What is Etsy? How to Sell? Etsy Selling Guide

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an e-commerce platform founded in 2005 in the United States. It is a marketplace where unique products are sold, primarily handmade items, vintage goods, and digital designs. Etsy particularly enables small-scale producers and artists to access the global market.

Etsy’s standout features:

• It is suitable for small businesses and individual sellers.

• Focuses on unique and handmade products.

• Vintage (at least 20 years old) items can be sold.

• Also allows for the sale of digital products (e.g., templates, illustrations, digital invitations).

• Enables you to reach millions of customers worldwide.

Although Etsy is a US-based platform, sales can also be made through Etsy Turkey. Sellers can present their products to customers in Etsy UK, Etsy USA, and other countries. However, it is important to know some rules and the commission system to sell on Etsy.

Advantages of Selling on Etsy

Etsy provides great opportunities for small-scale sellers and entrepreneurs. The process of opening a store on Etsy is quite easy and does not require a large investment. Here are the advantages of selling on Etsy:

• Opportunity to Access the Global Market

• Low Start-up Costs

• Ideal for Niche and Unique Products

• User-Friendly Seller Dashboard

• Opportunity to Gain Organic Traffic with Etsy SEO

1. Opportunity to Access the Global Market

• You can connect with millions of customers in Etsy USA, Etsy UK, and Europe.

• You can earn foreign currency by selling in different countries.

2. Low Start-up Costs

• The cost of opening an Etsy store is quite low and does not require a large budget to start selling.

• Etsy commission rates are competitive compared to other e-commerce platforms.

3. Ideal for Niche and Unique Products

• Selling on Etsy allows you to stand out with unique products instead of competing with big brands.

• Etsy is a great opportunity for those wanting to sell digital products (e.g., graphic design templates, e-books, logos).

4. User-Friendly Seller Dashboard

• The Etsy seller dashboard allows you to manage your store easily.

• Product uploading, order tracking, and customer management are quite practical.

5. Opportunity to Gain Organic Traffic with Etsy SEO

• You can rank higher in search results by optimizing with the right keywords inside your Etsy shop.

• You can discover the most searched products with popular tools like Etsy hunt.

To be successful on Etsy, you need to choose the right products, create a good Etsy SEO strategy, and focus on customer satisfaction.

How to Sell on Etsy?

For those wanting to sell on Etsy, the process is quite simple. However, it is important to know issues like Etsy store opening requirements, payment methods, and commission rates. To start selling on Etsy, you should follow these steps:

1. Open an Etsy seller account

2. Open an Etsy store

3. List your products and perform Etsy SEO optimization

4. Set payment and shipping settings

5. Develop marketing strategies to increase Etsy sales

Let’s examine these steps in detail.

Requirements for Selling on Etsy

To successfully open a store on Etsy, certain criteria must be met. Here are the requirements for selling on Etsy:

Products That Can Be Sold on Etsy

Not every product can be sold on Etsy. The best-selling products on Etsy are generally handmade, vintage, or digital products. Here are some product categories you can sell on Etsy:

• Handmade products (jewelry, clothing, bags, home décor items)

• Vintage products (must be at least 20 years old)

• Digital products (posters, graphic design templates, digital planners)

• Hobby and art supplies

However, Etsy does not allow sales using the dropshipping model. That is, selling products from other suppliers without keeping stock is not compliant with Etsy policies.

Necessary Documents for Selling on Etsy

There is no obligation to establish a company to sell on Etsy. You can also sell as an individual. However, some additional documents may be required for those wanting to sell in Etsy Turkey:

• Identity or passport information

• A bank account for Etsy payment processing

• Taxpayer status obligation (applicable in some countries)

• Research on Etsy tax exemption conditions

If you want to sell through a company, you can start the process by entering your company information while opening an Etsy seller account.

Step-by-Step Guide to Selling on Etsy

To open a store on Etsy and list products, you should follow these steps:

1. Opening an Etsy Store

To open a store on Etsy, you first need to go to etsy.com and click on the “Open an Etsy shop” button.

Is there a fee to open an Etsy shop?

No, opening a shop on Etsy is completely free. However, certain commissions apply during the product listing and selling process.

