If you’ve been dreaming about turning your creativity into cash, Etsy, in my opinion, is the best place to start.

From handmade jewelry to digital downloads, Etsy gives makers, artists, and entrepreneurs a platform to share their products with a global audience.

And my favorite part…

You don’t actually need a following to start making money!

Which can be huge, if you don’t already have a following.

But if you’re new, figuring out how to sell on Etsy can feel really overwhelming. (I know, I’ve been there.)

So, don’t worry—I’ll walk you through the process step by step.

And trust me when I say it’s a lot easier than what you’re probably thinking in your head.

So, let’s get started..

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Step 1: Set Up Your Etsy Account

To start selling, you’ll need an Etsy account. (obviously)

Signing up is free, and you can use your email, Google, or Facebook account.

But there is a new caveat: there is a chance you’ll have to pay up to $25 to start a new Etsy shop. (You won’t know until you start the setup process)

But don’t let that discourage you if you’re completely broke. Because you might not have to pay anything. So try!

One thing that stopped me from setting up my account for so long was the listing fees. I thought I had to pay all the fees up front, but I was completely wrong, so don’t let that discourage you either.

Once you’re registered, click on “Sell on Etsy” to begin opening your shop.

But.. Before you hit sell on Etsy, you can get your first 40 listings for FREE when you open your Etsy Shop, use this Link>>> 40Free Listings

And once you’ve opened your shop, you can get your own link like this to share, and every time someone opens an Etsy Shop with it, you will receive another 40 Free Listings!

Now, Back to the Etsy Shop Setup..

Pro Tip:

Choose a shop name that reflects your brand and is easy to remember. Your shop name can’t be changed too often, so put some thought into it!

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Step 2: Understand Etsy’s Fees

Before jumping in, it’s important to know how Etsy makes money. Here are the basics:

• Listing fee: $0.20 per item
• Transaction fee: 6.5% of the sale price (including shipping)
• Payment processing fee: Varies by country

These fees are pretty standard for online marketplaces, but knowing them upfront helps you price your products correctly.

If you want to know exactly how much the fees will be for your product, I created a Free Etsy Fee Calculator that you can use on my website.

Here’s the link for the >> Etsy Fee Calculator

It’s super easy to use, just plug in your amounts, and it will help you better decide how to price your products.

Etsy fees are not so bad when you think about the built-in customer base they are offering you.

That’s why I think Etsy is the best choice if you don’t currently have a social media following.

It’s a beautiful thing, really.

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Step 3: Create Your Listings

This is where the magic happens! To list an item, you’ll need:

• High-quality photos (clear, bright, and multiple angles)
• A strong title that includes keywords buyers are searching for
• A detailed description (what it is, how it’s made, size, color options, care instructions, etc.)
• Tags and categories that help Etsy show your product to the right buyers

Pro Tip: I can’t stress high-quality product images enough. Consider how much an image influences your decision to make an online purchase.

SEO Tip:

When writing titles and descriptions, think about what your customer would type into Etsy’s search bar. For example, instead of “Cute Mug,” use “Handmade Ceramic Coffee Mug – Pottery Gift for Coffee Lovers.”

Or better yet, think about what you would type into an Etsy search if you were trying to find your products on Etsy.

If your thinking about subscribing to an Etsy Keyword Site I personally use Alura and I love it. They have a lot of really amazing features.

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Step 4: Price Your Products

Pricing is more than just covering costs—you need to factor in your time, materials, fees, and profit. A good formula is:

(Materials + Time + Overhead + Etsy Fees) + Desired Profit = Final Price

Remember, you’re not just selling a product—you’re selling your creativity and expertise. Don’t undervalue yourself.

And if you want to use my Etsy Fee Calculator, click the link.

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Step 5: Market Your Shop

Opening a shop is only the beginning.

Etsy’s built-in customers are a huge help, but if you want to have consistent sales, you gotta put in some of the legwork.

To get sales, you’ll need to bring in traffic.

Here are a few ways to market your Etsy store:

• Etsy SEO: Continuously improve your titles, tags, and descriptions to rank higher in Etsy search.
• Social Media: Share your products on Instagram, TikTok, and Pinterest.
• Email Marketing: Collect customer emails for shop updates, sales, or new launches.

I say if you can only focus on one thing right now, work on Etsy SEO.

I made an SEO & keyword Strategy Guide that can help explain where to find the keywords for your current Etsy Shop. You can get it free inside my Vault. Click the link to get access to >>> The Vault

And then if you have time to take on a Social Media Focus on whatever platform you’re consistently using.

You’re already familiar with it, so might as well use that to your advantage.

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Step 6: Deliver Amazing Customer Service

Here are the main bullet points of giving great customer service..

• Etsy buyers love personalized, thoughtful touches.
• Just a thank-you note in the package can go a long way.
• Make sure to put a coupon code on your thank you card to help generate repeat buyers.
• And try to include a freebie only if you can.
• Always ship orders on time, sooner is better.
• Always underpromise and overdeliver.
• Respond to messages quickly, and consider turning on your auto-responder in your Etsy Messages.

Happy customers often become repeat buyers—and leave 5-star reviews that attract more sales.

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Step 7: Keep Learning and Improving

The best Etsy shops are constantly evolving.

Keep an eye on your shop stats, test new product ideas, and stay updated on Etsy trends.

The more effort you put into improving your shop, the more it will grow.

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Final Thoughts

Learning how to sell on Etsy doesn’t have to be intimidating.

With the right setup, strong branding, and consistent marketing, you can turn your creative passion into a profitable business.

Whether you’re selling handmade crafts, vintage finds, or digital products, Etsy is the perfect platform to get your shop off the ground.

So, what are you waiting for? Use this link to Open your Etsy shop today and start building the creative business you’ve always dreamed of!

And if there’s anything I missed, please feel free to add it in to comments.

Or if you found this post helpful, I would love it if you share it and leave a comment.

I wish you the most success! And if you ever need my help, you can always reach out to me.

xox Heather