Overview
Are you someone who enjoys making handmade crafts or unique items and wondering if it’s possible to turn your passion into a full-time business?
Or you may already have an Etsy shop but struggling to make sales.
In this blog post, we will address some common questions like: Can you make a living off Etsy? Is it hard to sell on Etsy? What is the easiest thing to sell on Etsy? Can I have multiple Etsy shops? And many more.
What Is Etsy?
Etsy is an e-commerce platform synonymous with handmade and vintage goods. Since its launch in 2005, Etsy has grown into a massive online marketplace where individuals can buy and sell unique, one-of-a-kind items.
The platform’s success is primarily attributed to its emphasis on distinctive or handmade goods, which has helped it stand out from other e-commerce giants like Amazon and eBay.
With millions of buyers and sellers worldwide, Etsy has become a go-to destination for those seeking to buy or sell creative products.
Is It Hard To Sell On Etsy?
Selling on Etsy can be a rewarding experience, but it can also be challenging, especially for new sellers. With millions of active sellers on the platform, competition is fierce, and it may take some effort to stand out from the crowd.
Building a customer base and establishing a reputation on the platform can take time.
However, there are ways to increase your chances of success, such as optimizing your product listings with SEO tools for Etsy, such as EverBee, eRank, or Alura, using high-quality images, and utilizing social media to promote your shop.
Optimizing Product Listings
One of the most important things a seller can do to increase their chances of success is to optimize their product listings.
That means taking high-quality photos of their items, writing detailed and accurate descriptions, and using relevant tags and keywords to help potential customers find their products.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO) tools like Everbee and eRank can significantly boost new or unknown sellers’ performance by moving their stores higher in search results.
Read about SEO optimizing tool for Etsy called EverBee.
What Is Everbee?
EverBee Chrome extension is an application designed to assist you in evaluating products available on Etsy, spotting patterns, and discovering profitable products that can enhance your business.
This application enables you to view information on the products that appear in your search results by entering a specific item or keyword.
This information includes the product name, store name, price, number of favorites, total sales, monthly sales, and monthly revenue.
By providing this information, the EverBee Etsy tool helps you identify what is the easiest thing to sell on Etsy.
What Is eRank?
eRank is a free SEO tool designed for Etsy shopkeepers to help them attract more customers by optimizing their store’s listing.
The tool provides metrics in three main areas: keyword research, competitor analysis, and trend tracking.
By using eRank, Etsy sellers can find keywords that actual buyers are searching for and incorporate them into their product tags and titles.
Additionally, they can monitor their competitors’ daily sales, listings, and keywords used to improve their own shop’s performance.
In addition to optimizing product listings, offering excellent customer service is also crucial for making sales on Etsy.
Read about SEO optimizing tool for Etsy called eRank.
Customer Service
Sellers should respond promptly to customer inquiries, provide accurate and transparent shipping information, and handle any issues or concerns that arise with professionalism and care.
By offering exceptional customer service, sellers can build a loyal customer base and positive reviews, which can help them stand out from other sellers and increase their sales.
Overall, while it may take some effort to sell on Etsy, it is possible to succeed on the platform with the right strategy and approach.
Sellers can increase their visibility and build a successful Etsy shop by optimizing product listings, offering great customer service, and staying up-to-date with the latest trends and customer demands.
What Is The Easiest Thing To Sell On Etsy?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. The easiest thing to sell on Etsy varies depending on the trends, season, and customer demand.
However, some products, such as handmade jewelry, home decor, clothing, stickers, and digital prints, tend to sell well on the platform.
Determining the easiest thing to sell on Etsy can be subjective and dependent on individual skills and interests.
However, there are several popular and easy-to-make items that sell well on the platform.
Handmade Jewelry
Handmade jewelry, for example, is a perennial favorite on Etsy, as it is often small, affordable, and easy to ship.
Sellers can offer a wide variety of styles and materials, including beaded, wire-wrapped, and engraved pieces, making it easy to find a niche and stand out from the competition.
Another easy-to-make item on Etsy is print-on-demand products, such as t-shirts, tote bags, and phone cases.
Print On Demand
Print-on-demand services allow sellers to create unique designs and have them printed on a range of products without investing in inventory or equipment. This can be a cost-effective and easy way for sellers to offer custom products and tap into popular trends.
Digital Goods
Digital goods such as printables, graphics, and fonts are also popular and easy-to-make items on Etsy.
These products are entirely digital and can be easily downloaded and printed by the buyer, making them low-maintenance for sellers. Digital goods can appeal to sellers with graphic design skills or those seeking a more passive income stream.
By focusing on quality, unique products, and effective marketing strategies, sellers can increase their chances of success on Etsy.
Can I Have Multiple Etsy Shops?
Yes, you can have multiple Etsy shops, but according to Etsy policies, each shop must have a unique name, email address, and payment account. Etsy allows sellers to have up to ten shops as long as they are all distinct and not selling similar products.
Additionally, sellers must comply with Etsy’s policies and guidelines, including those related to intellectual property, prohibited items, and customer service.
