How to get sales on Etsy: 18 essential strategies for sellers

It’s no secret that few ecommerce marketplaces are as competitive as Etsy. With 9 million active sellers, even the most innovative and eye-catching product designs can struggle to capture customers' attention. Before long, you’ll be searching Google to discover how to get more sales on Etsy and make your storefront stand out from the crowd.

As competition throughout the marketplace remains high, we’ve gathered the top strategies to transform a basic Etsy storefront into a great online shopping platform. Keep reading to discover various time-tested techniques to boost your Etsy sales for long-term profitability.

• To boost Etsy sales, you need to optimize product listings with detailed descriptions, use relevant keywords, and high-quality photos. 

• Utilize free shipping incentives and share discounts or coupon codes to attract more customers and drive sales.

• Leverage social media and email marketing to promote your Etsy store and engage with potential buyers to increase Etsy sales.

• Engage with the Etsy community through forums and feedback for continuous storefront improvement and collaboration opportunities.

• Expand your product offerings through print on demand services like Gelato to diversify inventory without upfront costs.

Yes, selling on Etsy is worth it for entrepreneurs seeking visibility in a niche market. With its broad customer base, Etsy offers the potential for earnings through unique and well-marketed products. Leveraging tools like SEO, effective social media promotion, and print on demand can enhance sales prospects, making it a viable platform for many sellers.

Between quirky apparel and eccentric home décor, the Etsy marketplace is bursting with unique product offerings for ecommerce sellers who are new to the platform or have yet to revamp their Etsy marketing strategy. When trying to get more sales on Etsy, these methods are effective in elevating your storefront in the Etsy algorithm.

1. Optimize your product listings

Optimizing your product listings is the first step to driving more traffic—and sales—to your Etsy store. Without optimized product listings, Etsy shoppers can have difficulty locating your products or gaining enough information to purchase, significantly limiting sales. Start with your product descriptions to increase your visibility across the vast online marketplace. 

Each Etsy listing must contain detailed product descriptions with relevant product keywords to allow the Etsy search algorithm to match a shopper’s product search more effectively with relevant results (including your products). Attach up to 13 descriptive Etsy tags on each product listing to encourage higher search rankings, such as “bridal shower gift” or “customizable t-shirt.” 

Beyond relevant keywords and tags, ensure your product descriptions are detailed and contain all the specifications a potential customer may search for before purchasing. This includes product dimensions, material types, and production methods to give customers everything they need to know to make a purchase decision.

In a 2022 consumer survey, 1,000+ online shoppers were given 20 shopping attributes and asked which would most likely lead them to place an order. Free shipping was the top choice, earning 76% of consumer votes! To incentivize sales, Etsy sellers may want to begin offering free shipping in some capacity, whether it's on specific items, minimum purchase amounts, or the entire storefront.

Remember that you’ll want to advertise your free shipping policy. If you currently have a social media following, develop an exclusive free shipping promo code to help convert your followers into prospective buyers for your Etsy storefront. To avoid cutting your profit with free shipping incentives, incorporate shipping fees into the item's list price.

Speaking of your social following, social media platforms like Pinterest, Instagram, and TikTok all offer great opportunities to learn how to get more sales on Etsy. In addition to promoting their business and products, Etsy sellers who learn to engage with loyal social media followers help encourage higher brand awareness and storefront exposure, further supporting sales potential.

Outside of organic social media promotion methods, you can also use the paid ad capabilities on each platform. With a set budget and target demographics, you can develop paid social media posts that appear in the newsfeed as an image, video, or product carousel to direct users to your storefront or particular product page and drive sales.

Alongside optimized product listings, using high-quality product images to boost Etsy sales is important. Listings with high-quality product photos have a higher conversion rate, as they can better attract potential customers by standing out against competitors and providing viewers with a more detailed look into each product. 

Many Etsy sellers use professional services to capture visually appealing product imagery that sets their products apart from the rest. The Etsy platform allows sellers to upload up to 10 product photos per listing, so be sure to capture images that provide a well-rounded view from varying angles and depths.

Did you know shoppers are nearly twice as likely to buy a product when it's discounted by 20% rather than sold at full price? 

When searching for how to get more sales on Etsy, consider offering your products at a discounted price through limited-time promotions or coupon codes. These discounts can apply to your entire Etsy shop for new customers or be offered exclusively to previous shoppers.

