To get the most out of your Etsy shop, you need to know what products sell best. This is especially true if you're just starting out on the site or if you're just returning after a long period of not selling anything at all. To help you figure out which items are most likely to sell quickly, we compiled a list of the top-selling items on Etsy.
What Makes Selling on Etsy Worthwhile?
Selling on Etsy can be a great choice for many reasons. First, Etsy is a popular marketplace specifically for handmade, vintage, and unique items. This means there's already an audience looking for exactly what you're selling. You don't have to compete with mass-produced products from huge companies. Instead, you can showcase your own creativity and craftsmanship to people who appreciate it.
Another reason why Etsy is worthwhile is its community and support. As a seller, you'll find lots of resources to help you get started including guides, forums, and online workshops. Etsy also offers helpful tools for managing your shop, like analytics to track your sales and customer engagement. With such strong support and a focused market, opening an Etsy store can be a rewarding way to turn your passion into a business.
Things to Consider Before Starting Etsy Business
Before diving into the world of Etsy, it's important to consider a few key factors that will affect your success. Running an Etsy shop is not just about making beautiful items; you need to think about costs, taxes, and other responsibilities that come with owning a business. Here are some important things to keep in mind:
1. Basic Budgets and Costs
- Listing Fees
Etsy charges a small fee for each item you list for sale. It's usually $0.20 per listing but can add up if you list many products. Make sure to budget for these fees.
- Manufacturing Costs
You'll need to consider the cost of materials and time it takes to make your items. Make sure you price your products in a way that covers these costs and still provides you with a profit.
- Advertising Costs
To attract more customers, you might want to invest in advertising. Etsy offers various options for promoting your listings, which can help increase visibility but also adds to your expenses.
2. Paying Taxes
Taxes are a crucial part of running any business, including an Etsy shop. Depending on where you live, you may need to pay sales tax on your products. It's important to research the tax laws in your area or consult a tax professional to ensure you comply with all regulations.
3. Transaction& Payment Processing Fees
In addition to listing fees, Etsy charges transaction fees and payment processing fees. Transaction fees are usually a percentage of the selling price, and payment processing fees apply when customers use credit cards or PayPal. Be sure to factor these into your pricing strategy.
4. Shipping Costs
Don't forget about shipping! Calculate how much it will cost to send your items to your customers. You might want to offer free shipping to attract buyers, so make sure to include this in your overall pricing.
5. Time Commitment
Running an Etsy shop requires a significant time investment. You'll need to manage your listings, respond to customer inquiries, package and ship orders, and handle any issues that arise. Be prepared to dedicate enough time to ensure your shop runs smoothly.
How to Find the Right Things to Sell?
Finding the right products to sell is crucial for your Etsy success. Here are five effective ways to identify the best items to list in your shop:
1. Market Research: Look at what's currently trending on Etsy. Browse popular categories and see which items have high sales and good reviews. This can give you an idea of what customers are looking for.
2. Unique Niche: Choose a niche that sets you apart from other sellers. Whether it's quirky home décor or custom jewelry, having a unique product can make your shop stand out.
3. Customer Feedback: If you've been selling offline or through another platform, ask your customers what they like most about your products. Use their feedback to refine your offerings for Etsy.
4. Seasonal Items: Consider creating seasonal products. For example, holiday-themed items can be big sellers during certain times of the year. Plan ahead to take advantage of these trends.
5. Social Media Trends: Follow social media platforms like Pinterest and Instagram to see what's trending. Often, the latest styles and ideas on these platforms translate well into hot-selling items on Etsy.
15 Top-Selling Items on Etsy Recommended
1. Personalized Jewelry
Jewelry is one of the most popular categories on Etsy. It's also a great way to make money as an Etsy seller.
But let’s talk about what you can sell in the jewelry category specifically. First, there are necklaces and bracelets made with a variety of materials, including wood beads and charms. These are popular because they allow buyers to put their own spin on the piece or collect a set of them (think: mood rings).
Next up are earrings that have interchangeable parts so you can switch out studs for hoops or hoops for dangles. These pieces typically come with enough parts so you can create several different looks depending on your mood or outfit for the day—and it means that if someone buys one pair of earrings from this type of collection, they’ll know exactly what types of things will work best with it in order to maximize how many outfits they can wear those earrings with before having to re-buy another set!
The third type of jewelry we've found sells well online is personalized items like necklaces and bracelets featuring birthstones or initials inscribed onto them by hand; these items are perfect gifts because their recipients will love having something so sentimental hanging around their necks all day long!
2. Candles
Candles are a classic Etsy item, and for good reason. They’re practical—you can burn them to help you relax or to give off a scent that makes your home feel cozy and inviting. They also add visual appeal by creating a beautiful glow in any room, which makes them great for decorating.
Candles are easy to make too! You can choose from a wide range of scents and styles (from soy candles to pillar candles and votives), so there’s something for everyone.
3. Stickers
Stickers are one of the easiest ways to personalize your phone, notebook, laptop or anything else you can think of. They're also a great way to make your Etsy shop stand out through fun and unique designs.
Stickers are relatively easy to make and you can make them in any size or shape that you want. If you want to sell stickers on Etsy then this post will walk you through everything that you need to know about how stickers sell on Etsy.
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4. Personalized Gifts
Personalized gifts are a huge hit on Etsy. Items like custom jewelry, monogrammed accessories, and bespoke home decor allow buyers to give unique gifts that feel special and one-of-a-kind. Personalization options can range from engraving names or initials to creating customized artwork, making these items ideal for weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, and other special occasions.
