IS ETSY WORTH IT IN 2023? - The good, the bad and the downright annoying
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- Опубліковано 7 жов 2024
- What are the pros and cons to selling on Etsy as a handmade business owner in 2023? Well I'm so glad you asked, because that's exactly what this video's all about!
These are just my opinions based on my personal experience of selling on the platform. I'm not affiliated with Etsy in any other way and all thoughts are my own. Speaking of thoughts, I'd love to hear yours so let me know what you think are the good (and not so good) things about Etsy so we can all learn from each other. 💚
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Having an Etsy shop is a challenge and I have come to realize that they get loads of free marketing from the sellers doing a lot of work to drive buyers to their shop but only to have the perspective buyers get distracted by ‘window’ shopping at other shops. Etsy in the end get the benefit from that extra driven traffic and the shops on the main pages do as well. Just the way it is. If you’re going to market drive, have your own website. Also, on the internet ads they run, I noticed that my images for a product were used but when clicked on took me to a page of listings in the same category but my listing didn’t rank good enough to show on that page.(Also happens when I’m looking for something to buy, click on it and takes me to a page of listings where the clicked on product doesn’t show up and makes me a frustrated shopper.) My product image was smashing enough to use but not my actual product? I felt a little used and pirated from, got to say. A little more ranting. As a painter, I do have to use a local print shop for my giclee prints (who is listed as a production partner) but I see these shops who have a plethora of paintings and images as listings and they are an actual print shop, so they do manufacture the actual prints but it seems they do not hand create the images. The description on that part is a little vague and their photos show the printing machines and process. Where do they get the images from? Creative Fabrica or Adobe Stock Images? If they do, shouldn’t that be on the production partner list or something? Just saying?
One part of this problem is that most people don't like very special designs, they actually like average. People on etsy are also making tons of marriage shirts, family shirts and all this kind of random things. Not very special but people seem to like it. Most people are average and they like average things.
@@yanzi8543 That is very true. My artwork is very different from most of the wall art on Etsy. It has color and imagination and it’s just plain fun. I can’t help it…it’s what I do. I know I’m supposed to be in the ‘trend’, but I’m a creator and I have to create with my heart and spirit. I’m not Walmart…
@@digitalfineart8356 yes you're definitely right 😁
This is so appreciated! I love hearing your take on things!
As I’m just getting started, this are the perfect things to keep in mind! I’m trying to keep in mind that as I open my Etsy shop and start getting it filled with product ideas (I make custom stamps, so I can make anything I can design or a customer designs, so I’m making ideas for Etsy listings- as these are just jumping off points,) I’m trying to store those in my computer in a way that I can use them in a website later. Hopefully that’ll help me not have to re-do work later on down the line.
Sounds like you're already starting out with the right mindset, Charity! 👍💚
One of my favorite videos Kim. Thanks and Happy New Year
Aw cheers Claudia. Happy new year to you too. 😊💚
Thank you Kim - all great advice (and well done on not swearing, LOL)! 💗💗
It was SO hard! 😄💚
I sincerely value your opinions! Even though I went back to work in the school system after I retired from my first job ( law enforcement) I still 2-4 sales per week on Etsy and it adds up 😁
That's awesome! And you're right it does add up, especially with how difficult the economy is right now too. Great going Manuel. 😁👍
Happy New Year. Definitely agree star seller means absolutely nothing, there are no advantages. Regarding fees I sat down and worked it out they actually charge roughly 15% so when working out what you need for item you need to factor in that 15% plus if you run a 20% sale you need to add that in too 35%! (That's not including off site marketing fees if etsy's locked you into it).
Yup, it definitely adds up.
I'm always so happy to see you on UA-cam. What a beautiful pullover you're wearing. All the best for this coming year! :)
Thank you and to you!
Two thoughts:
1) I recently walked away from my corporate work life to start to focus on my ideas. Felt good to hear your take on this platform!!
2) Do you sell the pattern of the embroidery behind you? Something about that piece reminds me of my childhood and would love to duplicate it.
Thank you and no I don't sell the pattern I'm afraid.
It's a vintage cushion cover that I cut and framed in a large embroidery hoop. 💚
Happy New Year ....thanks for all your help..
