Have you ever thought about making some extra cash without spending money?
If your answer is yes, I’ve got some exciting news for you.
Let’s talk about how you can start selling on Etsy for free and make money in your very first month.
It’s not as tricky as you might think!
In this article, I’ll chat about what you can sell on Etsy, how to make products without spending any money, how to set up your Etsy shop, and some friendly tips to help you get those first sales rolling in.
So, grab a comfy seat, and let’s get into the world of Etsy selling!
What Can You Sell on Etsy?
Etsy is like a big online market where people sell all sorts of cool and handmade products.
But if you want to start for free, digital products are your best bet.
These are things people can download right to their computers or phones.
Think about planners to help folks stay organized, pretty calendars to brighten up someone’s day, handy to-do lists for the busy bees, budget trackers for money-savvy people, or even fun coloring pages for those who love to get creative.
And you don’t need to buy anything to make these products.
You can create them using free tools right on your computer.
How to Make Digital Products for Free
Now, let’s talk about how to create these awesome digital products without spending a single penny.
First, you’ll need two free tools: Canva and Creative Fabrica.
Canva is a website where you can make beautiful designs, even if you’re not an artist.
It’s super easy to use and lots of fun!
Creative Fabrica is another website full of pictures and designs you can use.
They have a special deal where you get 10 free downloads when you sign up. How cool is that?
Here’s what you do: Start by going to Creative Fabrica and signing up for a free account.
Once you’re in, search for “editable templates for Canva” and pick one you like.
Download it, and then head over to Canva to sign up for a free account there too.
Now comes the creative part!
Open the template you downloaded in Canva and let your creativity loose.
You can change the colors to your favorite shades, swap out the words to make them your own, move things around like you’re rearranging your room, or even add your own pictures. It’s like playing dress-up but with designs!
When you’re happy with your creation, save it.
Ta-da!
You now have your very own digital product to sell. Wasn’t that easy?
Setting Up Your Etsy Shop
Alright, now that you have something awesome to sell, it’s time to set up your Etsy shop.
Don’t worry, it’s free to start (if you use this link to open an Etsy shop) and I’ll guide you through it.
First, go to Etsy.com and click on “Sell on Etsy” at the top of the page.
Then click “Open your Etsy shop”.
You’ll need to fill in some basic info like what language you speak and what country you’re in. Next comes the fun part – choosing a name for your shop.
Pick something catchy and easy to remember, like your favorite nickname or a funny word you like.
Now it’s time to add the item you made to your shop.
You’ll need to upload pictures of your product (Canva can help you make these look super professional), write a title and description that tells people how awesome your product is, set a price, and add some tags.
Tags are like labels that help people find your stuff when they’re searching on Etsy.
After that, you’ll set up how you want to get paid.
You can use a bank account or PayPal.
Then, take a deep breath and click to open your shop. Congratulations! You’re now an Etsy seller!
Tips for Getting Your First Sales
Your shop is open, but how do you get people to buy your stuff?
So, here are some tips for you.
Try to make lots of products. The more stuff you have in your shop, the more chances people have to find you. It’s like fishing – the more hooks you have in the water, the more likely you are to catch a fish!
Use good keywords. Think about what words people might use to search for your product. Use these words in your title and tags. It’s like leaving a trail of breadcrumbs for people to follow right to your shop.
Take good pictures of your products. You can use Canva to make pretty mockups of your digital products. Think of it like dressing up your products in their Sunday best!
Don’t be shy – share your shop on social media. Tell your friends and family about it. Share it on Facebook, Instagram, or wherever you like to hang out online. Your loved ones might be your first customers!
When someone does buy from you, be super nice to them. Answer their questions quickly and be as helpful as you can. Happy customers might come back to buy more or tell their friends about you.
Lastly, be patient. It might take a little while to get your first sale. Don’t give up! Keep working on your shop and trying new things.
Making More Money on Etsy
Once you start making sales, you might want to grow your shop.
Keep making new things to sell. The more variety you have, the more people might want to buy from you. Pay attention to what people like best and make more of the popular stuff.
As you get better at using Canva, your products will look even cooler. If you’re making money, you might want to spend a little on better tools. For example, you could get a paid Creative Fabrica account to get more designs.
Remember, there’s always more to learn about selling on Etsy. It’s like a big adventure, and you’re just starting out. Keep reading articles, watching videos, and trying new things.
Staying Safe and Legal
When you’re selling on Etsy, it’s important to follow the rules. Always change the templates you use to make them your own. Don’t copy other people’s work – that’s not cool, and it can get you in trouble.
Make sure you read and understand Etsy’s rules. It’s like learning the rules of a new game before you start playing. Be honest about your products and don’t promise things you can’t deliver. And remember to keep your account safe by using a strong password and not sharing your login info.
See? Making money on Etsy doesn’t have to be hard or expensive.
With some creativity and effort, you can start your own little business for free! Use free tools like Canva and Creative Fabrica, make unique digital products, set up your Etsy shop, and keep trying even if it takes a while to get started.
Recommended Tools For Etsy
Design Nexus newsletter – Get simplified Etsy tips and modern marketing strategies — plus a free Digital Product Starter Kit!
Creative But Fine newsletter – This is your source if you want more detailed guides about Etsy and graphic design.
I have made an entire section of helpful and mostly free tools you can use to build a successful online business on Etsy. See the tools here.
Kittl – A go-to place for any person, who wants to make money with print-on-demand on Etsy.
Creative Fabrica. They have millions of cheap graphics that can elevate your t-shirt design.
Vectorizer – This tool transforms your image into a vector with seconds. scalable without losing the quality.
Disclosure: Some of the links above may contain affiliate partnerships, meaning, at no additional cost to you, NechEmpire may earn a commission if you click through to make a purchase.
- Should You Have Multiple Shops on Etsy? A Creator’s Guide to Smart Selling - December 6, 2024
- Simplify Your Etsy Shop: Fast Listing Tips for Everyone - November 5, 2024
- The 4 Etsy Essentials: Tips for a Strong Start in 2025 - October 13, 2024