There are several reasons why someone might want to have multiple Etsy shops.
For example, a seller may want to sell different types of products, such as handmade jewelry and vintage clothing. Having separate shops would make it easier for customers to find and purchase items.
Alternatively, a seller may want to target different audiences with each shop, such as selling high-end luxury items in one shop and affordable everyday items in another.
Multiple Etsy shops can also allow sellers to experiment with different marketing strategies and branding approaches.
By testing different shop names, product listings, and promotional techniques, sellers can gain insights into what works best for their business and adapt accordingly.
By carefully managing each shop and focusing on quality products and customer service, sellers can increase their chances of success on the platform.
Can You Make A Living Off Etsy?
The answer is, ‘it depends.’ Some sellers have made a living from their Etsy shop, while others struggle to make sales.
The key to making a living on Etsy is to have a unique and quality product, excellent customer service, and effective marketing strategies. Building a successful Etsy shop takes a lot of hard work, dedication, and time.
It is also essential to price your products competitively and factor in all costs, including materials, time, and shipping.
Some sellers have been able to turn their Etsy shops into full-time businesses, while others may only see it as a side hustle.
It’s also important to be patient and persistent, as it may take some time to build up a customer base and gain traction on the platform.
There are many success stories from top Etsy sellers who have been able to turn their shops into successful businesses.
Etsy Success Story 1
According to Etsy’s article, Alicia Bock is a photographer from the United States who started taking more photos after becoming a mother and quitting her job in health education.
She began exhibiting and selling her work at art shows, and in 2005, she opened her Etsy shop to sell her photos online. Her photography style is dreamy and depicts travel and nature in muted hues.
Her business has flourished over the past 10 years, and her photographs have been used in Hollywood movies and TV shows, as well as by interior designers for hotels.
Alicia loves seeing her work as part of a bigger project. Her photography often captures imagery of balloons, beaches, flowers, and landscapes.
Etsy Success Story 2
Another success story is about YouTuber Tim Koa, who shares his experience of starting to sell stickers on Etsy in August 2020.
On his YouTube channel, he breaks down his sales numbers from the beginning of the business and shares his experience during each period.
In the first few months, he enjoyed making extra money and having no expectations. As his business grew, he began to take it more seriously, researching how to make their Etsy shop successful.
He felt a sense of pride and professionalism as he became more experienced and efficient in fulfilling orders.
Finally, he shares his monthly sales numbers (to inspire new Etsy sellers), which gradually increased from a few hundred dollars to over $9,000 in August 2021.
Can You Make A Living Off Etsy – FAQs
The money you can make on Etsy printables depends on various factors, such as the quality of your designs, pricing strategy, marketing efforts, and product demand. Some sellers make a few hundred dollars monthly, while others make thousands or even tens of thousands.
The time it takes to make money on Etsy varies depending on various factors, such as your niche, the quality of your products, and your marketing efforts. Some sellers make sales in their first few days, while others may take several months to get their first sale.
You can make money on Etsy without making anything by selling digital products such as printables, patterns, and templates. You can also resell vintage items or become an affiliate and earn a commission by promoting other sellers’ products.
The average Etsy sales in first year vary depending on the seller’s niche, marketing efforts, and product quality. According to Etsy, the average first-year seller makes around $400 in sales.
The average Etsy seller’s monthly income varies widely depending on various factors such as product quality, marketing efforts, and niche. However, according to Etsy, the average seller earns around $216 per month. (The average number does not mean much because most people starting a business make nothing, and others can make up to $10K/month and more.)
To make 10k a month on Etsy, you must have a solid product offering, target a profitable niche, price your products correctly, and invest in marketing and advertising to drive traffic to your store.
Yes, you can make money on Etsy if you have a solid product offering, target a profitable niche, price your products correctly, and invest in marketing and advertising to drive traffic to your store.
The amount of money you can realistically make on Etsy depends on factors such as product quality, niche, marketing efforts, and pricing strategy. Some sellers make a few hundred dollars monthly, while others make tens of thousands.
Yes, an Etsy shop can be a full-time job if you have a profitable niche, quality products, and invest in marketing and advertising to drive traffic to your store.
The best-selling items on Etsy include handmade items, personalized items, vintage items, and digital products such as printables and templates. Popular categories include home decor, jewelry, clothing, and accessories.
Conclusion
We hope we have cleared up any uncertainty that Etsy newbies might have had regarding questions like: Can you make a living off Etsy? Is it hard to sell on Etsy? What is the easiest thing to sell on Etsy? Can I have multiple Etsy shops?
Selling on Etsy can be a rewarding and profitable experience if done correctly. It takes time, effort, and patience to succeed, but with the right product, strategy, and attitude, it is possible to make a living off Etsy.
Optimizing product listings, utilizing social media and other marketing channels, and following Etsy’s policies and guidelines are vital.
Remember to focus on providing quality products, excellent customer service, and effective marketing. By learning from the success stories of top Etsy sellers, you can increase your chances of success.
While it may be challenging for everyone to make a living off their Etsy shops, success is possible with hard work and dedication.