How to Make Money Online by Selling on Etsy Shop

Hey there, fellow creative kababayan! Have you ever thought about making money from the things you love, like crafts, vintage stuff, or handmade goodies?

Think of Etsy like your online showcase and sales spot, a store where you can display and sell all the special things you have created.

In our blog, we’ll discuss the details on how you can turn your artistry into a successful online business by starting your own Etsy Store.

Let’s go and explore how you can earn money online with your own Etsy Shop by using your creativeness!

Table of Contents

• What is Etsy?
• How does it work?
• How much can you earn on Etsy?
• What kind of things can you sell on Etsy?
• Sell these 10 Digital Products on Etsy
• How to start an Etsy Shop?
• How much does it cost to sell on Etsy?
• Alternatives to Etsy

What is Etsy?   

Etsy is an online marketplace where you can explore and buy unique items,especially vintage products, handmade arts and crafts. People who are selling on Etsy are usually independent artists, designers, crafters, or those individuals selling old stuff. You can buy or sell using Etsy regardless of your location.

How does it work?

Etsy is a place where you can buy handmade or vintage items from people who are members of Etsy. You can also sell your handmade or locally crafted items and your own designs. Etsy is a good place to find nearby handmade sales and get advice on buying or selling unique or classic items.   

Etsy doesn’t sell stuff directly. Instead, they act like a facilitator, handling paperwork between buyers and sellers. They also organize events where buyers and sellers can meet in person. Thus, most people on Etsy are either buying or selling things.

As a Buyer on Etsy

Etsy buyers usually prefer handmade items to personalize their style or home, or as special gifts. Some choose Etsy to support small artists globally. Those into vintage may be collectors or after unique fashion and decorations.

As an Etsy buyer, you can:

• Select between hand crafted or classic pieces, or explore both.
• Go through categories like clothing, toys, accessories, jewelry, home decor, and more.
• Keep items in lists or mark them as your favorites on the Etsy Store
• Reach out to sellers with questions about their items or policies.
• Share reviews of items you’ve bought.
• Discover local events where Etsy sellers will be present.

As a Seller on Etsy

Etsy sellers vary in their goals. Some want to earn extra money from hobbies, while others, like professional artists, rely on Etsy to run their small businesses and make a living. Some sellers use Etsy to sell vintage items from their homes, and determine if collectors find it valuable.

As an Etsy seller, you can:

• Start your Etsy Store without any cost.
• Display items on your Etsy shop, either for everyone to see or just for specific people.
• Buy shipping labels for Canada Post or the United States Postal Service.
• Promote your shop and products on Etsy to make your shop and items more visible when people search.
• Work with a wholesale company like printful and printify to produce more items quickly.
• Participate in an Etsy Event to enhance your crafting abilities or better handle your shop.

How much can you earn on Etsy?

Your earnings on Etsy depend on what you’re selling. According to Shmoop’s analysis of U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data, Etsy sellers make about $44,380 per or 2,219,000 php a year. But some, like Cassiy Johnson, make even more. For example, she shared on her YouTube channel that she earned $214,925.04 in one year by selling things through print-on-demand.

What kind of things can you sell on Etsy?

As Filipinos, regardless of your current location, you can sell on Etsy many different things by showcasing your creative skills. Below  are a few examples.

Ancestral and Sacred Artifacts

• Religious imagery or sculptures crafted by hand.
• Magical charms or lucky tokens rooted in Filipino Practices.
• Customized candles for religious purposes, showcasing Filipino designs.

Food and Kitchen Items

• Bowls or utensils made from coconuts, painted by hand for a personal touch.
• Filipino sweets with an ancient influence, packaged in special handmade containers or boxes.
• Seasoning mixes or Sauces inspired by Filipino flavors and culture.

Personalized Lettering and Writing Supplies

• Personalized lettering services creating unique wedding invitations or special event announcements. Printful and Printify can help bring your custom designs to life and deliver it directly to your customers.
• Writing kits with a Filipino style, decorated with sketch by hand drawings.
• Handmade notebooks featuring traditional Filipino woven designs.

Cosmetic and Skincare Items

• Handmade soaps enhanced with local ingredients such as coconut or calamansi.
• Fragrance healing oils introducing scents inspired by the assorted plant species of the Philippines.
• Skin care products anchored in classic Filipino herbal formulations.

Handcrafted Accessories

• Beaded accessories influenced by Filipino culture and ancestral fashion.
• Gemstone jewelry wrapped in wire, adding an innovative touch.
• Personalized name jewelry customized with Filipino decorative writing.

Artwork and Prints

• Artwork and Images capturing Filipino scenery, traditions, and legends.
• Digital prints featuring famous Filipino sayings or expressions.
• Drawn by hand maps displaying iconic landmarks in the Philippines.

Home Accessories

• Baskets and wall decor made with traditional Filipino thread work methods.
• Couch pillows decorated with designs inspired by the different plants and animals of the Philippines.
• Clay pottery featuring detailed painted by hand patterns for an uncommon style.

Clothing and Accessories

• Barong Tagalog or Filipiniana dresses are traditional Filipino-inspired attire.
• T-shirts and hoodies showcasing unique Filipino inspired designs.
• Handmade stitching handbags and accessories emphasizing traditional indigenous Filipino designs.

