How much and how to make money on etsy – step by step

A great way to earn money as a main or additional income with the Etsy platform. How to create your own shop on Etsy. The secrets of a successful business.

If you are an experienced crafter or your hobby brings you extra income through sales on social media, you have probably always dreamed of turning your hobby into a very profitable business.
 

That opportunity now exists, thanks to the use of the Etsy commerce platform .

On this platform you can easily create your own online store and sell your products not only to people from your city or country, but from all over the world.

In this article I tell you how to create your own online store and how to make money with Etsy. We'll talk about how to more effectively turn your small business or hobby into a serious business. We will talk about how to develop it properly so that your dream of earning a good income from home comes true.

What is Etsy?

Etsy is more than a shopping platform, it is a store for those people who prefer handmade products. For people who know and appreciate authenticity, taste and attraction to the talent of others. All this encourages them to buy the creations of artisans from all over the world. All products on the Etsy platform are of high quality and exclusivity. And the fact that the products are made by hand or in a special way makes the shopping experience very desirable.

Etsy is an American company founded in 2005. The Etsy platform is available in many countries and has a large marketplace, giving access to more than 85 million products.

Total gross sales in 2020 were $10 billion.

Etsy has long been a favorite of artists, seamstresses, crafters, and other creative sole proprietors specializing in handmade items and products.

The range of products and crafts that you can buy or sell through Etsy is truly enormous. There are many styles of clothing and footwear, jewelry, vintage items, gifts and souvenirs, toys, collectibles, metaphysical items, craft tools and supplies, household items, recyclable items, and much more. You can even find rental services there.

How can you make money on Etsy?

You ask me: What do you have to do to enter the Etsy platform and earn money? I have prepared for you some ideas that can help you, if you are interested and ask yourself the question: Etsy can make money. And it's not just about making soap, knitting hats, etc.

I have chosen for you the 4 main areas in which you can earn at least 5000 euros per month by developing:

Sale of digital products

One of the categories I love to shop in on Etsy is digital products. On Etsy you can find digital printables for the home, as well as planners, designers, event planners, and more.

If you're an expert in graphic design, selling digital products on Etsy can be a great way to earn extra money with a variety of downloadable digital products.

If that's what you like and know how to do, the Etsy platform could be a great marketplace for you. You just have to create your digital products, host them in your online store on this platform and you can earn money on Etsy either or earn a passive income .

You can even create sweatshirt or t-shirt designs for digital download that people can take to their local t-shirt store to print on a t-shirt of their choice from what they bought from you.
They can also be posters, event invitations, business cards, etc.
When people buy one of your digital creations and then download the product onto their computer and simply take it to a local print shop and print it, then you make money on Etsy. By the way, scrapbooking is one of the fastest growing trends.

Sale of craft products

Handmade items sold on Etsy can include many different ideas, such as:
  • jewelery and costume jewellery, including natural materials;
  • Accessories such as bags, wallets, knitted mittens, lace umbrellas for brides;
  • Soaps, shampoos, lip glosses, creams, perfumes, etc. hand made;
  • outerwear, clothing for special occasions, clothing for home and leisure, underwear and swimwear, etc. Garments made from unusual materials or combinations of materials, for example a combination of felt and silk.
  • Authentic national or unique shoes for weddings, as well as shoes for special occasions or for every day;
  • decorations and accessories for special occasions or wedding parties, as well as other items such as cake toppers;
  • toys for babies, adults and children made of different materials, sometimes unexpected.
  • books for the whole family. cloth books, bathroom books (plastic, polystyrene, silicone, rubber, etc.);
  • covers for mobile phones and tablets (wooden, silicone, fabric, knitted, etc.).
The list could go on and on. If you are passionate about something like this and can create and sell on Etsy, then this platform is definitely for you, make money with Etsy.

Sale of products and tools for crafts


If there are those who create handmade products, there must also be those who sell tools and products for their needlework. And they also sell them on Etsy:
  • materials and tools for carving wood and interesting drawings;
  • specialized digital sources;
  • fabrics, threads, lace, needles, buttons, zippers and tools for assembly.
  • various dried natural materials (flowers, cones, moss, twigs, etc.), as well as their plastic counterparts.
  • natural or artificial decorations for cakes and cupcakes
  • silicone molds for pastry, icing, chocolate, soap, etc.
  • templates for scrapbooking or baking.
The list of products that you can sell in this area of ​​Etsy is really huge. It just depends on what you like.

