Etsy is a great platform for clever crafters and artists to earn a side income or even make a living. However, with 2.5 million active merchants on the platform, you need to put in extra effort to stand out from the crowd. From SEO to custom boxes, there are many ways that you can supercharge your Etsy shop and increase the profile of your brand. Here are some tips.
Choose the Right Niche
When shoppers are browsing, they may not search for specific keywords. Instead, they will filter their search down to a certain category and just see what is in store. Choosing the right niche for your Etsy shop will help you and your products to be found by shoppers.
When selecting your specialty, be sure to choose something that interests you so you will never grow tired of making your unique creations. This will help your store to maintain consistency and longevity. Broader categories usually mean more shoppers but also more similar sellers, so weigh the pros and cons.
Finally, make sure that your niche has market appeal. Do some research on your competition. How many sales have they had so far? How do they market their products? And what do their customers say in their reviews? Think about how you can do better than the existing stores.
Maximize Your Listing
The name of your store is the first thing that shoppers will see so choose something intuitive and interesting. Try to come up with a great store name that is creative but not so abstract that shoppers have no clue what you are selling. Remember that it has to fit into 20 characters!
There are several ways to make your listing look more attractive than others. One of these is to post only professional photographs. A poor photograph of your product on a table does not inspire confidence. Take time to set up a scene and get quality images that show off your items.
Make the effort to refine your titles and descriptions. Find out what keywords shoppers are using to find products like yours and incorporate them into your text. Etsy tags are not required but you should make use of all available tag slots to maximize your listing’s visibility in search results.
If you have the budget for it, consider upgrading to an Etsy Plus subscription. You will get listing and advertising credits in return as well as advanced shop customization options that let you change your shop layout, customize banners, and add featured listings.
Use Social Media
You might have an excellent store on Etsy, but it will be no good without any visitors. Therefore, you should turn to social media to market your products. Register social media profiles on sites such as Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest to find your audience.
Social media also allows you to show your shoppers who the person behind the brand is. This helps to create the sense of authenticity that consumers crave. When you form a deep connection with customers, they are more likely to purchase from you and make return purchases as well.
Adding a new item is a great reason to write a new social media post. Instead of posting all about your item in one post, spread the information out over several posts so the content has more chances of being seen. Even if you do not have new products, you can repost old products after a suitable interval.
Once you know which social media platform works best for your brand, you can invest more time in marketing there. You may even consider purchasing paid advertisements. Remember to pair your social media posts with friendly and timely responses to keep your potential customers engaged.
Perfect Your Packaging
Do your research and find the most suitable and attractive packaging for your items. A nice box designed for your brand may cost slightly more than the generic USPS box but it will make a world of difference to the shopper who receives it. You will probably feature in some unboxing clips too!
Be sure to include spacers such as kraft paper or packing peanuts to keep your items from shifting or breaking in transit. There are many eco-friendly choices for packings spacers that are not made from plastic or polystyrene. You can also get custom box inserts made to hold your product perfectly.
Adding a handwritten note card is a lovely way to add a personal touch to each item that you send out. You can also include a discount coupon for future purchases to encourage customers to remember your shop. Even if they do not use it, they may pass it on to friends and send you referrals.
When it comes to shipping, it pays to offer more than just the standard shipping option. Customers frequently make last-minute gift purchases and may choose to buy from another shop if you do not offer expedited shipping. Besides, you can charge a little more for expedited shipping and extra insurance.
Seasoned store owners know that creating or curating unique art objects is only one part of being successful on Etsy. To have a profitable store, you need to invest in marketing and branding. Engage with your customers and ensure that each step from inquiry to delivery is perfectly executed.