Wondering what to sell on Etsy?
As an author who values creativity and entrepreneurship, I understand the importance of finding profitable opportunities in the online marketplace.
In 2023, Etsy continues to be a thriving platform for artisans, crafters, and small business owners.
Whether you’re a seasoned seller or just starting out, discovering the top-selling Etsy items can give you valuable insights into market trends and consumer demands.
In this article, we’ll explore the best-selling items on Etsy and provide inspiration and ideas to help you succeed.
Let’s begin.
Is It a Good Idea To Sell on Etsy?
Yes, it can be worth it to sell on Etsy if you have unique products and are willing to put in the effort to stand out among the competition.
If you have a talent for crafting, designing, or creating, the Etsy marketplace can be an excellent opportunity to showcase your skills and make some money.
However, it does require effort and dedication to differentiate yourself from other sellers. If you’re willing to put in the work and offer something special, selling on Etsy can be a rewarding experience.
What Can You Sell on Etsy?
Etsy is a platform that welcomes creative individuals like you to showcase your unique creations and find buyers who appreciate your talent.
In general, Etsy focuses on three main categories:
You can sell handmade products crafted with love and care. This could be jewelry, jewelry supplies, t-shirts, accessories, home decor, artwork, handmade invitations, or personalized gifts.
If you have an eye for vintage treasures, you can also offer vintage goods on Etsy business.
Craft supplies are also in demand, making it a perfect place to sell your materials and tools.
Whether you enjoy crafting, designing, or curating vintage finds, Etsy provides a platform to share your passion with a global audience and potentially turn it into a rewarding business venture.
What To Sell on Etsy: 14 Best Product Ideas
What do people sell on Etsy?
Etsy is a diverse online marketplace where many Etsy sellers can showcase their creativity to a global audience. Here are some of the most profitable things to sell on Etsy:
1- Handmade Jewelry
Handmade jewelry is a top-selling category. Create unique and beautiful jewelry using beads, gemstones, metals, or wire. Craft necklaces, bracelets, earrings, and rings that reflect your style and creativity.
2- Vintage Clothing
Offer a curated collection of vintage clothing items, including dresses, shirts, jackets, and accessories from past eras. Vintage fashion is timeless and attracts customers looking for distinctive and nostalgic pieces.
3- Handmade Home Décor
Design and craft handmade home decor items like wall art, decorative pillows, candles, or pottery. Infuse your creations with creativity and style to help customers add a personal touch to their living spaces.
4- Art Prints
Create prints of your original artwork, including paintings, digital art pieces, or illustrations.
Digital prints like abstract prints, quote prints, and landscape prints are also some of the best-selling products in this category.
These affordable reproductions allow art lovers to bring your unique artistic style into their homes.
5 – Printables
Offer digital printables like wall art, planners, resume templates, calendars, or coloring pages that customers can download and print at home.
These customizable and instant products cater to those seeking creative and practical solutions, and they’re one of the top-selling items on Etsy.
6- Craft Supplies and Tools
Craft and supply tools are also one of the most profitable items on Etsy listings.
Sell various materials, tools, and equipment for various crafts, such as beads, fabrics, yarns, brushes, or sewing. Help fellow creators find high-quality materials to fuel their artistic endeavors.
7- Handmade Accessories
Showcase your creativity by offering handmade items to sell on Etsy, like hair accessories, scarves, hats, or keychains. These small yet stylish items can add a touch of charm and individuality to any outfit.
8- Handmade Bags and Purses
One of the unique things to sell on Etsy is one-of-a-kind bags, purses, or wallets using different fabrics, leather, or upcycled materials. Offer functional and fashionable accessories that customers can proudly carry wherever they go.
9- Personalized Gifts
Create personalized items such as custom-made jewelry, engraved items, monogrammed towels, or customized home decor. These thoughtful gifts make special occasions even more memorable for recipients.
10- Pet Accessories
Tap into the thriving market of pet lovers by offering handmade pet accessories. This includes collars, leashes, pet beds, or personalized pet tags. Cater to the needs and preferences of pet owners who want to pamper their furry friends.
