what to do before opening an etsy shop
The easiest way to get affordable, high-quality custom logos, print design, web design and naming for your business. Set where you live, what language you speak, and the currency you use. For instance, use âslim leather walletâ instead of âslim,â âleatherâ and âwallet.â, Get creative about how your item could be used. If you’ve chosen to sell vintage goods, you probably already have a collection of vintage items just waiting to be sold. How to Open an Etsy Shop: 8 Steps to Get Started. Your branding can influence how your product is perceived, as well. But, your brand identity is the way your customers and potential customers will perceive your shop. Based on which category you choose, youâll be able to add more attributes to your items, such as the size. To start opening your Etsy shop: Click Sell on Etsy on Etsy.com. You don’t even need to have e-commerce capabilities on your website – simply link customers directly to your Etsy shop. "I also read a lot of other product descriptions to find a layout that I thought worked for me." And that’s okay. The last section youâll need to complete before you can open your shop is information about your bank. Most customers have no idea how much time, money or effort actually goes into making a particular item. Imagine you were a shop owner in a mall. You’re right that you should take some time to think of a really great name (more on that in the next section – Section 2: Brand Your Etsy Shop). Etsy will be dropping support for older versions of your web browser in the near future in order to ensure that user data remains secure. Luckily, Etsy knows that shipping is important and they’ve got a system in place to help their vendors ship more easily. But, you may still have questions. Every shop on Etsy has an original name. Think about what materials you’ll use to both protect the item in transit and create a beautiful unboxing experience. Will you offer customized items on request? It takes time to build a presence and a customer base. But, if you’re completely unaware of what your competitors charge, you may miss the mark entirely – either costing you profit if you charge too little or sales if you charge too much. The LLC business structure provides the limited liability features you would find in a corporation. And, to sweeten the deal – offer the original customer a discount on their next order if their friend makes a purchase. Choose the category that best matches what your item is, for example, Bonnie chooses the Paper & Party Supplies category for her wrapping papers and Home & Living for her pillow covers. Putting a price on an item youâve made or collected can be nerve-racking. Start by ensuring that your website design is a clear extension of the brand you’ve established in your Etsy shop. She never attended a single Badgers game. Each and every item you post should reinforce your brand. A recent study shows that 97% of consumers research their purchases online before they buy something. Depending on what country you are in, you might need to enter your credit card number to open your shop. Their website has all of the info you need to find out what sort of license or permit you’ll need for your Etsy shop in your state. You can seek out help from your peers on the Etsy Forums. If you made the product, be sure to talk briefly about your process. So, don’t let having the perfect shop name stop you from completing the rest of the process. Etsy uses cookies and similar technologies to give you a better experience, enabling things like: Detailed information can be found in Etsyâs Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy and our Privacy Policy. If your product is available in different colors, sizes or styles, you can add listing variations. Unlock the secret to faster business growth. Bear in mind that one-of-a-kind hand-crafted items may bring you joy to make, but they’ll also be the most challenging to keep stocked. Planning ahead for how you’ll stay stocked will increase your odds for success. A photo showing any unique details of the product. This area sets the visual tone for your shop. How to Open an Etsy Shop. But, your brand spanking new Etsy shop has no reviews, yet. After deciding to leave academia behind, Katie now focuses her efforts on small business marketing and branding, design and copywriting. But, you will need to jump through a few minor hoops before you can do so. Your Etsy shop will continue to be a work in progress as you add more items and learn what works for your products. But you may get inspiration on what information to cover or formatting. So, remember to consider your brand and your competitor’s pricing when creating your own pricing strategy. For even more great tips about writing awesome product descriptions, click here. Etsy shoppers are looking for a personalized shopping experience. A classy logo and high-end brand positioning will lead to a higher perceived value than an amateur logo and shop banner. Luckily, start-up costs for Etsy businesses are minimal compared to virtually any other type of business. They’re shopping with your competitors, too. It’s also proportioned ideally to fit in the square avatar field. You can also link listing photos to your variations so shoppers can see the options you offer. Keep listing and keep learning – and before long, your