You're very welcome Bob, happy new year to you!
Happy New Year Kim, and thank you for the great advice 👍😁 I just love the jumper!
Cheers Margaret! It was a gift from my mother in law. She knows I love a good jumper. 😄💚
Happy New Year!!! Thanks as always :)
And a happy new year to you! 😁💚
Amazing video as always Kim! Happy new year!
Thank yooou! I finished last year off saying I wanted to move away from Etsy content, but the first few videos of the year all revolve around it! 🤣
I'll get there. Happy new year to you too. 😁💚
Happy new year Kim 😊🥳
Hope you all had a lovely Christmas 😊
And to you Jill! 💚💚
Thanks for the info Kim! I really value your input on handmade business and Etsy and I was excited to watch this when I saw it was the pros and cons 2023 video. One thing I've been wondering and you may have covered this in a previous video but, what are the benefits to having your own website alongside Etsy and UA-cam? That may be quite a loaded question but, I am curious about that.
I love that question! I might use that as a topic to cover in the next Coffee and Craft Chat if that's ok? 😁
@@KimBliss of course, that would be fantastic!
The biggest benefit of your own site would be you dont have to pay someone else a part of your profits. And you also do not have other sellers competing with you on your site. The con is that you might have to do more in marketing for people to find you. But if you already market your etsy shop, this shouldnt be a big change.
Not worth it. Etsy was really great yrs ago until all the crooks from ebay found their way over there peddling their fakes and reproduction items but not listing them as such.
While I agree about resellers - I'm going to split hairs here. No seller chooses the "handmade" category. Your only options are for items that you make (yes true Handmade) or a supply. If you mark the item was made by "Another person or company" then the date it was made puts it in either Vintage (older than 20 years) or Handmade if you choose a date earlier than 20 years. But the actual reseller who buys junk from Aliabomba or wherever at no point specifically selects/chooses "handmade." Time Etsy just adds the label for reseller, but they won't cause $20 is $20, if you know what I mean. love your vids Kim, Hang in there. Cheers!
Happy New Year to you and yours. I knew this was coming. I'm here for it!💅 I am keen to hear your thoughts on website platforms - shopify, big cartel, wix, etc. Just if you have time :)
Oh those videos are coming I promise you that! 😁
This time of year there are a couple of Etsy related videos that I cover but I'll be leaning more into non-Etsy content next month if not a bit sooner.. and that includes website stuff. Although as a heads up, I've decided to go with Shopify so it'll probably be mostly around that.
I've used got to get my tax return submitted first, and I don't want to do it! 😫😫😫
I started a site. I used Square. No sales just yet, which I expected w/ the end of the year but i'm working on it and hope it eventually works out. Kinda wanted one where I could post free patterns and paid, but not a BLOG, cause I don't want to blog. I also tried wordpress a few years ago and I just couldn't understand the coding involved.
I tried Wordpress years ago too, that turned out to be a hard nope! 😄
Ive been on etsy 6 years, 90% of my sales use to come from the US, since covid that has slowly disappeared and had to try increase UK sales, but nothing i did helped and im now to the point where i am lucky to get one order per month.
Even when i started i was getting at least a couple of orders a week, i am now at the point im worried i will have to close my business next year.
Yeah, things are tough at the moment, and I think everyone is feeling it, even if at varying degrees. 💚
heya Happy New Year :) im going to have a moan lol I've got a star seller sticker shop (star seller means nothing to be honest) over 20k sales and have worked my ass off daily to get it where it is and my shop suddenly stopped in october its like a switch was turned off ! i made like 50 sales this xmas period compared to the last 4 years where id made at least 50 a day so yeah i dunno if it even worth it anymore? it seems broken or something and i know what to do with seo and all that so im just stumped! if this doesn't change bye bye to my etsy shop :( to be honest its not just me either according to forums ive seen this happening to many many sellers same problem end of October tumbleweeds SIGH lol
Yeah, it’s hard to clock in how many hours you worked your booty off for that 20k and likely you are still working as long and hard. It’s a tough 20k earn, no doubt.
I'm so sorry to hear that. What do you think may have caused the slow down?
