How To Make Money on Etsy (5 Beginner-Friendly Etsy Business Ideas)

Written by: Ruby Layram Last updated: 09/05/2024

make money on etsy

Etsy is a great place to start if you are interested in making money online. In this guide, I will walk you through exactly how to make money on Etsy as a complete beginner in 2024.

It has millions of sellers making lots of money, and it's great for beginners because you don't have to pay a monthly fee. Plus, there are lots of tools to help you learn the ropes!

For real success on Etsy, you need to put in time and effort. Pick a niche that you love and stick to it. You can sell all sorts of things, like clothes, jewellery, personalised goodies, home stuff, and art. Make sure your stuff is top quality and that your shop looks good. This means using the right words to describe your items (Etsy SEO). Also, be super nice to your customers!

There is LOTS to selling successfully on Etsy. So, here is a guide for beginners who want to start making money from their own Etsy shop.

How To Make Money on Etsy Step-by-Step

Etsy is an online marketplace that is designed to help small businesses flourish. Therefore, making money on the platform can be pretty easy. However, you have to follow the right steps to see success.

I have tried my fair share of Etsy businesses and have come up with a list of 10 steps to start making money on Etsy.

  1. Choose a profitable niche: Focus on a specific group of people with unique needs. Look at what's popular and what's missing from the market. Find a niche that's in demand but not too common.

  2. Set up your Etsy shop: Make a shop that looks professional and tells your brand's story. Pick a catchy shop name and set up an icon and banner that stand out.

  3. Create compelling listings: Use great images and detailed descriptions for your products. Highlight what makes your items special. Use key words that fit naturally to improve your shop's visibility online.

  4. Utilize resources: Etsy has lots of guides and a helpful community. Use these to learn more about managing a shop on Etsy successfully.

  5. Provide exceptional customer service: Make clear, honest policies on refunds and returns to earn your customers' trust. Answer questions quickly and help solve any problems respectfully. Satisfied customers are likely to review your shop positively and tell others about it.

  6. Consider print-on-demand services: You can use services like Gelato to sell custom products without managing stock. This option is good if you want to start with low costs.

  7. Market your Etsy store: Advertise your shop on social media, through email, and with online ads. Show your process, work with popular bloggers, or collaborate with other creatives in your field to reach more people.

  8. Pricing your products: Think about all your costs when deciding on a price. Make sure you cover expenses and make a profit. It's important to price your items right for your business to grow.

  9. Analyze and adjust: Keep an eye on your shop's performance and the success of your marketing. Figure out what's working and what isn't. Make changes to improve and make more money.

By using these steps, you'll be on your way to a successful Etsy shop and a growing online business.

how to make money selling on etsy

What Can You Sell on Etsy?

At Etsy, you're free to sell many things, as long as they follow Etsy's rules. You can pick from a wide variety of categories. This lets you sell what you're good at and enjoy.

The most popular items on Etsy are:

  1. Jewelry

  2. Crafts and supplies

  3. Wedding and party supplies

  4. Clothing

  5. Journals and custom notebooks

  6. Home decor

  7. Art and collectibles

  8. Baby items

  9. Kitchen supplies

  10. Pet supplies

  11. Shoes

  12. Toys and entertainment

  13. Electronics and accessories

  14. Vintage items

These areas offer many chances to sell. You can look into current trends. Use tools like Google Trends and Quora to learn what people need.

Also, check out successful shops to see how they do it. This can help you figure out how to make your products shine on Etsy. There's so much you can do. It's your adventure to find what you love selling and are good at.

Always keep Etsy's rules in mind when picking what to sell. This way, your items are more likely to be seen and enjoyed by others.

5 Etsy Business Ideas for Beginners

Making money on Etsy is all about picking the right business idea. You need to pick something that has a high demand, low (ish) competition, and fits within your starting budget.

Here are 5 Etsy business ideas for beginners.

1. Handmade jewelry (Best Etsy crafts ideas)

Love making beautiful jewelry? Etsy is a great place to sell it!

You can sell everything from earrings to necklaces. Make sure your jewellery is unique and reflects your customer's style.

With good marketing and attention to detail, you can make a good income from selling your creations.

2. Digital products (how to make money on Etsy with Canva)

Want a business idea that doesn't require a lot of money to start? Try selling digital products on Etsy.

With tools like Canva, you can create art, planners, and more to sell. The good thing is, you don't have to store or ship anything.

Customers will buy and download your designs directly. This allows you to make money sharing your creative talents.

3. MRR products (make money on Etsy without making anything)

Selling MRR products on Etsy is a way to earn money without making your own goods. These are digital products you can sell and keep all the money from.

They include things like eBooks and software. You focus on marketing and serving customers while the income comes in passively.

4. Baby accessories (Best Etsy business idea for mums)

Are you a creative mum? Start selling baby accessories on Etsy!

You can make anything from baby blankets to toys. With the right approach, you could become known as the place for unique baby items. This business is both fun and potentially very profitable.

