First set up in a rented apartment in 2005, Etsy was founded on the basis of being a platform for crafters to sell their creations - which doesn’t stray far from the purpose of this popular ecommerce website today. And only two years later, Etsy had enlisted almost 450,000 sellers, who totalled $26 million in sales - reaching its one millionth sale in July of that year. Now selling manufactured products as well as handmade goods due to a policy change in 2013, Etsy’s continued success and the wide range of sellers means that the platform poses plenty of opportunities for small and medium-sized businesses.

With an estimated 960,000 active sellers on Etsy UK as of 2021 - it’s no secret that Etsy remains a highly popular online marketplace to this day. A great place for first time sellers, 56% of sellers on Etsy use the website to sell their goods for the first time, in hopes of attracting the right audience for their products, a mentality which makes it clear that even beginners can see that this platform holds a lot of potential. 

If you’re looking to branch out and start selling your products on Etsy, then this blog will explain how easy it is to set up an Etsy shop, as well as listing some key facts and figures that will help to illustrate why selling on this platform might be worth it.

How to Sell on Etsy

From accessories to art and collectables, craft supplies and tools, to home and living - there are a huge range of categories on Etsy. Covering a wide variety of areas, it’s likely that there’s space for all kinds of niche products on the marketplace. As stated on the Etsy Handbook, all items sold on the website are required to fit under at least one of three main areas: handmade items, vintage products and craft supplies. However, since these are so broad, the handbook encourages sellers to browse existing shops and products on the site for inspiration - and states that shoppers often search for unique products - so sellers are encouraged to sell original or personalised items.

Setting up an Etsy Shop

Whether you have already found success selling on your own website but you’re looking to expand to another platform, such as Etsy, or you’re just getting started, with a large number of customers (96.3 million active buyers in the final part of 2021), particularly with the specific focus on handmade items, if you’re looking to sell your crafts, it’s likely someone will be interested in your products on this marketplace. And, if you’ve decided that selling on this ecommerce website is the right move for your business, you’ll need to set up an Etsy shop.

To set up an account, simply click ‘get started’ and enter your basic details. You can then use your account to set up your Etsy shop. This will include uploading the products you want to sell, writing the listings, entering bank details so you can get paid when someone buys your products, updating billing information, as there are some charges for selling on Etsy, and more. Once you’ve sorted your shop, you’ll then be able to start selling your products to customers. 

Is it worth selling on Etsy?

If, even after reading the above points, you’re still not sure if selling on Etsy is the right move for you, we’ve listed a few benefits below which show that it might just be worth expanding your business to this popular online marketplace.

1. Small business and beginner friendly

We’ve already discussed the sheer amount of categories on Etsy and the flexibility this offers in terms of what you can sell, but we haven’t covered exactly who sells on this marketplace.

The 2021 Global Etsy Seller Census for the UK, cited on ChannelX, uncovered that 87% of those selling on Etsy were businesses of one. With so many one-person businesses selling on Etsy compared to other platforms - then if this is how your business looks - this might be the website for you.

If you don’t have a warehouse - or you don’t rent out a separate studio space or office - then it seems that you’re not alone, with 96% of those who sell on the platform managing their business entirely from the comfort of their own home. So, if you haven’t quite built your business to the point where you have extra resources, working spaces etc. then Etsy can still fully cater to you as a seller, which is particularly helpful since there are only independent sellers on the site.

2. More focussed audience

Compared to Amazon and Ebay, although Etsy still has a lot of flexibility in terms of what you can sell, as stated above, the specific focus of the site is on handmade items, vintage or craft supplies. 

Therefore, if you sell these items, it not only means that your products are suitable for uploading to your Etsy shop, but it’s also more than likely at least one of the site's users are interested in your products. Due to the nature of this ecommerce website, many people who shop on Etsy are looking for items that are bespoke and handcrafted - as this is the very ethos that surrounds the platform. 

The specific focus poses a huge advantage for sellers, as it means buyers visit the site in the first place looking for products that are more than likely similar to what they are selling. And, despite the broad range of categories on the site, they can use the simple search engine tool to search for an array of terms related to your products.

3. 525m monthly visits

Although certain events such as Christmas, or Black Friday may make this figure less surprising, there were 525.5m global visits to Etsy in November 2022. Not only does this demonstrate the popularity of the platform, but it also provides an indication of the number of people who can use the search engine tool on Etsy to come across your items.

