Are you ready to be successful on Etsy and skyrocket your sales?
Whether you’re just staring out or looking to scale your business, having the right strategies can make all the difference.
Today, I’m collaborating with Dylan Jahraus who is a seasoned ecommerce expert with over 10 years of experience and went from corporate e-commerce to making over $1M profit on Etsy, Amazon and Shopify. She and her team now help thousands of Etsy Sellers grow with corporate e-commerce principles through her 1:1 coaching program, the Ultimate Etsy Course.
The changing landscape of Etsy and how you can be successful on Etsy
Dylan noted that while Etsy itself may not have undergone dramatic changes, the competitive landscape has evolved significantly, especially post-2020.
With more people starting side hustles and opening stores, the marketplace is more saturated—but not necessarily with quality listings.
Which means it’s crucial to distinguish your store from those dormant listings that clutter the platform.
Focusing on quality, presentation, and customer experience can help you rise above the noise so that you can be successful on Etsy.
Key Elements for a successful Etsy shop
It’s all about the customer.
Identifying your target market is the cornerstone of a successful Etsy shop.
Dylan highlighted the importance of knowing who you want to sell to and avoiding the trap of catering to the most price-sensitive customers; instead, aim to attract those willing to pay for quality and excellent service and products.
And don’t put all your eggs in one basket!
While specializing in a product is good, having a diverse product mix can maximize the lifetime value of your customers.
Think about how your products can serve your target audience in various aspects of their lives over the long term.
Delighting your customer beyond the product
In today’s saturated market, offering a stellar customer experience can be your biggest differentiator.
Dylan and I both cannot stress enough the importance of exceeding customer expectations.
Whether it’s through prompt shipping, personalized messages, or beautifully packaged goods, you want to make each interaction as memorable as you can.
The frequency and quality of your communication with customers also plays a significant role.
Dyland notes that automated messages at various points in the transaction (order confirmation, production updates, shipping notifications) can enhance the customer’s journey and help to establish trust.
Choosing the right products for Etsy
Etsy is positioning itself as a prime destination for gift items.
Therefore, focusing on non-sized, and personalized products can make your store more appealing.
Dylan mentioned that items like t-shirts and sweatshirts, which require size selection, might not be as gift-friendly as customized, non-sized items.
For those in the candle market Dylan shared specific advice: focus on visual appeal over scent.
Remember, your future customer cannot smell your scent while shopping online so that is where you want to excel in the visual of your candle.
Whether it’s unique packaging or innovative vessel designs, these elements can make your candles stand out in a crowded market.
Utilize trends, such as certain colors or patterns, to keep your offerings fresh and appealing.
How to differentiate yourself so you can be successful on Etsy
Keeping an eye on trends outside of Etsy and bringing them to the platform can set you apart as an innovator.
Trends that you see outside of Etsy can take 6-8 months to show up on Etsy which gives you that advantage of being an early adopter and setting you apart from the crowd.
When designing candle consider concepts like round-edged vessels or textures that show depth can make your products visually compelling.
Dylan highlighted the importance of continuing innovation, even with your best-sellers.
Iterating on successful products by introducing new variations or seasonal editions can keep your customers coming back.
Balancing wholesale and direct-to-consumer sales
The key to balancing wholesale and direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales lies in understanding where your profits are coming from.
While wholesale clients might offer steady income, your Etsy shop might provide higher profit margins on a per-sale basis.
Use your Etsy shop as a testing ground for new products or limited editions before offering them to wholesale clients.
This approach allows you to gather customer feedback and refine your offerings, ensuring they’re market-ready and will increase your ability to be successful on Etsy.
Should you sell on Etsy or Shopify?
Dylan explained that while a robust Shopify site is essential for brand building and future sales, Etsy provides a quicker route for initial customer acquisition due to its built-in traffic.
Therefore, starting on Etsy and gradually transitioning repeat customers to your Shopify store is an effective strategy.
Even though Etsy has its fee structure, these often outweigh the initial costs and customer acquisition expenses associated with Shopify.
The key is to use Etsy for fast, affordable customer acquisition and transition those customers to Shopify for future transactions where you own the customer data and have lower transaction fees.
Tips for new Etsy sellers
One of Dylan’s top tips for new Etsy sellers is to front-load their shop with loss leaders—low-cost, lower-margin items that sell quickly.
This strategy isn’t about making quick profits but about building your shop’s credibility and attracting higher sales volume.
These items should be affordable and enticing enough to boost your order frequency.
While they may not yield high profits initially, their purpose is to increase your shop’s visibility and improve the ranking of your other listings in order to help make your shop successful on Etsy.
Navigating the Etsy marketplace successfully requires a blend of strategic planning, market awareness, and a strong focus on customer experience.
Mine and Dylan’s conversation on the She Sells Differently podcast provided several invaluable insights for aspiring Etsy entrepreneurs.
By understanding your target market, focusing on visual appeal, balancing wholesale and DTC sales, and leveraging both Etsy and Shopify, you can set yourself up for sustained success.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to scale your existing store, these expert tips can guide you in making informed decisions that will help you achieve your business goals.
Connect with Dylan
Website: https://dylanjahraus.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/DylanJahraus/
Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/etsy-seller-success-with-dylan-jahraus/id1647518076
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeO8Gmc2B-3G2fgcFnRR4Xw
Free Bonus from Dylan – When you schedule a call to chat more about your Etsy shop and challenges and to learn more about our 1:1 coaching: https://calendly.com/dylanjahraus/your-free-bonus-with-coaching-more-sales-fast
Resources
How strategic product packaging can boost your sales – https://andeehart.com/episode132/
How to use consumer market trends to build your product-based business – https://andeehart.com/episode113/
