Whether you’ve suddenly had a lightbulb moment in lockdown, or have learnt a new skill which you think you could make a living out of, setting up your own Etsy Business can be an exciting experience. But with Etsy sellers growing by the day, there are a few things you need to know to really make your shop stand out from the crowd and to help you make a success of your business. Luckily for you we’ve rounded up our 5 top must-haves for anyone starting up an Etsy business. Let’s take a look!
Thorough Competitor Research
Before you rush into anything, it’s so important to first do your research. Take a look on Etsy at similar products to yours, see how popular they are, how much competition there is, what the average price point is and if there’s anything missing in the market which you think your product might fulfil. There’s a lot to be learnt from carrying out some quite simple competitor research, and this research can really provide you with some real nuggets of information to get your business off to the right start.
Great Product Photos
You don’t have to be a professional photographer in order to take great looking product shots, you don’t even need a professional camera! Do some research into similar products already selling on Etsy and see how they’ve photographed their products, have a think about what you like and what you don’t like. Consider your brand’s aesthetic, and take a look on Pinterest and Instagram to see if you can find any inspiration to help your products stand out. We recommend taking photos in bright natural lighting where possible, so try and set up your shoot near a window. If you’ve got good lighting and a great setup, then taking product shots on your phone should do the job just fine.
A Business Bank Account
If you’re hoping to take your Etsy business on to big things, then it could be worth setting up a separate bank account for your business. This will make things a whole lot easier when it comes to doing your taxes (especially if you decide to do them yourself!). Not only will you easily be able to keep track of every single penny you earn, but you can also use it to keep track of any business expenditures you have to make.
Packing Supplies
Now it’s time to think about how you’re going to send your products. There are a few different options available to you depending on the size, shape and fragility of your items. Mailing bags are a good packing option for soft or more resilient products, including clothing and textiles. Padded envelopes are a good choice for items such as greeting cards, books, or art prints. Then of course, for bigger items cardboard boxes are a great choice, which can be filled with packing peanuts or bubble wrap for added protection. Don’t forget to remember the parcel tape too! Often, one of the best things about receiving a parcel from Etsy is the attention to detail which goes into the packing of the item. The little extras which can make a person’s day, such as a kind hand-written note thanking the customer for their order, or a couple of sweeties thrown in for good measure. Have a think about how you can leave a lasting impression with your customers and make them smile.
An Organised Space
Now you’re nearly ready to go! It’s time to get organised. Whether you’re going to be working from your dining room table, or you’re lucky enough to have a set up in your spare room or garage, the more organised you can make your space the better. Think about what is going to be the quickest and easiest way for you to fulfil your orders, especially if your Etsy Shop really takes off quickly. You’ll want to have your product inventory organised in a way which makes sense to you, and your packing supplies organised in a similar manner. You can find simple and affordable organisation systems at IKEA. Simply label these up clearly, and you’ll be good to start packing your orders!
We hope our top 5 tips have given you some food for thought, and some structure to follow before you rush into starting up your Etsy shop. We wish you all the best of luck with your Etsy business, and we hope you get the success you deserve.
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