How To Make Money on Etsy (Plus 15 Best-Selling Items)

Are you a hands-on craftsperson who enjoys making items from scratch? Or maybe you’re a tech individual who specializes in digital products?

Whichever resonates with you, you can cash in on your talent like over 7.5 million sellers do on Etsy. Getting money from something you’ve built from scratch is a different type of fulfillment. 

That said, this article is a step-by-step guide on how to make money on Etsy. With the increasing popularity of e-commerce, you can sell your goods beyond your locality to a global audience.

Besides, Etsy incurs lower overhead costs than a brick-and-mortar establishment. So the platform has a built-in analytics tool to evaluate performance and improve your business. 

If you’re intrigued and wondering how to start an Etsy shop, join me and let’s explore the platform, including tangible ideas of what products to sell, from candles to jewelry. 

How To Make Money on Etsy 

Selling on Etsy has many benefits, but many fail because they don’t implement the right strategies. 

The whole process of navigating an e-commerce platform can be daunting, especially with so many products to choose from. 

That said, here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make your debut on Etsy:

1. Choose a Profitable Product To Sell 

The first step to success on Etsy is choosing a profitable niche and product. You must choose your target audience before delving into the numerous available product options. 

So, who are you targeting, and what kind of product are they most likely to purchase? For instance, pet owners would be interested in custom name tags and leashes. 

However, if you’re targeting stay-at-home parents, you might want to explore home decor or printables like meal plans and budgeting sheets. 

Some ways to conduct market research include using Google Trends and Quora. You can also use WhatsApp, Instagram, X, and Facebook’s polls feature. 

Another excellent platform you can use is Quora. Here, you ask your target audience a specific question and analyze their responses. 

Analyzing your competitors on Etsy is also an excellent idea. This will give you insight into what they sell and how they price their products. 

It’s crucial to select a niche and product you’re passionate about and skilled in. Your skills will ensure you deliver high-quality items, while your passion will keep you focused on the end goal. 

2. Select a Name and Logo for Your Etsy Store 

Once you’ve decided what to sell, the next step is setting up your Etsy store. 

Etsy charges a one-time, non-refundable set-up fee of $15, and you can access the website on iOS, Android, or any PC.

Your store name, logo, and theme are important because that’s what clients will see first. They’re the face of your brand. 

Therefore, you should be creative and choose something related to your niche and target audience. You must be strategic even when choosing the colors. 

3. List Your Items 

A significant disadvantage of Etsy over other e-commerce platforms is that it charges you $0.20 for each item you list on the platform.

A listing includes the following:

• Product title 
• Images of the product 
• Product description 
• Price 

You must include high-quality product images and detailed descriptions so that your customers know exactly what they’re purchasing in advance. 

To avoid losses, it’s also wise to factor your shipping, transaction, and listing fees into the product prices. 

Consider labor and the cost of raw materials, too. Many sellers ignore labor fees, but you need compensation for the time, effort, and expertise you invest in a project.  

4. Devise a Shipping Plan 

Shipping is an integral part of ecommerce since transactions occur online, and the customer must receive the product one way or another. 

Partnering with a reputable courier is vital to the overall success of your business. 

The shipping company is the last to handle the product before the customer receives it, so you must ensure your items are in good hands. 

Different companies have different shipping rates, refunds, and insurance policies. You must consider these factors when selecting a supplier. 

Other sellers use the Post Office, and you can use it too if it’s more convenient for your business. 

The best way to boost sales and profits is by catering to shipping instead of the buyer. Think about it: would you buy a $30 item that requires an additional $5 shipping fee or a $35 item with free shipping?

While the two options are similar and cost $35 in the long run, most customers will choose the second because they feel like the burden of shipping is off their shoulders. 

5. Market Your Products 

Now that your shop is up and running and you’re ready to receive orders, it’s time to put your store out there because people can’t buy something if they’re oblivious to its existence. 