@@KimBliss I have no idea kim honestly it was like a stop in sales and then maybe because of the strikes i dont know but its odd for sure and i feel at a loss really
Oh the strikes definitely had an effect on my shop too. I really hope they don't hold as many in the near future as they did in November. 😔
@@KimBlissI think you answered it, we can’t depend on 3rd party platforms to sell your products like 2-3 years ago. It’s about building your own audiences, and marketing to that audience with mailing lists and retargeting campaigns. Every one is still too depend on etsy, eBay etc, it drives down prices and you see so many sellers in the race to the bottom in terms of price to catch a sale. You never get well established brands playing that game
Etsy are not doing anything to stop anybody selling anything as handmade even or especially when it isn't. I intend to start selling on Tiktok soon. And if all goes well I may well dump Etsy altogether
Good luck with TikTok. Perhaps if that takes off just use it alongside Etsy rather than instead of?
Plus Etsy are really keen to have people use TikTok with their shops so it could be the tide that raises both ships.. so to speak! 😄
@Kim Bliss that might not be a bad idea. Don't keep all your eggs in one basket as they say. Lol
I've been letting my Etsy shop kinda die out slowly because I'm trying to pivot to my artwork more than my little crafty clay things. Unfortunately, my artwork is not what's selling on Etsy but I plan on making a website for my artwork soon and promoting in on my art insta to help with that.
Also, I got an Etsy order while I was watching this video so I think you're Goodluck ❤️❤️ thank you for the great video
Ooooh that's lovely to hear about the sale while you were watching. What great timing!
Fingers crossed this year will be a good one for both of us and our websites Bryanna! 💚💚
Kim, is it worth it for you? :)
Not nearly as much as it used to be, but as a tool? Sure. 😁
I wonder if they made Etsy Ads anonymous to try to stop competitors sabotaging other sellers with click throughs? Just an idea (that seems to make sense to me)
I genuinely hadn't thought of that.. if that were the case then fair play. 👍 Although I'm still annoyed at the lack of seller names on the homepage. 😋
Good points Kim. And I really like that you gave the points and let the community decide for itself what is best. Kudos.
PS. Have you started your website as yet? I have begun the process of my own shop, on wordpress to engender no costs until up and running. I had forgotten how much time goes into populating shop items - and that's just the existing ones. Still, super happy to have begun the journey. (And love love loved the branding aspect. 🙂 I think that's my favourite bit!)
Cheers Pumpjack!
And sooort of.. I've signed up with Shopify as it appears to be the best fit with my current set up. But I haven't done anything else so far.
First the holidays happened and now I need to get my taxes submitted before I jump down that rabbit hole. It's one of my main goals for this quarter though so I'll be boring everyone with my progress soon enough. 😁
@@KimBliss I can't wait for the updates! Yeah!
Is it segure to give my bank information ?
Ohh. Did you knot your jumper? I made a baby blanket in the same wool for bambino numero 3.
Knot? Knit!
I wish! This was a Christmas gift, but I'd really like to try knitting again. Now that I've finished my granny square cardigan I might give it a go. 😁
Etsy has become the worst selling platform for all the reasons other awful selling platforms have not. Start with fee-mongering and God forbid is you turn your head for a minute : /
I have a video going up tomorrow that *might* offer some hope. 🤞
💯👍💚
Happy New Year Kim! Loved this video and can't wait to see how you get on with your Shopify site. I just started a shop in October on a different site (My Community Made) and I made 10 sales in 3 months. I was very happy with that. 😁 This year, I hope to make my own website. I've chosen Squarespace as I want to blog as well as sell. I bought my .com name in 2021 once I finally decided on a name but have been taking my time doing anything else. It's ok as I wasn't really ready then. Back in October I decided ready or not, I'm jumping in and have no regrets. I will start an Etsy shop as well because i want to be able to sell internationally and in my opinion, it's just the easiest and best way to do that. I also want to start up a UA-cam and have been brainstorming content with friends and family. This year it's all happening. It is frightening and exciting and I can't wait!
Donna this sounds amazing! I can't wait to to hear how you get on and what you think of UA-cam.
Obviously I'm biased as heck, but I love it. Hope it works for you too! 💚