If you are wondering how to increase sales on Etsy, you aren’t alone. With over 1.9 million sellers on Etsy’s platform, there’s a lot of competition out there! But you CAN stand out.
The 9 strategies below will help you boost sales. None of them are rocket science. Some of them work instantly; others take some time to kick in. But remember, this is a marathon, not a sprint. So let’s dive in, shall we?
Beautiful Imagery is Key
The old saying that a picture is worth a thousand words is true. But it is even MORE true for your Etsy shop, where you have to be able to show what you have to offer STAT, or your potential customers will be off to the next seller lickety-split.
There are tons of articles out there on how to make sure your product images look gorgeous on Etsy, but here are a few key tips on creating standout product photography:
- Keep the backgrounds simple, and let your product be the star!
- Use excellent lighting that looks as close to natural light as possible.
- Make sure the photos altogether create a brand look and feel for your shop.
Remember, your photos should appeal to your ideal customer. Create imagery that speaks to them!
Test Different Headlines
Etsy loves fresh, updated content. So you might as well take advantage of that! Test out different headlines for your products. If you are trying to figure out how to increase Etsy sales, try out different copy in your shop description and about us sections.
Take a page out of top seller Caitylin Minimalist’s Etsy page. Her description says, “Dainty Personalized Jewelry crafted with Love ♡” Lesson to be learned here? Be clear!
Offer Free Shipping
Do you know what makes customers that are in love with your product make the dreaded “abandon cart” move? Shipping fees.
Take shipping costs away, and you stand an excellent chance of increasing your Etsy sales. Stitch Labs found “that retailers who always offer free shipping can directly increase revenue by 10 percent.”
Remember SEO
SEO stands for search engine optimization, and if you haven’t heard about it yet, it could be a game-changer for you. In short, it is the way Google and other search engines (including Etsy, which is a search engine of its own sort) identify the content of your product listing and match it with searcher queries. In other words, if you use generic, non-descriptive words, it might make it harder for your potential customers to find you.
Using relevant keywords (learn more about that on our keyword research blog here) in your title, attributes, and description can help your Etsy rankings climb and get you more sales. Think about the search terms your ideal customer might use and start there.
But warning: when it comes to keywords, more is not always better! Too many keywords is called keyword stuffing. Etsy doesn’t like it, and neither do users. Make sure your sentences read like a human and not a robot.
Use Coupons
Coupons are a fantastic marketing tool that can help you advertise, nurture loyal customers, and stand out amongst competitors. There are many ways you can use coupons and discounts, but check out Etsy’s top seller Bead Boat’s page for some ideas. And don’t forget abandoned cart discounts, which Etsy makes effortless for sellers to set up!
Get more reviews. Yes, MORE.
Social proof is one of the greatest ways you can sell without actually, you know, having to sell. Letting others sing your praise is far better than singing your own praises. Make sure you are asking for a review every chance you get. Three places you should consider asking for reviews include:
- In your confirmation emails
- In follow-up emails after the product has been delivered
- Via a message card that goes with the delivery package itself
Just remember that incentivized reviews are NOT ALLOWED on Etsy, plus they are just bad form. So don’t offer freebies in exchange for a positive review.
Respond to Messages Promptly
Etsy wants its customers to have a good experience using their platform, so it makes sense that customer service is a top priority for them. And it should be a top priority for you too. Respond to messages as quickly as possible. Not only does it have a direct influence on your reputation with buyers, but it could affect your rankings in the Etsy algorithm. How much is hard to say, but responding quickly to inquiries is not just good etiquette; it’s good business practice.
Write Persuasive Product Descriptions
You only have a few moments to convince your potential buyers that YOUR PRODUCT is the product they want. Spend ample time on your product descriptions.
Remember the basic structure of any good product description:
- Identifying their pain point or need;
- Pointing out what will happen if that need isn’t addressed; then,
- Explaining why YOUR product solves the problem for them.
Of course, there is more to persuasive copywriting than that, but that’s the basic gist of it all. For the serious secrets of the craft, check out our free Facebook community page, where we talk and teach all things marketing.
Price Products Correctly
Pricing your products on Etsy can be a tricky proposition. You want to pay yourself for all your hard work and efforts, and then there is the cut Etsy takes. You also have to be competitive with other sellers — price too high, and customers won’t bite. Price too low, and they won’t take you seriously.
There’s a great guide on pricing your products from Daisy Cottage Designs, a seller on Etsy. They take you step-by-step through the process, and since they’ve done it before, they know the drill.
Need More Marketing Help?
Figuring out how to increase sales on Etsy isn’t easy, but you’re not alone. The tips above will help you create solid foundations that will help set your Etsy shop up for success that is sustainable, not fleeting.
Have you integrated them and run into obstacles? Have more questions? Take this short quiz to find out which marketing initiatives you should focus on first.