2. Product Listing and Optimization

To be successful on Etsy, you should pay attention to the following criteria during the product listing process:

• Add the right keywords to the product title (e.g., “Handmade Silver Ring – Minimalist Jewelry – Etsy Shop”)

• Write descriptions that comply with Etsy SEO rules

• Pay attention to visual standards like Etsy video size and Etsy banner dimensions

• Use high-quality photos during the Etsy product upload phase

3. Payment and Shipping Settings

To receive payments on Etsy, you can use the Etsy Payments system. In addition, Payoneer, bank transfer, or PayPal are also available payment options.

You should provide clear prices to customers by calculating Etsy shipping. Additionally, some shipping companies you might prefer on Etsy are:

• UPS

• FedEx

• DHL

Shipping fees on Etsy can be included in the product price or paid by the customer.

Ways to Increase Your Sales on Etsy

Running a successful store on Etsy is not enough; simply opening a store is not sufficient. Those who want to sell on Etsy must use the right strategies to increase the visibility of their stores and boost their sales. Here are some ways to increase sales on Etsy:

1. Optimize Your Etsy SEO

Etsy operates like a search engine. Therefore, by implementing Etsy SEO strategies, you can ensure your products reach more people.

• Add keywords to your titles and descriptions (e.g., “Handmade Minimalist Silver Ring – Women’s Jewelry – Giftable”)

• Use Etsy tags correctly

• Write detailed and informative product descriptions

• Discover the most searched keywords with tools like Etsy Hunt

2. Use Advertising on Etsy (Etsy Ads)

You can use Etsy Ads to increase the visibility of your store on Etsy. With Etsy ads, your products reach more people, and your sales increase.

• Set a daily advertising expense that suits your budget

• Advertise for your best-selling products

• Analyze your advertising performance and update your strategy

3. Engage in Social Media Marketing on Etsy

You can use platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, Facebook, and TikTok to promote your Etsy store. Especially Pinterest is a huge opportunity for Etsy sellers because users tend to shop directly.

• Share your products on Instagram and Pinterest

• Add your Etsy shop link to your bio

• Build trust by sharing customer reviews and order stories

4. Prioritize Customer Satisfaction on Etsy

Etsy places great importance on customer experience. You should pay attention to customer service to receive positive reviews.

• Respond quickly and assist customers

• Ensure customer satisfaction by packaging carefully

• Ask for feedback from your customers and display it in your Etsy shop

Etsy Commission and Pricing System

When selling on Etsy, specific commission rates and fees apply. You can determine how much you will pay per product by performing Etsy commission calculations. Here is Etsy’s main pricing policy:

For example, if you sell a product for 10 USD, the following calculation is made:

• Product listing fee: 0.20 USD

• Sales commission (6.5%): 0.65 USD

• Payment processing fee (3% + 0.25 USD): 0.55 USD

Total deduction: 1.40 USD and the amount you receive is 8.60 USD.

When performing Etsy profit calculations, you should take these costs into account.

Common Problems and Solutions on Etsy

While selling on Etsy, you may encounter some issues. Here are some common problems and solutions:

1. Etsy Account Suspension

If you act against Etsy's policies, your Etsy seller account may be temporarily or permanently suspended.
Solution: Ensure compliance by reading Etsy’s sales policies and contacting their support team.

2. Shipping Delays and Customer Complaints

Not performing Etsy shipping calculations correctly or misrepresenting shipping times can lead to customer loss.
Solution: Manage the process by making proper agreements with Etsy shipping companies.

3. Payment Delays

In some countries, Etsy payments may be delayed.
Solution: Research alternative payment methods besides Etsy Payments.

Frequently Asked Questions About Etsy

1. Do I need to establish a company to sell on Etsy?

No, you can sell on Etsy as an individual. However, if you are making large-scale sales, you need to learn about your tax obligations.

2. What are the best-selling products on Etsy?

• Digital products (logo templates, invitation designs)

• Handmade jewelry

• Vintage clothing

• Decorative products and artworks

3. How can I receive payments on Etsy?

You can receive payments via Etsy Payments, Payoneer, or bank transfer. The payment methods supported by Etsy may vary by country.