How to Make and Sell Awesome Stuff on Etsy

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Are you searching for a way to make a little extra cash at home? Do you enjoy making stuff? Then Etsy may be exactly what you’re searching for. Etsy is an online community made up of people just like you. It’s a place where you can go to sell your homemade items and buy items other people have for sell.

Etsy is different from other online sites like Amazon and eBay because it focuses on vintage items that are at least twenty years old and handcrafted items. It’s the only community of its kind and it’s perfect for anyone who wants to make some extra cash on items you enjoy making anyway.

Using Etsy takes the hassle out of selling online because you don’t have to create your own website, payment options and other details associated with running a site. For an affordable fee, they allow you to use their site to set up shop and sell awesome stuff. You also get the added benefit of the traffic that Etsy brings in so you’re not marketing it all yourself.

What to Sell On Etsy

Now that you have a good idea of what Etsy is, are you ready to get started? Before setting up your shop, you have to decide what items you want to sell. Many people have success by choosing something they enjoy making. For example, if you love making birdhouses, this would be a great item to sell on Etsy.

If you enjoy crocheting or making jewelry, start with one of these items. Other items you’ll find on Etsy include arts and crafts, supplies, tools to make crafts, artisan baked goods and artisan candies. You have a wide variety of products to choose from.

Choosing What to Sell

When deciding what to sell, choose something you have the most experience making. You already know how much it costs for supplies and how long it takes you to make the product, so it’s easier getting started. You’ll also feel more comfortable and confident making something you’re familiar with.

Start out with just one or maybe two items instead of a lot of different things. It would be too stressful and even a bit overwhelming trying to handle more than that in the beginning. Once you get familiar with the process of posting, selling and shipping items to customers, you can add more items to your store when you’re ready.

Now that you know what you want to sell, start making a few to showcase in your shop as soon as you get everything set up.

How to Sell Your Awesome Handcrafted Stuff on Etsy

Now that you have everything ready, it’s time to fill out the account information. Read the terms of use policy and other policies when they appear. Don’t skip over them. It’s true they can be a bit boring to read but they provide useful information you need. You don’t want to break any rules and end up getting kicked off the site for not complying with their policies.

Choose a User Name

The next big thing is to choose a username for your account. Look for something unique that accurately describes the type of items you plan to sell. Take your time and come up with something good because this is what people will recognize you by. Think about the big picture when choosing your username so you don’t choose something that limits what you can sell.

If you’re selling birdhouses now, you may want to add new items later. Therefore, you need a name that allows you to add to your collection of products. For example, instead of choosing Jack’s Birdhouses for your username, you could use Jack’s Wood Crafting Shop and birdhouses would be your featured product.

Fill Out Your Profile and Choose a Picture

After choosing your user name, it’s time to fill out your profile page. Use descriptive words to tell people about you, the person behind the products. Potential customers who visit your shop want to know why you made this particular item. They want to know a little about how you made them and how you got started, so provide as much information as you can without getting too personal.

Choose your profile picture. Keep in mind that this photo will represent your business so it needs to look professional. Your visitors want to see who they’re buying from and feel like they know a little about you. Choose a good quality photo that is clear and easy to see. All of this will help you establish a relationship with potential buyers.

Be sure to include information about your shop and your policies. This includes your exchange and return policy and shipping fees. After all of the technical stuff is complete, you’re ready to set up shop.

Setting up Shop

Esty allows you to customize your shop to suit your business. Take advantage of the features they provide to create a visual cue to what items you have for sale. It can be a simple design but it must be related to your products and interesting enough to entice visitors to stick around. Now, you’re almost ready to start selling.

Showcasing Your Products

Next, it’s time to showcase your products by uploading a photo and description of the items for sale. Be sure to take quality photos to post with the descriptions so potential customers can see it clearly. The description is what your visitors will read to learn about the items for sale so choose your words carefully. You want it to entice the viewer to order your homemade products. It helps to think about what you want to say when you’re making the one-of-a-kind items.

You have one more very important thing to take care of before you can start selling your products. How much do you charge for them? The price needs to be compatible with other shops but at the same time, it needs to cover your expenses in addition to making a profit. Remember to include the cost of your supplies and your time when determining how much to charge for your homemade items.

Provide Good Customer Service

You’re now open for business and ready to start bringing in that extra cash. As soon as an item sells, pack it up and ship it as quickly as possible. If someone has a problem, find a solution that makes them happy, within reason of course.  You want the reviews customers leave about you to be good, positive ones that encourage others to visit your shop. Always be professional and provide friendly, reliable customer service along with quality products and you’re on your way to building a business that could have a bright future.