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Story by
daniellexo
Published on May 2, 2008 in How-To |
Photo by |
Want to get a shop started on Etsy? Don't know where to start? This guide will help you find the help you need to get your shop up and running!
What to Sell
First things first: you need items to sell! Make sure your items follow the Do's and Don'ts on what can be sold on Etsy before you get started. Need some inspiration? Check out this great article on Finding Your Etsy Niche by tortillagirl. Littleputbooks (one of our top sellers) has a great blog post about Making a Great Product.
Coming up with a Name
Piddix has a great blog post on Picking Your Etsy Name. And our own MaryMary has a great Storque article on deciding on a shop name here. I have one more tip for you. Make sure its "Google-able!" Sure the name "FriedChicken" might be memorable, but if you go to Google and search "Fried Chicken," your shop will be a needle in a greasy (yet delicious) haystack!
Banner and Avatar
Your banner and avatar can help you brand your shop, so try to make them beautiful! Here's a how-to on Making A Banner that I wrote a while back. If you are just getting started with photo editing you might want to try our magical Bannerator! You can do an Alchemy request for a custom banner. Or search "banner" on Etsy to find a talented seller to make you a banner!
Your avatar should be eye-catching and clear. (This is sometimes difficult because of the size of an avatar, so keep it simple!) Try showcasing your most beautifully photographed product!
Need more help? Try the Help guides here and here.
Your Profile
Buyers on Etsy want to know about who they are buying from. Make sure you tell them a bit about yourself in your profile, as connecting this way with a buyer will encourage them to support you and your craft, so don't be shy! SarasTextureCrafts has a detailed article on Crafting Your Profile Page, so read up! The profile is also a great place to share your shop policies (soon Etsy will have a separate spot for your policies). The EtsyWiki has a whole section devoted to shop policies.
Listing Your First Item
Listing an item is an easy four step process. This help guide will take you through each one. Here are some articles that can also help you with this process:
- Making the Most of Your Descriptions
- Guidelines & Tips: Tagging on Etsy
- Writing for an Online Audience: How-To
- The Art of Pricing
- Budgeting Advice for New Craft Businesses
- Shipping Pointers
Photography
Photography is the most important part of your shop (in my opinion!). If you don't have crisp, clear and eye-catching photos, your sales will reflect this. The more professional and cohesive your photos look, the more confidence buyers will have in your shop. You may think you need a super-duper-top-of-the-line camera, but believe me, you don't. Images on the internet must be 72dpi (ie. not top printable quality!), so even a $150 digital camera will be just perfect! Photography takes a lot of practice, time and research, but once you get it right you will see your shop really blossom! Here are some articles to get you started:
- Staying Sharp: Achieving Clarity and Crispness in Your Photos
- Give Props: How to Style Your Photos
- Shop Makeover Series: Makeover Your Listings with Color
- Shop Makeover series: Photographing for Success
- Your Shop 101: Photograph Your Way to The Top!
- On The Level: Make Your Photos Pop with Histograms and Levels
- Bright Light, Big Color: Using EV and White Balance to Make Your Photos True to Life
Your First Sale
Now what? First things first, celebrate. The first sale is so exciting! Now once you have calmed down, check out the transaction page and make sure your buyer has paid. Package up your item and get it ready to ship (a hand written thank you note is always good customer service!). Send your buyer a quick little convo thanking them for their purchase and letting them know when you are going to ship. Ship your item, tick off the checkbox by your sold item, leave your buyer feedback and you're done!
Promoting Your Shop
Once you have your shop set up with at least a page of items, now is the time to promote! Here's great article to start with: Pimp Your Shop for 2008. Don't forget to try some offline promotions, too! Here are some more links to help you get started:
- Trends: Promoting through the Sampler
- DIY PR: Local Press
- How-to Network Offline: Increase Online Sales in Five Easy Steps
- Dispatches from B-School: Marketing Communications, Part 1
- Dispatches from B-School: Marketing Communications, Part 2
- Don't Order Another 1,000 Business Cards
- The Art of the Press Release
Need More Help?
So you're not exhausted yet? Well, ok! Here are some more great resources from the forums:
- The Ultimate Newbie Guide - 1 year anniversary edition
- NEWBIES ~ Here's a few Etsy tips for you
- Newbies - Etsy Tips For You
- Tips for New Sellers...
In addition, the Etsy Success Stories are always filled with inspirational tales and tips galore from prosperous sellers.
I hope this guide helps you get started! If you have questions or want advice make sure you join our Newbie Chats in the Virtual Labs (usually Tuesdays at 5:30pm EDT).