5. Home-Made Beauty Products
There's a growing demand for natural and homemade beauty products as consumers become more conscious about what they put on their skin. Etsy sellers offer a wide array of handcrafted soaps, lotions, bath bombs, skincare products, and more, often made with organic and ethically sourced ingredients. These products not only cater to personal care needs but also make great gift options.
6. Crochet Items
Crochet is a form of knitting that uses a hook instead of needles. Crochet is one of my favorite forms of fiber craft, and it's a great entry point for those who want to learn how to make things using threads or yarn. You can use crochet to create anything from blankets and sweaters to purses, hats, bags, scarves and more. If you have an idea in mind for something you'd like to make but aren't sure where or how to start—crochet is the perfect choice!
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7. Clothing and Accessories
Clothing and accessories are a great way to make money on Etsy. If you have a good supply of clothes, accessories and other items like hats, scarves and bags, you can sell T-shirt online and make a nice profit. Many people find that they can use their wardrobe as an outlet for creativity by making new designs out of old clothes. You should be sure to take good pictures of your products so they look appealing when viewed by potential buyers.
8. Handmade Soap and Bath Products
Handmade soap and bath products are a great example of an easy-to-make product that can be sold on Etsy. These items are also something that people will buy as gifts for others, so it's good to have options in this category when you're browsing through the site. Bath bombs, salves/balms, body scrubs, lotions—you name it! All of these types of products are easily made at home with just a few simple ingredients and tools (like a blender or food processor). You can even use some things that you already have around your house like coconut oil or shea butter if you're looking for an inexpensive way to get started.
Soap making is pretty environmentally friendly too: using pure essential oils produces natural scents without any chemicals added in; most handmade soaps contain no preservatives at all because they don't need them since they last for 3+ years!
9. Pet Supplies
People love to buy things for their pets. It's a huge market on etsy, and it's easy to see why. Pet supplies are gifts that can be used over and over again, so you know your gift will get plenty of use.
The one pet supply that sells incredibly well on etsy is food bowls made of glass or metal. Glass bowl is non-toxic, and it doesn't react with acids or other liquids. Metal bowls are great because they're durable (many people have the same bowl for years), so you don't have to worry about what might happen if a dog knocks the bowl off the counter while eating!
Another super popular option is handmade toys made from natural materials like wool or leather. Pets love playing with these toys because they're fun and unique, which makes them feel more special than store-bought ones!
10. Paper Goods, Including Greeting Cards and Invitations
Paper goods are one of the biggest categories on Etsy, with greeting cards, invitations and other paper products making up over half of all items sold. The most popular types of paper goods include:
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Greeting cards (especially handmade ones)
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Postcards
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Calendars
You can sell DIY kits that include everything you need to make a particular item—from stamps to ink pads—or even just teach people how to create their own designs. For example, if you have an Etsy shop where you sell custom business cards and want your customers to learn how they can make their own design using your template toolkit (and maybe some extra materials), then that's a great way to increase sales!
11. Home Decor Items
When it comes to selling your goods on Etsy, it's important to keep in mind what sells best. If you're new to the platform and want to start off with a bang, look no further than home decor: a popular category filled with both vintage finds and handmade items.
Home decor is a broad term that encompasses any product that helps improve or beautify a home, whether it's something decorative like wall art or something functional like curtains. It can be purchased from an old antique store or from someone's garage sale; if you're an artist who enjoys creating things by hand for other people's use in their homes (or for their own enjoyment), this category might be perfect for you!
12. Wedding Decor
Wedding decor is a popular category on Etsy, and the best way to sell wedding decor on Etsy is to design and create something that people can't find elsewhere. The following tips will help you find success with your shop:
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Be unique. Most of the time, wedding decor is similar across the board—think about how many store-bought wedding centerpieces look exactly like one another. Instead of following trends, think outside of your box and create something truly original!
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Price it right. You want to price your items fairly so you don't lose money when selling them (and so they're affordable for buyers). If you're unsure whether or not you priced an item correctly, look at similar listings in your category.
Additional Tips for Etsy New Starter
Starting an Etsy shop can be both exciting and challenging. To help you navigate your new venture successfully, here are some additional tips to keep in mind:
- Professional Photos - Good photos are essential for attracting buyers. Invest time in taking clear, well-lit pictures of your products from multiple angles.
- Detailed Descriptions - Write detailed and honest descriptions for your listings. Include size, materials, care instructions, and any other information that helps customers make informed decisions.
- Customer Service - Provide excellent customer service by responding quickly to inquiries and handling issues professionally. Positive reviews and repeat customers are vital for your shop's reputation.
- SEO Optimization - Use relevant keywords in your titles and tags to improve your listings' visibility in search results. The better your SEO, the easier it is for potential buyers to find your products.
- Competitive Pricing - Research similar products on Etsy to determine competitive pricing. Make sure your prices cover costs and allow for a reasonable profit margin, but remain attractive to potential buyers.
- Social Media Marketing - Promote your Etsy shop on social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest. Regularly post engaging content, share behind-the-scenes looks, and connect with potential customers to drive traffic to your store.
Conclusion
By far the most important thing to remember when selling on Etsy is to keep your shop unique and authentic. The best way to do that is to focus on what you love, which means finding a niche in the market and sticking with it. If you make handmade jewelry, for example, don’t try to expand into other areas unless there are special circumstances that require it. But if you want your business to succeed long term, then stick with what works!
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