For example, Etsy allows sellers to set timed sales on specific items, such as their top-selling product. You can also put your entire storefront on sale to drive users to make a more immediate purchase decision. If you wish to offer more personalized customer incentives, you can create an exclusive coupon code to share with specific users, such as loyal social media followers.

Email marketing can be highly effective for increasing Etsy sales, especially when targeting previous customers and existing brand followers. You can build a robust email list by collecting contacts through your website via a simple newsletter sign-up page or through various social media channels, such as paid ad contact forms on Facebook.

Once you have an email list, you can develop marketing materials like ecommerce announcements and monthly newsletters. These recurring emails can share relevant company information, such as upcoming promotions, limited-time discounts, and new product announcements, that direct readers back to your Etsy storefront and encourage a sale.

With the highly competitive nature of the Etsy marketplace, it’s not uncommon for Etsy sellers to be stacked against other sellers who offer similar products at comparable prices. Whether you offer unique handmade items or popular trending items, double-check that your prices are appropriate (or reasonable to buyers) to drive new ongoing sales successfully.

When introducing new products to your Etsy storefront, conduct competitor research to determine how the top sellers of comparable products price their items. If you find that current items on your storefront are struggling to sell, it may be helpful to temporarily adjust the pricing for a few weeks to gauge if the price positively impacts its sale rate.

When striving for more sales on Etsy, dedicating time to exceptional customer service is critical. Because Etsy shops are virtual storefronts, valuable customers rely heavily on quality customer service to address their needs and concerns. If you fail to provide adequate customer service, you can say goodbye to new customers before they even convert.

Ongoing positive customer service can help to secure long-term customer satisfaction and loyalty. Remember to respond to customer inquiries promptly and work diligently to smooth any order hiccups. If you become overwhelmed with customer service needs, consider hiring a virtual assistant responsible for addressing customer needs in a fast, friendly, and effective manner.

While paid social media ads can drive new Etsy sales, don’t neglect the power of dedicated Etsy Ads to drive sales. Through Etsy Ads, marketplace sellers can advertise their products directly across various Etsy marketplace pages, including search result pages, relevant category and market pages, and within pages of similar listings.

To get started, set your desired budget and indicate which specific product listings you wish to advertise to improve the visibility of your Etsy store. If you’re new to ad services, don’t fret: Etsy Ads automates most of the management process by automatically optimizing your budget and placing your product advertisements in the most effective marketplace locations.

Cross-selling is a sales tactic commonly used by Etsy sellers to increase the average order value (AOV) on their storefront. To cross-sell products, you must identify items that complement or enhance the use of an item a customer is purchasing. For example, an Etsy seller selling women’s apparel may cross-sell coordinating accessories, such as tote bags and phone cases, to increase the AOV. 

To effectively cross-sell on Etsy, remember that your goal is to offer products that complement your customers’ original selection. In most cases, you’ll find cross-selling opportunities through your top-selling products. Browse your storefront to identify your trending products, then pair them up with coordinating items or designs and list new products that complement them.

The success of an Etsy storefront relies heavily on customer reviews and feedback. As customers browse products across the Etsy marketplace, one of the first things they do is review customer feedback on the seller and their products. More positive reviews will encourage more confident customer purchases, ultimately leading to more sales.

Follow up with customers after they receive their orders to gain feedback on the purchase experience. By reaching out for their input, you demonstrate that you value their opinions and can make the necessary updates that improve your general Etsy shop. You can always encourage buyers to leave a review of their shopping experience, which can serve as social proof to build storefront credibility and gain long-term, loyal customers.

As you strive to become a more successful Etsy seller, it’s important to know that you are not alone. Etsy Forums is a community space for members like you! You can connect with other Etsy sellers to discuss general concerns, questions, and tips on enhancing your overall operation.

Through Etsy Forums, you can seek advice and read through existing business knowledge discussions and recent Etsy announcements that can positively impact your sales success. The community space may also be a great outlet for you to connect with sellers who follow the same or similar product niche as you to collaborate on future projects.

Target potential customers who may not be actively searching on Etsy by utilizing Google Ads, Facebook Ads, or even Pinterest-promoted pins. These ads allow you to tap into a broader audience by showcasing your products where your ideal buyers spend their time online. Be sure to craft engaging ad copy and use high-quality visuals to make your ads irresistible.