Experience sellers, leave our newbies some more words of wisdom in the comments below! What's your most important piece of advice?
| Tags | getting started, guide, help, HOW-TO, littleputbooks, newbie, new seller, SarasTextureCrafts, Seller Handbook, selling, setting up shop, tortillagirl, Your Shop 101 |
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73 comments Login to add your own!
MissCrowland
AbbieRoad
dancingcircle
I think the article sort of glossed over the importance of researching shipping rates/options before you even list. Most new sellers don't realize they'll need a scale, shipping supplies, and knowledge about domestic as well as international restrictions in order to reach maximum # of customers.
CaprichosDePapel
Vanessa
that's a great point dancingcircle
hey would you like to write a specific Storque article about that??? hint hint...convo me
daniellexo
Thanks for the advice dancingcircle! I just put in a link to a past article on shipping I wrote. Here it is:
http://www.etsy.com/storque/section/h...
fairytalefibers
Wonderful resource! Thanks for putting this together, I'll be passing the link on!
origamichristmastree
I joint Etsy last week as a friend of mine strongly recommended etsy for my Origami Christmas Trees. As I was so excited to prepare my "shop" here, I am sorry I read this important information to be a right, efficient and contributing member of Etsy only now after opening an account here. I will study again thoroughly all information and rules. Thank you so much.
kawaiinekonya
PhillFinley
Really good tool for marketing art, easy to get started, and now just waiting to see the results. Thanks!!!
kowak
I need to change information for Etsy about paypal and don't know how to do it. Help!!!
Lonesomedove1
Sloanester
cms36451
decarlo
craftyjoy352
I am very excited to be here on etsy. I have found all these tips very informative and so helpful in getting starts.
BrautiesWorld
It said to look for 'shop setup' then click appearence. But there is NO 'shop setup', and there is NO 'appearence'
Ahhhh wthh?
eggcentricity
As someone considering listing here, the more info. the better. Glad to see it so organized and helpful.
Knitsgalore1
I have just become an Etsy Newbie and have absolutely no idea how start my shop or design the shopfront. This guide is very valuable thanks a million, I will read through all of it maybe I can get me head round it meself.
Kniterella
boobadolls
HempknoticDesigns
Etsy is Great! Thank you very much for awesome information on storefronting. Can't wait to get it going.
susurrosmagicos
Hello, i make fairies and magic characters in "masilla epoxy". I wanted to ask you if it was posible to sell without having a creditcard. I live in Argentina, but i have family in miami that can do me the favor of using theirs. Thank you.
handcraftusa
Thanks for giving me this opportunity to sell my handmade accessories on line. I know that your customers who shop on etsy.com will enjoy the quality I put into each item I make.
popsrockabillyshop
I am definitely excited about starting this new venture in my life. Something I have always wanted to do and Etsy is sure making it alot easier to achieve.
dogtreasures
well--I got signed up with no problem--thing is--I cannot for the life of me figure out HOW to set up a shop--I can't even find a link to take me someplace to do so! I have been an online seller for 10 years now so do not think I am a dummy--but this beats me! any help appreciated! thanks
Vanessa
dogtreasures, click on the "sell" button in the main grey navigation. Good luck!
heronmoon
I'm trying to find information on whether we can accept credit card payments in our shops. I got a merchant account several months after establishing my shop but I'll be darned if I can find an answer to this question...I'd be grateful for being pointed to the answer! Thank you!
Beljewel75
I am also a new etsy chick. I am very iliterate with computers so its good to see so much information available :)
Cant wait to get started, i have to attempt a banner now mmmmmm
sharonm387
setting up my new shop and would like to know if i only do certain parts of a new listing i.e. say the description, can i come back to it at a later date and finish the listing or will i lose it all, sharon.
Littlehandstudios
lunasheart
Great guidance---feel a trifle overwhelmed, but that's probably partially due to the fact that I've yet to hit the hay and it's 6a.m.PDT!!!
sixteensassystreet
Hello, I am a new seller on etsy and need some help with shipping costs. I have furniture pieces, some heavy and some not so heavy. How do I know how much to charge for shipping costs? This may be a silly question, but this is my first time to ever sell on line. Thanks!!
jeansjeweledwrapscc
CorysHandmade
sisterspersnickety
daniellexo
You can easily accept credit cards via paypal on Etsy. Here is some help with that:
http://www.etsy.com/faq_selling.php#p...
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If you need help with shipping cost and you are in the U.S., check out USPS.com. You must know the weight of your packages and then you can search for shipping costs.
