Tips and ideas for how to start a new Etsy store in 2024! This is the first post in a series about things that I do while getting my shop up and running!
This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase anything, I earn a small commission at no extra charge to you. Check out my policies here.
Why Start An Etsy Shop In 2024?
I have heard all the chatter about how shops are getting shut down, how the market is over saturated and how AI is taking over Etsy (and everywhere else).
So why would I start an Etsy store in 2024, instead of a Shopify store or just have listings on my own website?
This one is easy for me! Etsy has a ready, willing and able pool of active buyers to draw from already! Also, they have automatic coupons set up, accept Etsy payments, process credit cards and send out emails daily that people actually want to open and read!
With that in mind, Etsy's job is to bring the buyers and my job is to make compelling listings that people will want to buy!
I KNOW that I COULD set up all those things on a Shopify store or my own site, but past behavior on my part shows me that I am not interested in the techy bits, I am interested in making bits and the marketing bits… those are the things that I will be focusing on for this shop!
Get 40 Free Listings When YOU Start An Etsy Store Today!
What Is My Etsy Background?
I started a digital products store selling business to business forms, worksheets and planners in 2015. I also had a shop selling vintage items for a number of years and a print on demand store in the past so I am very familiar with how Etsy works, although I definitely have to get up to speed on specifics that are going on right now!
Luckily my besty has a thriving POD (Print on Demand) Etsy store that is profitable so I can lean on some of her expertise on what is working on Etsy in 2024!
What Is My Store and What Am I Selling?
I hate when “experts” won't tell you what their store name is so that you can check and see that they are really doing what they say they are doing!
With that in mind, my store name matches my Artsy Fartsy Life brand, it is the ArtsyFartsyLifeShop!
It is just a start with two listings, two followers and not much else going on a this point, but that is where everyone starts so I am fine with it!
I am selling my original mixed media art as digital download prints and also vintage public domain images that I have hand colored with Procreate on my iPad (I learned a TON about how to do this on Skillshare!)
Initial Steps I Am Taking With Setting Up My Shop
I am coming at this from a marketing angle rather than a maker angle so my first steps my not be what freaks you out, but this is what I have to do feel ready to start selling at en masse!
#1 Set up shop… I went through and did bare bones, logo, my headshot and bio, the words at the top describing my shop offerings.
DO NOT get hung up on this step, no one will be visiting your shop for a while so it doesn't really matter if you do everything “the right way” at this point!
#2 Added my first listings… I am not going for perfection here either, I am just getting back into the swing of things like what categories I am going to use, pricing and more!
I just put placeholder pricing there and now I can't change it (probably because Etsy is checking me out to make sure I am an actual person and that my financials and business bits are right).
It is my understanding that after 48 hours Etsy will probably shut down my shop for 7-10 days and that I should just wait it out rather than fighting it, it is just part of the process.
#3 Scanning all my artwork… I have LOTS of artwork to scan so if they do shut down my shop for a week I will be taking my time to get all my scans done and my files in order.
This is my file structure of how I save things:
- Things To Sell (top level file that has all my artwork and marketing bit in it!)
- Art Name (each piece of art or set of art will get its own file)
- Print size art and any extra things (you have to have high-quality images to add to your product listings)
- Mockups (I will be spending as much time or more making mockups of my art as I do setting up listings because this is the actual part I like!)
- Thank You PDF (that I still have to make)
#4 Making mockup files… I use Canva to make my mockup files!
Having these all ready to go means that when I am ready to start making marketing images I can just drag and drop my art into the frame and have many unique images!
I used Creative Fabrica for the majority of my mockups (just search “home decor mockups” or “frame mockups”.
Buyers want to be able to see what your artwork will look like in your home so you have to be able to show them different scenes of what it could look like framed or matted in their own home!
If this seems overwhelming to you then I recommend using Placeit, which does all the mockup work for you!
Why I Am Relatively Sure This Shop Will Succeed
While no one can ever be sure that the market will want what you are selling, I have an idea that I can make this shop a success!
