Preparing For Your Etsy Store
Before you start your Etsy store, there are a few important factors to consider and prepare for to make your store launch as seamless as possible.
A Store Name
A unique, catchy, and appropriate name is key to building your brand, standing out from the competition, and attracting customers on Etsy. If the name you want is already taken, you could try adding words like "shop," "store," or a location to the end of it when setting up your store.
Branded Designs
The best stores on Etsy all have unique and clear branding so their customers can have the best shopping experience while promoting their brand. Product labels and packaging can be a great way to do that, and there are many ways to get creative with them. You can either use tools like Photoshop or Canva to make your own, or you can bring in a graphic designer. That way, you'll be ready to go when you make that first sale.
Take Some High-Quality Photos
If you want your store to look slick and professional, it's important to take some high-quality photos that show your products at their best. Use a simple background, natural light, sharp focus, and a decent camera to make sure your product looks as good as it can.
Set Achievable Goals
Setting small, achievable goals and a roadmap to follow can help you stay on track and focus your efforts. Plus, when you reach your goals, it can give you a boost of motivation for the future.
Confirm Your Tax Status
While you don't need a business license to sell on Etsy, you must choose between being a sole proprietor or an LLC for tax purposes, and register with your state. Most Etsy sellers are sole proprietors, which means you report your business income to the IRS, calculate your taxes, and pay them on time.*
*Please check your state's tax laws and regulations before setting up your Etsy shop to make sure you are in compliance.
Open a Separate Bank Account
Having a specific bank account for your Etsy transactions can make it much easier to keep track of your income and expenses, as well as for tax purposes.
Setting Up Your Etsy Store
Create an Account
The first thing you need to do to start your Etsy store is to create an account. Once you've set up your account, you're ready to open your shop, but you'll need to change your account from a buyer's account to a seller's account. To do so, simply click on the "Sell" tab at the top of the screen.
Here you can begin to add some information about yourself and your store, such as your store name, profile photo, and a short bio about yourself to introduce your work to potential customers. Don't be afraid to tell the story behind your products, your inspiration, and why people should buy what you sell.
List Your ProductsÂ
After this, you can start adding your products. You'll need to write a product title, description, category, price, shipping info, and whether it's digital or physical. You can also add details about when and where the product was made.
Photos
In this section, you can upload up to ten images for each listing. It's also a nice touch to include a video, as it lets customers see how the product is used.
Pricing
When you're setting prices for your products, think about how long it took to make them and what the materials cost. It's a smart move to check out similar items in your niche on Etsy to get a sense of the going rates and price your product competitively. You can also factor in Etsy's fees and shipping costs when setting your price. Depending on how many sales you make, you can adjust the price as you go.
Shipping Information
Etsy will ask you to confirm your shipping details, including whether you want to have a fixed price for postage or if you want to offer premium or first-class shipping options as well. In addition, you are given the option to allow international shipping or not by selecting specific countries you'd like to deliver to.
Adding international postage will open your market to more people, but you will probably have to deal with customs forms and declarations depending on where you ship to.
Product Information
Use your SEO and keyword research to create clear product descriptions and titles that include relevant keywords. This helps your products appear in first in search results, making them easier for customers to find. For a new store, Etsy suggests you start by uploading 10 listings to give your shop early momentum and make it feel established to potential buyers.
Fees
The process of listing your products will cost you a few dollars, as will selling your products when you get around to it. We’ve listed the fees to be aware of so you can factor this into your budgeting.
| Fees | Cost |
| Listing Fees | 20¢ per item listed |
| Transaction Fee | 3% + $0.25 per item sold |
| Etsy Plus Subscription | $10 per month |
| Advertising Fees | 15% of the items sold |
| Currency Conversion Fee | 2.5% of the item sold |
Set Up Your Payments
Once your store is set up, you will need to add your payment details and confirm your tax filing status. Alongside this, Etsy will also need to receive your:
- Social security number.
- Your checking or savings account number, where you will be paid.
- The location of your bank.
- Debit or credit card information - this is where your fees will be deducted from.
Customize Your Store
Before you get started, you'll want to design your store to your liking. To do that, just upload your own personalized banner and add your store theme and policies. Your store policy should include info for your customers on things like shipping, payment options, your return policy, and how long it'll take to process and ship an order. This way, you'll save yourself a lot of back-and-forth with customers down the road.
Once you've finished this step, you're all set to open your Etsy store and start sharing it with the world.
After Your Etsy Store is Set Up
Getting your Etsy store up and running is one thing, but there are several major steps you can take to increase your chances of making sales and maximize your earnings.
Promote Your Store
What good is a well-designed Etsy store with great products if no one can see it? That's why it's best to promote your store in every way you can through paid ads, Etsy’s on-site ads, and social media.
SEO and Keyword Search
Like advertising, search engine optimization means that you'll be more easily found by people searching for your particular product online. You can use Ahrefs and Google Trends to search for keywords related to your product and make sure you include them in your product and meta descriptions to increase store traffic and hopefully sales.
Encourage Reviews
Get your customers to leave positive reviews to make your store stand out on the platform and show people your products are worth buying. For instance, you could add a personalized note to your shipped product asking for reviews, or you could drop a polite follow-up message to encourage customers to give you their feedback.
Provide Good Customer Service
Another way to get positive reviews and be seen as a store people respect is to make sure you're there for your customers when they need you, and that you're always ready to help if there's an issue.
Network with Other Sellers
Make the most of the Etsy Community feature, where sellers can chat and discuss, to get some useful insider tips and help your store succeed.
The Final Word
In short, there's a lot of competition on Etsy, but success is within reach if you're dedicated and consistent. The key factors include offering quality products that really appeal and resonate with buyers if you want to stand out in a crowded marketplace.
Alongside this, by using Etsy's tools, maintaining a high standard of quality, providing excellent customer service, and advertising consistently, you'll be sure to attract and keep customers. Ultimately, if you're willing to put in the work, you can make your store a hit and turn your artistic talent into a rewarding and profitable business!
