Interested in selling on Etsy?
This article will help you through the first steps of opening your shop, with tips on how to get a strong start, and it provides resources for further guidance along the way.
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Can I sell on Etsy?
Etsy is a unique marketplace for handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. On Etsy.com, you’ll find a community of makers, small-business owners, and shoppers who all share a passion for uncommon and rare goods.
Before you start an Etsy shop, make sure that your products can be sold on Etsy, and that you’re in a location where selling on Etsy Payments is available. Review their seller policies and learn about fees for selling on Etsy to make sure that selling on Etsy is right for you and your business.
What’s a handmade item?
Handmade items are items that are designed and/or created by you, the seller. This includes fully handcrafted items like spun pottery or knitted scarves. It also includes things like enamel pins that you design and work with a production partner to manufacture. It doesn’t include items that you purchased and are reselling, even if those items were handmade by someone else. Handmade items must be created or designed by you.
What’s a vintage item?
Vintage items must be at least 20 years old. Vintage items can include clothing, housewares, electronics, and more! However, if an item is less than 20 years old, it can’t be sold as a vintage item on Etsy.
What are craft supplies?
Craft supplies on Etsy are tools, ingredients, or materials whose primary purpose is to create an item or throw a special occasion. Craft supplies may be handmade, commercial, or vintage. Party supplies may also be sold as craft supplies.
What products are prohibited on Etsy?
Even if your products are handmade, vintage, or craft supplies, you may not be able to sell them on Etsy if they’re in a prohibited category. Make sure you review and understand their policies before listing items. Prohibited items include tobacco, drugs or drug paraphernalia, weapons, hazardous materials, and others. Items that use the intellectual property of someone else, even if you designed or created the item, aren’t allowed either.
Review their Prohibited Items Policy to check if you can sell your products on Etsy.
You must also follow local laws in your area. There may be certain things in your area that can’t be sold or shipped.
What if Etsy Payments isn’t available in my country?
Currently, you can only open an Etsy shop in a country where Etsy Payments is available. Etsy can only offer payment services in certain countries at this time. Etsy is working to support additional countries in the future.
Stay tuned to the Site Updates section of Etsy’s Seller Handbook for updates.
Create your shop
Before you create your shop, sign in or create an Etsy account. You’ll use this account to run your shop and to buy from other makers on Etsy. After creating your account, add your profile picture and bio to let other people in the Etsy community know who you are.
To create your Etsy shop
- To open an Etsy shop, visit Etsy.com/sell and select Get started.
- Select your shop language, country, and currency, then click Save and continue.
- Choose your shop name, then click Save and continue.
You need to complete the first step of opening your shop on a desktop web browser. Once your shop is open, you can manage your shop on the Sell on Etsy app.
Learn more about opening a shop.
Do I need a business license to sell on Etsy?
Etsy doesn’t require sellers to have a business license to sell on Etsy.
However, when selling on Etsy you’re required to follow any laws that apply to you as a small business selling online. If you have any questions regarding which laws apply to you, please contact a qualified professional.
Set your shop preferences
Select your shop’s language, country, currency, and time commitment:
- Shop language: The shop language you choose is the default language you use to describe your items. You won’t be able to change it later, but if you’d like to add translations in other languages, you will be able to enroll in other languages after opening your shop.
- Shop country: Be sure to select the correct country for your shop.
- Shop currency: Choose the currency you will use to price your listings. Currency conversion fees may apply if your bank’s currency is different from your shop currency.
- Time commitment: Select whether selling your products is your full-time job or part-time job. This question is for informational purposes only and will not affect the setup of your shop.
Next: Choose your shop name.
Then: Stock your shop.
Set up your payment and billing details
To get paid on Etsy, you need to connect your bank account to your Etsy shop.
How you’ll get paid:
- Fill out your personal information.
- At the bottom of the page, select the country where your bank is located under Where is your bank located?
- Enter your bank account details. You’ll also be required to verify this information. Learn more.
- Select Save and continue.
- Add a credit or debit card. (Shops based in Germany, Austria, or the Netherlands don’t need to add a credit or debit card.)
- Select Open your shop. Congratulations! Your Etsy shop is now live on Etsy.com. You can still add listings and make changes to your shop.
