If I were to start over on Etsy
HERE’S EXACTLY WHAT I WOULD DO DIFFERENTLY
The following are simple but powerful. Starting an Etsy doesn’t have to be overly complicated. When you can, go simple, just do the next right thing.
Here are four things I would do if I were starting over ON ETSY!
1. Fill out EVERYTHING
I would fill out everything that is forward-facing for clients, things like:
about
announcement
sections
photos
links to social
team (even if its just you and your cat)
And I'd fill out everything you can on your listings. Specifically...
13 tags
1 title
1 sentence to start your description
1 longer description that explains *everything*
5+ pictures (10 is the goal)
1 video
👉 PLUS, I would include anything that applies, like material, production partners, holidays, themes, etc. You know all those options they give you when you're making a listing? Use them!
2. Add as many listings as I could to my drafts, open my shop with a few, and then keep adding some every day.
Think about this as if it were Instagram--you likely wouldn't upload 100 pictures in one day, and then never add more, would you? Just like Instagram, Etsy has an algorithm that we're working with.
Adding listings often can help!
3. Create clear policies around returns, cancellations, etc.
Not just the yes and no answers! Scripts, reasoning, and answers with intention. That way when someone has an issue or a question, you don't have to make up answer on the fly. You can simply go in and copy-and-paste. Here's an example of what i mean for a refund question:
Q: Can I cancel my order?
Before we answer, what do you need to know...
Have you already shipped? Then no.
Have you already produced? Then no.
Have you already ordered specific supplies for them? Then no.
Haven't done anything? Sure!
^^This is my logic, it doesn't have to be yours.
Let's say the answer is yes. Here's my copy-and-paste response:
Hey [NAME]! We're happy to cancel this and process a refund for you! You should see that come through shortly :)
Simple, does not have to be much! However, rather than thinking about this every single time, I have answers I can copy and paste for all the above scenarios!
Where you can, anticipate needs and add these kinds of templates for yourself.
4. Answer messages quickly, but not immediately.
I would answer as quickly as I could, but being available 24/7 isn't reasonable or sustainable. I'd also create templates to make this faster and easier.
In August 2024, Etsy announced that their standard is to "reply to 80% of first messages within 24-48 hours." For star sellers, the goal is 95% in the first 24 hours.
If that feels like a lot for a small business owner to commit to, I agree.
Luckily, Etsy's auto-reply counts here! You can set up messages for when you're out of the office, like on the weekends, so that you can continue to hit those standards.
What the heck do you put in the auto-reply? Mine tells them I'll get back to them soon and includes some FAQs to help in the meantime.
If you don't meet those standards, it may affect your visibility on Etsy (according to Etsy).
👉 You can see how you stack up against these standards in the new "Etsy search visibility" section in your shop dashboard!
THE 3 THINGS THAT YOUR ETSY SUCCESS IS DEPENDENT ON.
I want to highlight how SIMPLE growth can be on Etsy. It’s three easy steps: to start and then repeat the last two forever and ever.
Starting. Learning. Implementing.
The last one is where I see the disconnect. This is the actual action. This is where you have to DO THE THINGS. And frankly, people don’t want to take responsibility for their life and business, instead they blame it on Etsy.
It’s not Etsy.
Etsy works great for those of us that are dedicated to showing the fuck up and doing the work.
It’s time to take radical responsibility, learn what you need to learn, and IMPLEMENT the things you learn. Don’t just think about it, or write it on a to do list. COMMIT + IMPLEMENT. Are you ready? I promise you have everything you need to start an Etsy shop and be successful, and what you don’t know, you will learn.
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What exactly do I need to show up in Etsy Search?
What am I supposed to include in the pictures?
How and why should I link your Etsy on my website?
How do I set up an announcement?
How can samples help my Etsy shop?
What's Etsy Plus, and is it right for you?
What should I avoid as I start and grow my Etsy shop?
...and that's just from the FIRST SECTION!
And get some of my most saved Instagram posts, easy for you to refer to like:
Five types of content for your product-based business
BTS of my Etsy Ad Strategy
How Samples Help Grow Your Etsy Shop