If you’re keen on selling on Etsy, you’ve come to the right place! To get started with opening your Etsy shop, head over to Etsy.com/sell. This guide will walk you through the initial steps of setting up your shop, provide tips for a strong beginning, and offer resources for further guidance throughout your journey.

What Can You Sell on Etsy?

Etsy is a distinctive marketplace focused on handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. Before starting an Etsy shop, ensure that:

• Your items align with the Prohibited Items Policy
• You reside in a location where Etsy Payments is available
• You have reviewed the seller's policies
• You understand the fees involved in selling on Etsy

What’s a Handmade Item?

Handmade items include products designed or created by you – from pottery to knitted scarves or even enamel pins manufactured by a production partner based on your design. However, reselling purchased items (even if they were handmade by someone else) isn’t allowed – only those created or designed by you can be sold.

What’s a Vintage Items?

For an item to qualify as vintage, it must be at least 20 years old - this can range from clothing and electronics to housewares. Note that if an item is less than 20 years old, it cannot be sold as vintage on Etsy.

What are Craft Supplies?

Craft supplies are tools, ingredients, or materials primarily used to create items or organize special occasions. They can be handmade, commercial or vintage in nature and may include party supplies.

What are Prohibited Products on Etsy?

Certain categories of products are prohibited on Etsy even if they’re handmade, vintage, or craft supplies. It is crucial to review and understand the platform’s policies before listing items. Prohibited items include tobacco, drugs/drug paraphernalia, weapons, hazardous materials, and others that infringe on someone else’s intellectual property, even if you designed or created the item. Additionally, adhere to local laws governing sales and shipping in your area.

What If Etsy Payments Aren’t Available in My Country?

Currently, you can only open an Etsy shop in a country where Etsy Payments is available. The platform is working towards supporting additional countries soon; stay updated through the Site Updates section of the Seller Handbook.

Setting Up Your Etsy Shop

Before jumping into creating your shop, ensure you have signed in or created an Etsy account. You’ll use this account to manage your shop and make purchases from other sellers on Etsy. After setting up your account, add a profile picture and bio to introduce yourself to the Etsy community.

Note: The first step of opening your shop must be done using a desktop web browser. Once your shop is open, you can then manage it using the Etsy Seller app.

How To Create Your Etsy Shop?

To create your shop:

1. Visit Etsy.com/sell and click Get Started.
2. Answer questions about your residence, business experience, and whether you’d like additional selling resources.
3. Choose your shop language, country, and currency before clicking Save and continue.
4. Pick a unique name for your shop, then select Save and continue.

Do I need a business license to sell on Etsy?

While Etsy doesn’t require sellers to have a business license, you must follow any laws applicable to online small businesses when selling on their platform. If unsure which laws apply to you, consult with a qualified professional.

Set Your Shop Preferences

Select the language, country, currency, and time commitment for your store:

• Shop language: This is the default language used to describe items in your store; pick one that reflects how comfortably you can communicate with buyers. You can add translations in other languages later.
• Shop country: Ensure you select the correct country for your store.
• Shop currency: Choose the currency that you will use to price your items. Keep in mind that currency conversion fees may apply if your bank’s currency differs from your shop currency.

Choosing Your Shop Name

Your shop name should be memorable and reflective of your style. It must meet these requirements:

• 4-20 characters long
• No spaces or special characters
• No profanity
• Not already in use by another Etsy member
• Doesn’t infringe on someone else’s trademark

If a name is already taken, Etsy will suggest alternative names that are available. Once your shop is open, you can change its name under the Shop Name tab in Info & Appearance. Check out these tips for choosing a shop name.

Stocking Your Shop

Add product listings to your store. Don’t worry about having every item listed immediately—you can continue adding products once your shop is up and running!

Setting Up Payment and Billing Details

To receive payments on Etsy, you’ll need to connect your bank account to your Etsy shop. Additionally, add a debit or credit card to your account for paying Etsy bills.

How to Connect Your Bank Account:

1. From the How you’ll get paid page, fill out your personal information.
2. At the bottom of the page, select the country where your bank is located under Where is your bank located?

The steps to set up payments can vary depending on your location.

Sellers with US Bank Accounts:

US sellers can add bank details using Plaid’s third-party service. Plaid allows you to verify your bank details with them, ensuring seamless deposits. Learn about Plaid’s security measures.

Under Your bank information, choose Connect your bank with Plaid and follow the steps to add and verify your bank details. Learn more about updating your bank details. By using Plaid, you agree to Plaid’s terms and privacy policy.

Sellers in Australia:

Australian sellers must have a residential address on file with their Australian banks; PO boxes are not accepted as residential addresses. You can update your address in Shop Manager.

Sellers in Argentina, Chile, Japan, Peru, Thailand, or Ukraine:

You can sign up for Etsy Payments with a Payoneer Payment Account:

1. Select Connect with Payoneer—you’ll be prompted either to sign in or create a Payoneer Payment Account if you don’t have one.
2. Choose Save and continue.

Learn more about using Payoneer with Etsy.

Other Sellers Outside the US:

1. Under Your bank information, enter your bank account details.
2. Select Save and continue.
3. Add a credit or debit card (shops based in Germany, Austria, or the Netherlands do not need to add a card).

Verify your bank details to ensure smooth and secure funds transfers from sales. Learn how to verify your bank details.

You can add a prepaid card to your account from the billing setup page if you already added a credit or debit card to your account; however, a non-reloadable prepaid card cannot be used as your only or primary payment card. You can pay bills manually with a non-reloadable prepaid card.

If you’re trying to add a reloadable prepaid card but it’s not working, consider adding another card instead.