Etsy business will be thriving. Or will you offer products that you can create assembly-line style? After youâve opened your shop, you can instantly change your name one time. Start-up costs for an Etsy shop are likely to include: Running smart calculations to determine how much it will truly cost to get your shop up and running will allow you to plan ahead and avoid expensive surprises along the way. But, not the whole picture. SEO is too big a topic to do justice here. Maintaining your shop properly is key to your success. If you need to change it again in the future, submit a request to Etsy Support. Welcome to selling on Etsy! And, that’s great – but, what happens after this stock runs out? We discussed these options previously in our article 15 Tips for Turning Your Craft Hobby Into a Successful Business: A sole proprietorship is the “most basic type of business to establish” according to the SBA (Small Business Administration). Prominently featuring your Etsy shop logo and name, Using the same brand colors from your logo and Etsy banner on your website, Sharing all of your product photos on your website with the same listing descriptions, Match the same authentic writing voice on the website copy that you use in your Etsy shop, Include an “About” section that shares the story you’ve shared on Etsy, Link customers to your Etsy store to make purchases. Your business name, your business logo, your shop banner or cover photo, and the items you list should all be informed by these core brand ideas. When photographing your item, be sure to include: Use all five available photos and try to shoot your products using natural daylight instead of a flash. Once your complete all four steps and open you shop, you can change your listing currency if necessary. As we previously explained. âItâs also flexible enough to apply to anything I decide to create and sell.â. Supplement these more time-intensive items with staple products that are quick and easy to make. A simple, well-executed website is enough to accomplish all of these benefits. And, for oodles more information about Etsy Search and SEO, check out these articles. So, use your Facebook and Twitter to share that story – for free! After more than a year of operating an Etsy shop on her own â and more than 100 sales, Bonnie still has to remind herself that running a successful shop is a process and perseverance is key. Your shop has three major branded elements that you should be aware of: These are the primary tools that you can use to communicate your brand in your Etsy shop. Social media is also the perfect platform to help future customers get to know you as well as your shop. You are the sole owner of the business; and, as such, are solely responsible for the assets and liabilities accrued by the business. In addition to making sure your logo represents your brand, remember that Etsy provides a square field for your avatar. You can even change your shop name once after opening. Etsy also asks for your bank account information so you can receive periodic deposits of the money youâve earned in your Etsy shop. Congrats! âBut, itâs also a great feeling of pride and accomplishment,â she says. Next, youâll give your listing a title. After you open your Etsy shop, you can dig deeper into the options available. Here’s why. If youâre in the United States, you can use the Price Your Postage Tool to get an estimate based on the size of the item. Your shop name will be displayed at the top of your shop â the page that shows everything you have for sale â and it will be part of the URL or web address of your unique Etsy shop. Fortunately, this is not a difficult problem to overcome. But there’s no need for panic. Styling a photo with other recognizable props or by having volunteer models hold it in their hands can help. This personal information (and the voice you use to communicate it) create a deeper connection with your customers. In a store, you can handle and examine an item with your own two hands. That’s because no other shop has you at the helm and sells your specific line of goods. This product listing will last for 4 months or until it sells. “You should start an Etsy shop!” your friends say. As a new, up-and-coming business owner, you’ll also want to take full advantage of the inexpensive and easy exposure that social media marketing offers you. So, you’re never alone. Saying no will not stop you from seeing Etsy ads, but it may make them less relevant or more repetitive. Your logo, like your shop name, should be directly informed by your business brand. When you open a shop on Etsy, you join a thriving community of makers, craftspeople and curators. For example, A well lit, clear photo of the item you plan to sell, A photo that shows alternate angles of the product so shoppers can make an informed purchase. Perceived value is the amount that a customer thinks a product is worth. To learn more about corporations, partnerships and other legal mistakes people commonly make when setting up a small business, take a look at our post and video: 10 Legal Mistakes That Can Destroy Your Small Business And How To Avoid Them. Your listings are the lifeblood of your Etsy shop. Overall, Etsy store fees are summarized below. And every listing description you write should continue and underscore that feeling. You can print shipping labels, calculate