One thing that is very exciting for Etsy sellers is being featured by Etsy- either on their Instagram, in an Etsy Finds email, or on a browse landing page. It’s basically a high five from Etsy, and can lead to a huge surge of traffic and sales. But how do these items or shops get featured?
1. Nice photos, duh. Having clear and attractive product photos benefits shops in multiple ways and is in fact essential, but you already know that. You might realize there is a lot more to it than that but did you know that everything you need in order to give your listings the best possible shot at being picked up for a feature is easily available? Let me explain…
2. Speak their language. Etsy features things based on themes or motifs most of the time. Think: mod, geometric, animal inspired… but they use their own specific language. They don’t just call it a “mixing bowl”, nope, it’s a “gift for foodies”. That’s the language Etsy uses, so you should use it too. Consider browsing through the Etsy Finds emails, the browse pages on Etsy and even Etsy’s Pinterest boards to see what sort of language they use to categorize and feature items. How can those phrases translate to your shop?
3. Ship internationally. Etsy features items on a global stage. Etsy wants everyone who sees an item to be able to buy it. Offering international shipping will drastically broaden your market and make your shop more likely to be featured.
4. Personalize and customize. Have you noticed that Etsy promotes and fosters an environment of custom, personalized and otherwise one of a kind items – specifically items that would be excellent gifts. Etsy loves to encourage buyers to find that special gift for their loved one from within the Etsy network, and many times that includes a personalized touch. This can be anything from a monogram to customer choice of colors or fonts. If there is a product in your shop that you can offer customization or personalization on, by all means, consider doing it! Etsy promotes these items like none other!
To Review:
1. nice photos, duh.
2. speak their language
3. ship internationally
4. personalize + customize
While we can never know for sure what the merchandising team at Etsy is planning or thinking, we can use clues and hints they provide us and work it to our advantage as sellers. These four tips will for sure get you moving in the right direction. Even if you never end up featured by Etsy, these tips will generate more traffic to your shop simply because of how Etsy works and connects like items.
PS, right now is a great time to start keeping these things in mind as we approach the holiday season!