10 Ways to Boost Your Etsy Sales (Without Spending a Dime)

There are many advantages to starting an Etsy shop. It is relatively easy, inexpensive, and you can get started right away. However, competition can be tough, but that does not mean you cannot make a successful business selling on Etsy.

If you are thinking of starting an Etsy shop, or just want to grow your store, you need to find some easy, free, and effective ways to increase your sales. By implementing the following strategies, you can increase your traffic, sales and overall success on Etsy.

1) Create High-Quality Content

It cannot be stated enough that in order to grow your Etsy shop, you need high-quality listings. You need titles that are packed with relevant keywords, well-written, accurate, and informative product descriptions, and high quality images that show off your product.

When creating an Etsy listing to sell your products, you should always keep the following in mind:

Listing Title

Your title is the most significant part of the listing. Although it is what people will see when they search for your products, but it is also used by Etsy and other search engines to determine what you are selling. Your title not only must be attention-grabbing, it must include relevant keywords. Many shop owners will create a decent title, but they fail to take advantage of the ability to stuff keywords into the title. You should aim to use the maximum number of characters, which is 140 characters so that you will show up in search results.

Images

Etsy browsers will pay particular attention to your images. Make sure that your images are high resolution, well lit, and correctly cropped. If you're not a professional photographer, consider hiring one to take pictures of your products.

If you are on a budget, you will want to make sure you take your images using a decent camera and using natural light. If you can, try using tools like Photoshop to clean up your pictures to make them more appealing. If you cannot afford Photoshop, you can use a natural background that does not require editing.

The number of images you should include depends on your product, but aim for using all 10 images. If you do not have 10 photos, try adding pictures that include features or benefits. You can highlight the most important aspects for those that may not want to read your entire product description.

Videos

Etsy also allows you to use videos, which you should definitely take advantage of when creating your Etsy listing. Videos on your Etsy listing can help increase conversion rates by as much as 80%. When creating a video, make sure it is professional and that it accurate depicts your product. Try to focus on showcasing the product and showing how your product can fulfill your customer's needs.

Product Description

Your product descriptions are an essential part of your listings. In your product descriptions, be sure to write in a clear, concise, and easy-to-read style. Writing an engaging and accurate product description is critical, as it is one of the first things potential customers will read once they click on your listing. Make sure to include all the relevant details about your product, and to answer any potential customer questions that may be raised.

In order to write effective product descriptions, you should do some research on your target market and try to imagine what questions they may have about your product. Address these questions in your description, and make sure to use language that is easy to understand so you can avoid any confusion.

You should aim to write a minimum of 250 words for each product description, but remember that the more you write, the better. For more tips on writing a product description, check out our product descriptions post, that goes into detail on how to make the best product descriptions.

Categories

When you create your listing, be sure to include the correct category. When you have the correct category, your product will show up in search results for your target audience that are looking for that specific type of product. Etsy will have a difficult time determining where your product belongs if you do not mark the correct category, which will keep you from making sales.

Pricing

To be competitive on Etsy, you need to price your products appropriately. You should always do some research on what other similar items are selling for, and try to price your product within that range. If your pricing is too high, you will have a difficult time selling your product. If you price your products too low, your target audience may be suspicious and may be unwilling to take the risk.  

When setting your prices, you should also take into account the cost of shipping and handling. You should aim to price your product so that it is profitable after factoring in shipping and handling costs.

2) Optimize Your Shop for Search Engines

Creating engaging content is one of the main factors for ranking in search engine results pages (SERPs), so you'll want to make sure your shop's listings are packed with valuable information that includes relevant keywords so your target audience can find your listings.

You will want to create a list of keywords for each product. There are a number of ways to find relevant keywords. The first way is by typing into Google and see what keywords Google suggests. You can also use Google AdWords to help you find related keywords.

Another popular option is Pinterest because it offers a wide range of keywords that will likely relate to your products. You can use the Pinterest keyword tool to help you find keywords that are relevant to your products.

You can also use the Etsy search bar to find popular keywords that people are using to locate similar products. Once you identify products that are similar to what you are planning to sell, you can gather keywords by clicking on your competitor's listings. By reviewing their titles and product descriptions, you will see what keywords they are using that will be relevant to your products.

Once you have a list of keywords, you will want to make sure to use them throughout your listing. You can use them in the title, the product description, and the tags. By using these keywords throughout your listing, you have a better chance of being noticed by search engines and ultimately your customers.