Sale of vintage and interior items, as well as collectibles

Etsy can also be a great marketplace for vintage and collectible items. But keep in mind that vintage items are only vintage when they are at least 20 years old.

They can be t-shirts of legendary rock groups, bags and wallets, home furnishing items such as wooden boxes, etc. that you can find by visiting thrift stores, fairs, sales, thrift stores or even in your own grandmother's closet or at your parents' house. Collectibles can also be sold on Etsy:
  • old toys or games in their original boxes;
  • coins and money;
  • collectible dolls;
  • home textiles and lace;
  • collectible art, figures, etc.
These types of items can also often be purchased at yard sales and thrift stores, and then resold on Etsy, but at a higher price.

The advantages of selling on Etsy

If the products, products, or services you want to market fit into the categories we've discussed above, then the Etsy platform is definitely for you.

It has many advantages, I want to draw your attention to the main three:

The value of your work

All Etsy users know that handmade crafts, created by their creators in original and creative ways, have a unique value that deserves to be paid for.

For this reason, shoppers will be more loyal to price ranges, as opposed to the prices they would expect for products bought in conventional stores and manufactured industrially.

Receive income from home or from anywhere in the world

If your work is not handmade, but downloadable, design-related and creative, you should have no problem selling it on Etsy.

For example, many users sell digital sticker kits, PDF patterns, or digital templates for creating e-books. This annuls any investment in physical material and saves shipping and packages. And the platform will make all the files available for download once the sale is over.
This will give you the freedom and flexibility to sell your work from your own home or from anywhere in the world.

Saving time and money at the beginning

While investing in an e-commerce site or website for your online store will always pay off in the long run, Etsy is a good place to start if you're just getting started selling online.

If you don't yet have the time, money, and/or knowledge to professionally set up your sales website, process payment methods, develop digital marketing strategies to attract potential customers, etc., then Etsy is the place. suitable to start your online sales.

Through Etsy, you will immediately be connecting with a community of users that you know is interested in your product and where the digital counter is already ready to use once you register, which gives you the opportunity to start building your reputation and more Go ahead and create your own online store.

How to create your shop on Etsy

To make your dream of working from home come true and turn your hobby into a profitable business, you need to use the Etsy commerce platform to create your own store and sell your crafts all over the world.

Step 1 – Product Creation


  • Do something unique. Etsy is a huge marketplace, and to make sure your product doesn't get lost among the thousands of stores, you either have to create an attractive product or come up with something unique.
  • Do a competitor analysis. Learn about the main trends and explore the most popular ones. And, based on your discoveries, develop your own unique product. Your task is to create something so new, distinctive and unique that people cannot resist buying it.
  • Create your own brand. The psychology of buyers is such that products under the brand cause more interest and they are willing to pay more for it. Agree there is a difference, for example, simply buy a necklace of beads or buy a gift from the "Queen of beads". Or buy a monkey or a "Happy Baby" children's toy.
  • Create things you like. Even if you want your store to be unique, it is important that you continue to work in your niche and enjoy it.
  • Wish list. Each crafter must create a list of possible things that he would like to create.
  • Assortment. Don't limit yourself to just one category. You are the owner of your store and you can do whatever you want. If you like to do a lot of different things, then do a lot of different things.

Big assortment = big sales

Make sure all your products have a common thread so your store doesn't look disorganized.

Assortment. Of course, you are the owner of the store, but you do not have to sell what you like, but what people are willing to buy. Therefore, especially in the initial stage, you have to start selling the products that your competitors are already selling. But, just make them more attractive in every sense of the word.

Know your customer. You can do whatever you want, but you should also think about making your products appeal to your customers. Research your target audience and find out the age range, gender, and occupation of your customers. Also, what could attract them to your online store. Consider how to broaden your audience.

