Want to start selling on Etsy? Whether you’re selling handmade items, craft supplies, vintage yard sale finds, or something else, this guide will help you get started with your Etsy shop.
The online marketplace Etsy reported $1.9 billion in sales from 22 million buyers in 2014. The site offers sellers the ability to set up their own stores, name their own prices, use the free tools provided to manage their stores, and receive support when needed. Creating your store is fast and easy, but these tips can help you decide whether it is a good fit for your particular business as well as help you understand the different aspects of the site.
Deciding Whether Your Items Are a Good Fit
Unlike many other online marketplaces, your products must fall into one of three categories: handmade items, craft supplies, or vintage items.
Handmade items are designed or made by the seller. If the items are produced with the assistance of another individual, you must describe this person on your “About” page. If you have the item manufactured from your design, you must submit an application for outside manufacturing and choose a manufacturer that complies with the site’s ethical manufacturing policy.
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Craft supplies can be either handmade or commercially produced items. This category includes tools, materials and ingredients that are used to create handmade items.
Vintage items must be a minimum of 20 years old. Commercially produced and handmade items can be sold in this category as long as they meet the minimum age requirement.
Although the site’s policies are liberal, there are some things that you cannot offer for sale:
Creating Your Store
To set up your store, you must first register and set up an account. You can register by completing a form or using your Facebook or Google profile. When registering, you will be asked to choose your username; this will become your shop name, so you should pay special attention to this decision.
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You want to choose a creative, original name for your shop. Try to choose a name that can be remembered easily, evokes an image or describes the type of items you sell. Let your shop name reflect your personal style. If you provide a specific type of product, consider incorporating the product in your shop name.
When setting up your store, you will be asked to choose the forms of payment you will accept and the method you will use to pay your fees.
As a seller, you will be charged two other types of fees. Each listing, which lasts for up to 4 months, costs $0.20, and when you make a sale, you will be charged 3.5 percent of the total as a transaction fee. To pay for your processing, listing and transaction fees, you normally need to provide a debit or credit card, but you may be able to pay for fees through your PayPal account.
You are now ready to list your products, which will require uploading pictures and writing your descriptions. Be sure to use original photographs and describe your items accurately.
You can find more tips, tools and support on the site. By learning all you can before setting up your shop, getting started as a seller is easier and faster.
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