Getting Started on Etsy

1. 73

   SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

   I finally decided to try started selling items on etsy.  Has anyone had success over there?

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2. 0

   girly_girl09posted 15 years ago

   I used to run a successful bath and body products store on there (gave it up last year for my career). The business grew way too fast and I am too much of a control freak to have hired other people to help me run it at that time.
   
   Some advice: Spend lots of time in the forums; it definitely helps! It's a great community and everyone helps each other out.
   
   Offer lots of deals like discounted/free shipping when appropriate and people loveeeeeeee bonuses, too.
   
   Good luck!
   
   I'm wishing I still had my store, I think I could've gotten lots of sales from hubbers. Anyways, it was fun while it lasted!

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3. 73

   SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

   I am glad to hear you had a good experience there girly_girl.  I am probably only going to sell a few small items, but it should be fun to experiment.

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4. 0

   girly_girl09posted 15 years ago

   I think you will love it. I remember making my first sale about 10 hours after listing an item. It was super exciting.
   
   If you're into SEO, I am guessing that could really help you out, too. Back then, I had no clue about SEO, but knowing what I know now, I could've really increased sales via search engines. It is so tempting to start up again but unfortunately it doesn't fit into my 'life plan' right now.
   
   With all your hubs and presence here on HP, I'm sure you can do well.

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      kre8iv4uposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      Hi girly_girl......I am so new to SEO, IM, forums, article writing....all of it.  I have a small candle business and I, too, am planning on getting started on Etsy.  What does SEO have to do with being successful?  Like I said, I am new and so very green to all of this.  It's all foreign to me and I'm in the learning phase, which I'm having a hard time graduating out of.  Any suggestions are so greatly appreciated.
      
      thanks
      Dawn

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5. 73

   SweetiePieposted 15 years ago

   I am hoping so girly_girl.  The seo can certainly help, that is true .

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6. 68

   Research Analystposted 15 years ago

   Starting a shop on Etsy is a good choice, they get lots of traffic and with the economic situation the way it is more people will be going online to buy items they can save and get a discount on.
   
   I have noticed that the items that sell the best on the site are:
   
   Jewelry
   Art
   Clothing
   Children Bags and Purses
   Vintage
   Wedding
   
   Wish you the best with your venture.

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7. 56

   Choke Franticposted 15 years ago

   I've been thinking about starting to sell stuff - mainly the hair extensions that I make - through Etsy. I might give it a try, but I'm wondering if there are fees and such like eBay.

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   1. 78

      rmcrayneposted 15 years agoin reply to this

      It costs 20 cent per item to list for 4 months, whether it sells or not.  They charge 3.5% of your sales.

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8. 78

   rmcrayneposted 15 years ago

   Sweetie Pie
   
   I just opened an Etsy store a week ago.  Also opened one for my sister. 
   
   We tried an indoor flea market.  Traffic was low and long time vendors were starting to think about other options and strategies.  We got a space at a craft mall with a friend about a month ago.  No sales yet.  Both flea market and craft mall said it takes about 2-3 months to START that trickle that will be your following.  Said usually business picks up approaching Christmas. 
   
   I have wondered if Etsy has more seller traffic on the site than buyers.  I have noticed many shops with no sales, or very few sales.  I think tags are important.  I think the sellers that are doing really well have put effort into marketing, not just relying on the Etsy fairies.  But then, I’m new, so what do I know.  I noticed that views of my stuff was good for the first couple days, then dropped off completely.  When I did my sister’s, I only loaded ~6 items at a time, one to two times a day, and that seems to have kept at least a few views a day.  I think you can go in and edit and it brings you back up to the new or recently updated page.  I’m going to try editing a comment or detail on a couple items every day or two and see if that helps.
   
   Looks like I need to get on those forums, per girly girl.

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9. 63

   Gemsongposted 15 years ago

   I'm interested as well. I make handmade crafts like wood plaques and signed up with etsy. I'm still struggling to figure out all the things I need to know and do.
   
   *shamefull expression* what's an SEO?

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