How to Set Up an Etsy Shop for my Woodwork Projects

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UPDATE 21 December 2015: Made over $1000 profit in my first 2 months on Etsy – it definitely pays to spend the time to research and set up your store correctly, and not just upload some products, sit back and hope for the best!

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I have set up my online store at Etsy to sell my handmade timber and recycled pallet wood home decor and furniture.

My Etsy store name is Roar Timberworks

The Etsy Shop Set Up Learning Curve

From the short time I have been on Etsy (about 2 weeks) I have realised that there is going to be a long learning curve to get all the shop basic in place and optimised. Luckily I have some online SEO experience and a lot of it does make sense.

After 2 weeks I have made 3 sales – which I am pretty happy about.

This post is going to be short and only about a couple of things I have experienced so far, but I will keep adding new posts with updates on the new things I have tried and learned along the way.

Before you start setting up your Etsy Shop

Here are a couple of basic things you should know and have ready before you start to open your shop. There is quite a bit to add to your shop but these few will get you started and the rest you can add later.

1. Etsy Shop Name
2. Brand – You will need a Banner and Icon designed and ready to upload.

The Banner needs to be 760px x 100px. And the icon can be 500px square.

Adding your first products

The 2 most important things to keep in mind when adding products to your shop is:

1. Good quality Photography.
2. Tags

I just use my iPhone to take my product images. The trick I find is to take a lot of shots near some natural light, as the lighting changes with the sun and clouds etc. So you want to have a few to choose from to get the best image for your shop.

I have taken my best shots so far outside when it is overcast, when there is no direct sunlight. Have a look here at this Serving Tray.

Tagging Your Products

Tags are super important. Tags are what helps customers find your products when doing a search.

One important piece of advice – KEEP THEM SIMPLE AND DON’T GET CREATIVE!

If you’re selling a blue thing made of wood, your tag should be “Blue Timber Thing” and “Blue Wooden Thing”.

Sorry for the simplistic example, but it is important to explain your product the way a customer would search.

No one is going to search for “Aqua Product from Exotic Rainforest Material” .

1st Etsy Article Short & Sweet

I know this was short and didn’t go in to too much detail, but I wanted to quickly get across my first impressions and experiences.

Please, please ask me any questions in the comments below, and I will give you my honest opinion on things so far.