Josh Cutler
Discover How Etsy SEO and Etsy Search Work.
This is the most critical thing to understand and learn if you want to be successful on Etsy.
To get discovered in the Etsy marketplace, you must understand Etsy SEO (search engine optimization) and the Etsy search methodology. Organic Etsy search traffic will be the primary source of traffic to most sellers’ shops. Successful businesses may live only on search traffic, without the help of other sources such as social media and blogs.
The key step in ranking on Etsy search is to match what customers input in the search field with the title and tags of your product listing.
Consider what consumers are looking for. They usually consider descriptive keywords. When they wish to purchase a ring, for example, they may use terms like “gemstone,” “silver,” and “for daughter.” Think like your consumers and come up with keywords to employ to maximize your product listings.
Read this complete guide to learn all there is to know about Etsy search and how to increase search traffic.
Create A Reliable Brand That Customers Remember And Love
Many people believe that branding solely relates to the store logo, however branding is much more than that.
“Branding is the act of studying, creating, and applying a distinguishing feature or collection of features to your business so that customers may begin to identify your brand with your goods or services,” according to Hubspot.
In other words, branding encompasses all aspect of your business that people see and engage with, such as your brand’s color, packaging, product design, customer service, and even the tone of your social media posts.
Consider the entire impression you want your consumer to have when they purchase from you. Think about how you may transmit that sense in all elements of your store, whether it’s luxury, carefree, or eco-friendliness.
Create an email list early on to ensure long-term customer relationships.
Email marketing is one of the most successful strategies to develop long-term consumer connections. It is a focused method of communicating with them and gaining their confidence.
However, be cautious not to break Etsy’s terms of service by directly adding consumers’ addresses to your email list. Instead, you might entice them to join your mailing list by offering them a discount voucher or relevant information.
You may begin email marketing with services such as Mailchimp and Aweber.
The goal of email marketing is to establish a solid, trusted connection with your consumers. You may do this by delivering them pertinent news and information.
Although it may be tempting to send emails constantly advertising your items, avoid spamming them with promotional emails. Customers might easily lose patience and unsubscribe. Distribute commercial emails amid the informational emails. A three-to-one ratio is suggested.
Get Insight From Successful Etsy Sellers (But Don’t Steal Their Ideas)
Keep an eye out for successful Etsy businesses in your product area. They are vendors who have sold tens of thousands of items.
They have shown that they offer things that people purchase and like. Examine their store offerings, paying specific attention to their “bestsellers.” You may spot them by checking for the ‘bestseller’ batch or when the product says “Over 20 people have this in their basket.”
Aside from the product itself, consider their branding, packaging, customer feedback, and so on for ideas on how to better your business and items.
Create Product Descriptions That Sell
A solid product listing description helps persuade customers why they need your goods and dispel any reservations they may have.
It is critical to demonstrate the advantages of your product in addition to the features. A coffee machine, for example, may not only brew you a cup of coffee, but also restart your morning and make you productive.
In other words, demonstrate how your product will improve your customer’s life.
Address any frequent concerns that a consumer may have. They could wonder whether it’s simple to use, what happens if it fails, and if they can return it if they don’t like it.
In today’s fast-paced digital environment, it’s also best to keep your phrases and paragraphs brief. So that customers may simply grasp what you’re saying.
Customer Service Like A Friend, And Responsively
Customer service that is kind and responsive goes a long way. It is one of the primary criteria that distinguishes small enterprises from large organizations.
When you get consumer communications, be helpful when they have inquiries and empathic when they have worries.
Turning on notifications in your Etsy Seller app is a terrific method to ensure timely responses. Many buyers express their appreciation for a prompt vendor in their evaluations. Attempt to respond within a few hours.
Have at least 20 products to begin with and continue to add more on a regular basis.
It’s a good idea to start your Etsy store with at least 20 things. Many new Etsy sellers make the mistake of beginning with just 1-2 goods, which may severely limit their Etsy store’s reach. If you have a smaller product line, consider variants in color, size, and so on to expand your product listings.
In a store, make sure that all of your things make sense together. One of the advantages of being a small handcrafted vendor is that you are an expert in your field. If you offer crystals and cookies in the same store, they may not believe you are the go-to source for either product.
Aim to regularly add new products and listings. The more new things you upload, the more keywords you may cover, and the easier your store will be found.
Create Coupon Codes to Encourage Repeat Purchases
Etsy features a coupon code system that allows you to deliver coupons to consumers and customers automatically.
Sending to a previous consumer might stimulate repeat purchases. In most cases, a 10-20% discount is sufficient to entice them to return.
You may also distribute coupons to customers who have shown interest in your product or have it in their shopping cart. After a specified amount of time, the voucher will be issued to them automatically.
You may also create a promo code to persuade people to join up for your email list.
Profitable Etsy Ads
Etsy advertisements, particularly for new businesses, may be one of the easiest ways to generate visitors and expand your store. If you are prepared to pay some money, they will bring you direct traffic and sales.
On Etsy, there are two kinds of ads:
Promoted Listings on Etsy
This is the kind of advertisement that appears on the Etsy search page. You get charged for each click on your product listing.
Offsite Advertising
Etsy also promotes similar listings on websites such as Google, Facebook, and Pinterest. When the customer purchases your goods, you pay a charge of 10-15%.
I’ve written an article here to show you the strategies to run Etsy ads profitably.
