Etsy has become one of the most popular online marketplaces for independent sellers and crafters to sell their unique, handmade, and vintage items. With millions of active buyers searching Etsy every day for that perfect gift or special item, it’s a great time to open up your own Etsy shop.
But where do you start? Here’s a complete guide to getting set up on Etsy and starting your handmade business in 2024.
What is Etsy?
For those new to the platform, Etsy is an online global marketplace where creative entrepreneurs and makers can sell their handmade creations, vintage goods, craft supplies, and more. Founded in 2005, Etsy was created as a venue for makers and DIYers to find an audience to buy and appreciate their one-of-a-kind items.
Etsy has grown tremendously over the years, with over 90 million items for sale today across dozens of categories. Some of the most popular categories include jewelry, home decor, art, clothing, paper goods, beauty products, and wedding accessories.
While anyone can buy items on Etsy, only approved sellers can list items for sale after opening an Etsy shop. Etsy shops allow sellers to customize their brand, create item listings with photos and descriptions, process orders, and manage all aspects of running their business.
Why Sell on Etsy in 2024?
With so many e-commerce options available today, from Amazon to Shopify to social platforms, why should you consider selling specifically on Etsy? Here are some of the key benefits to selling on Etsy this year:
- Built-in audience – Etsy attracts over 60 million unique visitors each month searching for handmade, vintage, and specialty craft supplies. This means instant traffic from buyers actively looking to purchase items in your niche.
- Brand recognition – Etsy has become a household name, synonymous with handmade and unique items. Buyers trust the Etsy brand and are dedicated repeat customers.
- Low fees – Opening an Etsy shop is free, with additional low listing and transaction fees per sale. This makes Etsy very affordable to start selling.
- Ease of setup – Creating an Etsy shop takes less than an hour. You can be up and running selling faster than almost any other platform.
- Tools and support – Etsy offers seller tools, education, and support to help you customize and manage your shop.
- Shopper trust – Etsy buyers have confidence in the sellers and items on Etsy, leading to higher sales conversions.
And in 2024, all signs point to continued growth. Etsy has invested heavily in marketing to bring in more buyers and make Etsy a household name. They are also expanding into new markets and categories while improving the seller tools and platform. For handmade sellers, 2024 is an ideal time to launch and leverage Etsy’s growth.
Things to Sell on Etsy
One of the great aspects of Etsy is that you can truly sell almost any type of handmade, vintage, or crafting item in your shop. While Etsy started out focused on more traditional arts and crafts, it has expanded to include many more categories of physical and digital items.
Here are some of the most popular and profitable things to consider selling on Etsy right now:
Jewelry
Jewelry remains one of the biggest Etsy categories. From delicate gold-plated necklaces to chunky beaded bracelets, jewelry appeals to the Etsy audience looking for special handmade touches.
Home Decor
Trendy wall hangings, pillows, candles, and more do very well on Etsy. Home decor spans style themes like boho chic, mid-century modern, or Scandinavian designs.
Clothing & Accessories
Vintage-inspired dresses, screen-printed t-shirts, baby onesies, and hand-knitted scarves are just some of the clothing items that resonate with Etsy shoppers seeking unique pieces.
Paper Goods
Planners, journals, greeting cards, art prints, and more fall under the expansive paper goods offerings on Etsy. Digital downloads of SVG cut files, planner stickers, and more are also very popular.
Bath & Beauty
All-natural soaps, lotions, candles, and makeup are in demand on Etsy. Shoppers love supporting small batch and handmade self-care items.
Digital Products
From social media templates to brushes for Procreate on iPad to crochet patterns, digital items continue to grow on Etsy. Sellers can create endless options for digital downloads.
The key is to find a niche you are passionate about and leverage your unique skills or offerings to stand out. Broad categories like home decor can be narrowed down, for example focusing on Scandinavian-style decor specifically. Do market research to validate the demand for a product before investing your time and money into creating inventory.
How to Open an Etsy Shop
Ready to get started selling on Etsy? Here is a step-by-step guide to opening your Etsy shop:
Step 1: Create an Etsy account
First, visit Etsy.com and click on Register at the top right. You’ll need to enter your email, and name, and create a password. Make sure to use an email you check frequently as Etsy will send important shop notifications here.
