Is Etsy Worth It?

Virginia Miller

December 2, 2022

In this article

Are you considering opening an Etsy shop? You're not alone. Etsy has become a popular choice for small business owners looking to start and grow their businesses. But is it worth it? That's a question that's difficult to answer definitively. In this post, we'll take a look at some of the pros and cons of selling on Etsy. By the end, you should have a better idea of whether or not opening an Etsy shop is right for you.

‍

What is Etsy?

Etsy is an online marketplace that specializes in handmade, vintage, and unique goods. Etsy is a great platform for artists, crafters, and small businesses to sell their products. Etsy is also a great place for buyers to find unique and one-of-a-kind items.

‍

The Pros of Selling on Etsy

‍

It has Millions of Users

First, it is a very popular site with millions of users. This gives you a large potential audience for your products.

‍

It is Easy to Use

Second, it is easy to use. You can set up your shop and start selling quickly and easily. Etsy also provides a lot of helpful resources for sellers.

‍

You Have Control Over Your Shop

Third, you have a lot of control over your shop. You can customize your shop’s look and feel to make it unique. You also have control over your product pricing and shipping options.

‍

You Keep Your Profits

Fourth, you keep all of your profits. Etsy does not take a commission on your sales. This is a big advantage over other online marketplaces like Amazon and eBay.

‍

The Cons of Selling on Etsy

‍

It Takes Time to Build a Following

First, it can take time to build up a following on Etsy. It is important to create high-quality listings and promote your shop to get buyers to find you.

‍

There is a Lot of Competition

Second, there is a lot of competition on Etsy. With millions of users, there are a lot of sellers competing for buyers’ attention. You need to make sure your products stand out from the crowd.

‍

Etsy Fees Can Be High

Third, Etsy fees can be high. Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. These fees can add up, especially if you have a successful shop with lots of sales.

‍

How Does Etsy Compare To Other Online Marketplaces?

Etsy is not the only online marketplace. There are other popular platforms like Amazon, eBay, and Shopify. So how does Etsy compare?

‍

Etsy is better for handmade, vintage, and unique items. If you are selling mass-produced products, you may have more success on Amazon or eBay. Etsy is also a good choice if you want to have more control over your shop and keep all of your profits. However, Etsy fees can be high, and it can take time to build up a following.

‍‍

How To Make The Most Out Of Your Etsy Shop

If you want to be successful on Etsy, there are a few things you can do:

Create High-Quality Listings

First, create high-quality listings. Your product photos and descriptions should be clear and accurate. You should also use keywords to help buyers find your listings.

‍

Promote Your Shop

Second, promote your shop. Etsy provides some tools to help with this, but you can also promote your shop on social media, through email marketing, or with online ads.

‍

Provide Excellent Customer Service

Third, provide excellent customer service. If a buyer has a question or problem, respond quickly and help them resolve the issue. Positive reviews from happy customers will help attract new buyers to your shop.

‍

Is Etsy A Good Place To Sell?

Etsy is a popular e-commerce website focused on selling handmade, vintage, and unique items. You can think of Etsy as the online version of your favorite local artisan market. Etsy is a great platform for small businesses and entrepreneurs to sell their products. Because it is so easy to use, you can set up your shop and start selling quickly and easily.

‍

In addition, Etsy provides a lot of helpful resources for sellers. However, one drawback is that it can take time to build up a following on Etsy. Also, because there are millions of users on the site, there is a lot of competition among sellers. But if you create high-quality listings and promote your shop well, you can be successful on Etsy.

‍

What Do I Need To Do To Create A Shop?

Creating an Etsy shop is easy and only takes a few minutes. You will need to create an Etsy account and then click on the “Sell on Etsy” link. From there, you will be prompted to enter some information about your shop, such as the name of your shop, the location of your business, what type of products you sell, etc. Once you have entered all the required information, you can start creating listings for your products.

‍

To create a listing, you will need to enter a title and description for your product, upload photos, select a category and pricing, and choose shipping options. You can also add tags to your listing which will help buyers find your product when they search on Etsy. Once you have created your listing, it will be live on the Etsy website and buyers will be able to purchase your products.

‍

What Are The Fees For Selling On Etsy?

Etsy has a few different fees that sellers are charged. First, there is a listing fee. This is a fee that is charged every time you create a new listing for a product. The listing fee is $0.20 per item.

‍

In addition, if you make a sale on Etsy, you will be charged a transaction fee. The transaction fee is 5% of the total sale price, including shipping and taxes.

‍

Lastly, Etsy also charges payment processing fees. These fees can add up, especially if you have a successful shop with a lot of sales. However, many people feel that the fees are worth it because Etsy is such a popular website with millions of users.

‍

How Do I Get Paid?

Etsy uses Direct Checkout to process payments from buyers. Direct Checkout is a safe and easy way for buyers to pay for their purchases. With Direct Checkout, buyers can pay with their credit or debit card, or with their PayPal account.

‍

Once you have received payment from the buyer, you will be able to withdraw the funds from your Etsy account. You can choose to have the funds deposited into your bank account, or you can use the funds to pay for Etsy fees or other expenses.

‍

Money from sales on Etsy will be put into your PayPal account if you accept PayPal payments. We recommend that sellers use a PayPal Business account rather than a Personal account because personal accounts have monthly receiving limits and can't take payments from credit card buyers.

‍

Final Thoughts On Etsy

So, is Etsy worth it? In short, yes. The platform offers a number of benefits for small business owners, from exposure to a large audience to helpful tools and resources. That said, there are some things you should be aware of before opening an Etsy shop, such as the competition and the fees involved.

‍

If you're ready to start selling on Etsy, our team at Simpl can help make the process easy and hassle-free. We offer comprehensive fulfillment services that take care of everything from shipping to customer support, so you can focus on what you do best: Making beautiful products!

‍