For many sellers, opening an Etsy shop is the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
In addition to creating your Etsy business, what you do next is essential. Build on your enthusiasm by creating an action plan to help your new store grow regardless of whether you’ve made a sale or not. Don’t sit around and wait for sales; go to work. Many vendors are unsure of what to do next. These suggestions can help you get off to a good start.
Create Buyer Confidence
Your Etsy shop will start with a reputation that isn’t well-established when you initially open it. In the beginning, it’s vital to convince clients that you’re a reputable business and that you’re ready to accept their purchases.
Add More Listings
A well-stocked store gives the impression that you are a respectable business. How likely are you to buy from a business that only sells one item? It shows buyers that the shop is well-run by having a wide variety of products in your store. A company owner’s perceived credibility rises with each item they add to their store.
In the early stages, you may not have many products. Check to see if you can optimize your listings by generating different listings for any variants that you may have available. Consider, for example, photographing and displaying each color separately if you offer soaps in many scents.
Complete Your Policies
Even if there are no sales or a few sales, customers need to feel confident that their item will be delivered. Completing your store’s policies will put them at rest (including shipping information). Attention to detail shows consumers that you value their business and have a well-organized strategy to securely and swiftly fulfill their purchase.
Tell Your Story
Only you can genuinely narrate your story. Buyers will trust you more when you add images and an interesting description and story about your Etsy business to your shop’s About section. Showing them how important your Etsy shop is to you may also entice shoppers to buy from you.
Promptly Respond to Your Customers
Excellent customer service helps demonstrate the credibility of your business, especially to new customers. Promptly answering their questions will assure your customers that you are readily available.
Marketing Your Business
It’s crucial that you get your name out there by marketing your shop.
Word of Mouth
Your earliest sales will likely come from those you know. Advertise your shop to your acquaintances and friends first. You can also create business cards to add a professional touch.
Social Media
Cultivate online presence by creating social media accounts for your Etsy shop – Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or Pinterest. Explore each platform and pick those that will best suit your business. You can also use social media platforms you’re most familiar with.
Gauge Your Success
Study Your Shop Stats
Your shop stats provide helpful information even if you have no sales yet. You can see here your shop visits, views, and keyword performance. They will provide information on which listings people are interested in and which ones are also getting found.
Based on the information you gathered from your shop stats, you can then tweak your listings to improve them.
Never Stop Improving Your Shop
Having a business is a never-ending learning process. As soon as you accept that, you will be well-equipped to improve your Etsy business.
When you view your shop as a work in progress, it will help your Etsy business evolve and succeed.
