My Etsy Shop Launch: Avoid These 6 Common Mistakes

Launching an Etsy shop can be an exciting journey, filled with endless possibilities for creative entrepreneurs like me. However, there are some common pitfalls that many new Etsy sellers fall into when starting their shops. I’ve learned a lot in my 6 years on Etsy. Learn from my experience and insights on how to successfully launch an Etsy shop, while also highlighting six mistakes to avoid along the way.

1. Copying Best Seller Listings

One common mistake I’ve noticed is the tendency to copy best-selling listings on platforms like Everbee. While it’s essential to research and identify common threads in successful listings, I strongly discourage copying and merely tweaking a listing. To stand out in the competitive Etsy marketplace, you need to offer a better design and an overall superior value proposition compared to the market leaders. Relying solely on a copy-and-tweak strategy can lead to constantly chasing sales and trying to replicate best-sellers without true innovation. Come up with your own products, ideas, and posts.

2. Waiting for a Perfect Start with 20 Listings

Some sellers believe they should wait until they have a substantial inventory of around 20 listings before putting in the effort to launch and drive traffic. My approach differs—I recommend getting your listings up as soon as possible and beginning marketing efforts within the first 24 hours to one week, primarily through platforms like Facebook and Pinterest. Don’t delay; start generating interest and sales from the get-go. You can adjust things like prices, descriptions, and more later, but you will never make a sale if you never open your shop!

3. Using Identical Listing Photos or Mockups

Having all your listing photos or mockups look the same can limit your shop’s potential. It’s crucial to remember that you’re in a testing phase when starting out. You may not yet know what style of photos or mockups will resonate best with your target customers. So, experiment! Test different photo styles and mockup designs to discover what converts best. A simple test could reveal a style on one listing increases your conversion rate by 50% without even leveraging Etsy ads.

4. Pricing Too High at the Start

Many Etsy shop owners are concerned about undervaluing their work and aim to create a certain perception of quality by pricing their products high from the beginning. However, if you’re just starting and have no reviews or sales, worrying about your shop’s perception can be counterproductive. Your first 20 sales are not the time to focus on creating a specific perception. Instead, consider competitive pricing that attracts customers and generates those initial sales. A higher cost is the first thing that will turn a customer away, especially if you don’t have any reviews giving you credibility yet.

5. Choosing a Highly Niche or Personalized Shop Name

Naming your Etsy shop is a critical decision that can impact your shop’s growth and adaptability. Avoid overly niche names like “The Christmas Corner” or personal names like “Sarah’s Design Corner.” Think of your shop name as a flexible asset that should accommodate growth, scaling, and pivoting if necessary. Don’t spend weeks agonizing over the perfect name; you can always change it later. The key is to get your shop up and running, with the intention of refining the name when the time is right. This is your business!

6. Neglecting Font Choices

The choice of fonts in your shop can significantly impact its overall appeal and professionalism. Using mismatched or unprofessional fonts in banners, logos, on POD (Print on Demand) items, printables, or listing overlays can make it evident that you lack a design background. I recommend searching font duos like “Canva Font Duo” or “Blogger Font Duo” to get professional opinions on which fonts work well together. Launching your shop with cohesive font choices will help you grow faster, especially if you’re selling digital products where font quality is paramount. You can also take these suggestions into account when you think about your shop marketing and website.

Go with what works!

In conclusion, launching an Etsy shop is an exciting endeavor, but it comes with its share of challenges. By avoiding these six common mistakes, you can set your shop up for success and ensure a smoother journey toward becoming a thriving Etsy seller. Remember, every mistake is an opportunity to learn and improve, so embrace the process and keep moving forward in your Etsy business journey.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. Is it worth to open an Etsy shop?
   • It really depends on your own goals. Opening an Etsy shop has allowed my family true financial freedom and a million more opportunities than I had before. I wanted to be able to stay home with my kids and take control of my financial future, and Etsy has allowed me to freedom to do that. Success on Etsy often requires a combination of quality products, effective marketing, excellent customer service, and a commitment to growing your business over time
2. How much does it cost to start an Etsy shop?
   • Opening a shop on Etsy comes with various fees but it all depends on what your products are and how you go about producing and listing them. Things to keep in mind when calculating how much your Etsy store will cost are packaging, shipping, listing fees, and transaction fees.
3. Can beginners make money on Etsy?
   • Absolutely! It’s important to understand that an Etsy shop is a business like any other, so there may be some costs to starting. I have walked hundreds of new Etsy sellers through how to open their shops and achieve success. Check out my Multi Six-Figure Etsy Blueprint program to learn how to maximize your shop from the start!