How to Setup and Run a Sale on Etsy
If you have some unique and handmade items in your home, you can sell them on Etsy. That’s because Etsy is one of the biggest online marketplaces with more than 81 million members. Besides, the number of active buyers increases daily, making Etsy reliable.
Starting and running an Etsy shop is easy if you understand how Etsy works. The good news is that this guide will show you how to run a sale on Etsy and make more profits. You’ll also learn how to customize your shop to match your brand name.
That said, let’s get started!
What is Etsy, and How Does it Work?
Etsy is an online marketplace connecting sellers and potential buyers. Most items sold on this platform are hard to find in other shops or stores. They include vintage goods, artistic items, and craft supplies. If you have any of these items, you’ll sell them faster on Etsy.
Some buyers also visit the Etsy marketplace to search for collector items that are costly or hard to find in traditional stores. However, you must note that Etsy doesn’t store or manufacture any of the things sold on the platform. It just connects sellers and buyers.
The Costs of Selling Products on Etsy
So far, you already know what Etsy is and how it connects buyers and sellers on the platform. But before you start selling on Etsy, it’s essential to understand the costs involved. That will help you determine your operating costs and profitability.
Here are some of the costs you’ll likely incur as a seller on Etsy.
Transaction Fees
Like other online marketplaces, Etsy also charges sellers transaction fees, which are different from the listing fees. The transaction fee is five percent of your product’s sales price. Notably, the shipping price set for the product is also part of the sales price.
Etsy Store Costs
Setting up an Etsy shop is free, but you’ll have to pay a standard listing fee worth $0.20 for every item listed. The cost allows your product to stay listed for up to four months then you’ll pay another $0.20 to reactivate the listing.
If you are selling the same product but with different variations, let’s say color, you don’t have to list each item separately. For example, if you have 100 dresses of the same design but different colors, create one listing so that you pay $0.20 per four months.
Payment Processing
When using Etsy Payments, you agree that you’ll pay the processing costs incurred for placing an order and checkouts through the payment system. Etsy usually charges a fee of 3% + $0.25 for each transaction. This fee usually appears in the seller’s account.
Etsy payment processing is available in a few countries, including Canada and the United States. However, the processing fees vary by country because of different taxes and currencies. The fee is 3% + 0.25 CAD in Canada and 4% + 0.30 EUR in France.
How to Put an Item on Sale on Etsy
To list an item for sale on Etsy, you must first create an account and register as a seller. You have to set up the shop’s settings and create a name that represents your brand. In some instances, you’ll need a business logo to make your shop look more authentic.
Once you finish setting up the Etsy shop, you’ll proceed to list an item on your shop.
Here is how to set up a sale on Etsy:
Add High-Quality Photos
To list your product on Etsy, you’ll need clear photos of the product. According to Etsy, you should upload at least five pictures, and they must capture various angles to help buyers know exactly how the product looks. Use a high-quality camera to take photos.
Make the Thumbnail Count
The thumbnail is usually the best shot for your listing, and potential buyers can quickly notice it when you use a high-quality image. It’s the first photo customers will see when visiting your Etsy shop. So, ensure that the thumbnail is consistent with your brand.
Complete the Listing and Set Your Pricing and Inventory
Write something in the title and description space to give more information about the item. Once you do that, enter the product’s price, accounting for the costs included in the overall sales price. Also, specify the quantity in stock and variations available.
Set the Shipping Fee and Publish the Listing
If you offer shipping services, provide details about the costs, size, weight, processing time, and country of origin. Once you specify the shipping requirements, preview the entire listing and “Finish” the listing item. It will go live on the search engine.
How to Run a Sale on Etsy
Now that you understand how to list an item on your Etsy shop, it’s time to learn how to run sales on the platform and earn more profits. When running a sale on the Etsy shop, you can take off a particular percentage from the listed price or provide free shipping.
When you run sales, your products will always appear in searches, allowing shoppers to see them easily. The chances are that you’ll make more sales because most customers love buying items sold at discounts.
Here is how to run a sale on Etsy to increase sales.
- Sign in to your Etsy account and click the Shop Manager button
- Click the Marketing tab on the left side menu, then select Sales and Coupons
- Click the Run a Sale that pops out on the screen
- Choose whether to offer Free Standard Shipping or Discount (Percentage off)
- For discounts, set the parameters like discount amounts and where valid
- For free shipping, you can choose to offer free shipping for domestic deliveries
- When you finish, click the Review and Confirm link to complete the process
When offering discounts, remember to specify the percentage off, whether ten percent or 20 percent. Don’t forget to mention where the sale is available, whether in the country or other countries. You should also specify the conditions to qualify for the discounts.
Sellers can specify the minimum order to qualify for discounts or free shipping in most cases. Is there a minimum number of products the buyer must purchase? Or is there a minimum amount of money the buyer must spend to get the discounts or free shipping?
When providing a discount, you can also specify the period it will be available. For instance, you can say that the offer expires in one month. That way, buyers will rush to purchase the products, especially when they are limited, increasing the sales.
You can also run sales on Etsy using coupon codes. Follow the same steps highlighted above to create a coupon code. After making the coupons, you can share them with specific shoppers on your list to drive more sales and win many clients.
Final Words
Etsy is among the best marketplaces to sell unique products. All you must do is set up your Etsy shop and run sales by offering discounts and free shipping. That way, your sales will increase significantly and be more profitable. The good news is that you now understand how to run a sale on Etsy!