Is selling on Etsy worth it? Insights and tips for 2025

With over 90 million active buyers, Etsy is a top choice for both big and small business owners.

But is selling on Etsy worth it? It can be, if you know what you’re doing. In this blog, we’ll cover the pros, cons, and everything in between.

Is selling on Etsy worth it in 2025?

With its large and loyal customer base, Etsy remains a promising platform to make money in 2025, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best option for everyone.

So, is opening an Etsy shop worth it for you? Let’s find out.

Who is Etsy for?

With millions of shoppers and an active Community of sellers, Etsy offers a vibrant marketplace for artists, crafters, and vintage enthusiasts.

It’s the go-to platform for creative people who value authenticity and personalized shopping experiences.

If you want to kickstart a creative business on a platform with a low barrier to entry, Etsy can be a worthwhile choice for your online store.

Key stats

Etsy was among the most popular online marketplaces at the end of 2023.

While Etsy’s popularity among other sales channels translates to a massive audience for your products, it also means your Etsy Shop faces fierce competition.

In 2023, there were roughly nine million active sellers on this marketplace.

Your Etsy business success depends on various factors, but it all boils down to making sure your products pop up when shoppers search for something.

So, use Etsy SEO (Search Engine Optimization) by adding the right keywords and visuals to your Etsy listings and seller’s shop pages.

Best selling items on Etsy

Is it worth selling art on Etsy? Absolutely, but that isn’t the only thing that sells. After taking a deep dive into eRank Trends for Etsy shops, we concluded that the best-performing categories are:

• Clothing
• Digital Downloads
• Jewelry
• Wall Art
• Stickers

Whether you want to sell handmade or print-on-demand t-shirts and jewelry, craft supplies, or digital products like printables, these popular categories offer excellent opportunities to attract buyers and succeed on Etsy.

Gain valuable insights from the most successful Etsy shops, find your niche, expand your product catalog, refine your marketing strategies, and offer excellent support to establish a loyal customer base.

Pros of selling on Etsy

Selling on Etsy may be profitable, but is having an Etsy shop worth it? Let’s look at some of its pros.

1. Ease of use

From opening an Etsy shop to using the Shop Manager to list products and sell online, the marketplace is designed to simplify every aspect of running your store.

• Quick shop setup and easy onboarding.
• All the tools necessary to create compelling product listings.
• Simple order tracking and inventory management.
• Smooth communication with customers via Messages.

All these tools and features provide an effortless selling experience, allowing you to focus less on the technicalities and more on what truly matters, like growing your online store or spending more time with family.

2. Low startup costs

Starting an Etsy shop requires minimal upfront investment compared to other eCommerce sales channels and more traditional business models.

Generally, you’ll only be charged a $0.20 listing fee during store setup as you’re guided through creating your first product listing, but you may also incur a one-time set-up fee of $15 under certain circumstances.

Etsy is a perfect choice for any creative individual or small business owner who wants to join the industry without the burden of ensuring a substantial starting capital.

3. Huge customer base

This popular online marketplace attracts millions of active buyers searching for unique and handmade products, giving you access to a massive pool of potential customers.

It’s a great opportunity to grow your business and build a loyal customer base, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your business without worrying about driving traffic.

4. Built-in marketing tools

There are a ton of Etsy marketing features to help you attract customers, increase sales, and expand your business.

• Run Etsy Ads Campaigns

Select an Etsy listing, set your budget, and run promotions in Etsy search results.

• Use Etsy Offsite Ads

Advertise your listings on search engines and social media. Pay only when you make a sale.

• Link Social Media

Connect channels like Facebook, Instagram, X, and Pinterest to Etsy.

• Offer Coupons and Sales

Create discounts to attract new and repeat Etsy customers.

• Team Up With Other Etsy Sellers

Join an Etsy Team to collaborate with other sellers.

5. Learning materials

Etsy makes selling online easy by providing a wealth of educational resources like blogs and regular newsletters about new features, best practices, and seasonal tips to maximize your Etsy store’s success.