Hope that helps!
blacita
I am a new comer to Etsy even though I've been a crafter for over thirty years and have sold for over fifteen.
I'll probably have some questions later that aren't covered in the start up information.
pattykayesplace
much to learn and do! Being a newcomer here, I look forward to getting to know many folks out there!
priscilladawn
I was at a loss of what to do about setting up a shop until I read this. Thanks so much!
cindysartcreations
I am just starting out and its very inviting , I am not a computer wizz , but with all the help from this page ,I think I can do it !!! Have a great day . I have to get busy now and get more things listed and then I will begin my promoting !!!
ItsSewMine
I have a major problem I went back to my store and was going to edit some spelling and the items I had listed disappeared. May I have some help with where they went I didn't want them taken off. I'm trying to learn how to do this. Guess I didn't do so great. Any help would be greatly appreciated. I can seem to find the answer anywhere to this.!!!!!!!!!!!!HELP PLEASE!!!!!!!!!
hattricks
Thanks for this helpful info. I have had some questions about getting started, but I'm slowly learning from all the great info you folks put out! great support system! Thanks Etsy..
PhotosbyTerry
I'm having a problem with a multiple sale. My customer is buying 30 of my photo magnets. I price them at $1 for the 1st one and $.75 each for more than one. I did up the listing for the 30 and so far the order is showing as 1 order of 6 at $1 each plus the $6.80 shipping or $7.80 total, which my customer has paid through PayPal (confirmed by PayPal). There's a 2nd order showing for $7.80 and no payment. The balance due for the other 28 is $21.75. How can I do this and be able to have the customer pay the remainder and have Etsy get the money they should get for the sale?
stellaloella
Hi PhotosbyTerry. The best way to get help with a specific transaction is to send an email to our Support Team at support@etsy.com. They'll be happy to help you. Congratulations on the multiple-item sale!
sueinperu
I'm very excited to get started, thanks so much for offering a place for us undiscovered artists to be able to show there wares!! Big High Five:) You must be something special to put this together. Thanks again!!
bybarbarabell
Very helpful and encouraging. I'm glad to hear that I don't have to try to produce something specifically that will "succeed," but that success can come to a person who produces what he or she truly loves.
kidsfunfleece
Looks like everything I need to get started. I'm very excited about the possiblities!
Morgaine1571
help i've literally just started!!!!!
i do have some questions and i would like to know. do i have to apply for a ny bussiness licence before i get started?
klassicglassdesigns
I will try this and hope it comes out just as easy as it sounds.
spirallulu
InspiredBrides
oh my !!!! Have to concentrate !!! Not very computer savvy, good job I am better at making dresses !!!
jevan3
I just found out about Etsy and and have browsed some of the shops, it seems so amazing. I am looking forward to buying and selling on this site.
piepersdolls
this site is nice. Easy to use and mostly very well explained. I think we will be a good fit.
COVETREATS
alfastudio
geegee1005
THIS is the first timeI am selling any-thing on the internet. my daughter give me your site bless her and espec-ially you.
BIGEYESPEAHEAD
I'm very excited about getting started...can't wait to sell/purchase my first item.
UrbanAdornments
Thank you so much for giving me a venue to share my passion with others! Etsy is truly a gift to all of us that needed a place to get started!
perebags
barriesflies
i am looking forward to using Etsy with a little help, i think it will be a very good place to sell my hand tied fishing flies'
cloud9designstudio
wonderful! wish i had seen this when i started!!! ;) great, helpful info!
Fikidoll
hearthsidetreasures
Thanks for all the great info! The more knowledgeable we are before we begin, the better for us and our customers!
angelarbp
I joined etsy a few months ago and just now have time to read this article. I should have read it earlier and I would have known to pick my username as my shop name. Can I change?
suzy1950
This is my 1st time having a shop & selling on the internet.I alway made my stuff & gave it away,or sold to my family & friends. Or at the flea market.Thanks for your help & Info,on how to get started. I'm very exicted
808jems
I really appreciate this article, thanks so much for putting it together!
CoraMarieBoutique
This is a very informative artical. I have been one etsy almost a year now and I found ways to improve my shop and my photos from this artical. Great job!! Thank you:)
LBscrapboutique
Thanks for all the advice! It truly helped us set up shop!
alphamaille
Excellent. I really needed some good advice into my first venturing in selling.
Previous Page
A great summary of all the essential articles for newbies like me. Each step is exactly what we need in order to get our shop set up. Thank you so much!