Easy Way to Take Professional-Looking Photos
Your Etsy shop’s photography may make or ruin it. It is most usually the first impression a consumer receives of your brand. It’s also what makes people click or bypass your store.
Contrary to common assumption, taking decent product shots does not need an expensive camera. Most current cellphones are capable of performing well.
Use a clean backdrop to keep things simple. A white or off-white backdrop will help your goods stand out. Avoid using a pattern or a colorful backdrop since they will draw attention away from your merchandise.
Natural lighting is the simplest to work with and produces the best results. Early morning or late afternoon are usually the ideal times for photography since the light is not as harsh. Direct, bright sunlight should be avoided since it casts sharp shadows that might be distracting.
Take a selection of photographs so that customers understand what your product is or accomplishes. This tutorial will provide you with some product photography ideas.
Have an Effective Social Media Presence
Everyone is always on their phones, looking through Instagram and Facebook.
You may capitalize on this as a small company by having a presence on social media.
However, avoid the temptation to use Instagram just to promote oneself. People do not follow accounts that behave in this manner.
Instead, consider pieces that will be informative and intriguing to your prospective clients. It might be a behind-the-scenes peek into your handcrafted process, an educational instruction that assists clients with their purchase, or something else entirely.
Another form of post that might succeed on social media is user-generated content (UGC). Your consumers are the ones who snap the images. All you have to do is request permission to repost them.
You may save time by using free social media post templates from sites like Canva and Over. You may change the picture, phrases, colors, and other elements to match your brand.
Personalize the packaging for a memorable surprise.
Another advantage that a tiny handcrafted firm may have over large brands is packaging. Display your individuality with your product packaging.
Customers like minor touches like putting a thank-you letter in the purchase or a modest gift with the merchandise. They might be the motivators for people to post a 5-star review for your Etsy store.
Create Your Brand’s Voice
When talking with consumers, your brand voice is your personality. It might be via direct message or a social media post.
You should be concerned with your brand voice since it will help you stand out in a sea of other merchants. A consistent, memorable, and unique brand helps your brand stay in the minds of your customers.
Make a Professional Shop Banner and Icon
A well-designed shop banner and symbol may help represent the brand and personality of your store. Maintain a clean and uncluttered environment. You may find editable designs on Canva or on my Etsy store.
Provide Competitive Shipping to Increase Conversion
Many customers worry about the shipping cost. When they check out, a large shipping price will surprise them and cause them to abandon their order.
I appreciate that shipping your merchandise may be costly. In such scenario, it may be a good idea to add part of the delivery cost to the price of your goods. Most customers will pay a delivery price of roughly $5.
The Etsy algorithm also favors product listings on the US search page if they ship free to the US and cost more than US$35. In this post, you’ll learn how to make it work for your business and increase your Etsy search ranking.
Create a Pricing Strategy
When determining your price, keep in mind all expenses, such as materials, labor, workspace, and so on. After totaling all expenditures, double or treble the total to arrive at your original product price.
It’s also critical to compare your pricing to the prices of your rivals in the market.
Fortunately, Etsy buyers are less price sensitive than shoppers on other marketplaces like as Amazon and eBay. This suggests that Etsy customers recognize the value of handcrafted items.
Some popular pricing strategies include undercutting your competitors while providing the same quality goods, or selling at a higher price by providing a superior product with additional perks such as after-purchase service.
Begin simple accounting as soon as possible to ensure your business is profitable.
Aside from checking your Etsy stats, it’s a good idea to maintain track of your cash with some easy bookkeeping. It is simple to do using Excel or Google Sheets.
Each month, record your income, expenses, and profit. When required, break down the statistics. For example, you may wish to separate the cost of materials from the cost of delivery.
This offers you a better sense of the areas you can improve to increase the profitability of your store. It may also monitor your progress over time.
Write About Section to Highlight Your Handmade Quality
The “About” section of Etsy is an excellent place to highlight your shop’s handcrafted nature.
Write about how you began your store, how you received inspiration for your product, and include some behind-the-scenes images.
Customers on Etsy admire the method through which you make your items. The ‘About’ section might be the deciding factor for them to hit the purchase button.
Use an easy-to-remember shop name and tagline.
In general, it’s best to keep your shop’s name/title basic and uncomplicated. A one-of-a-kind, made-up-word name does not guarantee success on Etsy. Many popular Etsy businesses have basic names.
It’s also a good idea to include your specialization and keyword in the name and/or tagline of your store. This quickly conveys to them what your business is all about.
Recognize Etsy Seller Fees
When opening an Etsy business, it’s critical to understand the Etsy costs. Fortunately, launching an Etsy business is quite inexpensive.
Each listing you list and renew will cost you just US$0.2. Product listings are only valid for four months. If you wish to retain the listing on the store beyond 4 months, you must pay additional $0.2.
When you make a sale, a 5% transaction charge will be applied to the product price, shipping, and gift wrapping.
Other seller costs include Etsy adverts, a membership charge if you use Etsy Plus, currency conversion fees, and so forth. For further information, see this Etsy website.
Have a Simple Shopping Policy
Setting up store policies may seem tedious, but it is an essential step for the success of your company. It establishes consumer expectations.
Etsy features a basic store policy template that you may use to get started fast. You will have the option of deciding how to handle returns and exchanges.
Having a store policy in place can help your business’s ranking in Etsy searches.