11- Stickers
Design and produce unique stickers featuring illustrations, quotes, or decorative elements. Stickers are versatile, and customers can use them for personalizing laptops, notebooks, water bottles, or scrapbooking projects.
12- Antique Items
If you have a passion for collecting and restoring antique items, Etsy can be a platform to showcase and sell your unique finds. Offer vintage treasures like furniture, decor pieces, or collectibles that have a story to tell.
13- Paper and Party Supplies
Tap into the world of celebrations by offering paper goods and party supplies. This can include greeting cards, wedding invitations, party decorations, or themed accessories. Help customers add a personal touch to their special events.
14- Bath and Beauty Products
If you have a knack for creating skincare products or handmade soaps, Etsy is the perfect platform to sell these items. Offer natural and artisanal bath and beauty products that provide a luxurious and pampering experience.
How To Choose The Best Things To Sell on Etsy To Make Money
With all these popular things to sell on Etsy, how do you decide which ones are worth selling in your online store?
I’ll give you some tips below.
Do Product Research.
First, list down the products you want to sell. Consider your skills, interests, and market demand for the product you chose.
Then, use Etsy SEO tools to assess the level of demand. Find the keywords related to the product and enter them into the keyword research feature of your chosen software.
EverBee, for example, will give you important information like the search volume, competition, and related tags.
If there’s a high search volume, it means there’s demand for the product.
Analyze the Competition.
If you want to sell things in the most popular categories, you’ll likely face a high level of competition. Some competition is healthy, but too much may make it harder to stand out.
On the contrary, low competition might mean there’s no demand for your product idea. Find the perfect balance between competition and demand.
Determine How To Offer Offer Unique Items.
A highly-competitive niche only means there’s money to make here, but you’ll have to put in more effort to get a slice of the pie.
Consider offering a unique or personalized twist to make your products stand out.
Look at sellers selling your ideas. Identify their weaknesses and see which areas you can improve or change.
Your product must have a unique selling proposition (USP) if you want to convince buyers to shop from you instead of the more established competitors.
Understand Your Target Market.
Identify your target audience and understand their preferences, needs, and purchasing behaviors. Tailor your products to solve their pain points and give them what they want.
Selling on Etsy is less about what you want and more about what your market needs. Even if you have the best idea in the world, no one will buy it if it doesn’t cater to your target audience.
Make sure your product offerings, goals, and marketing strategies align with your market.
For example, if you target the niche market of eco-conscious consumers passionate about sustainable living, you can offer organic cosmetics or create a line of zero-waste products.
Consider the Time and Effort You’re Willing To Commit.
Consider how much time you can allocate for product creation, order fulfillment, customer service, and marketing.
Some products are more time-consuming, especially when you’re making them from scratch. For example, custom clothes require more time and effort on your end, while print-on-demand coffee mugs can earn you some passive income.
When choosing a product, ensure you can work all aspects of selling it into your lifestyle.
Factors To Consider Before Opening an Etsy Shop
Like other business ventures, starting an Etsy store is a huge commitment. Here are a few important factors to consider before you begin:
Production and Sourcing
Determine how you will produce or source your products. Consider factors like materials, costs, production time, and sustainability.
If you’re sourcing your items elsewhere, ensure you get a reliable supplier with a track record of providing quality products and services.
Costs
Calculate your costs, including materials, labor, packaging, and overhead expenses. Set a competitive and profitable price that reflects the value of your products.
The cost of opening an Etsy shop is relatively low, with no monthly fees and only a few small fees per listing and sale.
Some of the fees they charge are the following:
Listing fee – $0.20 per upload and renewal
Transaction fees – 6.5% of the total sale price
Payment processing fee – 3% + $0.25 in the U.S., may vary in other countries
Ad fees – varying
If you want more tools and benefits, you can choose to pay $10 per month for Etsy Plus. It offers Etsy ad credits, advanced customization options, and special discounts. But remember, the standard fees still apply.
