I started selling on Etsy five and a half years ago and my shop was nothing like it is today (which ALWAYS needs work). When I look back on that opening day, there were dozens of things I wish I had known before I had opened the virtual doors. The mistakes helped me learn, of course, but maybe you can learn from these early lessons of mine! This is part 1 of a 2-part series.

1. It Takes Time – I can’t stress this enough. This is the number one killer of new Etsy shops. The forums are full of week old owners who wonder why they have not made their first sale yet. Sure, there are a few shops that get the sale on the second day, but that is not the norm. Your shop will require constant work, constant tweaking, and most of all, patience. Keep looking to get better! Don’t see it as a “get money quick”scheme. Be in it for the long haul.
2. Don’t Skip Steps! – Don’t rush to get your doors open as fast as possible. Go through the steps Etsy provides. Fill out your shop announcement with relevant information, your about page, and your shop policies. Also make sure to choose a relevant avatar, banner, and shop icon. Not a graphic designer? There are plenty of sellers on Etsy who specialize in creating them!
3. Shop Names are like Tattoos – Early on, when I joined, Etsy did not yet allow you to change your shop name. I was stuck with “SewingLoves” long after I had switched from sewing to felting. It is still important though. Take your time with this one. Write out your ideas and see which one speaks to you and represents your products. I would really compare this to getting a tattoo. The advice I gave my sister: Hang it on a wall for six months. If you can still stand it, get it. (Though I wouldn’t recommend waiting six months to choose your shop name! haha)
4. Photographs Are Key – There are a lot of important aspects to creating a listing, but making sure your photographs stand out among the dozens of other products on the page is a huge step. Consider using a light box. There are several DIY guides online. Props can also help depending on the item. Never take your photo on the outside ground. And good lighting is the most important tool you have!
5. Keywords are Just as Important – If you’re going to ignore all my other advice, do not ignore this one! SEO (Search Engine Optimization) is how your buyers will find you. This covers tagging, titling, and descriptions (as well as your shop information). Do your research! See what your competitors are doing but think “If I was a buyer, how would I search for this product?” Phrases are better than individual words. If you’re selling a red purse, use the phrase “red purse” rather than “red” and purse” separately. SEO deserves several of its own blog posts (and will get them).

I will cover the rest of “Things I Wish I Knew” tomorrow! Good luck on opening those shops!