How to Make Profits When You Are Sick and Tired of Etsy

Whether you are new to Etsy or a seasoned seller, you must be wondering why are your Etsy sales down.

Before getting into the reasons and probable solutions to the problem. Let us take cognizance of the fact that the phenomenon is common. Though there must be some exceptions. But most of the conversations about selling on Etsy forum report drop in earnings.

Much like handmade products, each Etsy shop is unique. That means the reasons for a shop not doing well could be unique too.

But if someone were to collect the generic reasons for the shops to not do well. Then, the 2 broad reasons could be:

• Changes within Etsy
• A seller not changing/updating a shop as per changing trends

If as a handmade seller, you wish to know more about the reasons and solutions for the lack of sales. Then, please read further.

Know Why Are Your Etsy Sales Down

Understanding Why Are Your Etsy Sales Down

Sales as a formula functions on 2 factors –

• Traffic
• Conversion

The more the traffic and conversion rates, the more the sales. That means when you see your earnings drop. Then, either or both of the above factors dropped.

So, the solution lies in lifting both of them.

Also, as mentioned before, both Etsy and the individual shops affect these 2 factors.

So, let us concentrate on each of them one by one.

Understanding What Is Going on With Etsy?

If you make use of the Etsy’s platform to sell, then for obvious reasons, you got to abide by their rules.

That means you got to adapt to the changes within the Etsy platform.

Since its start in the year 2005, the niche e-commerce store has undergone several changes.

Though the breakthrough ones came about since the company went public in 2015.

The two such major changes that cost sellers their sales were:

• making sellers share the costs of the company’s advertising expenses
• making sellers offer free shipping

Apart from other reasons, the above 2 cause a great impact on sales.

As mentioned before, not complying with the above could affect Etsy sales. An Etsy shop owner cannot control the platform’s decision. But the seller can adjust their shop to maximize their sales. That is why it makes sense to —–>

Understanding What Is Wrong With Your Etsy Shop?

Irrespective of what changes Etsy comes up with. Every seller has a responsibility to bring sales to their shop.

The broad level changes made my Etsy do affect the sales of individual shops. But no shop should compromise on the basic parameters to bring in sales.

The mandatory basics that every Etsy should have are:

1.     A Branded Store

New visitors do not have more than a few seconds to decide whether they want to stick to your store or bounce off.

So, make sure that you capture their attention within a heartbeat.

Store’s name, cover image, profile logo, and listings should all shout your brand.

So, have a keen look at your store to know if it will excite your target audience.

2.     Listings Complying With SEO Standards

As an artist, if SEO is a new term for you. Then, consider yourself fortunate that you never had your Etsy sales down.

But if your struggle to get sales on Etsy has been far and long. Then, I am sure you know about Search Engine Optimization.

In simple terms, SEO is the art and science of bringing web pages on top of search engine results.

Though SEO as a term is universal for all sorts of platforms. But its workings differ for various platforms like Google, Etsy, Facebook, and Pinterest.

So, if you cannot find your store/ listings popping up when you search for your listed products. Then, go back and optimize your store as per Etsy SEO.

3.     A Consistent Source of Traffic

As sales come from the traffic that converts. It means that there should always be a steady flow of new traffic so that conversions happen.

A branded search engine optimized Etsy shop is a subset of the Etsy platform. So, a change in the Etsy will affect the number of eyeballs that an Etsy shop receives.

That is why every Etsy shop must have an external source of traffic. Since that traffic source is not from Etsy, so it performs despite the changes at Etsy.

External traffic source ensures that an active shop does not lose sales no matter what.

So, what traffic hose do you turn on when your Etsy products do not sell?

How to Make Sales on Etsy?

1.     Get More Visitors 

a) Pinterest

Pinterest is the surprise game-changer in the current times of blogging. Despite having a personality of social media, it works as a search engine.

Although its search results come up as media, in essence, it works on keywords. That is a saving grace as the search intent keywords are similar across search engines.

If you understand Google’s SEO. Then, getting to understand the algorithm of Pinterest becomes easier.

As a novice, you can pin relevant images with the keywords that describe your products.

b) Blog

Blogging to uplift declining sales at Etsy requires a professional approach. You need a self-hosted craft blog to tackle that.

The more you fill up your blog content with the appropriate keywords. The more are the chances that someone will land on your Etsy via your blog.

For instance, this blog is the main source of traffic for my business.

c) Instagram

Instagram is a boon for artists and creative makers. It displays images and videos much like a gallery.

Though it isn’t much link-oriented. But creatives should know how to navigate Instagram to their advantage.

But associating with relevant hashtags and being consistent pays.

d) Facebook

Facebook is a big giant to control. No matter how much I learn about it, it again changes its algorithm.

This platform requires an in-depth study. But once you get it right, it pays over and above what you invest in it.

There are more don’ts than dos with Facebook.

That is why as a rule of thumb, do not post direct links to Youtube videos or links from external sources.

Instead, share what is already on Facebook related to your category. Then, wait till you have accumulated a substantial number of audiences. Then, move on to sharing content related to your business.

e) Quora

I love Quora. I got back to blogging because of this platform. Though those days you could get do-follow links from this UGC platform which is not the case today.

But still, it is brilliant to develop your authority on a subject. My first sale of a handmade business plan also came through Quora.

So, I can vouch for this platform to bring quality traffic.

2.     Create More Listings

A lot of Etsy sellers who do not get sales must start listing more products. It is one easy way to bring more traffic (not sales) to your site.

More traffic will increase the probability of sales.

Much like the offline store, lack of inventory is a sure sign to lose the interest of visitors. So, fill up your store with more variants to offer more choices. That will increase the dwell time on your store.

This post may contain affiliate links. That means if you purchase any of the products mentioned in this article through routing via the links in this post. Then, I may end up receiving a certain monetary percentage from the sale. Though the one who purchases through the link does not end up paying anything extra apart from the mentioned MRP on the product. Full disclosures on the Affiliate Page.

3.     Make Your Listings Attractive

The world that we live in still judges everything based on looks. That is why your product pictures must stand out.

Etsy provides a lot of image variations. Use all of them to give a pleasurable virtual tour to your audience.

You can hire a professional photographer or you can study the photography basics and get on to the job.

4.     Start Doing SEO

This is by far the most precious advice on getting more sales irrespective of whatever you sell at Etsy.

The search engine works on keywords. That means whosoever lands on your shop from google is a hot lead waiting to make a decision.

This blog of mine would not function without the right kind of keywords. Likewise, without SEO, you lose out on a major chunk of sales.

It is unfortunate that most of the Etsy sellers that I talk to complain of SEO being some techno jumbo. But the happy news is that it is easy and simple to learn.

As an artist, if you understand your customers well, then you can start with SEO in the next minute.

The tags and descriptions on Etsy listings work on SEO principles. Thus, you cannot ignore them at your peril.

5.     Start Focusing On Alternative E-commerce Platform

This advice sounds counterintuitive to the entire post. The more you limit to a single platform, the more vulnerable your business becomes.

In simple terms, you should refrain from keeping all your eggs in a single basket. Retailing at more than one platform ensures that you have multiple revenue streams.

Apart from Etsy, Amazon handmade is a wonderful alternative. Though you can always start selling from your blog.

Conclusion

Etsy is a sales platform for handmade crafts. A lot of individuals use the platform as a side hustle or to fuel their small business.

So, a drop in sales has a huge impact on the bottom line.

If you or an Etsy seller you know is struggling to make the platform work for them. Then, you can share this article with them. It would be as good as giving an Etsy seller a thoughtful present.

If you have some tips and hacks on working with Etsy. Then, would you mind sharing them?

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