You might also need to consider other costs, like the supplies you need to make your products. But starting an Etsy shop is a low-cost way to begin selling online.
Shipping and Packaging
Determine how you will handle shipping logistics. Research shipping carriers, packaging materials, and domestic and international shipping costs.
If you want to stand out, pay attention to the presentation of your products. Consider using attractive packaging or including a personalized note to create a positive unboxing experience for customers.
Branding and Marketing
Develop a brand identity that reflects your unique style and appeals to your target market. Consider how you will market your products through social media, online advertising, or collaborations.
Your branding will apply to all aspects of your selling business, such as:
The theme in your product listings
Your tone of voice when speaking to customers and creating posts
Your marketing materials
The logo and banner in your Etsy shop
Other elements and materials for other platforms
Remember, your brand must be consistent, whether you choose to expand to Shopify or use Pinterest to promote your shop.
Legal Requirements
Familiarize yourself with local laws and regulations regarding business licensing, taxes, and product compliance. Ensure you meet all legal obligations before selling on Etsy.
In general, if you earn $400 or more, you have to pay self-employment tax. This includes Social Security and Medicare, as well as income tax.
You must also pay income tax on the money you earn from Etsy. In some places, you might also have to pay sales taxes, which are a percentage of your sales.
Etsy collects and sends sales taxes for most states when you sell physical items. Whether you get a tax form or not, you must report all the money you make from Etsy sales on your tax return.
Dealing with taxes for selling on Etsy can be tricky, so it’s a good idea to talk to a tax professional to make sure you’re following the rules and paying the right amount.
How To Start Selling on Etsy: Step-by-Step
1- Create an Etsy Account.
Visit Etsy’s website and click Sell on Etsy, which you’ll find at the bottom. Sign up for a free account and provide your email address, name, and password.
Etsy will ask you a couple of questions about your business, like what brings you to Etsy and if there’s anything you need help with.
2- Set Up Your Shop.
It’s time to set up your shop after creating the account and answering their questions.
First, choose your shop’s language, country, and currency.
Then, choose a name for your shop that reflects your products and brand.
You don’t have to spend too much time on this part. You can always change your Etsy shop name later.
3- Stock Your Shop.
The next step is to create a listing. Upload photos of your products and write clear and detailed descriptions, including key details like size, color, and materials used.
4- Set Up Your Payment and Billing Details.
Next, enter your tax information and bank account details to receive payments on Etsy.
You’ll also have to nominate a credit card on file, which you will use to pay for Etsy’s fees and charges.
5- Open Your Shop.
Once you’ve filled out all the necessary details, click the Open your shop button.
Congratulations, you now have a working Etsy shop.
Make Your Etsy Shop Successful With These Tips.
Opening a successful shop in Etsy’s online marketplace requires careful planning and execution. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Use High-Quality Product Photography.
Invest time in capturing high-quality product photos. Use good lighting, showcase different angles, and provide close-ups to help customers visualize your products.
Write Detailed Product Descriptions.
Write clear and detailed descriptions highlighting your products’ features, materials used, and dimensions. Be honest and transparent to build trust with potential buyers.
Price Competitively.
Research similar products on Etsy to determine appropriate pricing for a particular item. Consider factors such as materials, time invested, and market demand. Offering competitive prices can attract more customers.
Provide Excellent Customer Service.
Provide prompt and friendly customer service. Respond to inquiries and messages and go the extra mile to ensure customer satisfaction.
Encourage satisfied customers to leave reviews for your products. Positive reviews can build trust and credibility, making your products more appealing to potential buyers.
Customer feedback can also help you identify your weaknesses. Adapt your products, pricing, or marketing strategies based on customer preferences and market trends.
Offer Discounts and Special Promotions.
Create incentives for customers to purchase, such as discounts, free shipping, or bundle deals. Limited-time offers can encourage sales and attract new buyers.
Create special offers or bundle deals to attract customers. This can include discounts for purchasing multiple items or exclusive promotions for a limited time.