Attention to details. Thinking that you have to have a large number of items to sell to start trading in your store is a big mistake for those starting a business. Don't wait weeks or months to make enough merchandise. Start selling any number of items, but already made. Even if you are not going to sell everything at once. The most important thing is that you are going to officially start your business and this will encourage you to do more things.

packaging . The packaging is as important as the product itself. If you sell your craft in good quality packaging and with a nice logo, you are more likely to make a good impression on your customers and they will become your repeat customers.

Customer feedback. You are constantly looking to create new products and optimize the manufacturing, design, cost, and layout of your current products. The feedback you consistently receive from your customers will help you achieve this.

Step 2 – Store setup


Set up your account. The process of creating an account on Etsy is quite simple:
  • go to Etsy.com;
  • click on the “register” button;
  • fill in all the fields.
Qualification. The main challenge is finding a suitable username. It will represent your identity on Etsy. It will also be part of your URL (yourname.etsy.com) and your brand. Choose carefully because it cannot be changed later.

Your username should be easy to remember and spell so you don't have trouble sharing your store link with others.

Your store name should not be linked to the products. Otherwise, if you initially call your account 'Yarnworks', for example, and later decide to add embroidery or jewelery to the range, it will be very difficult to attract customers for the new products.

Change your account from "Buyer" to "Seller". Initially, the Etsy platform automatically assigns the status of "Buyer" to all new accounts. Once you decide to operate as an online store, you will need to change your account settings in order to sell your products.

For it :
  • log in to your account;
  • click on the “sell” tab at the top of the page;
  • and then "get started" on the next page.
You will only have to enter your credit card number to complete the process.

Store setup. When customers visit your Etsy shop, they're taken to your home page. On this page you can add text, a banner or personal information about your store.

An attractive home page will greatly increase your chances of making a sale, so make sure your home page looks professional and attractive.

For it:
  • design or commission a promotional banner with your store name at the top;
  • fill out the “about the retailer” tab. To do this, add a small photo and some information about yourself or your store. By letting customers know who makes these crafts, you make them more loyal to your store.
The price of the product. Before you start selling your handicrafts, you need to correctly calculate its price.

The best way to determine the exact price of your products is to use these equation:
  1. Labor + materials + cost + profit = wholesale price
  2. Wholesale price x 2 = retail price
Delivery. Think about how you are going to make the delivery and calculate the cost of it. This is its direct cost, which affects the price of the product.

You have to make a table for your customers in which you specify the shipping costs for each of your products.

Photos of your products. No matter how amazing your product is, if your photos are of poor quality, you won't be in demand. Etsy allows you to add five photos to a product.

I recommend it:
  • take photos of your product from different angles;
  • use natural light;
  • Take photos of your products outdoors or near an open window to bring out the actual color and texture.
  • choose a suitable background that does not distract from the product.
No need to spend on expensive cameras, a normal digital camera on a smartphone is just what you need. If necessary, use a photo-editing program to edit the images to your liking and enhance their appeal.

A description of the terms of service. It is important to note that you will be responsible for the sales. Make your terms of service available to customers who visit your store:
  1. Do you accept changes or returns?
  2. Do you make custom products?
  3. Who is responsible if your product arrives damaged to the customer?
  4. Is there a waiting period before shipping?
Add the appropriate tags. When you list your products for sale, you have the opportunity to add tags to describe them. They help with searches through Google or Etsy and direct visitors to your shop. You can add up to 13 tags and it's better to use all 13 instead of settling for less.

Specify the characteristics of the product on the labels. Create labels based on color, material, manufacturing process, style, size, etc. Include as many specific tags as you can.

To improve the SEO (Search Engine Optimization) performance of your store, use specific terms. Instead of simply labeling your product as, for example, “jewelry”, it is better to use the label “handmade jewelry”. This will help narrow down the search area and increase the chances that your product will be at the top of the list.

Step 3 – Store Maintenance

Keep track of your sales. To do a good business, you will need to keep track of your sales and expenses. Always record each item sold, the price, the amount of the sale and the total income from it. Then, at the end of each month, you can take stock and see how your store is doing.

Advertising. List your products on Etsy. You can advertise your product and shop without ever leaving Etsy. Promote your products by paying a $7.00 advertising fee to appear first in search results. Comment on official Etsy blog posts using your shop URL. Communicate with other store owners and consult with them.

