There’s one big mistake many people make. This mistake can stop you from getting sales.
Let’s talk about it and learn how to fix it!
The Big Mistake Etsy Sellers Do
The big mistake is making things you like, but not thinking about what other people want to buy.
This is a common problem for new Etsy sellers.
They make things they enjoy but forget to check if others want them too.
Let’s use an example. Imagine you love peanut butter and pickle sandwiches. You decide to sell them at a fair.
But most people don’t like that kind of sandwich. So you might not sell many.
On Etsy, it’s the same idea.
You need to make things people want to buy. Not just things you like to make.
How to Fix the Mistake
Don’t worry! There are easy ways to fix this mistake. Here are some things you can do:
Look at What’s Selling Well
Go to Etsy and look at the popular items. What are people buying a lot of? This can give you ideas about what to make.
But don’t just copy others. Try to add your own special touch. For example, if you see lots of people buying funny t-shirts, you could make funny t-shirts about cats if you love cats.
Ask People What They Want
Talk to your friends and family. Ask them what kind of things they like to buy on Etsy. You might get some good ideas this way.
You can also ask your customers. If someone buys from you, send them a nice message. Ask them what other things they’d like to see in your shop.
Make Your Products Special
Once you know what people want, think about how to make your products special. What can you add that other sellers don’t have?
Maybe you’re really good at using bright colors. Or maybe you can add funny sayings to your products. Use your talents to make your items stand out.
Keep Learning and Trying New Things
The world of Etsy is always changing. What people want to buy changes too. So you need to keep learning and trying new things.
Read blogs about Etsy. Watch videos about selling online. Join groups where Etsy sellers talk to each other. The more you learn, the better you’ll get at making things people want to buy.
When you list an item on Etsy, give it a clear title. Don’t try to stuff in lots of words. Just say what the item is in a simple way.
For example, instead of “Handmade Beautiful Colorful Fun Cat T-Shirt Clothing Apparel Gift,” just say “Funny Cat T-Shirt.” This makes it easier for people to understand what you’re selling.
Take Good Photos
People like to see what they’re buying. Take clear, bright photos of your items. Show your products from different angles. If you’re selling clothes, show someone wearing them.
You don’t need a fancy camera. Most smartphones can take good enough photos for Etsy. Just make sure you have good lighting and a clean background.
Price Your Items Right
Pricing can be tricky. If you price too high, people might not buy. If you price too low, you won’t make enough money.
Look at similar items on Etsy. See what prices they have. Then think about how much it costs you to make your item. Make sure you’re charging enough to make a profit.
Offer Good Customer Service
Be nice to your customers. Answer their questions quickly. If there’s a problem with an order, try to fix it.
Happy customers might buy from you again. They might also tell their friends about your shop.
Use Etsy Ads
Etsy has a way to show your items to more people. It’s called Etsy Ads. You pay a little money, and Etsy shows your items more often when people search.
You don’t need to spend a lot. Even $5 a day can help. That’s about the same as a cup of coffee. But instead of just getting a drink, you’re helping your business grow.
Make Products That Go Together
Think about making products that go well together. If you sell funny cat t-shirts, you could also sell funny cat mugs or cat-themed notebooks.
This gives people more reasons to buy from you. They might come to your shop for one thing and end up buying several things.
Set some goals for yourself. Maybe you want to have 10 products for sale in three months. Or maybe you want to learn how to use Etsy ads. Write down your goals and work on them bit by bit.
Remember, every sale is a win. Even if you only sell one thing a week at first, that’s great! It means someone liked what you made enough to buy it.
Just a Few Last Things
The big mistake that costs you sales on Etsy is making things without thinking about what people want to buy.
There will be good days and bad days. Some days you’ll feel really happy. Other days you might wonder why you started.
But every successful Etsy seller started just where you are now. Take it one step at a time. Focus on making great products that people want. Be willing to learn and try new things.
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.
I'm Miroslav, a passionate graphic designer, Etsy seller and AI enthusiast. At NechEmpire, I'm here to share my knowledge and skills. I want to turn your design passion into a successful online business.