3) Offer Free Shipping

If you are selling physical products, you need to think about shipping costs. Although shipping expenses are considered hidden costs that you have to pay attention to, it is one of the easiest ways to create incentives for Etsy buyers. One of the biggest disadvantages for online buyers is paying for shipping, so if you can help them avoid these costs, they are more likely to make a purchase.

There are a number of ways to promote free shipping to your potential customers. You can offer free shipping on all orders. You can provide free shipping for orders over a certain amount. You can also offer express shipping at a reduced rate. Another option is to provide free shipping for a limited time, thereby incentivizing customers to purchase right away.

Return, Refund, and Shipping Policy

You need to establish some policies so you are covered in case of a return, refund, or damage. You should also have a policy for international orders, as they can be difficult to manage.

When it comes to shipping, make sure that you are transparent about the shipping costs. This will help to avoid any surprises for your customers, which will only lead to disappointment. If you use shipping through Etsy, your customers will be able to track their orders. If your products require other shipping methods, try to make it as easy as possible for your customer.

You should also create a policy for damaged or defective products. This will help to ensure that your customers know what you will do if they receive a damaged product. It will also show your customers that you are taking care of them and will make sure you can satisfy their needs.

4) Increase Traffic by Running A Sale

Etsy shoppers are always looking for a good deal, so why not give them what they want? By giving a discount through a sale, you can increase your chances of converting.

You can offer a discount for a limited time, or you can offer a discount for a specific product. Depending on your product, you may need to run a sale every month, seasonal, or even every day. By keeping an eye on your competition, you can determine the duration of the sale and what types of discounts you need to offer in order to be competitive. Want to know more about sales, check out our post on how to create effective sales promotions.

Targeted Sale When Listing is Favored

You can set up a targeted listing when someone favorites your listing. When a potential customer has favored your product, giving them a small incentive may be all that you need to convert them into a customer. Offering them a small discount will show them that you appreciate their interest in your product, and it can also help increase the chances of a sale.

Targeted Sale When Product is Abandoned in Shopping Cart

It is so frustrating when someone clicks on your listing, likes your product enough to add it to their cart, then they abandon their purchase.

To combat abandoned carts, you can use a targeted sale to try and recapture some of these potential customers' interest in your product. When you offer a small discount, you can persuade them to come back and complete their purchase.

There are a number of ways to create a targeted sale, and each method can be customized to fit the needs of your shop. The easiest way is to offer a discount, but you should try a few different methods to see what works best for you and your products.

Send Coupons When You Make a Sale

Once a sale is made, it is not the time to stop promoting your product. Reward your customers by giving them an opportunity to return for more products. Having loyal customers is key to the success of any business, so you will want to make sure you continue to offer them incentives.

One way to incentivize your customers' loyalty is to send them a coupon for their next purchase. This will show them that you appreciate their business, and it can also help increase the chances of another sale.

5) Promote Your Etsy Shop

There are a number of ways to promote your Etsy store, and each method will reach a different audience. You can start by building relationships with your target audience through Etsy, finding customers using social media, and creating a website or blog to promote your shop.

Build Relationships with Potential Customers

Although it is relatively easy to set up a shop, you must compete against a number of other shops. Therefore, you want to find ways to set yourself apart from the competition. One way to stand out from your competition is by building relationships with your potential customers.

You can build relationships by responding to comments and messages, and by being active on social media. You can also send a personal note to buyers after they have made a purchase. This will show them that you appreciate their business, and it can also help to create a bond between you and the buyer.

Promote Your Etsy Store on Social Media

People are more likely to buy from someone they know, like, and trust. You can build relationships with your customers by promoting your Etsy store on social media, including Pinterest. You can create engaging posts by sharing photos of your products, posting about new products, or running a contest.

Join Groups on Social Media

Being active on social media will also help you to connect with other Etsy sellers. You can join Facebook groups with other Etsy sellers, where you can learn more about running an Etsy shop, and it will also give you the opportunity to make connections with other sellers.

Although it is usually prohibited to promote your products, you can find some valuable information in groups. You can learn what they are doing well and will likely find invaluable shortcuts that can save you time and money.

Create a Website or Blog

In addition to promoting your Etsy store on social media, you can also promote it on your website or blog. You can add a link to your Etsy shop in the sidebar, or you can write a post about your shop.

