Sunday, January 11, 2009

Tips for Becoming an Etsy Seller

By Angie Sandy

Entrepreneurs around the world are taking part in a growing online marketplace devoted to the buying and selling of handmade products. What is this marketplace, you ask. Its called Etsy and its a great place to sell your handmade wares.

Etsy has been online since June, 2005 and now helps more than 100,000 sellers from around the world sell their handmade goods. If you sell handmade goods from candles to jewelry, pet products to food and even digital products then Etsy is a great way to expand your audience and boost profits.

Etsy Selling Benefits

Etsy store owners receive their own customizable store, a URL to link to and drive visitors to, and an abundance of marketing tools and resources to build awareness and of course profits.

Etsy is easy for both buyers and sellers to utilize. Store owners can customize their shops without the need for programming skills or knowledge. PayPal is the payment processor of choice so payment and fulfillment are easy for both customer and buyer.

Registering is free!

Getting Started

Register. Visit Etsy.com and sign up. Its free " though you will be required to register a credit card to pay for listing and transaction fees.

Listing and transaction fees are minimal on Etsy. It costs 20 cents to list an item for four months and each transaction incurs a 3.5% transaction fee.

Positioning Your Store for Success

Both online and off, your store will have competition. Etsy, however does provide a number of tools and resources to set yourself above your competition.

A customizable username. Your username is your store URL. Choose a name that represents you and your products. Provide a great customer experience and youll build your credibility with positive customer feedback.

What can you do better than your competition? Spend some time researching other stores in your niche. Investigate their pricing, policies, and learn how to position your business well.

Captivating photos. Your customers want to see your fantastic products. Be sure to take great pictures, pictures that represent all you have to offer.

Describe your products accurately. A detailed product description will help sell it and if you happen to have a knack for creative and entertaining catalog copy then by all means use it. Share your items story, engage your customer, and make them want to share the experience by buying your products.

Take advantage of tagging features and categories. Your customers and prospects search Etsy based on tags and keywords. As a seller, youre able to use 14 keywords/tags per listing.

Drive Traffic. Utilize other marketing tools, including your business website if you have one, to drive traffic to your Etsy store. Post a link to your Etsy storefront in your newsletter and spread the word to boost profits and traffic.

Whether youre selling vintage clothing, crafting supplies, or one of a kind homemade items Etsy is the place to sell them. Their continued growth rate, ease of use, and highly targeted audience make it an ideal place to sell your wares and grow your business. - 16955

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