Handmade Toys

• Stuffed toys or dolls featuring  figures from traditional Filipino stories.
• Wooden toys influenced by native Filipino games and play traditions.
• DIY or do-it-yourself handmade craft packages for creating traditional Filipino artworks and  projects.

Digital products

• Wall decor that you can print at home, highlighting  Filipino sayings or quotes.
• Digital drawings right for social media posts or blog content.
• Online organizers or calendars with a Filipino style.

Above mentioned ideas show the amazing culture and creativity of Filipinos on Etsy. As a Seller you should think about what makes them special and make your items the best selling on Etsy.

Sell these 10 Digital Products on Etsy

1. Online Courses. Create engaging courses with slides or videos. Students can enroll, and updates are only needed if the content becomes outdated.
2. Ebooks. Turn your expertise into a best-selling ebook. Make it unique and offer more value than free online information.
3. Licensed Digital Content. Sell popular video transitions, music, or permissions for digital content. Protect your work with watermarks.
4. Premium Content Libraries. Optimize your courses with SEO and sell them through subscriptions. Offer extras like live streams and Q&A sessions.
5. Digital Templates and Tools. Sell digital tools to solve job or online task problems, such as brushes and templates for designers. Offer plans for online marketing, resume templates, apps for businesses, and designs for brochures, flyers, and posters.
6. Product Photography. Sell your photos online for use in online shopping. Use a strong camera stand and good lighting.
7. Music, Art, and Entertainment. Monetize your talents through fundraising campaigns, virtual art exhibitions, social media, and branded digital products.
8. Digital Services. Combine services with digital products. Design logos, offer downloadable templates, provide live sessions, and give away free downloads to grow your email list.
9. Printable Digital Products. Make money with print-on-demand items like wall art, planners, and 3D models. Consider services like Printify and Printful.
10. Digital Memberships. Offer exclusive content, limited items, or event access through digital memberships. Make it feel exclusive and valuable.

How to start an Etsy Shop

Follow these steps to begin your Etsy Store in the best way.

1. Create a strategy for your products or services

Consider what you want to make, how much you’ll sell it for, and who you want to buy it. 

These are key things for small business owners to figure out before opening an Etsy Store. Use SEO on Etsy by searching for best selling items and products to understand what customers are interested in. 

If you’re selling old or used stuff, start looking for things to sell. You can check out local second stores, garage sales, and antique shops. If you’re making your stuff, get the things you need and start making them now.

2. Create your Etsy account

Pick a name for your shop, sign up, and set your shop preferences. It’s easy, just go to Etsy and click the “Sell on Etsy” link at the top. Next, you’ll provide some basic info about yourself and your shop in the Shop Manager. Choose a unique shop name, your country, currency, and set up your payment methods. 

Etsy offers options like PayPal, Etsy gift cards, and direct checkout. Make sure you have a valid credit card on hand for Etsy to charge you the listing and transaction fees.

3. Establish your brand and design your logo

Your brand and logo show what your business is about on Etsy. It’s important to take some time to create something that represents you, your shop name, and what you’re selling. Your brand should be seen in everything, from the colors and fonts in your new business banner to the pictures and descriptions of your products. 

You can use Canva Pro to easily make a professional logo and brand for your Etsy shop. They have templates for things like shop banners and product photos, making it simple to start giving your Etsy Store its own look. If you’re not sure where to start, search on Etsy and look at other shops for ideas. 

Think about what you like and don’t like about their branding, and use that to help you make your own (but not to copy them exactly).

4. Capture photos of your products

Pictures are super important for making your Etsy shop successful because a good picture can tell a lot.Make sure your product photos are clear, well-lighted, and look professional. They should match the overall style of your shop. Every item you list should have at least one photo, but you can add up to ten pictures to show off your products in detail. If you’re not sure how to take awesome product photos, you can find some helpful tips, like the ones in this guide on the Etsy blog.

5. Put your products up for sale

Describe your products clearly and briefly to make them top-selling. Convince customers they need what you’re selling by sharing important details such as size, materials, shipping cost, origin, processing time, and weight. For example, if it’s “party supplies,” mention specific details like plate sizes and banner dimensions. Make your descriptions compelling by using a writing tool.

6. Start making sales and receive payments

After you put your stuff on Etsy to sell, tell your family and friends. Also, share your shop on social media and other places to find more buyers. Etsy makes it easy. When someone buys something, Etsy will email you. The money you make from Etsy sales goes into your business bank account regularly. You can decide if you want Etsy to put the money right into your bank or if you want to keep it in your Etsy account for later buying things.

7. Complete orders and send out shipments

Once you get an order, prepare your product for shipping. The steps will depend on the type of product you’re selling. For instance, if you’re selling a physical item, you’ll have to pack it securely and send it to the customer. You can make use of Etsy’s shipping labels feature to print a shipping label directly from Etsy. 

Simply log in to your Etsy account, access the shipping label feature, and print the label. Make sure to package the item carefully and send it out promptly. It’s a good idea to provide tracking options. This way, both you and your customer can track the package’s location and know when to expect the delivery.

