What to Sell on Etsy: 100 Top Selling Things that Make Money
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โFind a job you love, and you will never have to work a day in your life.โ Mark Twain knew what he was talking about when he penned those famous lines. One of the best ways to earn a living is by finding a hobby you love and turning it into a profitable career. Many Etsy sellers โ myself included โ have done just that, and have gone on to find great success through this app.
Etsy is an online marketplace focused on handmade and vintage goods. Although almost anything can be found for sale on this platform, when I decided to start selling on Etsy, I had to figure out what I could feature in my own personal shop.
My final choice had to make sense for me, and I knew that making something by hand or working with vintage goods just wouldn’t work.
Since then, Iโve joined Etsy, set up my store, and slowly added listings in my spare time. Iโve already made nearly 500 sales, because I was able to nail down exactly what I wanted to sell.
Etsy shoppers can peruse a large variety of items for any occasion, from jewelry and home decor, to toys and art. It will take some work to understand which items are most popular on the platform, but knowing what potential customers want to buy will help you make the most money in the long run.
Start your own shop and join the nearly 6 million sellers on Etsy. Check out the following tips to consider when deciding what to sell on this platform.
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Is It Profitable to Sell on Etsy?
Itโs important to know what to sell on Etsy in order to turn a profit. Donโt waste your time offering products that no one is interested in purchasing.
You will need to come up with a profit and loss statement to ensure you are pricing your items correctly. Keep track of how long it takes to make those products; after all, time is money!
Related: ThriveCart Review
Pros and Cons of Selling on Etsy
Running an Etsy store can be a great way to make money instantly online. There are some additional points youโll need to consider before opening up shop.
Pros:
- Etsy gives new sellers 40 FREE listings
- The platform is widely used, so you will have a higher chance of selling items here versus listing them on your own website
- It is easy to set up a shop profile
- A business license is not required of those selling on the marketplace
- The siteโs ranking tools will help you learn how to get seen by customers
Cons:
- Etsy levers a listing fee of 20 cents per item for four months, or until the item sells
- Sellers are charged a 5 percent transaction fee (including shipping)
- Competition is high on Etsy, making it difficult to gain organic sales without marketing your products outside of the marketplace.
- There are a lot of rules and regulations to abide by when selling on Etsy, such as keeping accurate records and only selling items that fall within their policies.
Related: How to Flip Furniture: Your Furniture-Flipping Business Guide
How to Get Your Products Seen on Etsy
Do some competitor research prior to opening up your own Etsy store. By taking the time to peruse other shops that sell products similar to yours, you can ensure you are making a profitable choice right from the start.
I’ve recently tested Sale Samurai, an Etsy SEO tool that helps sellers choose keywords for their product listings. This is an important step, since keywords will allow Etsy to put your products in front of potential customers.
Doing keyword research on Etsy will also help you determine if site users are actually searching for your types of products. Sale Samurai will save you time and effort by showing you which items are the most popular.
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100 Things to Sell on Etsy
Here are the best items to sell on Etsy to make money this year.
Printables
Printables are some of the easiest and most profitable types of Etsy listings. Create them in a short amount of time and then sell them passively. You can even use commercial use templates to get a head start. These templates come with a commercial license that will allow you to rebrand and edit the printables, and then list them on Etsy to sell as your own.
Consider creating some of the following printable offerings:
- Checklists
- Coloring pages
- Chore charts
- Expense sheets
- Themed bingo games
It didnโt take me long to decide to sell printables on Etsy. I have to design each one only once, and now I can make money passively!
Using this bingo board generator tool, you can quickly have a storefront of 10+ printable bingo games. It’s a fun game that parents search for in various themes directly on Etsy.
Selling printables on Etsy is a smart way to avoid paying for materials and shipping costs. When you sell digital items, Etsy will send the final product to your customers after they complete their purchases.
If you are intrigued by the thought of selling printables on Etsy, check out this free guide to learn more details about starting this type of side hustle, while also capitalizing on seasonal trends.
eBooks
Selling an eBook on Etsy is another great way to make money with a digital offering. Customers can download eBooks directly onto their devices rather than waiting for a physical book to arrive in the mail, making eBook sales quick and seamless. It can be time-consuming to write an eBook, but once itโs finished, you can sell copies indefinitely and bring in a passive income.
