By Shelbi Jackson
If you are interested in opening an Etsy shop, you may not know where to start. When you possess the right products and marketing tools, running a shop is manageable. Once you zero in on what people need and want, you will make money and grow your business.
Here are several products to consider selling on Etsy:
1. Stickers
2. Baby Stuff
3. Art & Collectables
4. Jewelry
5. Planners
6. Home Décor
7. Clothing
Let’s explore why these are top-selling items on Etsy. You may gain ideas for your future Etsy shop.
1. Stickers
People enjoy adding designs to existing items. Stickers can make the most basic item look livelier and more colorful. You can have stickers with certain graphics on them (ex. trees or flowers, days of the week, or cartoon characters). These items can reside on backpacks, notebooks, laptops, and various other things. Give people a way to express themselves and try new styles!
2. Baby Stuff
Babies are adorable! There is always a market for baby garments and toys. Make sure you check out what other people are offering on Etsy before you sell products. This information will help you compete and add a unique presence to your store.
Suppose you are pondering selling headbands for babies. There is a vast selection available, so be aware of trends and what people gravitate towards the most. Bright colors and big flower designs are a big hit on Etsy. If you invent any similar baby items that can grab consumers’ attention, go for it!
3. Art & Collectables
Art is valuable and deserves to be appreciated. On Etsy, numerous kinds of art are available: paintings, photography, mixed media, printable art, art prints, and sculptures. If you create different art pieces, do not limit your store to one type of product. You will be surprised by how much money you can make when you expand your horizons.
Perhaps you make paintings of different landscapes in alternate dimensions. That is your niche, which works because everyone should have an area they focus on the most. However, you do not only have to sell these paintings. You can also offer painting supplies or sell art prints if those are other areas of interest. Do not limit yourself.
4. Jewelry
Jewelry is a personal item for anyone who purchases it. People place a considerable amount of emotional value on these products. They have specific reasons for owning them or gifting them to someone. Keep that in mind when you decide what types of jewelry you want to advertise.
If you are a jewelry maker, you decide the price of your content. Other people do not have the authority to determine how much they pay for something. Flip-flopping with several people on costs does not send a good image. You are the owner, and that is your call.
An essential key to marketing jewelry is to take advantage of Google’s SEO system. That is the ‘buy now’ section that contains links to items you purposely see first. Etsy products usually manage to find a spot in this section. Look into SEO marketing and consider taking a few classes if you need more information.
5. Planners
Planners are a big deal. People enjoy finding ways to organize their schedules and accomplish various goals. Popular categories include budgeting, daily or weekly tasks, and travel. . You can bundle planners, sell them individually, or offer just a few sheets.
Another wonderful thing about planners is that they are printable. Which means they purchase, download, and print themselves. How convenient is that? Once the planner develops, income is passive. Passive income is money earned that does not require a lot of active work. Rental property is one example of this concept.
Make sure that you have plenty of options and upload new planners regularly. Your business will stay fresh, and you will not have to worry about lackluster interest from customers.
6. Home Décor
No matter the season, cleaning and redesigning homes never gets old. Home décor can consist of big or small items. One important tip is to always keep shipping costs in mind. The larger your product is, the more expensive it might be to ship something.
You can construct some things yourself. Think about designing and painting wooden farmhouse signs, building blanket ladders, or decorating mantels and coffee stations. The personal touch will add to your item’s appeal. These pieces can sell very well on Etsy.
7. Clothing
Clothing is a fun and high traffic field for shopping. Offer shirts, onesies, and more for people of different ages, sizes, etc. You can add catchphrases, specific designs relating to your brand, or take requests from consumers.
One drawback, clothing can be an expensive startup if you are solely screen printing. But you can start small and use a drop shipper. Drop shipping means that a seller does not keep goods sold in stock. Instead, they use a third-party supplier who ships the order to a customer. If you have the means to screen print your clothes, this is an excellent business to explore.
Final Thoughts
How Much Does It Cost to Open an Etsy Shop?
Starting and joining a shop on Etsy is free. You do not have to worry about producing a large amount of money to begin. At the same time, there are three basic selling fees: a listing fee, a transaction fee, and a payment processing fee. You will have to budget to accommodate these factors but gaining additional income and selling your products makes it a worthy venture.
What Steps Should I Take Before Opening an Etsy Shop?
When you realize that you want to open an Etsy shop, the best thing to do is dive in with no concrete plans. If you wait until you have anything, such as your brand, photos, or listing descriptions in place, you may never open a shop! However, there are some things you can take control of before your shop opens.
1. Open a Separate Bank Account
Having a separate bank account for your business is a superb way to stay organized. You can look at your account and easily keep track of what you are spending and earning. Things can get messy if you mix personal finances with business. You do not want to endure any unnecessary strife.
2. Perfect Your Product
The products you sell make a statement about you as a business owner and affect how many consumers you can reach. While there is no such thing as perfect, you should aim to create high-quality, attention-grabbing items since it is your specialty.
Make sure you establish specific criteria before selling anything:
- Where you will source the materials
- The total cost of producing one item
- The time it takes to create it
- Types of variations you can offer
- How to ship it
3. Take Product Photos
Photos are important! They allow people to view the product and get an idea of how much they want to purchase it. Your item will stand out among others on the Etsy website. If you upload clear, sharp quality photos, this increases the appeal of your product. Who wants to pay a considerable amount of money for something that looks dirty, worn down, or a like a completely different item?
While professional photography is a stellar option, you may not always be able to get a photographer on site. Think about practicing with your iPhone or a digital camera to capture shots of your products. Doing this will prepare you for advertising your items.
4. Research Competition and Pricing
Be aware of what other shops are offering on Etsy. Keeping in mind the types of things people are selling and the price range for them gives you an idea of how your items will sell and attract people. This advice especially applies to other shops with the same specialty as yours.
On the other hand, you are different. You cannot try to fit in when it comes to prices and listings on everything. Certain things that work for one shop may not work for you. Maybe you will find that something you are currently doing gains a lot of traction. Do not feel pressured to change this! Your unique brand and products help you get noticed.
5. Choose a Name
Picking a name for your shop is a huge decision. Do not rush through this process since you can only change your name one time after you first register on Etsy. Brainstorm and take advantage of various outlets such as browsing magazines, listening to music, or going for a walk.
Contemplate your overall vision for your shop. Since this name will be with you as long as the shop is open, it will develop, and you will grow along with it. Select something memorable, simple, and relatable. Name generator websites can help you with this process if you are struggling to find something that suits you.
Sources: Mommy Thrives, Oh She Creates, and Zero to Biz