Optimize Your Etsy Shop.
Conduct keyword research to identify relevant keywords that your potential customers are searching for. Use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Etsy’s own search bar to find popular and relevant keywords for your products.
You can also use Etsy keyword research tools to help you gauge a keyword’s performance and find related words and phrases.
Strategic Product Titles
Include your primary keywords in your product titles, placing the most important keywords at the beginning. Your titles should be descriptive, concise, and accurately represent your product.
Compelling Product Descriptions
Write detailed and engaging product descriptions that incorporate your target keywords naturally. Highlight the features, materials, and benefits of your products. Use bullet points or headings to break up the text and make it easy to read.
Etsy Tags
Take advantage of all available tag slots and include relevant keywords and phrases that describe your products. Use a combination of broad and specific tags to maximize your visibility.
Product Categories
Assign accurate and relevant categories to your products. This makes it easier for your customers to find your products, improving your chances of ranking in specific category searches.
Product Images
Optimize image file names and alt text by including descriptive keywords to improve search engine visibility.
Update Your Shop Frequently
Regularly add new products, update listings, and refresh your shop to show activity and engagement. Search engines favor active and frequently updated stores.
Promote Your Shop.
You must promote your Etsy shop within and beyond the platform to attract more customers. Here are some tips:
Use Etsy Ads to promote your product listings.
Set up profiles on different social media platforms, depending on which ones your audience uses.
Build relationships with potential customers, share behind-the-scenes insights, and participate in relevant communities and forums.
Consider collaborating with other Etsy sellers or businesses in complementary niches. Cross-promoting each other’s products can expand your reach and attract new customers.
Learn how to set up a Shopify store and link your Etsy store to sync your inventory and access more marketing options.
Build an Etsy email list to connect directly with your audience and offer more value outside the platform.
Monitor Your Shop’s Performance.
Use Etsy’s analytics tools to monitor your store’s performance, including views, favorites, and sales. Analyze the data to identify trends, popular products, and areas for improvement.
Adjust your strategies based on customer feedback and market trends to improve sales and grow your business.
How Much Money Can You Make Selling on Etsy?
Etsy sellers earn an average income of $44,380 per year. Successful sellers typically earn between $46,000 and $54,000 annually.
Top sellers can make over $43,000 to $65,000 each month, and around 65% of sellers earn a little over $100 per month consistently.
The amount of money you earn on Etsy depends on how much time and effort you dedicate to your store. However, keep in mind that earnings on Etsy can vary based on different factors like your niche, the quality of your products, and your marketing strategies.
While some sellers make good income, others may not make as much. Set realistic expectations when you’re starting, but always find ways to improve your metrics continuously.
How Do Etsy Sellers Get Paid?
Etsy facilitates transactions through Etsy Payments. When buyers make a payment, the platform will transfer the amount due – minus the transaction fee and other applicable fees – to your Payment Account.
For the most part, the platform will automatically deposit your earnings according to your preferred schedule. It will transfer the funds to the bank account you nominated during the sign-up process.
Free Etsy Resources for Etsy Sellers
Etsy offers several free resources to help you succeed on their platform:
Seller Handbook
The Etsy Seller Handbook is a comprehensive resource that provides guidance and tips on running a successful Etsy shop. It covers product photography, Etsy SEO optimization, marketing strategies, and more.
Etsy Community
Joining the Etsy Community allows you to connect with other sellers, share experiences, and seek advice. The community includes forums, teams, and social media groups where you can learn from fellow sellers and participate in discussions.
Seller Education
Etsy regularly hosts webinars, workshops, and online courses to help online sellers enhance their skills and knowledge. These educational resources cover various topics, from product development to marketing techniques.
Etsy Guides
Etsy Guides are curated articles created by experienced top Etsy sellers and experts. They provide valuable insights, tips, and inspiration to help you improve your shop and boost Etsy sales.
Etsy Blog
The Etsy Blog features success stories, top Etsy seller spotlights, and informative articles that cover various aspects of selling on Etsy. It offers inspiration, helpful tips, and updates on new features and trends.