Enabling Two-Factor Authentication

As a security measure, Etsy requires sellers to set up two-factor authentication. When you sign in from an unrecognized browser or device, Etsy will send you a verification code to enter before accessing your account. You can receive this verification code through:

• An authenticator app on your Android or iOS device (Recommended)
• An SMS
• A phone call

If you encounter issues inputting your phone number for two-factor authentication, consider using an authenticator app instead. Once completed, click Open your shop. Congratulations! You’re now ready to start setting up your storefront. Learn more about two-factor authentication.

Setting Up Your Storefront

After signing up to sell on Etsy, complete your shop setup and prepare to start selling items by considering production time, policies, and shipping plans.

Customize Your Shop’s Appearance

• Banner and shop logo: Upload clear photos that represent the style of your brand and make a strong first impression on shoppers. Learn how to upload a shop banner and logo.
• Shop announcement: Share a brief welcome message with shoppers.

Learn more about customizing the look of your shop.

Share Your Shop’s Story

• About section: Upload videos or photos that share the story behind your products, how your business started, and what you envision for your brand. Learn how to craft a great About section.
• Shop members: Introduce any other team members or collaborators.

Inform Your Customers

• Shop policies: Outline all your policies for shipping, returns, exchanges, payments, custom items, and any other guidelines shoppers should know before purchasing.
• Shipping profiles: Decide on your shipping charges—whether you’ll offer free shipping—and set up shipping profiles to inform shoppers of shipping costs.

For US sellers completing their shop setup, consider purchasing USPS Shipping Labels on Etsy to save up to 30% compared to USPS retail rates at the post office or elsewhere online. Read more about purchasing USPS Shipping Labels on Etsy.

Adding More Listings to Your Shop

After completing all shop sections, you’re ready to start adding products to your Etsy shop. Products added to your shop are called listings. Learn how to list an item.

Best Practices for Listing Items

When creating listings, consider these best practices:

• Optimize titles and tags for Etsy search
• Take high-quality listing photos
• Add attributes to help shoppers find your items
• Describe your items in a captivating manner
• Set accurate processing times to inform shoppers about delivery expectations
• Determine shipping prices or consider offering free shipping

Marketing, Branding, and Promotion

A successful Etsy shop relies on an effective marketing strategy. Marketing attracts new customers, keeps existing ones informed about updates and can lead to increased sales.

Getting Started with Marketing

• Ensure your shop is optimized for Etsy search; include a location for better local search results.
• Link your shop to social media accounts for easy sharing of business posts.
• Learn how investing in advertising can help build your brand and reach more buyers.
• Use sales and coupons to offer discounts and incentivize shoppers.
• Explore local craft fairs or markets for selling opportunities.
• Join the Etsy community and teams to network with sellers and shoppers.

Explore these in-depth topics for more information:

• Advertising
• Social Media Marketing
• Branding

By following these marketing, branding, and promotion strategies, you can effectively reach your target audience and increase sales on your Etsy shop.

Starting to Sell on Etsy

Etsy takes pride in its sellers providing buyers with exceptional experiences. Read tips for offering great customer service. By consistently delivering excellent customer service, you may become a Star Seller.

Tips for Managing Your Shop

• Ensure you follow customer service best practices to qualify for Etsy Purchase Protection for sellers.
• Sign up for the seller email lists to stay informed about tips and important information.
• Learn what to do when you make your first sale.
• Understand Etsy’s Review system and how to get 5-star reviews.
• Manage your shop on the go using the Etsy Seller app.
• Take a break from your shop when needed.

Growing Your Business on Etsy

To elevate your shop, review these essential guides:

• Ultimate Guide to Starting an Etsy Shop
• Shipping
• Marketing
• Listing photos
• Customer service
• Etsy search
• Etsy fees
• Your storefront

Additional resources for learning about selling on Etsy include:

1. Explore the Seller Handbook for comprehensive guides on running a successful business.
2. Listen to the Etsy Success podcast.
3. Watch videos on YouTube.
4. Connect with knowledgeable and talented sellers in the Etsy Community.
5. Enroll in an Etsy U class to learn from experienced sellers.

Crafting Etsy Shop Descriptions with Alura’s AI Templates

An essential aspect of setting up a successful Etsy shop is creating an engaging and informative shop description. A well-crafted description not only captures the interest of potential customers but also helps optimize your shop for search visibility. Alura’s AI templates are designed to help you create compelling descriptions that resonate with your target audience while saving time and effort. These templates use advanced artificial intelligence to generate customized content tailored to your specific needs. By using AI templates, you can benefit from:

1. Professionally crafted descriptions: The AI-generated content is based on industry best practices, ensuring high-quality results that enhance your shop’s appeal.

2. Time-saving convenience: With these templates, you no longer need to spend hours writing and rewriting descriptions; the AI does the work for you quickly and efficiently.

3. SEO optimization: The generated content takes into account keywords and phrases relevant to your products, improving search visibility on both Etsy and external search engines.

4. Personalization: The templates are customizable according to your preferences, allowing you to maintain a consistent brand identity across all your listings. Access Alura’s AI Templates, start generating amazing descriptions for your Etsy shop.

Wrapping Up:

In conclusion, opening and managing a successful Etsy shop requires thoughtful planning, attention to detail, and effective marketing strategies. By following the comprehensive steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-equipped to create an engaging storefront that attracts potential buyers and showcases your unique offerings. Remember to optimize your listings for search visibility, provide excellent customer service, and leverage innovative tools like Alura’s AI templates for crafting compelling descriptions. As you continue to grow your business on Etsy, stay informed of best practices and adapt to the ever-evolving online marketplace.

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