With 92 million active buyers, it’s clear that the Etsy Marketplace isn’t just a potential side hustle. It offers great opportunities to generate full-time income for your new or existing business.
Together, we’ll look at what you can sell, uncover who Etsy sellers are, and the earning potential this popular sales channel offers.
We’ll also go over some of the best practices and steps you need to take to make your Etsy business profitable.
So, how much can you make on Etsy? Let’s find out.
How much does the average Etsy seller make?
Earnings vary widely, even among active sellers. For example, there’s CaitlynMinimalist, who records over 49,000 purchases a month on a regular basis, but she’s only one highlight among thousands of other Etsy sellers.
If we take a closer look at some real-life examples among successful Etsy sellers, who use Printify as their Print on Demand partner, Cassiy Johnson reported making a yearly profit of $63,000 before taxes.
Still, it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme; you’ll need to invest much of your own time and effort to start earning money on Etsy.
This involves conducting market research, optimizing your store and product listings, and engaging your audience, which can make or break average Etsy stores.
Is selling on Etsy worth it?
Etsy is an excellent place to start and grow a business. However, to ensure that selling on this sales channel is profitable, it’s important for every Etsy seller to consider all the pros and cons.
Etsy pros:
- Easy to start
With a simple setup and straightforward interface, your Etsy store will be up and running in no time.
Check out our guide on how to start an Etsy shop to ensure an even smoother experience. - Global reach
With millions of people browsing the platform daily, Etsy provides an unmatched opportunity to reach a wide audience of potential customers organically.
Increased visibility can translate to more money for your business. - Low upfront costs
Become an Etsy seller by opening a store and selling products with minimal financial investment.
The only upfront cost will be a $0.20 listing fee on your first listing during store setup. - Built-in marketing tools
Etsy offers several promotional features to support your marketing efforts.
You’ll have access to a customizable storefront, social media integrations, and targeted advertising options.
Etsy cons:
- Increased competition
The downside of a packed marketplace with many potential buyers is sharing this audience with many other Etsy shops.
You’ll need to find ways to stand out by offering unique products, top-notch customer service, and captivating branding. - Multiple fees
Etsy fees are generally small, but it’s important to note that there are a lot of them.
Price products with these fees in mind to ensure you make more money than you spend. - Limited customization
While Etsy offers some degree of customization for your storefront and product listings, these options are limited compared to having your own online store.
The good news is that you can run your own standalone website from the Etsy Shop Manager – check out Pattern. - Limited accessibility
If you’re from a country that isn’t yet eligible for Etsy Payments, you won’t be able to open an Etsy store.
Quick tip
Learn more on our blog – Is Selling on Etsy Worth It?
Make it happen today!
Things to sell to start a successful Etsy shop
Personalized products
From custom apparel and accessories to personalized home decor and party supplies, attract buyers by offering unique, custom-made goods through Print on Demand services like Printify.
Consider enabling personalization options on your product listings so customers can provide their specific preferences.
Handmade items
Whether you’re good at knitting, painting, pottery, or woodwork, Etsy is undoubtedly the perfect place to sell your handcrafted creations to your target audience.
Keep up with seasonal trends to ensure your product listings are relevant and in demand.
Digital products
An easy way to expand your product offer is by selling digital downloads like printable art, planners, patterns, and templates.
Check out our guide on how to sell digital downloads on Etsy for inspiration and valuable insights.
Vintage items
Whether it’s old electronics, retro clothing, or antique furniture, Etsy might be the best marketplace to showcase and sell your vintage finds.
Discover the fascinating history and stories behind each piece as you curate your collection to delight fans of vintage goods worldwide.
Still, it’s not a get-rich-quick scheme; you’ll need to invest much of your own time and effort to start earning money on Etsy.
This involves conducting market research, optimizing your store and product listings, and engaging your audience, which can make or break average Etsy stores.
Who are Etsy sellers?
According to an Etsy seller survey carried out by Statista in 2022, 97% of respondents run their Etsy shop from home, and 82% are run by just one person.
This shows that Etsy is a great place to start your own business without needing a physical shop location.
Another 54% indicated that they are multi-channel sellers, highlighting the importance of reaching customers across various platforms to maximize sales potential and business growth.
Etsy selling tips from top Etsy shops
Take great photos
Invest in good lighting and staging to capture compelling product images and incorporate lifestyle photos to help potential buyers visualize using them in real-life scenarios.
If you sell print-on-demand products, use our Product Creator to create high-quality product mockups.
Optimize your store and product listings
Use relevant keywords and create detailed product descriptions with bullet points for clarity.
