Why I’m Working on Taking My Etsy Shop Way Beyond Just Etsy
And you should too.
You’ve probably heard of Etsy — the online marketplace bursting with handmade and vintage goods.
For many creative entrepreneurs, Etsy seems like the perfect place to set up an online store.
With its built-in base of buyers seeking unique items, it eliminates much of the hard work of driving your own traffic.
But successful creatives know relying solely on Etsy can be risky.
Its fees cut into your profits, and changes to its algorithms can sink your listings.
That’s why diversifying your income streams is so important.
In this article, I’ll share three powerful ways to go beyond Etsy: opening your own online shop, building an email list to market to, and using social media to attract buyers.
Applying just one or two of these strategies can significantly impact your sales and stability.
Opening Your Own Online Store
Launching your own online store gives you complete control over your brand and profits.
Unlike Etsy, you get to dictate the look and feel of your store, choose your payment processor, and avoid listing fees.
The three most popular e-commerce platforms are:
● Shopify — Known for its ease of use, Shopify lets you create an attractive online store in minutes.
● Sellfy — This platform offers sleek designer-made templates for showcasing your products beautifully.
● Squarespace — Used by many sophisticated brands, Squarespace helps you to create a high-end web presence with minimal technical skills.
The platform you choose depends on your budget, design preferences, and technical comfort level. Thankfully, all three offer free trials to test them out.
Driving traffic to your independent store takes consistent effort, but adds major stability.
Unlike Etsy, your success relies only on your own marketing and SEO abilities. This independence puts you fully in control.
Building an Email List
Do you currently only communicate with buyers at the point of sale?
Email marketing allows ongoing communication with customers interested in your new products and deals.
List building simply means offering an incentive in exchange for a visitor’s email address. This could mean a coupon code, freebie, or special content available only to subscribers.
Once you have an outlet to consistently reach customers, imagine the sales possibilities!
You can send:
● Product launches — Share your newest creations and drive excitement.
● Coupon codes — Offer exclusive savings only available to your list members.
● Reminders — Highlight popular products they may have forgotten about.
Whatever your niche — from crochet baby boots to woodworking — you can use email marketing to take your business beyond Etsy’s confines.
Dominating on Social Media
Lastly, establishing an audience on social networks offers a free and effective way to gain dedicated followers.
I recommend first focusing on the two platforms where creatives thrive most: Instagram and Pinterest.
Instagram is ideal for publicly documenting your creative process through photos and short videos. Give viewers a peek behind the scenes as you handcraft new inventory.
Show them what inspires you and what materials you love working with.
This style of authentic, personal content helps you build connections with potential customers.
When you do have new products for sale — either on Etsy or your own store — sharing them on Instagram allows you to tap into this ready-made audience excited to buy your wares.
Pinterest is perfectly suited for showcasing high-quality product images shoppers can get lost in.
Create eye-catching pinboards tailored around your items and brand style. Link each pin back to its corresponding online listing so enthralled pinners can easily purchase.
Consistently sharing your latest creations on Instagram and curating shoppable inspiration on Pinterest will surround your business with fans eager to support you both on and beyond Etsy.
The Time is Now!
I hope this article has shown you multiple avenues available to take your Etsy business to the next level.
Relying only on Etsy’s built-in traffic is limiting, making diversifying a non-negotiable.
Whether you first dip your toes by launching a basic online store or the smallest email list, know that each stream of revenue and communication makes your business more recession-proof.
Thanks for reading!
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