How to Increase Etsy Sales: Avoid These Common Mistakes -

Are these Etsy mistakes making it tough to get more people to visit your shop and buy your stuff? You’re not the only one. A lot of sellers on Etsy sometimes slip up and make a few common mistakes, which can slow down their success. But don’t worry, we’re here to help you steer clear of these Etsy errors and give your shop a big boost. Whether you’re an Etsy pro or just getting started, this guide will show you how increase your Etsy sales and build a stellar Etsy shop.

An image designed for Pinterest saying "These Etsy Mistakes are Keeping you Stuck" showing a woman with a shocked look on her face standing in front of her Etsy shop in the background.

Etsy Mistake #1: Not-So-Great Photos

Photo of a mannequin wearing a crocheted hat. This is showing the Etsy mistake of not using proper lighting and showcasing the beauty of the product.

A good try, but the lighting is off, the mannequin and watermark are distracting, and it just looks kind of blah.

Photo of a woman wearing a gold colored crocheted hat with a flower embellishment. This image is showing the proper way to shoot Etsy listing photos. No mistakes here!

This photo has better lighting, focuses on the texture and stitches, shows the true color of the yarn, and gives a good example of what it looks like when worn.

The first big mistake? Not taking awesome photos of your products. Remember, the pictures are the first thing your customers see, and they can either make them want to buy or just scroll past. Here’s how you can snap photos that really sell:

Clear and Bright: Make sure your photos are clear and show off your products well. Customers should be able to see all the cool details and know exactly what they’re getting.
Lighting and Colors: Good lighting is your best friend when it comes to taking photos. Ditch the yellow indoor lights and go for natural light if you can. And as you get better, try out different lighting setups to make your products look even more amazing.
Style it Right: Don’t just snap a quick pic. Take a little time to set up your products nicely, maybe with some cool props or a nice background. Think of making your photos look like they could be in a cool magazine.

👩‍🏫 For even more help, check out the great Etsy photography tips from Etsy themselves in this article, “How to Take Great Listing Photos“.

Etsy Mistake #2: Boring Product Descriptions

Another big oopsie is not writing great descriptions for your products. A good description can really make someone want to buy. Here’s how you can write descriptions that rock:

Answering Questions: Think about what questions your customers might have and answer them right in the description. Tell them why your product is awesome and what makes it special.
The More Details, The Better: Don’t forget to include all the important info like what materials you used, the size, and how to take care of it. If you’re selling crochet patterns, let them know if it’s in US or UK terms and if there are any extra tutorials or charts.
Easy to Read: Make your description easy to read with bullet points, headings, and short paragraphs. No one likes reading a big block of text, so keep it neat and snappy.

👇 Bonus Etsy Mistake: Not Getting Your Hands on This Free Guide 👇

learn from my experience

10 Rookie Mistakes Handmade Sellers Make

During the early years of my crochet business, I made every single one of these mistakes. Fortunately for you, I learned the hard way so you don’t have to! Pick up this free guide to learn the common mistakes and some strategies you can use to avoid them in your own business.

Get Your free guide

👩‍🏫 For even more help, get your hands on my Etsy Bootcamp course ($297 value) for free when you join us inside the Crochet Biz Lab!

Etsy Mistake #3: Not Spreading the Word

To get more people to see your shop and buy your stuff, you need to be a whiz at Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and marketing. Here are some tips to help you get noticed:

Long-Tail Keywords: Use long-tail keywords in your titles, tags, and descriptions. These are phrases that describe your product really well and match what people are searching for. So instead of just “blanket”, try something like “cozy granny square crochet blanket”.
Mix it Up: Don’t just use the same words over and over. Mix it up with different words that describe your product well. This way, you have more chances of showing up in searches.
Important Words First: Put the most important words at the start of your titles, tags, and descriptions. This helps search engines understand what you’re selling and show it to the right people. But remember, it still needs to sound natural and not just a bunch of keywords thrown together.

👩‍🏫 For more about what not to do, check out this article on “The Number One Mistake Handmade Sellers Make.”

How to Increase Etsy Sales and Crush Your Goals!

By dodging these Etsy mistakes and using our handy tips, you’ll see your shop doing better in no time. Remember, it’s all about learning and getting better as you go. Keep an eye out for more tips and tricks to become a superstar Etsy seller. Good luck!