You can add a prepaid card to your account if you already have a credit or debit card. A non- reloadable prepaid card can’t be your only or primary payment card, but you can always pay your bill manually with a non-reloadable prepaid card.
Learn more about Etsy Payments.
For sellers in the US
A small test deposit should appear in your account within three to seven days. This is a courtesy to let you know that deposits are working properly. Once you see the deposit, no further action is required on your part.
For sellers in the EU, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, or the UK
If your bank account is located in the EU, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland, or the UK, you will need to verify your bank account before you can receive any funds from your sales for compliance purposes.
Within 3-5 business days of enrolling in Etsy Payments, Etsy will send a small deposit, processed by third party payment partners, Adyen or WorldPay, to your bank account. You’ll need to enter the small deposit amount in your Payment account in order to verify your bank account for compliance purposes.
If you’re setting up a new shop, you’ll receive a small deposit to your bank account after you open your shop to the public. No deposit will be sent to your bank account while your shop is in draft mode.
You’ll receive emails from Etsy to remind you to verify your bank account to continue to get paid.
To verify your bank account:
- On Etsy.com or the Sell on Etsy app, click Shop Manager.
- Click Finances.
- Click Payment account.
- Click Verify bank.
- Enter the amount of the small deposit received in your bank account.
- Click Verify bank.
You will also see a Verify bank button in Shop Manager under the Shop advisor section. This will link directly to verifying your bank account.
If the Verify bank button on the popup is not active, wait until you receive the small deposit in your bank account and then try to verify your bank account on Etsy.
If you don’t verify your bank account within 90 days of updating your bank details, your shop will be suspended.
For sellers in Australia
Sellers in Australia must have a residential address on file with their Australian bank. This address must be used for Etsy Payments. Currently Etsy is unable to accept a PO box as a residential address.
You can update your address in Shop Manager.
Turn on two-factor authentication
As a security measure, Etsy requires you to set up two-factor authentication. When you sign in from an unrecognized browser or device, we’ll send you a verification code to enter before accessing your account. You can receive this verification code through:
- An authenticator app on your Android or iOS device (Recommended)
- An SMS
- A phone call
Learn more about two-factor authentication.
Set up your storefront
Once you’ve signed up to sell on Etsy, there are a few steps you need to take to complete your shop setup and prepare to start selling items. Like any online business, you should think through key factors in your selling workflow. Consider things like production time, policies, and your plan for shipping.
Shop aesthetic
Learn more about customizing the look of your shop.
Shop background
- About section: Upload videos or photos and share the story behind your products, how your business came to be, and what your vision is for your brand. Learn how to craft a great About section.
- Shop members: Introduce any other members of your team or people you collaborate with.
Shop information
- Shop policies: Outline all your policies for shipping, returns, exchanges, payments, custom items, or any other guidelines that are important for shoppers to know before they make a purchase.
- Shipping profiles: Decide how much you want to charge for shipping, if you’ll offer free shipping, and set up shipping profiles that help shoppers know what they’ll pay for shipping.
📦 For US sellers, as you finish your shop setup, consider purchasing USPS Shipping Labels on Etsy. You can save up to 30% than the USPS retail rates you would pay at the post office or elsewhere online. Read more about purchasing USPS Shipping Labels on Etsy.
Add more listings to your shop
Once you’ve completed all your shop sections, you are ready to start adding products to your Etsy shop. When you add a product to your Etsy shop, Etsy calls this a listing. Learn how to list an item.
Marketing, branding, and promotion
A marketing strategy is key to the success of your Etsy shop. Marketing will help new customers find your products, lets you keep existing customers up to date with the latest with your shop, and can lead to an overall rise in sales.
Start selling
On Etsy, they take pride in their sellers offering buyers a great experience. Read tips for offering great customer service. If you provide consistent, excellent customer service, you may become a Star Seller.
Tips for managing your shop
Grow your business on Etsy
To take your shop to the next level, review the Etsy essential guides to get started with:
We have plenty of resources to help you learn more about selling on Etsy. Check out the Seller Handbook for in-depth guides on everything you need to run a successful business on Etsy. Listen to the Etsy Success podcast, and watch Etsy videos.
You can also connect with the Etsy community of talented and knowledgeable sellers in the Etsy Community.
Want to know more about running a successful Etsy shop? Enroll in an Etsy U class to learn from experienced sellers.
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