Make money selling eBooks focusing on:
- How-to guides
- Recipes
- Inspirational quotes
- Short stories
- Poetry
Jewelry
Whether itโs for a gift or to commemorate a special occasion, handmade jewelry is a uniquely special purchase. Many Etsy shoppers visit the site specifically for the jewelry options sold by a variety of sellers. Popular items include:
- Bracelets
- Necklaces
- Earrings
- Rings
- Anklets
Related: How to Start a Permanent Jewelry Business
Crafts
Crafting stimulates our overactive brains and gives our hands something to do while we take a break from the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. Etsy customers flock to the platform in search of ways to relax through crafting. Take advantage of this trend and sell materials or crafting kits for others to enjoy. This includes:
- Crochet kits
- String art kits
- DIY felt kits
- Candle-making kits
- Sequin pixel art craft kits
Related: More Things to Sell to Make Money
Personalized Gifts
It can be very difficult to find a present for the person who has everything. Hereโs where personalized gifts come in. Get creative and start selling customizable gifts in your Etsy shop. Personalized items that tend to be a hit include:
- Coffee cups
- Tumblers
- Picture frames
- Christmas ornaments
- Guitar picks
Related: Legitimate Car Wrap Advertising Jobs
Custom T-shirts
Consumers wear custom T-shirts to express themselves with quirky, fun sayings or inspirational quotes, and families often purchase wearable representations of their annual vacations. Adding custom T-shirt designs to your Etsy shop is a simple way to get paid to write slogans in your spare time. Your designs can include:
- Matching shirts for family reunions, vacations and holidays
- Quirky sayings about motherhood
- Dad shirts
- Cute baby patterns
- Fashionable, artistic designs
Woodwork
Thanks to the many consumers who enjoy the uniqueness behind handcrafted wooden objects, woodworking has become a fairly profitable skill. Learn how to become a woodworker and add products with your unique flair to the list of items to sell on Etsy. These can include:
- Furniture
- Coasters
- Signage
- Decor
- Toys
Used Clothing
If your wardrobe needs a refresh and includes clothes you havenโt worn in months โ or even years โ sell your used clothing in your Etsy shop. Make extra cash and clean out the clutter. You could even peruse your local thrift and consignment shops for gently loved pieces that will sell well, including:
- Jackets
- Sweaters
- Baby clothes
- Dresses
- Shoes
Photography
New and aspiring photographers can get paid to take pictures by selling them on Etsy for a profit. Snap beautiful photos of things you see every day, and sell those images as art pieces. Make money off of photography focused on:
- Landscapes
- City skylines
- Aerial views
- Nature
- Food and drink
Services
Many Etsy sellers actually sell their services on this giant marketplace. Join the club by taking advantage of the many profitable service ideas you can offer, including:
- Embroidery
- Quilting
- Printing
- Photoshop editing
- SEO listing help
Seeds & Plants
The green thumb club grew exponentially in 2020, and hasnโt slowed down. People interested in gardening have turned to Etsy to purchase seeds, young plants, and other floriculture-themed items. Use your cultivation skills to sell items like:
- Garden starter kits
- Educational outdoor activities for children
- Replenishments for new crops
- Different types of succulents
- Tree seedlings
Crocheted Items
Crocheting isnโt just for grandma anymore. Depending on how much time you have, you could easily create and sell dozens of crocheted items like:
- Scarves
- Handbags
- Beanies
- Blankets
- Shawls
Party Decor
People hoping to throw the bash of the century often head to Etsy for creative party decor to feature at events like birthdays, weddings, and baby showers. Sell beautiful items that will elevate your customersโ events, including:
- Banners
- Favors
- Table and chair covers
- Invitations and thank-you cards
- Party games
Planners and Journals
From daily planners to bullet journals, stationery products have come back into style and are heavily featured on Etsy. Offer these items with fun, inspirational designs to both kids and adults as a way of helping them keep track of their daily activities. Stationery products can be geared toward:
- Diary entries
- Grocery lists
- Extracurricular activities
- Notebooks
- Daily tasks recorders
Related: Fun Jobs that Pay Well Without a Degree
Pet Supplies
Pet owners searching for one-of-a-kind, personalized gifts for their pup or kitten often peruse Etsy for the next best thing. Selling pet supplies can be a profitable side gig, so consider featuring animal-themed items including:
- Pet ID tags
- Personalized collars
- Treats
- Dog toys
- Leashes
Self-Care Items
Sell self-care items on Etsy to help your customers relax and refresh. Your buyers can indulge in some โmeโ time by using the offerings in your shop, like:
- Bath bombs
- Sugar scrubs
- Body soap
- Skincare face masks
- Body lotions
Baby Products
Babies are always being born, and there will always be a market for Etsy items geared toward infants and young children. From baby announcements to unique baby shower gift items, Etsy customers are constantly on the lookout for specialty baby products such as:
- Onesies
- Tutus
- First socks/booties
- Floral headbands
- Personalized picture frames
Collectibles
Etsy is best known as a goldmine of vintage finds. Sell specialty collectible items in your shop to attract one of the siteโs most prolific types of customer. Product you could feature include:
- Coins
- Figurines
- Memorabilia
- Postcards
- Comic books
Related: Where to Sell Baseball Cards
Home Decor
Many Etsy sellers feature home decor to attract the plethora of home owners who use the summer months to complete DIY projects on their properties and living areas. Sell home decor options like:
- Doormats
- Kitchen signs
- Laundry room organization
- Monogrammed signs
- Family inspirational quote pictures
Gift Boxes
Regardless of the time of year, gift boxes are great purchases to use to house presents for friends and family members. Create unique gift boxes and make them available in your shop. Boxes can be specific to:
- Baby showers
- Christmas
- Fatherโs Day
- Motherโs Day
- Get well soon
Related: How to Make Money Flea Market Flipping
It Doesnโt Have to Be Trending on Etsy in Order to Sell
Although itโs important to sell things that are relevant and trending on Etsy, keep in mind that trends fade. Always keep an eye on products that already sell well on the site, and build out your shop with searched-for items โ but donโt discount the unique creations youโve designed that donโt appear anywhere else.
In addition, take advantage of the market for seasonal products. Many people think ahead when making their purchases, and you might be surprised at how well this type of item sells year-round.
Take the plunge on Etsy after perusing this list, to figure out what you can offer to potential customers. Everyone has a unique talent or skill, so all you need to do is decide what you want to create and start bringing in the money on Etsy!