Some of the most common marketing channels include:

• Social media 
• Email marketing 
• Paid ads 
• Etsy SEO 
• Influencer marketing 
• Affiliate marketing 

Marketing strategies like paid ads and influencer marketing require upfront capital, which may vary by individual. 

If you’re still skeptical about investing money on Etsy, go for free options like social media, email marketing, and SEO. 

Affiliate marketing can also fit in the free group because you only pay the affiliate marketers their commissions after they make sales. Therefore, you don’t need upfront capital for this. 

6. Engage With Potential Buyers 

Landing your first client may be challenging, but you can succeed if you set up your shop well and market your products strategically. 

When someone is interested in your product, they’ll likely reach out to discuss shipping logistics and other queries. 

The best part is that Etsy has an inbuilt messaging feature that lets you communicate with clients without leaving the platform. This is convenient and simplifies things on both ends. 

How you engage with your customers can be a deal-maker or deal-breaker for your business. You must be courteous and reply to their messages promptly. 

Exceptional customer service makes the clients feel seen, heard and cared for. It also encourages them to leave a positive review, make subsequent purchases, and refer you to their contacts. 

Customer reviews are everything on Etsy. I’m sure that’s the first thing you look at before purchasing a product online. 

The more positive reviews you have, the higher your chances of landing more clients. 

7. Track Your Performance 

Etsy has a feature called Etsy Stats, which enables you to collect data on your store’s performance and gives a detailed overview of its traffic. 

Monitoring this data is essential in keeping up with trends and identifying areas of improvement. 

For example, if your store doesn’t appear on the first page during searches, optimizing your profile and listings for SEO may improve your visibility. 

Keep an eye on your competitors to borrow a leaf or two from their business operations. 

You can compare your offerings to your competitors to determine if you’re overpricing or underpricing your products. 

The Best-Selling Items on Etsy 

Deciding what to sell on Etsy is one of the most challenging steps in the entire process. Stickers may trend now, but craft supplies may be the next hot thing in two months. 

So, should you stick to one product or jump from one trend to the next? The answer to this question depends on what you’re trying to achieve. 

Sticking to one niche may be more viable if you plan to establish a brand. This way, customers will identify you as a prominent player in that particular niche. 

However, if you’re just looking for some extra cash with no expectations for the future, jumping from trend to trend may work, but you must take care not to lose money. 

With these guidelines in mind, here are some of the best-selling items on Etsy:

1. Printables 

The popularity of printables is increasing daily because of their convenience. Buyers can download them directly after payment without extra shipping procedures and costs.

Some common printables that do well on Etsy include:

• Meal planners 
• Bookmarks 
• Budgeting sheets 
• Fitness trackers 
• Greeting cards 
• Journals 

Printables usually range from $0.05 to $30, but you can make more depending on your product’s quality and uniqueness.   

Printables are the perfect passive income side hustle idea because they’re easy to make, and you can resell them repeatedly without recreating or making significant adjustments. 

Gold City Ventures offers a free ebook to help you hone your craft and learn practical ways of turning printables into cash. 

2. Stickers 

Like printables, stickers are easy to make, and you can resell them without remaking them from scratch. 

The only disadvantage of selling stickers on Etsy is their low-income potential. Most stickers sell between $1 and $3, but you can charge more if you sell them in bundles. 

Despite the income disadvantage, stickers are trendy. You can make anything from affirmations to inspirational quotes, fandom images, or animal-themed stickers. 

3. Party Decorations  

Are you an event planner who loves to bring parties to life? If so, you can make extra cash by selling party decorations on Etsy. 

Think along the following products:

• Balloons 
• Banners 
• Party hats 
• Party games 
• Themed backdrops 
• Invitations 

There’s a high demand for these items because people always look for decorations for events like baby showers, birthdays, graduations, and weddings. You can make anywhere between $1 and $30 apiece.

4. Jewelry 

Jewelry is one of the hot-selling products on Etsy all year round. Whether you’re into metallic, gems, or handmade jewelry, you’ll surely sell big on Etsy. 