From Help Center articles to Seller Handbook guides, you’ll find everything necessary to optimize your online store and grow your business.

Additionally, join seller-led success events to gain insights from other thriving Etsy sellers on how to improve your shop and succeed in this marketplace.

Cons of selling on Etsy

While it’s clear that Etsy offers many advantages, there are also some drawbacks all store owners should consider before joining the marketplace.

1. Etsy fees

While Etsy fees are reasonably priced, they can add up quickly and significantly impact your profits.

In addition to set-up fees, there are:

• Listing Fees

$0.20 per listing. Etsy listing fees renew every four months or after an item is sold.

• Transaction Fees

6.5% of the item’s price, delivery, and gift wrapping charges.

• Payment Processing Fees

Vary by country. In the US, it’s 3% + $0.25.

• Shipping Fees

Shipping costs vary by destination – use Etsy’s Postage Calculator for more specific estimates.

• Currency Conversion Fees

2.5% fee for converting sales funds to your account’s currency, if different.

Keep track of increasing Etsy seller fees and use our Etsy Calculator to manage these expenses.

Make it happen today!

Start selling

2. High competition between Etsy sellers

With millions of sellers competing for the same target audience and the sheer number of Etsy listings, it can take time for new and small businesses to stand out.

To build a successful Etsy shop, you may need to invest significant time and effort in optimizing your listings, marketing your store, and finding unique ways to distinguish your shop from the competition.

Use high-quality product photos and write compelling SEO descriptions to drive organic traffic to your store.

Promote your merch by posting on social media and participating in Etsy forums to increase your reputation and visibility.

3. Frequent Etsy store suspensions

Etsy aims to maintain a fair marketplace by enforcing policies against selling prohibited items, copyright violations, and excessive customer complaints.

While that sounds great, navigating Etsy’s policies can feel like a tightrope walk during a thunderstorm. Your online business may sometimes get suspended for unclear reasons.

To avoid suspensions, read Etsy’s policies and settle all outstanding Etsy payments.

If your shop does get suspended, promptly contact Etsy support to clarify the issue and work towards a resolution.

4. Your Etsy shop isn’t your own website

Having an Etsy shop is different from running your own online store, as you won’t have complete control over the design and layout of your shop.

Although most Etsy sellers might be content with uploading a banner and adding a description to create a personalized storefront, these customization features may seem limiting and unable to reflect your brand’s unique identity.

For more autonomy, consider using Etsy’s Pattern feature to create a standalone website that integrates with your Etsy shop, offering more control over branding and customer experience.

5. Intellectual property concerns

Etsy has strict policies to protect intellectual property, and violations can lead to serious consequences like account suspension or legal action.

If you sell on Etsy, you need to carefully navigate copyright, trademark, and patent regulations to avoid copyright infringement.

Create original designs and use licensed content while obtaining proper permissions when necessary.

Your designs and ideas will also be exposed to potential copycats, which can negatively affect your profits. It might be wise to invest in trademarking designs and actively monitoring for unauthorized use.

By following these rules, you’ll protect your business and ensure a fair and creative marketplace.

Etsy alternatives

If you’re looking for alternatives to Etsy, there are several eCommerce platforms and marketplaces worth considering.

The good news is that many of them have automated integrations with Printify.

Shopify

An eCommerce platform that enables you to create and customize your own website.

eBay

An online marketplace known for its auction-style and fixed-price selling formats.

Amazon Handmade

A marketplace for selling handmade products. Amazon Handmade sellers will also appear on Amazon’s marketplace.

WooCommerce

An eCommerce plugin for WordPress-based websites, allowing you to build and manage online stores.

FAQs

Is Etsy worth it: Summary

So, is starting an Etsy shop worth it? Ultimately, it all depends on what you want to achieve.

Etsy provides a large audience and customization options, but you’ll need to account for a lot of fees and intense competition.

If you’re set to start selling on Etsy, use Printify to create unique custom merchandise.

Make it happen today!

Start selling