To make it effective, use good search engine optimisation with relevant copy and enticing keywords people are likely to search for.  

How can BeUniqueness help you?

If you are setting up with Etsy, BeUniqueness can help you to get started and also to develop the right digital marketing strategy. While Etsy provides a digital shopfront, we can offer you the means to reach out to your potential customer base, be it through content marketing, PPC or email. This will help you maximise your return on investment and bring in more custom.

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