Some of the most common options include:

• Anklets 
• Necklaces 
• Earrings 
• Rings 
• Bracelets 

Jewelry usually costs about $10 – $60 on Etsy, but you can make thousands of dollars a piece for unique items with precious stones. 

Offering custom pieces is an excellent way to increase your income potential as a jewelry seller on Etsy. 

5. Craft Supplies 

DIY kits are popular gifts for kids and adults who enjoy hands-on activities. If you’re looking for a profitable item to sell on Etsy, you can appeal to Bob the Builders by selling craft supplies. 

Here are some excellent ideas:

• Knitting kits 
• Sewing kits 
• Scrapbooking supplies 
• Clay-making kits 
• Beads 
• Journaling supplies 

Most Etsy sellers price their craft supplies between $3 and $30. Selling them in bundles is an excellent way to increase your income. 

6. Journals and Notebooks 

There’s a massive market for journals and notebooks among personal development enthusiasts. You can tap into this audience by curating unique designs. 

Some people prefer fluffy notebooks, while others prefer sleek leather ones. Some consumers also like personalized journals with their names on them. 

Whichever you capitalize on will fetch a reasonable sum from the repeat customers available. Even better is if you can curate personalized pieces, as most people prefer those to generic designs. 

Notebooks and journals on Etsy typically range between $20 and $50. 

7. Vintage Items 

Etsy is a hub for vintage items because most buyers always look for things they can’t find elsewhere. 

Anything over 20 years old, including vinyl records, furniture, jewelry, art, postcards, and clothing, falls into this category. 

Vintage items can fetch as low as $10 to thousands of dollars if they’re legit and you can prove their background. 

8. Wedding Items and Accessories 

Wedding items and accessories will always be popular as long as people continue to hold celebrations of matrimony. 

If this is your chosen niche, you must develop unique designs and pieces that tell the couples’ stories. Most go for silver and gold colors. 

Some wedding item ideas include:

• Invitations 
• Decorations 
• Custom drinkware 
• Banners 
• Bridal accessories like veils 
• Custom Jewelry

You can make as low as $30 to hundreds of dollars apiece in this niche.  

9. Personalized Gifts  

Custom designs aren’t the easiest things to make, but you can cash big on them, especially with complex designs. 

The best thing is that personalized gifts are in demand all year round. Think Mother’s Day, Valentine’s Day, Friends’ Day, Christmas, and numerous other holidays available within the year. 

Not to mention special occasions like birthdays and weddings that warrant personalized gifts. You can offer various products, including coasters, t-shirts, jewelry, clothing, and coffee mugs. 

Partnering with a print-on-demand supplier like Printify is an excellent idea if you want to venture into this niche. 

10. Toys and Games 

If you’re thinking of board games, card games, party games, beanie babies, and custom toys for kids and adults alike, then you’re on the right track. 

Families always look for new games to bond over at game nights and toys to keep their kids occupied. Others buy stuffed animals to add to their home decor collection. 

This large Valentina Beanie Buddy by LinseysshopCo costs $51,667.77. You may not cash in this much with simple designs, but it just shows the high-income potential available in the niche. 

11. Candles 

Candle-making is a therapeutic craft that you can take advantage of since candles sell well on Etsy. 

Plus, most customers will likely be repeat clients since we need fresh candles every other day. Consider tapping into a specific niche, like essential oils, hypoallergenic candles, or glitter, to stand out. 

Depending on ingredients, type, and quality, you can sell one candle from $10 to $50.  

12. Clothing 

Clothing is one of the best niches if you’re looking to start an e-commerce business. People always need clothes. The best part is we outgrow them, so we’ll definitely need more. 

You can make good cash whether you venture into handmade, thrift, or designer clothes. Even better is if you can crochet, knit, or sew custom pieces. 

If you’re an avid graphic designer with cool designs, you can offer print-on-demand products like t-shirts, hoodies, and caps. Printify is an excellent supplier if you decide to take that road. 

13. Baby Items 

Still looking for a best-selling product to kickstart your Etsy store? Baby items are always in demand as more babies are born every day. 