As one of the most popular ecommerce sites in the world, there’s also a large amount of consumer trust instilled in Etsy, which means that if you sold your products on the site, consumers may feel more comfortable entering payment information and, therefore, could be more inclined to purchase your products. Whereas, if you only sold these items on your own website, people who might have otherwise been interested in your products, may be more hesitant to enter their bank details, since this might not be a site they have come across before.

4. Use tools to your advantage

Etsy is known by many to work in favour of the many small businesses that sell on its ever-expanding platform. Featuring a wide range of tools and resources that have been made to help small businesses navigate the world of online selling, as well as expand, it’s clear that Etsy doesn’t discriminate and understands the value of brand awareness for businesses of all sizes. 

Among the most significant, particularly for first-time business owners, is the seller protection policy, which can help you navigate the potentially tough customer service issues you may encounter while selling on Etsy. Another great tool is Etsy Ads, as, although just being on Etsy can already boost brand visibility by reaching to a wider customer base than you may have previously had, the Etsy marketing tools might help to give you that extra boost you’ve been looking for. All you need to do is set your budget then choose what products you want to market.

5. Endless growth opportunities

If the previous points haven’t been enough to encourage you to consider expanding your business to Etsy, then the further growth opportunities available on the platform might just persuade you to make the move. For instance, if you decide to start selling on this marketplace and you’re enjoying all the features on offer, Etsy Plus can take your selling game to the next level. By subscribing to Etsy Plus, businesses can access credits for shop listings and ads, explore further customisation options, and much more, helping to create an improved experience for both you and your customers.

However, if you feel that might be too much of a commitment, you might find value in browsing Etsy’s learning platform, Etsy U. Packed with inspiring and educational resources, this allows sellers to learn a whole host of useful tips and advice from experienced entrepreneurs on what it takes to run a successful shop. With a range of informative topics to choose from, you have complete flexibility to select an area that your business would benefit from the most. So, there are many growth opportunities when it comes to selling on Etsy, which shouldn’t be overlooked. 

Free Etsy Integration Demo

As a popular online marketplace, as long as you’re selling products that meet the site’s seller policy, Etsy is an obvious choice for businesses who might want to grow and even expand across multiple other online marketplaces, such as Amazon and Ebay. If you’re looking to do this, but are concerned about balancing orders, inventory, pricing and delivery across all your sites, StoreFeeder’s integration software offers the perfect solution. With seamless integration between your website, your Etsy shop, and the other online marketplaces you might be using, you can focus on growing your business, without the stress of the additional workload this would otherwise bring.

Although a large proportion of Etsy sellers do not use a warehouse or other space - and run their business from their own home - if you do use a warehouse for your inventory, StoreFeeder is here to help. As well as enabling you to closely monitor your online activity, StoreFeeder also features an efficient and comprehensive warehouse management system, providing live stock updates. Particularly useful during busy shopping times, this real-time data will enable you to stay organised and will help to reduce the risk of overselling products, or missing out on a sale. 

Learn more about how integrating your website with Etsy using StoreFeeder’s software can benefit your business by booking a free demo today.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I sell on Etsy with StoreFeeder?

If you’ve decided that StoreFeeder is the perfect software for your business, once you have it set up, you can start to integrate your products, their images, descriptions, and more. This will mean that you no longer have to access these separately across all your online marketplaces. There are also a number of other tasks that StoreFeeder can seamlessly complete - which would usually seem daunting or time consuming. These include real-time stock updates, integration with payment gateways and accounting software, as well as the ability to manage inventory levels across every marketplace.

What if I want to use different couriers for my own website and Etsy?

StoreFeeder partners with many couriers, including DPD, DHL, Evri, Parcel Force, UPS, Royal Mail, and many more, which gives you the flexibility to use multiple couriers for your Etsy store, and your other marketplaces. This freedom of choice helps you save money by allowing you to select couriers based on cost-effectiveness. 

What other services can StoreFeeder offer?

No matter what service you provide, StoreFeeder understands that every business has its own, individual requirements, and therefore may want to use the software in different ways. Therefore, to find out how StoreFeeder can help you manage your business, we would recommend booking a free demo with one of our friendly and knowledgeable experts below.

Book your free demo today