Not sure how to get started with setting up an email, here are three of the best platforms out there that can make it easy to start your own ecommerce site or blog:

BlueHost

BlueHost is a webhost that lets you create an online store or blog with ease. It provides everything you need to get started, from a custom domain name to powerful eCommerce tools.

To learn more about BlueHost, see our BlueHost review to see if it is a good solution for your creative business.

GoDaddy

GoDaddy is a website builder for beginners, but it is used by businesses of all sizes to create and manage their online presence. It offers a wide range of templates and tools that make it easy to create a professional-looking website in minutes.

Webflow

Webflow's ecommerce stores are fully customizable, with a wide range of templates and tools to choose from. You can add products, set up shipping and tax rates, and accept payments. It is hosted on secure servers, so your store will always be up and running.

6) Spend Time on Email Marketing

Once your customers make a purchase, their order will contain their email. Once you have their email, you can create an email list, where you can send promotional emails. You can also include a link to your shop in the signature of your email messages.

Further, you can start thinking about email marketing, which is the most effective form of marketing because it allows you to target your customers. Since you know they already like your products, it is a smart way to get them to buy from your Etsy shop again.

To effectively use email marketing, you can create an email and target it to your audience depending on their likes and dislikes. You can use these emails to announce new products, run contests, or offer discounts.

Even if you do not have a large number of email addresses right now, you can set up your email campaigns now. This will allow you to have a consistent email marketing campaign when you become busy with other areas of your business. Not sure how to set up an email marketing campaign, checkout our beginner's email marketing guide, as well as our subject line post to learn all about email marketing.

7) Ask Your Customers for a Review

Although it may be awkward to ask, requesting a review from your customers is an effective way to boost your sales. Potential buyers are always looking at your reviews to see if they are willing to give your product a try. When potential buyers are able to get an idea of what your products are like, your sales will increase.

You can get customer reviews in a few different ways. You can email your customers after they have purchased a product and ask how they are enjoying their product. You can also send them a message through Etsy, asking them if they had any issues and if they would be willing to leave you a review.

You can also ask your customers that have liked you on social media to leave you a review. If you do not have any customers yet, you can give your product away if they agree to leave an honest review. This can help drive traffic to your shop and your potential customers are more likely to purchase after reading your product reviews.

8) Monitor and Analyze your Results

When running an Etsy shop, it is often difficult to know what you are doing well and what you can improve. By monitoring and analyzing your results, you can get a better understanding of what is working for you and what you need to change.

There are a number of different tools that you can use to monitor your Etsy shop, including Etsy's Analytics. This will help you track what products are selling well and what listings need improvement.

9) Make Changes to Your Listings

When you find a listing that is not performing as it should, you need to make adjustments. This can mean a variety of things, but you should look at what you can change to make the listing more appealing to your customers.

Double checking your titles, product descriptions, and product images will ensure they are engaging customers. If you find information missing, correct it immediately. Do not be afraid to change your images and videos. Sometimes giving your listing a makeover is all that you need to do to encourage buyers.

If you still do not notice a difference, it may be caused by the price of your product. Although your initial pricing was competitive, you should check to see if your products are still competitively priced. Try changing the price of your products to see if that makes a difference in sales.

You will also want to look at your shipping times. If they are longer than what your customers are expecting, you may want to adjust them. You can also offer free shipping to help entice customers to buy from you.

Last, but not least, make sure that your shop is well organized and easy to navigate. This will help your customers find the products they are looking for, which will help to increase your sales. Take advantage of Etsy's ability to create sections so you can make it as easy as possible to find what they are looking for when they are on your shop's page.

10) Remain Positive!

Running an Etsy shop is hard work, and it is easy to become discouraged. It takes time to get your targeted audience to notice, so do not give up. Remain positive and keep pushing yourself to be the best that you can be.

If you are feeling down, take a break from your Etsy shop. Spend some time relaxing and rejuvenating so you don't burn yourself out. You can come back to your shop with a fresh perspective. Etsy is a competitive market, but that does not mean you can't succeed.  Keep up the hard work and you will be rewarded for your dedication.

11) How Will You Increase Your Etsy Sales

Boosting your Etsy shop sales is easier when you have the right tools. Start by using some of the tactics we’ve mentioned in this article, like optimizing your product titles and descriptions, making sure your images are high-quality, and providing great customer service. When you take the time to create engaging listings for your shop, you are showing your customers that you care about them and their experience.

Don't be afraid to tweak your shop's listings to make sure that you are meeting your customers' needs. By doing so, you will increase your sales and make your Etsy shop a success.

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