5. Print-on-demand clothing (most lucrative Etsy business idea)

Like the idea of the fashion world? Try a print-on-demand clothing business on Etsy. Services like Printful print your designs on clothes for you.

You don't have to keep an inventory. Just sell your designs and handle orders as they come. This way, you can make it big in the clothing market on Etsy.

These ideas are a good starting point for selling on Etsy. Remember, making it on Etsy takes creativity, clear marketing, and hard work. Pick the idea that fits you best, and keep learning and trying. With effort, your Etsy shop can become a success story.

how to make money selling on etsy

Etsy Seller Best Practices For Maximizing Your Profits in 2024

Want to make good money on Etsy? Following the best seller practices is key.

Here are some tips to help you flourish:

  1. Optimize your product listings: Pick the right keywords for your titles, tags, and descriptions to show up more in search results. Use great pictures that make your products look their best too.

  2. Use compelling descriptions: Write descriptions that are detailed and interesting. Point out what's special about your items and why people should buy them from you.

  3. Offer competitive pricing: Check the market to see what price is right for your products. Think about what it costs to make your stuff and what others are charging. Good prices can help you sell more.

  4. Provide exceptional customer service: Be quick to answer customer questions and solve any problems they have. Make sure you talk clearly and openly. Doing a great job with customers can bring you more sales and positive reviews.

  5. Utilize SEO techniques: Use SEO tactics to get seen more on Etsy. This includes picking the right keywords, tuning up your shop, and improving your search result position.

  6. Actively promote your Etsy store: Use social media and email to tell more people about your Etsy shop. Share interesting stuff and run ads to get more visitors.

  7. Stay up to date with current trends: Keep an eye on what's new in your area and adjust your products. Offering unusual and wanted items keeps you a step ahead.

  8. Consistently analyze and adjust your strategies: Keep an eye on your sales and what your data tells you. Try new prices, different products, and ways to market to see what helps your shop the most.

Stick to these best practices and keep improving your approach. This way, you can increase your Etsy profits and grow a strong online business.

Why I Think Etsy is a Great Platform For Beginners Who Want To Start an Online Business

Etsy is a top choice for those new to online business. Why? It has a big and active user base. This means lots of people are already there, ready to find and buy your stuff.

Starting a shop on Etsy is easy on your wallet. They tackle the tech stuff for you, like hosting and building a website. This lets you focus on what you're good at: making and selling your products.

But wait, there's more. Etsy also gives you the tools to learn and grow. They have guides, forums, and all sorts of helpful info. This can teach you how to take better pictures of your products, get noticed in search results, or package things up nicely.

Want to make your shop look cool and unique? Etsy lets you do that too. You can add a personal touch with a custom banner, logo, and more. This helps your shop look professional and trustworthy to customers.

What's cool about Etsy is that it's all about special, handmade items. This is a paradise for creative folks. If you love making unique items, Etsy is the place for you. It connects you with people who appreciate handcrafted goods.

  1. Etsy has a large and established customer base.

  2. Etsy has a beginner-friendly setup process.

  3. Etsy provides resources and support for sellers.

  4. Etsy offers various customization options.

  5. Etsy focuses on handmade, unique, and personalized products.

Overall, starting on Etsy is low-risk and easy. Whether you sell jewellery, digital art, or unique clothes, Etsy gives you the platform. It also offers lots of help to grow your creative business.

how to make money on etsy 2024

Final Thoughts

Making money on Etsy is doable if you put in the effort. Pick a niche that sells well and offer top-notch goods. This way, you'll up your chance of doing well. Improving your product listings and using smart marketing can help you stand out.

Keep up with what's popular and what buyers want. The Etsy community is a great place to learn from. Use guides like the Etsy seller handbook for advice. Starting on Etsy is a great way to show off your creative work. Plus, you can sell to people from all over the world.

If you're committed and smart, you can earn on Etsy and grow your store. Seize the chances Etsy gives you. Turn what you love into a money-making opportunity.

At The Rich Girl Guide, we aim to provide realistic and helpful content about online businesses and side hustles. Some of our content may mention potential earnings however, it is important to understand that profit is not guaranteed. The outcome of your online venture will depend on your ability to successfully follow the processes that are required to see results. Not all online businesses and side hustles will be suitable for you. Therefore, you must take time to carefully research different options before investing any time or money.

About The Author

Ruby is the founder of The Rich Girl Guide. She started her first freelance writing business in 2019 and created The Rich Girl Guide to help other women achieve freedom through online businesses and side hustles.

Before starting The Rich Girl Guide, Ruby studied Psychology at The University of Winchester. During her degree, Ruby developed an interest in consumer psychology and went on to work on the marketing teams for successful startups such as Cryptonary and Finixio Ltd.

Her role in marketing gave her first-hand experience in scaling and growing online businesses within the Fintech space.

Ruby started The Rich Girl Guide to provide realistic and helpful information about making money online in a space where there is a lot of misleading content and false promises. Ruby believes in the power of planning and strategy and wants to help other people achieve their online business goals in a way that is realistic, actionable, and sustainable.