Shop Makeover
Etsy occasionally offers free shop makeover opportunities where they select sellers and provide personalized advice to optimize their shops. This can include suggestions for shop appearance, product listings, and marketing strategies.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What Are Some Beginner-Friendly Products To Sell on Etsy?
As a beginner looking for things to make and sell on Etsy, you can start by creating and selling handmade jewelry, art prints, or home décor items. Other best-selling crafts on Etsy include personalized gifts, craft supplies, and digital artwork.
If you are passionate about fashion, consider offering vintage clothing, handmade accessories, or custom t-shirts. Many people also look for party supplies and print-on-demand service and products like printable wall art on Etsy.
Choose a niche that interests you, start with a smaller range of products, and expand as you gain experience. Focus on quality, uniqueness, and appealing visuals to attract customers to your Etsy store.
What Are the Most Popular Products on Etsy?
The most popular stuff to sell on Etsy can vary, but some categories consistently perform well.
Etsy shoppers love handmade jewelry, such as unique necklaces and earrings. Additionally, vintage clothing and accessories, like vintage dresses or statement handbags, have a strong following.
Other DIY things to sell on Etsy include handmade home décor items, like decorative pillows, wall art, and personalized signs. Art prints showcasing various styles, like illustrations and photography, attract buyers.
The best crafts to sell on Etsy are arts and crafts supplies like beads, fabrics, and tools.
What Are The Easiest Products To Sell on Etsy?
The easiest products to sell on Etsy may vary depending on your skills and interests.
Some easy things to sell on Etsy include printable wall art or digital planners, bumper stickers, wall stickers, jewelry-making supplies, simple craft home décor, and customizable accessories.
What Can I Sell on Etsy To Make Money?
Here are some ideas to sell on Etsy to make money:
Craft supplies
Vintage items
Handmade crafts and home goods
Digital downloads
Stickers and personalized items
Handmade jewelry
What Are The Most Profitable Creative Things To Sell on Etsy?
Specific product categories on Etsy have the potential for higher profits, although they may vary based on market demand, competition, and individual business strategies.
Handmade jewelry, especially when it’s unique and of high quality, can generate good profits due to its higher price points.
Personalized and customized products, such as accessories with engravings or monogrammed items, can also offer higher profit margins.
You can also sell art prints at higher prices, particularly limited editions or exclusive designs.
Additionally, niche products that cater to a specific customer base, like specialized craft supplies or unique vintage items, can be profitable because of their targeted market appeal.
Conduct market research, identify profitable niches, and offer products that combine quality, uniqueness, and perceived value to maximize profitability as an Etsy seller.
How Old Should I Be To Sell on Etsy?
According to Etsy’s rules, you need to be at least 18 years old to sell on the platform. Minors or people under 18 cannot create an account or sell items.
But if you’re between 13 and 17, you can sell on Etsy using your parent or guardian’s permission and supervision while using their account.
Do I Need a Business License To Sell on Etsy?
Etsy itself doesn’t require a business license. However, it’s your responsibility to obtain the applicable licenses and permits to operate your business legally. Consult a legal professional or check with your local laws.
Do I Need a Tax ID To Sell on Etsy?
You don’t need a tax ID to sell on Etsy if you register your business as a sole proprietorship.
You usually only need a taxpayer identification number, like a social security number or an employer identification number (EIN), to collect state sales tax.
You only need a tax ID if you sell products on Etsy for profit as a regular business.
The Bottom Line
Exploring the wide range of items you can sell on Etsy opens up exciting opportunities for creativity and entrepreneurship.
I hope you enjoyed this list of potential Etsy products and found inspiration for your own shop. By following the tips provided, such as focusing on quality, uniqueness, and appealing visuals, you can increase your chances of success on Etsy.
Remember, choosing a product that aligns with your interests and expertise is important. If you have any thoughts or suggestions, feel free to share them in the comments below.
Happy selling!