New parents won’t compromise on quality, so if you can offer high quality at affordable prices, you’ll have them visiting your store in no time. 

Baby items can include clothes, toys, towels, and baby care products such as petroleum jelly, baby powder, and lotions. 

You can also offer diaper bags, bibs, headbands, and bedding. 

14. Art and Collectibles 

Fandom collectibles, such as Pokemon figurines, Funko Pops, or those based on hobbies, like vintage stamp collections, sell exceptionally well on Etsy. 

The art category is even better since it can fetch more money than the other products mentioned in this article. 

You can make over $100 for custom artwork and thousands of dollars if you deal in art by renowned artists. 

15. Pet Supplies 

Pet supplies are another excellent product to sell on Etsy because they’re always in high demand. Plus, custom pieces can fetch top dollar. 

Some pet supply ideas for your store include:

• Pet treats 
• Leashes 
• Pet clothing 
• Bedding 
• Toys 
• Collars 
• Furniture 

Expect anywhere between $20 and $60 for these items.

Pros and Cons of Selling on Etsy 

Here’s a summary of the advantages and disadvantages of selling your items on Etsy:

Pros: 

• Etsy gives you access to a global audience 
• Setting up a store is easy 
• You can sell virtually anything 
• The platform is packed with seller tools to track performance 
• Low, upfront capital 
• You can automate your business

Cons: 

• High competition 
• The platform charges listing fees 
• Shipping procedures may be tedious 
• There are limited customization options for your shop
• Regular fee increase 

The Etsy Resources To Open a Successful Etsy Store 

Here are some helpful resources you can utilize as you start and grow your Etsy store:

• E-printables course: This course by God City Ventures teaches you how to create and sell printables for cash. 
• Etsy Superstar: If you’re wondering how to start and grow your Etsy store from the ground up, this course covers everything you need to know for $42 monthly.
• Digital Product Maker: The Digital Product Maker offers over 300 editable Canva templates you can customize and sell on your Etsy store.

Extra Reading – The Most Profitable Subscription Box Business Ideas

Frequently Asked Questions 

What Sells Well on Etsy?

Numerous products sell well on Etsy, including these:

• Jewelry 
• Clothing 
• Baby items 
• Printables 
• Pet products
• Personalized gifts 
• Art  

Is Etsy a Good Way To Make Money?

Yes, Etsy is an excellent way to make money if you implement all the effective strategies mentioned in this article. 

For instance, you’ll make your store more visible by optimizing your listings for SEO. You also need to market your store outside Etsy to land more clients. 

How Much Does an Average Etsy Seller Make?

An average successful Etsy seller makes between $43,000 and $46,000 annually, but that varies depending on the type of products, quality, and niche profitability. 

How Much Does Etsy Charge Per Item Sold?

Etsy charges a 6.5% transaction fee for every completed sale.

Do You Need an LLC for Etsy?

No, you don’t need to form a Limited Liability Company to sell your products on Etsy. The platform allows you to run your store as a sole proprietorship. 

However, forming an LLC has several advantages, including tax advantages and intellectual property rights. 

Is It Worth It To Start Selling on Etsy?

Selling on Etsy is worth it in the long run if you’re willing to invest the time, effort, and capital required to start and run your store. 

To increase your income potential, you must employ practical marketing skills, offer high-quality products, and provide exceptional customer service. 

Where Should I Sell Besides Etsy?

Here are other seller platforms you can utilize instead of Etsy:

• Facebook Marketplace 
• eBay 
• Shopify 
• Amazon 
• Depop 

Final Thoughts 

I hope that, by now, making money on Etsy doesn’t seem like a daunting task anymore. Some sellers make thousands of dollars annually from the platform, but they all started somewhere. 

This is your chance to sign up on Etsy and kickstart your career in ecommerce, whether you’re passionate about crafts, art, or digital products. 

You’ll be on the right track as long as you produce high-quality products, market your business effectively, and offer excellent customer service.