Here are the unfair advantages that I am coming into this with:
- I have HUNDREDS of art pieces made that I can pick and choose from to sell
- There is no cost to me doing this beyond the $15 Etsy shop setup fee and the $.20 listing fees because I already use all the other programs that I need
- I have started shops before (my last digital products shop made me over $25,000)
- I have a email list of 18,000 people who already like how I do art
- I have a Youtube channel with 9K subscribers who like my art
- I have followers on social media platforms already
I don't say this to brag, instead I want to be transparent that I have a huge unfair advantage over other artists who might be starting an Etsy shop in 2024!
How Long Will It Take To Be Successful?
I have a long view of all things in my business so I am assuming that my new shop will take about 2 years to get this shop up and running, get enough listings to make sales and generally start selling consistently.
TWO YEARS? Yep, if you think you are going to open an Etsy store and be successful in weeks or months you might be seriously disappointed!
I am thinking of this as my online art gallery! If I opened a brick and mortal gallery, had meet and greets with potential customers, cocktail parties and open houses with potential buyers, it would take 2 years to get started, so why would be starting an online store be any different?
Starting An Etsy Shop FAQs
If you are thinking about starting an Etsy business, I am sure you have LOTS of questions! Here are some of the general things about Etsy that you might want to know!
What Can You Sell On Etsy?
You can sell handmade products, vintage products (over 20 years old), digital downloads, craft supplies and Print On Demand.
I have heard that Etsy is cracking down on Print On Demand shops for not having unique designs and that the craft supplies sellers are having a bit of a bother too!
Why Does Etsy Shut Down New Sellers Shops?
This one is a head scratcher to me! It is my understanding that Etsy shuts down new shops for about a week almost every time.
Don't freak out, it is normal and if they are going to let you sell on Etsy, you will know in very short period of time!
My besty (who talks to LOTS of Etsy sellers in her coaching business) says that it is to make sure that your Etsy account is legitimate… your info is all correct and that you are an actual person rather than a scammer!
Why Does It Cost So Much To Sell On Etsy?
I hear this question all the time and as a digital product seller, I think the cost is super low! First off, I don't have any cost of goods so my profit margin is 100%…. whoo whoo!
That having been said, there are Etsy fees… $.20 for each Etsy listing, $15 shop setup fee, and then about 7% in general fees (Etsy transaction fees, a payment processing fee, etc.)
As a seller who started in 2008, let me tell you that this is minuscule compared to hiking your butt down to Bank of America, getting a payment processing system set up, starting a website, trying to figure out how to get paid and on and on and on!
There are additional fees if you choose to do Etsy ads (I, of course, will be doing Etsy ads!) If I have the option I always choose to advertise on the native platform I am using!
As an online marketplace, I think Etsy is a great place to sell because they take care of so many of the technical bits that I don't want to do!
What Are Common Pitfalls I See New Etsy Sellers Make
I have LOTS of posts about Etsy Marketing so I talk to many potential shop owners and here are things they get stuck on…
Brand Identity… some marketing peeps make a huge deal about this and get everyone all riled up! I used the same name as my website, you could use your given full name or even a nickname for your shop brand. Don't overthink this, some of the top Etsy sellers don't have a memorable shop name!
Setting up a sole proprietorship or corporation… talk about putting the cart before the horse! You do not need to be a big business before you even list your first item! Don't get hung up on having this kind of business structure before you sell your first item!
Looking for a profitable niche... while there are some people who can sell “whatever”, most of the peeps I talk to are passionate about their own art or business. Stick to what you are good at and make it work!
Selling something no one wants… that said, if your passion is making knit suspenders for lizards, your target audience is going to be tiny! Make sure there are people selling similar products on Etsy and that they have lots of great reviews! Having totally new products products that no one has ever seen will make getting established harder!
Starting An Etsy Store In 2024 Wrapup
I hope this has helped you if you are considering selling on Etsy! Helping Etsy sellers is my jam and I want you to be successful with your new shop!
Having talked to hundreds of small business owners over the years, I KNOW how exciting it is getting started with a new venture and I can't wait to see how your new shop gets going!
Here are some more great Etsy selling tips you might love:
- Why Does It Take 2 Months To Start Selling Regularly On Etsy?
- FAQs About Making Digital Downloads To Sell Online
- Etsy SEO for Handmade Jewelry Sellers