How much does it cost to sell on Etsy

Creating an Etsy shop doesn’t cost anything unless you’ve chosen a paid subscription plan. Still, there are expenses related to listing and selling items, typical for online marketplaces.

Etsy sellers need to be aware of three main fees: the listing fee, transaction fee, and payment processing fee.

• Listing Fees. When you put something up for sale on Etsy, you have to pay a $0.20 fee for each item you list. This fee is for each item, not for each order. If you want to list the same item again or renew a listing that expired, you’ll have to pay another $0.20 fee.
• Etsy Transaction Fees. When your thing gets sold, you have to pay a 6.5% fee on the price it was sold for, and this fee doesn’t include the cost of shipping.
• Payment Processing Fees. When you sell stuff on Etsy, they take care of the payment processing and deal with taxes and fees. For every order, you pay a processing fee of $0.30 plus 2.9% of the total sale price, which includes shipping and gift wrapping costs.

Other Etsy Seller Fees

Apart from the fees for listing items, processing transactions, and handling payments, Etsy also has additional fees for sellers:

• Etsy Payments fee. If you choose to use Etsy Payments to accept credit cards and payments from buyers, the fees for your monthly sales will be taken out from your total earnings. If you have outstanding fees at the end of the month, you’ll need to pay them using your credit card, similar to handling any other bill.
• Shipping label fees. If you buy your shipping labels through Etsy, they’ll charge you shipping label fees. The exact fees depend on the location and your shipping preferences.
• In-person selling fees.You can sell your items in person using the Square reader at your shop. Your Etsy shop listings can sync with Square, and when you renew them for multiple quantities, you’ll be charged the same $0.20 renewal fee.
• Pattern fees. Etsy sellers have the option to use the Etsy Pattern tool to make their own customized website. This tool is free for the first 30 days, but after that, you’ll be billed a monthly subscription fee of $15, plus applicable local taxes. If you choose to purchase a domain name through Etsy’s partner, Tucows, Inc., there will be fees for registering the domain name and for any services you buy from Tucows.
• Advertising fees. You have the option to run ads for your Etsy shop and products. To do this, you first need to establish a daily ad budget for your campaign.
• Etsy Plus. Etsy Plus costs $10 per month. It provides access to Etsy’s tools for growing and managing your store. With Etsy Plus, you get benefits like Etsy credits, customization options, and discounts, but keep in mind that standard fees still apply.

Alternatives to Etsy

Instagram

On Instagram for Business, you can sell almost anything handmade. To begin, make an Instagram account and switch it from personal to business. Then, set up an Instagram shop and make posts you can shop from. This lets Instagram users go to your store using the Shop icon. Your account and listings are completely free, but you may need to spend money on ads.

Amazon Handmade

Amazon Handmade is where crafters sell handmade items, and it’s considered one of the best sellers on Amazon. Sellers list and manage orders easily, and buyers find genuine handmade goods. It has better customer service than Etsy. To sell, you need a $39.99/month Professional account, but after the first month, the fee is waived. The only charge is a 15% referral fee on sales.

Facebook

Facebook is not only for chatting or sharing life updates, it is also a place for businesses. You can make pages, show ads, sell things, and talk to customers. It’s a big tool for businesses to connect, make a brand, and work online. Many businesses all over the world use Facebook for these important jobs.

Big Cartel

Big Cartel is made “by artists, for artists,” supporting creativity in a world filled with mass-produced goods. You can easily customize premade themes by changing images, colors, and fonts on this marketplace. You can list items like T-shirts, art, ceramics, and stickers. There are three plans, ranging from five products (free) to 500 products, with features like Google Analytics and inventory tracking for $19.99 per month. It integrates with top payment processors, each with its own fee, but Big Cartel doesn’t charge a transaction fee.

eBay.ph

eBay is a good alternative to Etsy for selling. You can start an account easily for individual or business use. Business accounts have extra features. There are fees for listing and selling on eBay. For instance, if you sell jewelry, you may pay 15% on the first $1,000 of your sale. There’s also a store subscription fee, ranging from $4.95 to $2,999.95 per month for annual plans and $7.95 to $349.95 per month for monthly plans. Monthly billing is not available for Enterprise plans.

eCrater

eCrater is a place online where people who want to buy and sell can connect. It’s free to sign up, and you can make your own online store with different looks. There’s also a forum where you can talk to buyers and other sellers. When you make a sale in your store, you get all the money. If eCrater helps bring a sale through their main marketplace, you only pay a 2.9% fee.

You can put your items on Facebook Marketplace for free, and often, there are no fees on your sales. If you use Commerce Manager for selling on Instagram and Facebook, there might be some fees.

Society6

If you love creating art and want to sell it, Society6 is a great choice. Just become a verified member to earn money from your sales. With your own Society6 page, you have control over your artwork – set prices, post your creations, and even offer products like T-shirts or laptop skins. Society6 charges a 10% fee on all sales.

Ready to begin?

What’s your passion in fashion that you think can make money? Let’s talk about it. Feel free to follow Pesopal.ph for more tips and ideas to make your online business successful!