Step 2: Select shop settings
Next, you can configure your shop settings like:
- Shop language – Choose the primary language of your shop
- Country – Select your shop’s country
- Currency – Choose the currency you will sell in
- Time zone – Set your timezone
- Shop name – Create a unique, memorable name for your shop
Step 3: Create a shop banner & profile
Add a banner image that represents your brand. Write an “About” profile sharing your story, products, and anything unique about your business.
Step 4: Add shop payment account
You’ll need to connect a payment account so you can get paid. Etsy Payments is the preferred processor where sales deposit directly to your bank. You can also use PayPal.
Step 5: List your first items
Now the fun part – start adding product listings! Draft titles, descriptions, photos, pricing, and shipping. Use all 13 tags allowed per listing for maximum visibility.
Once your shop is ready, click the “Open” button and start selling on Etsy!
Tips for Etsy Success
Follow these top tips from successful Etsy sellers to help your new shop thrive on the platform:
- Optimize titles and tags – Research the keywords buyers are searching for and optimize your listings for those terms. Appearing in search is key on Etsy.
- Engage buyers – Reply promptly to convos, offer bundled discounts on multiple items, and send thank you notes with purchases. Building relationships leads to repeat business.
- Run sales and promos – Offer coupon codes or sales during peak shopping times like holidays or large events related to your items.
- Focus on photography – Invest in a good camera and lighting. Show your products in use or modeled. Photographs are everything on Etsy.
- Refresh inventory – Add at least one new listing per week to capitalize on the Etsy search algorithm and rankings.
- Promote outside Etsy – Drive external traffic by promoting your shop on social media, email lists, and anywhere your audience may be.
- Provide excellent customer service – Communicate shipping timelines, handle any issues promptly, and follow up to get reviews. This leads to long-term success.
The most important thing when getting started on Etsy is to stay focused on your niche and keep learning. Take advantage of Etsy’s Seller Handbook, forums, and available support. Tap into the knowledge of fellow successful Etsy sellers.
Why Etsy is Still Going Strong
Etsy has faced some criticism and skepticism over the past few years as it has evolved from a handmade-only platform to allowing manufacturing partners and more mass-produced products. Some long-time sellers feel Etsy has lost its way.
However, looking at the growth figures and trajectory of Etsy, it remains not just stable but thriving. Here are signs that Etsy is stronger than ever as we head into 2024:
- Etsy is investing heavily in marketing, including its first Super Bowl ad, which aired in 2023. This will continue to attract more buyers.
- Etsy has improved tools for sellers, including Etsy Payments processing, on-site advertising, and automated multi-channel listing capabilities.
- The company is expanding globally, with new office locations opening worldwide to provide better local support.
- Categories like craft supplies, vintage, and handmade manufacturing have opened up Etsy to new sellers and buyers.
While some “Old Etsy” sellers have left, many successful shops with 6 and 7-figure revenues continue to thrive on the platform.
Etsy still retains its core identity as a marketplace for unique, creative, and handmade goods even as it evolves to open up to more products and sellers. For buyers seeking items outside the mass-market realm, Etsy delivers. Sellers are finding that Etsy’s audience, brand power, and tools drive sales even in an increasingly competitive market.
The numbers show Etsy retaining its strong market position for makers, crafters, and vintage sellers. For handmade entrepreneurs ready to realize their small business dreams, Etsy provides a proven platform to turn passion into profits.
In 2024 and beyond, Etsy is poised for continued growth and prosperity. The time is now for aspiring Etsy sellers to get started and become part of the Etsy success story!
Starting a successful Etsy shop takes work – but the rewards for sellers who put in the effort are immense. Etsy makes it possible for creative entrepreneurs to turn their handmade creations and vintage finds into a thriving business.
With the right preparation and strategy, 2024 can be the year you launch your own highly profitable Etsy shop. Use this guide to get set up on Etsy, create stand-out listings, attract buyers, and provide a stellar customer experience.
The demand for exactly the type of unique, handcrafted goods Etsy offers continues to rise. Buyers want to know the story and maker behind the items they purchase. That personal touch is at the heart of every Etsy shop’s success.
Are you ready to start your handmade business journey? With dedication and persistence, your Etsy shop can be the launchpad to achieving your small business dreams and creative ambitions this year.