Fill out your shop profile – share your shop owner story and include links to social media pages. Design an eye-catching shop banner and specify your work hours.
Find your niche
Instead of trying to appeal to a broad audience, focus on a specific customer niche.
This increases your chances of attracting buyers who are genuinely interested in your products, which can lead to higher sales and better engagement.
List many products
Boost your store’s credibility by expanding your product range.
This will help you cater to a broader audience and establish your Etsy store as a reliable source for various needs and preferences.
Make it happen today!
Mistakes to avoid with your Etsy store
Skipping research
Many Etsy sellers overlook valuable resources like the Etsy Seller Handbook, community forums, and tutorials, which can result in missed opportunities and unnecessary setbacks.
Be sure to learn the ins and outs of the marketplace before becoming an active seller.
Quantity over quality
Focus on quality over quantity by ensuring each Etsy listing accurately represents your products.
Aim to have at least ten high-quality Etsy listings in your shop to attract more customers and increase sales.
Don’t stop there – our data shows that successful Etsy sellers add an average of ten new listings every week. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new designs and products.
Under or overpricing products
Setting your prices too low can undermine the value of your products and lower your Etsy income.
On the other hand, higher prices allow for flexibility in offering discounts and promotions, which can attract customers without sacrificing your profit margin.
We recommend and automatically set your profit margin at 40%, but you can adjust it manually through your Printify Dashboard.
Copying competitors
While staying informed about your competition is important, copying others can stifle your shop’s performance and even get you in trouble.
Instead of mimicking your competitors, use your insights to offer exceptional value through your products and services.
Understanding Etsy fees
Although each fee might seem small on its own, they can quickly add up to much larger sums – Etsy can take an average of 20% to 25% from every sale you make.
Here’s a quick overview of the fees you can encounter on this sales channel.
Listing fees
Every new product listing comes with a $0.20 fee, which is automatically renewed upon sale or after four months.
Transaction fees
Etsy takes a 6.5% transaction fee from each sale you make, including shipping and gift wrapping.
Payment processing fees
If you’re based in the US, you can expect a processing fee of 3% plus $0.25 per transaction, but note that the payment processing fee will differ for other countries.
Region-specific and optional fees
From currency conversion fees to paid promotions through Etsy Ads, there are several other fees Etsy sellers should be aware of – check out our blog on Etsy Fees for the full lowdown.
What should the profit margin be for your Etsy products?
Your profit margin is the percentage of revenue you keep after deducting all costs linked to producing and selling products.
To simplify your Etsy income calculations and save precious brainpower, use our Etsy Calculator.
While you have the freedom to set retail prices as high or low as you wish, we recommend maintaining a minimum profit margin of 40%-50% to actually make money on Etsy.
How to make money on Etsy with Print on Demand?
Create your Etsy shop
To successfully sell on Etsy, register an account, then open a shop by clicking Get started.
You’ll need to create your first product listing manually through your Etsy account to be able to launch your shop.
Be sure to set up your payment and billing information – link your bank account and fill out all the necessary details.
Once your shop is open, take the time to customize it to reflect your brand’s unique identity.
Create a Printify account and connect to Etsy
Sign up for a free account on Printify and connect it to your Etsy store.
From your Printify Dashboard, go to Add a new store, then Connect to Etsy to link your store.
After you’re redirected to the Etsy Shop Manager, you’ll be asked to grant access to the Printify application.
Design and publish custom products
Choose from a wide range of over 900 customizable products in our Product Catalog and create designs to add to unique items for your shop.
Once your products are ready, publish them on your store with just a few clicks. They’ll sync up to Etsy as draft listings, awaiting your approval on the Shop Manager.
Optimize and market your listings
Use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions, and add high-quality photos to showcase your products.
Promote your listings to sell on Etsy through ads and share your content on your website and social media pages to attract more buyers.
Read our blog on Etsy SEO for more tips and tricks on how to effectively optimize and market your store.
Start selling online and making money
With Printify handling the fulfillment and shipping of your orders, you’re free to focus on selling and growing your business on Etsy.
Making money becomes a lot easier with a trustworthy Print-on-Demand partner by your side.
Final thoughts on starting an online business with Etsy
Starting an Etsy shop can be a rewarding experience, but it’s important to approach it with realistic expectations and a solid strategy.
How much can you make on Etsy? That depends on various factors like your chosen customer base, what products you sell, and, most importantly, how much time and dedication you can invest in creating and running your Etsy store.
Streamline order fulfillment and reach your financial goals with Printify!