shipping charges and track packages right from your Etsy shop. Find out more in our Cookies & Similar Technologies Policy. It takes time to build a presence and a customer base. Depending on how prolific a crafter you are, you may already have a substantial stock of crafting supplies. A website gives any business more credibility. Pick something memorable that speaks to the vibe you hope to create for your shop. A photo that shows the scale of the item. You can combine these first two tips like Bonnie Kaye Whitfield did in her shop, Bonnie Kaye Studio. Writing an awesome project description is the final step to creating a stellar listing. The very first step is to register your account. Think about all the ways a shopper might search for your item. And, be sure to get familiar with Etsy’s own legal policy for sellers. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. Although there are a number of steps, Etsy makes it easy. Etsy does a great job of guiding you through the process – just follow along and you’ll be fine. Social media gives you the ability to easily keep customers up-to-date on new products, store policies or sales. Shopping! Etsy is a booming online marketplace full of amazing hand-made items and vintage goods. For example, you might use your Etsy shop to sell vintage artworks, collectibles, clothing, jewellery, records or books. A full page of listings gives shoppers more to browse and makes your shop look more professional. You can view your shop by going to your new web address: etsy.com/shop/[yourshopname] (type your new shop name after the last forward slash). To learn more about great website design, check out Grow Your Small Business With These 7 Website Design Best Practices and 7 Modern Web Design Trends for 2019. That’s right! You’ll be asked to specify a few basic preferences – like language and currency. Listings are active for 4 months or until an item sells; You get charged a 5% transaction fee; You pay a 3% + $.25 payment processing fee In a nutshell, this means setting up your shop and listings to make it easy to find on the web. So, be thoughtful when deciding what items to list and what info to include in your bio. How to Start an Etsy Shop: Your Ultimate, No-Stress Guide to Opening an Etsy Shop in 2021. Managing your inventory can be simple at first, start with about 10 of each product you aim to sell. In the sections below we’ll discuss branding basics, how to create listings, product pricing, financial and legal details – even marketing and long-term strategy – everything you need to know to succeed as an Etsy entrepreneur. But, I’m here to tell you – don’t sweat your shop name just yet. Once you’re registered, you can start setting up your shop. Opening your own shop might sound daunting, but you can get up and running in a few simple steps. It has a simple, child-like, rustic charm that perfectly reflects her playful and homey nursery decor. Now youâre ready to open your shop. The shop avatar is where your logo should go (your personal photo should already be featured under your shop owner profile). This includes material costs and the value of your time. Now, she uses titles like âWrapping Paper - Floral Gift Wrap in Black, 3 Sheets or Single Roll, Hand Printed Giftwrap, Floral Kraft Wrapping, Paper Table Runnerâ that are loaded with keywords. And, I’m guessing it’s because getting started can seem so daunting. Check out this article from Chron to learn all the details if wholesale purchasing seems like the right fit for you. Okay, let’s take a deep breath and dive right in. And, well-styled photos that showcase the product in a way that resonates with your target audience help shoppers to envision that item in their lives. Styling a photo with other recognizable props or by having volunteer models hold it in their hands can help. It was most recently updated on April 29, 2020. As you’re first starting out, look to your friends and family to make your first sales. Whether you knit cozy hats in your spare time, design wedding invites for friends or find the best mid-century treasures at your local flea market, Etsy is a great place for you to start a creative business. It might seem difficult to estimate your shipping costs before ever taking the package to the post office. Make it easy for visitors to see what your shop is all about by featuring those fabulous photos of your products in a Facebook album. While the pros I just listed with starting an Etsy shop might make Etsy seem like a dream for beginners, you should also be aware of some of the cons. Kevin Jones of Debt Free Happens (an Etsy entrepreneur, personal finance expert, and blogger) explains: If you sell cute stickers it may not make sense to also sell customized beer mugs in the same shop. But, there are certain steps you can take to help your shop grow faster! A photo that shows the scale of the item. And, the more descriptive your listing title is, the more the customer can learn about your product at a quick glance. Your potential customers are shopping for more than just your goods. Give shoppers the specific details they need to know before making a purchase, such as dimensions and shipping timeline. So… breathe. A cheaply-made necklace that looks fancy may have a higher perceived value than a beautifully-made simple necklace.
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