Have you ever dreamed of turning your passion into a profitable business? If so, Etsy may be the perfect platform for you. Etsy is an online marketplace that allows individuals to sell unique, handmade, or vintage items. It brings together buyers who are looking for innovative items and sellers who create these items. Sellers on Etsy range from hobbyists to professional artists and small business owners. There’s even a convenient mobile app that allows you to chat with customers on yourAndroid devicewhen on the go.
So, you may be wondering what you should sell on Etsy. You can sell anything from handmade jewelry, clothing, and home decor to printables, personalized gadgets, and custom PCs. As you can see, it’s not just for arts and crafts. Even those who are tech-savvy can leverage skills like 3D printing, electronics,programming, and laser cutting to offer unique tech products on Etsy. The key is to sell something you’re passionate about, which will also attract buyers.
Now, let’s dive into how to start an Etsy shop step by step.
Create an Etsy account
First, you’ll need to create an Etsy account (if you don’t have one).Visit Etsy’s home pagein a web browser (desktop works best), clickSign inin the upper-right corner of the page, then clickRegisterin the upper-right corner of the sign-in popup.
Create your shop
Now that you can sign in and make purchases on Etsy, you’ll need to join the marketplace to start selling. Click theShop Managericon in the upper-right corner of the page next to the user account menu.
ClickLet’s do thisto get started with the onboarding process. You’re asked a couple of questions to help you get started. While the questions can be skipped, they’re a great way to learn all you can about using the platform as a seller since you’ll be given resources related to your selections.
The multiple-choice questions are:
After answering the above questions, clickStart your shopto continue.
Set your shop preferences
Next, you’re asked to set your shop preferences. This includes setting your shop’s default language, country, and currency. Make sure to choose the options that best suit your target audience.
Name your Etsy shop
Choosing the perfect name for your Etsy shop is crucial. It’s the first thing potential customers see, so it should be catchy, easy to remember, and reflect the items you’re selling. Etsy allows up to 20 characters for shop names (without special characters, spaces, or accented letters), which must be unique. If the name you want is taken, add extra words or numbers to make it unique.
Prepare your inventory
Now comes the fun part: adding items to your shop. That’s right, you’ll need to create at least one listing during the setup process, so be prepared! A lot goes into this step, but it’s worth it to make your products stand out. Remember, the more detailed and accurate the information, the more likely you are to make a sale.
For each item you list, you’ll need to provide the following:
Choose your payment preferences
Etsy provides several options for accepting payments, including Etsy Payments, PayPal, and check or money orders. This also includes seller protection, which uses its fraud-detection system to support and protect you and your shop. Choose the payment methods that are most convenient for you and your customers.
To continue, select the country where your bank is located, the type of seller you are (individual or business), and provide some verifiable information for compliance purposes (name, date of birth, social security number, and address).
Lastly, you’ll need to provide your bank information via Plaid, where you can securely log in to your bank and connect it to Etsy. If your bank isn’t supported, you can enter your account and routing numbers manually.
Once connected, you can set up a deposit schedule. The options are every day, once per week, every two weeks, or once per month.
Set up billing
Now, you’ll need to set up billing. This is where you’ll provide your credit card information for Etsy to charge the selling fees. The basic fees include a listing fee, a transaction fee, and a payment processing fee. You’ll need to add a credit card and billing address. You won’t be charged until the first day of the next calendar month.
Secure your shop
Finally, you’ll need to activate two-factor authentication for your shop to keep it secure. You can choose to do so using SMS (get codes via text message), phone (get codes via phone call), or an authenticator app (verify access via a mobile authenticator app). Select your preferred method and clickContinue.
If you choose to use an authenticator app, you can use any app from Google Play or the Apple App Store. However,Google Authenticatoris recommended. Follow the process as it guides you through scanning a QR code and entering a six-digit code from the app. Also, save your backup codes in case you have trouble with your authenticator app of choice.
Open your Etsy Shop
Once you’ve completed all the steps above, it’s time to open your Etsy shop. Click theOpen Your Shopbutton at the bottom of the page to make it official. Congratulations! Your shop is now open for business. You’ll be taken to the Shop Manager, where you can add more listings, manage orders, see customer messages, manage your finances, create a sale or discount, see your shop stats, and much more!
If you created a test listing during the process, go to your listings to deactivate or delete it. You wouldn’t want any trouble with your first sale!
Your first customer is right around the corner
Starting an Etsy shop might seem daunting at first, but this step-by-step guide makes it easier than you think. Remember, the key to a successful Etsy shop is selling unique items that you’re passionate about, providing detailed and accurate item descriptions, and offering excellent customer service. So, what do you plan on selling in your Etsy shop?
