Joining any new selling platform can be overwhelming – especially when it’s a platform that has strict policies like Etsy.
Take your worries and throw them out of the window because you’ve come to the right place to help you avoid the most common mistakes Etsy sellers make.
Let’s dive right into it.
1. Getting your Etsy shop name wrong
It might seem obvious, but there’s a reason this is at the top of our list.
Etsy only allows you to change your shop name once.
Save that one chance for anything the future might bring, and do not lose it on something as small as a typo.
2. Not collecting email addresses
You could make hundreds of sales on your first day selling on Etsy.
This does not mean you can sit back and wait for new customers to appear every day magically.
Collecting email addresses helps you promote your other products instantly. Something as simple as a thank-you email can work wonders!
3. Ignoring Etsy policies
It sure is exciting to set up your new Etsy shop, and it is even tempting to go full throttle on listing and promoting your products.
That is one of the most common mistakes many Etsy sellers make who regret it.
You do not have to know every point of the policies, but at least you should make an effort to research which policies apply to your business.
4. Using unclear product images
By unclear, I mean pixel-wise as well as its purpose.
Your product image alone should be able to explain exactly what your product is capable of.
You never get a second chance to create the first impression. Here are some tips to help you get the most out of your product image.
- Use professional images with a white background
- AVOID using black-and-white pictures
- Include only what the customer will receive; accessories that are not part of the product should not be shown
5. Writing poor titles
Your title alone gives you a concise window to create an impression on your potential customers.
- Avoid writing something short and vague like ‘old vase.’
- Avoid writing something long like ‘Great World War II lost and forgotten vintage vase on sale.’
Here’s what you can do instead
- Make sure the first 7 words include a good description of your product
- Use numerals (3 instead of three)
6. Writing poor descriptions
A common mistake most Etsy sellers make is stuffing their product descriptions with unnecessary keywords in the hope that it will improve their SEO.
This will ironically make your listing’s rank worse.
Here are some excellent pointers that you can follow to write a clear description of your product.
- Describe the primary product features and list product information, including size, age, and style
- Keep it short, but include critical information.
- Include accurate dimensions, care instructions, and warranty information
- Use correct grammar and complete sentences
Now that you know about the common mistakes and how to avoid them, you might want to consider whether you want to sell on Shopify or Etsy (or both).
Have you run into any trouble with Etsy and are having a hard time solving it? Feel free to contact our trusty support team!
For more insights on building a successful Etsy shop, don’t miss our guide on the 7 Common Etsy Mistakes: Avoiding Pitfalls for Etsy Success—a must-read to help you sidestep common challenges!