Advertise your store on social media. Simply adding products to your store does not guarantee a flow of visitors and customers. To make your products known to the world, you need to advertise on social media. Promote your store on platforms like Facebook, Pinterest, Twitter, Tumblr, Instagram, and blogs.

Discounts and lottery (gifts). If you want to get more clients, contact the owner of a popular blog with a similar theme to your business. Give the owner of the blog a product of yours or give a discount to all blog readers in exchange for a post about your product. Although it will cost you money in the short term, it can build a large customer base and increase your business and income in the long run.

Features of working with the Etsy platform


Unfortunately, selling on ETSY isn't free. There are costs involved in selling on Etsy that must be taken into account when calculating the potential profit. Here are some of the main costs you may be charged if you sell products on Etsy.

fee schedule

The fees to list on Etsy are minimal. You will receive 20 cents for each item you list on Etsy. The ad is valid for four months or until the item is sold, whichever comes first.

transaction costs

If you have an item for sale on Etsy, you will pay a 3.5% transaction fee. This fee is based on the sales price and does not apply to shipping costs.

Payment Processing Fees

Etsy ensures that sellers receive their payments through the Etsy Payments platform. To use Etsy Payments, you'll pay a transaction fee at checkout, which is up to 3% plus an additional 25 cents.

Etsy Payments allows you to accept payments from 10 different sources, including Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. Etsy Payments helps ensure the security of buyers and sellers during the checkout process.

In addition, you will incur charges if you accept credit card payments, as well as PayPal and conversion fees.

Also don't forget factors like sales tax or self-employment tax.

Now that you know the Etsys commission structure, you can use this information to determine the prices of the products you sell.

FAQ

What is Etsy?

Etsy is more than a shopping platform, it is a store for those people who prefer handmade products. For people who know and appreciate authenticity, taste and attraction to the talent of others.

How can you make money on Etsy?

There are 4 main areas:
  1. Sale of digital products
  2. Sale of craft products
  3. Sale of products and tools for crafts
  4. Sale of vintage and interior items, as well as collectibles
How to correctly calculate the cost of your product or service?

The best way to determine the exact price of your products is to use these equation:
  • Labor + materials + cost + profit = wholesale price.
  • Wholesale price x 2 = retail price.
How do I set up my Esty account?

The process of creating an account on Etsy is quite simple:
  • go to Etsy.com;
  • click on the “register” button;
  • fill in all the fields.
How to create a product for Esty?
  • Do something unique. Etsy is a huge marketplace, and to make sure your product doesn't get lost among the thousands of stores, you either have to create an attractive product or come up with something unique.
  • Do a competitor analysis. Learn about the main trends and explore the most popular ones. And, based on your discoveries, develop your own unique product. Your task is to create something so new, distinctive and unique that people cannot resist buying it.
  • Create your own brand. The psychology of buyers is such that products under the brand cause more interest and they are willing to pay more for it. Agree there is a difference, for example, simply buy a necklace of beads or buy a gift from the "Queen of beads". Or buy a monkey or a "Happy Baby" children's toy.
  • Create things you like. Even if you want your store to be unique, it is important that you continue to work in your niche and enjoy it.
  • Wish List . Each crafter must create a list of possible things that he would like to create.
  • Don't limit yourself to just one category . You are the owner of your store and you can do whatever you want. If you like to do a lot of different things, then do a lot of different things. Make sure all your products have a common thread so your store doesn't look disorganized.
  • The packaging is as important as the product itself . If you sell your craft in good quality packaging and with a nice logo, you are more likely to make a good impression on your customers and they will become your repeat customers.
What are the fees to process payments on Esty?

Etsy ensures that sellers receive their payments through the Etsy Payments platform. To use Etsy Payments, you'll pay a transaction fee at checkout, which is up to 3% plus an additional 25 cents.

Etsy Payments allows you to accept payments from 10 different sources, including Visa, Mastercard, and PayPal. Etsy Payments helps ensure the security of buyers and sellers during the checkout process.

How to make money on Etsy: a summary

Etsy is a good starting point for selling your products. Their goal is to support professional crafters and hobbyists by giving them a platform to showcase their work and earn money.

With the tips above on how to make money on Etsy, you should be prepared when you decide to sell your products on the sites. It's time to monetize your hobby. Forward!
Have a good business!
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