Etsy is a website that allows users to create their own online storefronts to sell products they have made or bought elsewhere. Etsy's goal is to bring buyers and sellers together; By opening a store on Etsy, the seller has the opportunity to find buyers for their products. Here are the steps for starting a store on Etsy.
Steps
Step 1. Decide what you want to sell on Etsy
You should trade what you know how to offer. You need to feel comfortable enough when selling products, putting your own sense of style into your marketing strategy. You have the right to sell one type of product or a related group of products.
- Look at items sold by other Etsy users for ideas on what you might be selling. Then figure out how to market the product or a similar product in your own way.
- Regulations and prohibitions. Be aware that certain items cannot be sold on Etsy: alcohol, tobacco, drugs, drug supplies, live animals, porn, guns, dangerous items, real estate, cars, hate-speech items, or illegal activities or items that are prohibited in country of residence of the seller. Also, registration of the majority of service enterprises is not allowed, unless they manufacture a new product. Maintenance and repair services are prohibited, but graphic design services are available.
Step 2. Read the Etsy rules
Study the Dos and Don'ts section. It shows what Etsy expects from you as a seller and what you can expect from Etsy to support your business venture. The rules clarify who is eligible to register an account, how many accounts you are allowed to create, and how you can / cannot post items for sale.
Step 3. Get an Etsy account
You will need to provide your site with your name, username, password, and email address, to which Etsy will send a confirmation email to activate your account. You also have the right to choose whether you want to receive email newsletters from the site and provide the names of those who referred you to Etsy.
Step 4. Choose a name for your store
Whatever name you choose for your Etsy store, it will remain with you as long as your Etsy account is active and will serve as your username on the site. You will need to get a new account if you decide to change the store name. It should be eye-catching, but not too difficult to type in the search box at the top of your Etsy page.
- Take a good look at the list of possible names, then look for the options you like on Etsy in order to check for the presence of something similar on the site. It is not necessary to stand out too much, but you should choose a name that will not be associated with another store. (You could also check to see if such a title exists as part of the site's URL, just in case, in case you want to create a separate web resource.)
- If you plan to sell several types of products, then try to find a fairly loose name, being able to add new products and remove old products without changing the sign of your store.
- Don't come up with a name for your store that resembles your email account or chat ID. Your store name should look like “brick-and-mortar store”, with most words in capital letters and numbers used sparingly and rationally.
Step 5. Create a banner
Your banner is one of the first items your potential buyers will see. Etsy banner requirements are 760 pixels wide by 100 pixels high at 72 dpi (web standard). You can make your banner using Etsy's Bannerator, your own graphics software, or by contacting a graphic design vendor on Etsy to create it for you.
Step 6. Insert your avatar
An avatar is an identification image for your store. Although the avatar is smaller than the banner, it should attract attention with its peculiarity.
Step 7. Complete your profile
A well-written profile tells potential buyers who you are, why they should buy from you, and how your store is performing. The profile should prepare an introductory paragraph that grabs the reader's attention, setting out logical, clear, concise and accessible information in the following paragraphs. Provide enough personal information to give buyers the ability to contact you, but not too much so it doesn't look less professional.
- If you have multiple usernames on Etsy, the site requires you to list them all in your personal profile. Likewise, if several people work together in your store, then each user should be listed on a profile, clarifying his or her functions in the team.
- Your online store policy needs to be aligned with Etsy's general operating policy.
Step 8. List your products
You will need to set prices for all products, write descriptions, tag keywords so buyers can search for them, and add photos for each product.
Advice
- Even with a good selection of great products, a catchy company name, an attractive banner and avatar, a well-filled profile and tempting promotions, expect to spend 6 months to a year developing your business to a level where you have regular sales and regular customers.
- Once you've set up an Etsy store, you'll need to advertise both online and offline to build your business.