It’s easier than ever before to make money online. The internet has enthusiastic people sharing their side hustle with full-blown business stories. And while watching others enjoy the freedom, financial benefits, and accomplishments of starting a business online can make it hard to know where to start. With so many ways to build an online business, how do you know which one is right for you?
Etsy stores are among the most popular and profitable online businesses. And in our opinion, they’re the most fun and creative! Owning an Etsy store and using print-on-demand services means you can unleash your creativity, sell your products, and never worry about inventory! Instead, you can design, create, and market from the comfort of your home, in your free time, and without the traditional hard work of running a product-based business. Curious about how this is possible? This blog post shares how you can create your online dream business using print-on-demand and simple Etsy strategies.
What is Etsy?
Etsy is an online eCommerce company. On the Etsy platform, you’ll find global sellers selling various products. Unlike other marketplaces, Etsy focuses on selling bespoke, customizable items. Their focus on unique items means many Etsy users buy products as meaningful gifts for loved ones. Etsy’s most popular items are jewelry, home decor, clothing, craft supplies, and artwork. However, you’ll also find other practical items available for purchase.
Etsy sellers have the most success selling products with custom designs that are visually pleasing. But as an Etsy seller and business owner, it’s up to you to decide what you want to sell. For example, suppose you are a newbie, and you are exploring the opportunities on how to sell on Etsy for beginners. In that case, you should definitely, be familiar with all the important details before registering.
Selling on Etsy means you can design, market, and sell your product range to customers all around the globe. And doing it via the Etsy website means it’s easy to post listings, gain traffic, manage orders, and build your business.
If Etsy already sounds like a simple way to start and scale your business, wait until you hear about the wonders of print-on-demand!
What is print on demand?
Print-on-demand (POD) allows you to customize white-label products and sell them per order. Signing up for a print-on-demand company has several benefits, including.
- No inventory. You don’t have to keep stock in a warehouse or your home.
- You only pay when someone purchases. So you don’t have to invest money to make a return on print-on-demand.
- All your products are unique to you. You design every item you sell, meaning your store reflects your brand vision.
- You don’t have to worry about shipping. Your print-on-demand company will create your products using your designs and ship them directly to the buyer!
Who can run an online business?
If you have an internet connection and an idea, you can run an online business! Everyone and anyone can sign up for a print-on-demand service and create an Etsy store. Selling online via Etsy is relatively simple, but it requires hard work. We’re sharing five things you need to know, so you can streamline your business efforts and guarantee success.
5 Simple Steps For Starting An Online Business On Etsy
Look at businesses you admire
Starting a business can be daunting. Knowing where to start and where you want to go isn’t easy. We recommend turning to established companies you admire. What are the businesses that inspired you to start yours? Do you love their social media marketing? Are you obsessed with their products? What is it about these businesses you admire? Use this information as inspiration for your business plan and identity.
Never copy a brand, especially one more developed than yours, but use their achievements to fuel your drive and passion.
Starting a business or side hustle is something to be proud of! You’re putting yourself out there, starting your journey to financial freedom, and serving others. What’s not incredible about starting a business? And the beauty of an Etsy business is it’s a well-known global platform. After telling your friends and family about your new business venture, they can hop online, browse your products, and support your shop.
Being proud to showcase your business will put you in the right mindset for scaling it.
Don’t put too much pressure on yourself.
When we dream of starting an online business, we often envisage orders, glowing reviews, and constant repeat buyers. And while all these wonderful things will come eventually, developing takes time, dedication, and patience. Your first product doesn’t sell doesn’t mean your second and third ones won’t either. So don’t expect instant success. If you sell hundreds of units of your first product, that’s amazing! But be aware this isn’t the norm.
Reading inspiring stories from previous Etsy success stories can be immensely valuable. These sellers prove to be patient and consistent leads to success. And many of these Etsy entrepreneurs share their tactics and strategies too.
One of the biggest benefits of running a store on Etsy using print-on-demand is that your inventory, traffic, shipping, and customer transactions are simplified. In addition, having fewer elements of your business to manage means you can focus on growing faster, creating more products, and making more money.
Familiarize yourself with Etsy SEO.
Understanding Etsy SEO will help your products rank higher in Etsy’s listings and appear more often in Google searches. SEO stands for search engine optimization. It’s a strategy that allows you to optimize your products according to user searches. Although it might sound daunting, Etsy SEO is relatively simple.
Reading a blog post or watching a YouTube video once a week and implementing their techniques will help you develop your SEO and gain a foundational understanding at a pace that suits you.
Be consistent
Consistency is key to developing a successful online business. Posting product listings, marketing your business, and your Etsy SEO strategy requires you to keep showing up.
Find a pace you’re comfortable with and maintain this. For example, it’s better to post one listing a week than five one week and nothing for two months.
Focus on what’s manageable for you rather than what everyone else is doing. The beauty of having your own business is you call the shots. You get to decide which methods and strategies align with your lifestyle.
Conclusion
Etsy and print-on-demand business models are the easiest ways to start a creative business and make money from home. Whether starting a side hustle or wanting to scale and grow a full-time business, Etsy and print-on-demand are profitable yet straightforward ways to do both. Using the five tips in this blog post, you can alleviate the pressure and enjoy building an Etsy business that reflects you, your creative vision, and your goals for the future.
