Small businesses often find it hard to get to their key markets. Etsy has an unique model which might be the saviour of some very small businesses
Please tell me about your business.
Founded in 2005, Etsy is an online marketplace for buying and selling handmade items, vintage wares and supplies. Our mission is to empower people to change the way the global economy works.
We see a world in which very-very small businesses have much-much more sway in shaping the economy, local living economies are thriving everywhere, and people value authorship and provenance as much as price and convenience.
We are bringing heart to commerce and making the world more fair, more sustainable, and more fun.
Who is the product aimed at?
The product is aimed at designer/makers and independent businesses that are looking for a venue to sell their products without having to spend money building their own ecommerce website. It appeals to buyers looking for one-of-a-kind products – whether they are vintage or handmade.
What are the benefits of using it to an eCommerce business?
With 17 million members from 150 countries, Etsy enables sellers to reach an international audience. However, Etsy is more than a marketplace, it’s a great community where sellers can connect directly with not only their buyers but with each other.
Etsy’s online community and resources such as The Seller Handbook means that new sellers don’t have to start from scratch. There is a huge amount of shared information found in our team forums and on our blog that will help sellers get started and grow their business.
How much does it cost?
It is free to set up an Etsy account and to open a shop, then just $0.20 cents to list an item which last for four months or until the item is sold. Once this sells the seller will only pay a 3.5% fee, so the majority of the money is going back to the seller.
Take me step-by-step through how I buy and install it
It’s free to join. Once you’re a member you just click the ‘Your Shop’ tab on the homepage and you will be taken through a very straightforward (and short!) process to establish your shop and set up your payment details. Then you simply upload photographs and a description of your product and you’re ready to sell.
How does it work? / What do I need to do once it is set up?
Etsy provides the platform for sellers to set up their eShop. Then it is down to the seller to manage their shop. They take the photographs of their product, write the product description, design a banner for their shop and then manage the sales.
If an item sells the seller will be notified via email with the buyer’s details and then they are responsible for shipping the product. On Etsy the seller has a direct relationship with the buyer.
Is there anything else I should know?
Connect, exchange and learn from fellow members! On average, team members on Etsy are 30% more successful than non-members. Advice and support from fellow sellers is one of Etsy’s most unique and valuable resources. The following resources are a great way to connect with other members and get tips and advice.
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