If you have a craft business, then opening an Etsy shop can be an effective way to market your products. After all, Etsy has more than 90 million active buyers and has only continued to grow in popularity over the years. However, before you open your Etsy shop, it’s important to make sure that the platform is the right one for your business.
Here’s a look at the pros and cons of opening an Etsy shop:
Pro: Etsy Offers Built-In Buyers for Your Business
The clearest pro of opening an Etsy shop is the built-in community of buyers. It usually takes many years and a lot of money to achieve the kind of buying audience that you get for free just by selling on Etsy. The Etsy website also has search functions which can help people more easily locate your store and your products.
Con: Your Niche Might Be Over Saturated
The greatest positive of Etsy is also its greatest negative. More buyers means more sellers and more items for sale. Before selling your products on Etsy, check and see if the items you plan to sell are already being sold on the website. If they are, how many are being sold? Does it look like there’s room for your shop to thrive alongside the other sellers?
If the answer is no, then you might want to change your business plans. Maybe you need to have your business on both Etsy and another platform, for instance, or maybe you need to come up with a stellar marketing campaign.
Pro: Setting Up an Etsy Store Is Designed to be Easy
Anyone can open an Etsy shop in no time at all. Etsy even offers a helpful guide that walks you through how to set your shop preferences, choose your shop name and add product listings. Plus, the website offers beginner’s guides and other tips for managing your shop.
Con: Etsy Charges Fees to Sellers
There are fees for selling on Etsy, but it’s worth noting that there are usually fees associated with any platform. On Etsy, you’ll pay 0.20 cents per listing, as well as some extra fees, including transaction fees. When planning for your Etsy shop, you’ll need to account for all of the various charges involved.
Pro: Flexible Hours and Working Environment
Since Etsy is an online business, you’ll be able to set your own working schedule and work from any location. Working from home has its own pros and cons, but many business owners appreciate the flexibility that comes from selling on Etsy.
Con: Etsy Has the Final Say When It Comes to Your Shop
Etsy has rules and expectations for its sellers. If those rules clash with your own rules, then Etsy could shut down your store. However, with such a large number of sellers on Etsy, it’s clear that most stores don’t find it difficult to follow Etsy policies.
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