Selling on Etsy: The Complete Guide for Your E-commerce Business

Just like Amazon, Cdiscount, or eBay, Etsy is a marketplace where sellers can showcase their products and sell them to buyers. However, Etsy sets itself apart from other e-commerce platforms. In fact, it's a marketplace dedicated solely to creators!

Are you thinking about selling your creations on Etsy? Here's everything you need to know about opening an Etsy shop, plus our best tips.

Why sell on Etsy?

In 2021, the platform dedicated to DIY (Do It Yourself) had more than 90 million active buyers in France and around the world. It's therefore an ideal platform for creative entrepreneurs looking to showcase their products to a wider audience. Etsy will give you visibility!

What's more, Etsy also has built-in tools and features that simplify the selling process, such as automatic sign-up and payment processing. You don't have to worry about payments. As soon as a sale is made, Etsy transfers the money directly to your bank account. Simple and efficient!

Who can sell on Etsy?

Anyone can sign up on the Etsy website and create an account, provided they are over 18 and have a bank account or PayPal. However, you can only sell on Etsy if your products meet the marketplace's criteria. You must also be a registered business, holding at least sole-trader (auto-entrepreneur) status.

What can you sell on Etsy?

Etsy is a marketplace dedicated to creatives, artists, and collectors. You can therefore sell your various creations there, provided they are:
- handmade items
- vintage items (at least 20 years old)
- craft supplies (handmade or not).

For example, this could include jewelry, clothing of all kinds, art, and home items such as decor or furniture.

Selling on Etsy: the fees you need to know!

Signing up on Etsy and opening a shop is free. However, just like all other marketplaces, Etsy takes a commission. When you sell your items on Etsy, there are therefore 4 types of fees you absolutely need to know about:

- Listing fee: €0.20 (product listing stays online for 4 months)
- Transaction fee: 6.5% (charged on the total sale price, shipping included)
- Payment processing fee: 4% + €0.30 (with Etsy Payments)
- Offsite Ads fee: 15% (only charged when you make a sale thanks to an Etsy ad)

Our 5 tips for successfully selling on Etsy:

Here are a few tips to help you get started and succeed in selling on Etsy

1. Use high-quality images that accurately represent your product

2. Write clear, concise, keyword-rich titles and descriptions

3. Offer a wide range of products

4. Set competitive prices for your items

5. Provide excellent customer service

6. These tips also apply if you want to sell on other marketplaces, such as Amazon, Cdiscount, or eBay.
   
   Here are a few best practices for selling your creations more effectively on Etsy:

   • Create quality visuals: taking great photos and videos of your products is essential;

   • Work on your search engine optimization (SEO): to make sales, buyers need to be able to find you through Etsy's search engine. Take into account the most frequently used search terms. Optimize your product listings with precise keywords in the description, title, etc.

   • Set fair prices: to estimate your price, factor in your production costs, the commissions you'll need to pay, and your margin. Don't hesitate to check out your competitors to get a sense of the prices being charged;

   • Take care of your customers: to sell well on Etsy, you need to reassure buyers of your reliability by having good reviews. The more positive reviews you have, the more your sales will grow! To do this, make sure to ship orders quickly, package them well, and communicate with buyers as much as possible (answering questions, tracking parcels, etc.).

   • Etsy shipping: how does the shipping process work when you sell on Etsy?

     The shipping process on Etsy is fairly simple. When you list an item for sale, you're asked to enter your shipping address and the buyer's address. Etsy will automatically calculate shipping costs based on your product's weight and dimensions, as well as the buyer's location.

     Just like Sendcloud, Etsy helps you stay focused on what matters most: growing your online shop. By connecting your Etsy shop with Sendcloud, you'll simplify your shipping process and automate time-consuming tasks. You gain efficiency while reducing your costs.

     
     

     
     Whatever the size of your Etsy shop, Sendcloud helps you save valuable time and guarantees quality shipments, delivered on time. With Sendcloud you can offer as many delivery options as you like, at the best price. Enough to satisfy all your customers!

     • Centralize all your orders: If you sell on Etsy but also run an online shop for greater visibility, Sendcloud lets you centralize all your orders from every sales channel. Handy, isn't it?

     • Offer numerous delivery methods: with Sendcloud, you can offer your customers' preferred carriers and delivery methods, including pickup-point delivery, thanks to our 80 partner carriers.

     • Automatically import your orders: All orders from your Etsy shop - as well as your other online shops - are imported into Sendcloud in real time. One single platform for all your orders.

     • Save time processing your orders: With Sendcloud, you'll prepare your orders 7 times faster. You can set your own shipping rules.

     • Create shipping labels in just a few clicks: After setting up your printer, you create and print shipping labels in the blink of an eye.

     • Automatically notify your customers: All customers of your Etsy shop are informed in real time about their delivery status. Notifications sent by Sendcloud are available in several languages and are fully customizable.

     • Manage your orders stress-free: Thanks to digital picking lists and delivery notes, you'll never lose track of an Etsy order.

     • Insure your shipments at the best price: Are you shipping expensive products that can't easily be replaced? With Sendcloud insurance, you can insure every delivery against loss, theft, or damage, up to €5,000.

     • Get your own returns portal: With Sendcloud, you always have a full overview of your returns thanks to your own online portal, letting your customers return their orders independently.

     • Want to automate your shipping? Create a free account, and focus on creating and selling unique products on your marketplace!

       We hope this guide has helped you understand how selling on Etsy works. If you have any other questions, feel free to leave a comment below. Thanks for reading!