While offsite ads involve additional costs, their exposure can increase sales and brand recognition. Test different platforms and ad formats to determine what resonates best with your target audience. Monitor performance metrics like click-through rates (CTR) and return on ad spend (ROAS) to refine your strategy.

14. Cater to the Etsy search engine

Etsy’s search engine determines how easily buyers can find your products. To cater to it, optimize your product titles, tags, and descriptions with relevant keywords that shoppers will likely use. Research trends and incorporate long-tail keywords that match your niche to improve your visibility. 

High-quality images also play a vital role in Etsy’s search rankings, affecting click-through rates. Ensure your shop policies, shipping times, and reviews reflect a trustworthy seller. Consistently updating your listings with fresh keywords and seasonal relevance signals to Etsy that your shop is active. 

15. Create your own website

While Etsy provides a fantastic marketplace, having your own website adds another layer of professionalism and independence. A website lets you showcase your products in a customized space that aligns with your brand’s identity. Platforms like Shopify or WordPress make it easy to set up an online store where you can sell your products and even blog about topics relevant to your niche.

Your website can also be a hub for driving traffic from other sources, such as social media, email newsletters, and collaborations. While Etsy charges listing and transaction fees, your website gives you full control over your profits. 

16. Participate in relevant forums

Joining forums related to your niche can help you connect with potential customers and establish yourself as a top expert in your field. Platforms like Reddit, Quora, and Etsy’s community forums are great to engage in meaningful conversations. Answer questions, share your knowledge, and subtly showcase your products when appropriate and relevant.

Avoid spamming forums with promotional links, as it can damage your credibility. Instead, focus on building relationships and understanding your audience’s needs. These interactions can lead to organic traffic to your shop and a stronger sense of trust among your potential customers. 

17. Collaborate with influencers

Identify influencers whose followers align with your ideal customer profile and collaborate on campaigns that showcase your products. This could include sponsored posts, unboxing, or even giveaways. 

Choose influencers who share your brand’s values and have an engaged following rather than focusing solely on follower count. Micro-influencers, with smaller but highly dedicated audiences, often deliver excellent results. Negotiate clear terms for the partnership and track the performance of each collaboration to assess its impact on your sales and brand visibility.

18. Expand product selection with print on demand

With millions of innovative Etsy sellers across the platform, it can be tough to stand out against the competition — especially if there are comparable options for your products within just one marketplace. Fortunately, with the help of print on demand services, Etsy sellers can expand easily into new product lines and custom designs, all with minimal risks.

From mugs and tumblers to wall calendars and wall art, print on demand partners (like Gelato!) offer a robust selection of customizable products to expand your current product catalog. Designing products through print on demand services allows sellers to create one-of-a-kind items that give them a competitive edge and stand out amongst the vast selection of Etsy products. 

Bonus Tip: With Gelato’s print on demand solution, you only pay for what you sell — meaning you can create endless new products with no upfront costs and continue to drive new revenue!

The strategies in this guide — from optimizing product listings and using high-quality images to leveraging social media and email marketing—are tried-and-tested ways to stand out in a competitive marketplace. By employing these techniques, you'll enhance your storefront's visibility and engage a broader audience. 

As your shop grows, consider partnering with a reliable print on demand service like Gelato to expand your product customization options and simplify order fulfillment. With Gelato's 140+ production hubs across 34 countries, you can offer unique, customizable products without handling inventory or shipping. This integration ensures efficient deliveries and reduces carbon emissions for a more sustainable business model. 

Now is the perfect time to experiment and adopt these strategies, ensuring your store has an edge over the competition. Dive into the world of success on Etsy, and watch your sales soar!

How do beginners get sales on Etsy?

Beginners can boost sales on Etsy by optimizing their listings with keywords, using high-quality photos, and offering competitive pricing. Promoting their shop through social media, participating in Etsy ads, and providing excellent customer service also helps attract buyers and build positive reviews. 

Why do I have no sales on Etsy?

Lack of sales on Etsy often stems from poor visibility, unoptimized listings, or inadequate promotion. Ensure product titles, descriptions, and tags use relevant keywords. High-quality images, competitive pricing, and active marketing efforts like social media or ads are crucial for drawing buyers to your shop.

Is it hard to get sales on Etsy?

Getting sales on Etsy can be challenging due to high competition and the need for effective marketing. However, with optimized listings, attractive photos, targeted advertising, and excellent customer service, sellers can gradually build visibility and attract consistent sales, even as a beginner.