5 Proven Tips to Get More Sales on Etsy
If you're selling vintage or handcrafted goods on Etsy and are tired of creating listings that don't get seen, keep reading! I've compiled some tips for you to increase sales on Etsy by creating search-optimized listings.
Etsy is an increasingly competitive marketplace for handmade, vintage and custom goods. It can be a great way to distribute products to a large audience looking for handcrafted goods. If you can master the algorithm by tailoring your listings to match what people are searching for, you can set yourself up for success on Etsy's platform.
Etsy Sales Tip #1: Use Professional Product Photography
You probably know that having high-quality imagery on platforms like Etsy listings is essential. But did you know it’s actually the NUMBER ONE FACTOR in driving purchase decisions on Etsy?
An Etsy survey found that 90% of shoppers felt that the quality of listing images was extremely or very important to their purchase decision. This makes high-quality imagery the most important Etsy sales tip I can give you to improve your listing performance.
Etsy Buyer Survey results show 90% of respondents said image quality was very important | Source: Etsy Buyer Surveys
Plan to include a broad range of product photos. You'll want to include the product in use (apparel should be worn or modelled) as well as the product on its own. Close-up detail shots are just as important as seeing the full product at a distance. Props can make a big difference for in-context photos, but make sure you let people know if they're not included with the purchase.
You don’t necessarily need a DSLR and a full studio setup, but it’s important to have photos that really sell your product.
This isn't something you'll be able to master overnight. You may need to take an online course or purchase some equipment. Sometimes it takes money to make money and this is the most important area to work on if you really want to see success on Etsy.
For some great tips on photography, check out Etsy’s guide to product photography for improving listings.
Tip #2: Carefully Develop Your Etsy Listing Titles
The Etsy search algorithm places higher importance on the words at the front of your title. So if you’re selling a face mask, that should be as close to the beginning of your title as possible. Etsy also places more relevance if your listing matches someone's search in both the title and in the tags. If you are able to, add some relevant keywords to your title, separating it with commas.
You may have noticed that a lot of the top results on Etsy seem to have listing titles stuffed with keywords. I don't necessarily recommend that technique. Keep your titles in plain language and use title case to help with readability. It's okay to use several relevant keywords in your title, but separate them with commas or vertical pipes. The easier your titles are to understand, the more likely people will be to click on them.
Example: Adjustable Face Mask in Blue | Washable, Reversible, Triple-Layer with Filter Pocket | Hand-Sewn and Made in Canada
Tip #3: Use All 13 Etsy Listing Tags
Tags play a big role in Etsy’s search algorithm, and if you’re not using up all 13 tag slots that Etsy provides, you’re missing out on valuable search opportunities.
Phrase match works better than individual tags, so if someone is searching “tie dye face mask” [tie dye face mask] would be stronger than having a tag for [tie dye] and [face mask] separately.
If you’re really stumped, here's a quick tip to try on the Etsy website (this doesn't work on the app, unfortunately): Hop into the search bar and perform a search for the product you're listing. Pick one of the top search results and scroll to the very bottom of the listing. You’ll see two sections at the very bottom of the page (there’s a lot of other related listings you have to get through first). One is titled “Explore related searches” and the other is “Explore related categories & searches”.
Etsy Explore Related Searches Section Screenshot
These sections at the bottom of an Etsy listing are a great place to look for tag ideas. (These don't show up when browsing on the Etsy app.)
“Related searches” shows you the tags associated with the listing. If you check out tags from one of the top listings in your search results, it’s a good indicator that these tags work for the shop owner, so don’t be ashamed to copy tags relevant to your listing.
The "Related Categories" section provides suggestions from Etsy; these can be great ideas for tags as well.
Tip #4: Pick the Right Listing Category
It's important to get the right category for your listings. Choosing the proper categories will also unlock the attributes feature (e.g. things like size, ear loops, nose wire, etc for the face masks category). Your best bet is to be straightforward and start typing what your item actually is. Is it a painting? A mug? A face mask? Type that word first and Etsy will typically automatically bring up the correct category and a list of potentially related ones for you to choose from.
If you’re not sure if the category you’re looking for exists, or it’s not showing up in the suggestions list, check the complete Etsy category list.
Tip #5: Update Your Etsy Shop to Boost Visibility
When Etsy determines which listings to place at the top of search results, they take things like your bio, about section and shop story into account. If you haven't filled these things in, go do it now! You also need to ensure you have shop policies in place. Consider customizing your shop policies as well when it makes sense to do so.
This is also a great time to ensure you're building a quality brand for your shop. This includes your shop logo, supporting graphics, and the voice and tone you use in your listings and policies. Ready my latest blog post on the value of building a brand for more information.
Check out this article from Etsy for more great selling tips.
Once you've implemented these Etsy sales tips, let me know if they boost your listing or shop visibility! Don’t forget to check your analytics before making these changes so you have a baseline to measure against. You should be checking your performance on a regular basis using Etsy's analytics. Now get out there and get selling!
