Shopping is now a major aspect of everyone's life. People do shop every time, but will depend on who and at what time they shop. Some people shop for Kitchen food stuffs to cook, or clothes when they see one that's nice or need one; they could pay for furnitures when the previous one is broken or when moving into a new home, or even motor or car parts when in need.
This has brought diversity in the shopping world this day. And since the previous pandemic disaster back in 2019, the shopping platform have taken a major step forward by attacking the online domain.
And right now, almost all(if not all) shopping platforms have an online page where you can order online and purchase from their online webpage.
However, even while shopping, some conveniences could come up that could make you to take a break and think about shopping on that platform again. As for today, we will be emphasising on Etsy.
Etsy, being a very much visited online platform for shoppers, has gained popularity over the years. But while shopping on Etsy, have you noticed some faults?
Well, as for me, during my time shopping and selling at Etsy, these are some things that I've noticed, that have made me to stop selling my goods on Etsy. Checkout some of the reasons below.
Why Did I Stop Selling On Etsy: And Why You Should Re-think
Understanding Etsy Selling
Etsy has long been a popular platform for creative entrepreneurs and small businesses to sell their handmade, vintage, or craft-related products directly to consumers.
Selling on Etsy requires a mix of creativity, business savvy, and customer engagement. Selling on Etsy too can be a rewarding venture, especially for those who create handmade items, vintage goods, or craft supplies. These steps below will help you understand the process:
1. Setting Up Your Shop
- Create an Etsy Account: Sign up for a seller account.
- Choose a Shop Name: Select a unique name that reflects your brand.
- Complete Your Profile: Fill in your bio, policies, and shop details.
2. Listing Products
- Photos: Use high-quality images that showcase your product from multiple angles.
- Descriptions: Write clear, engaging descriptions that include dimensions, materials, and usage.
- Pricing: Research similar products to price competitively while covering costs and making a profit.
- Tags and Categories: Use relevant keywords to help customers find your items.
3. Marketing Your Shop
- Social Media: Promote your products on platforms like Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook.
- Etsy Ads: Consider using Etsy’s advertising tools to increase visibility.
- SEO: Optimize your listings for search engines by using relevant keywords in titles, descriptions, and tags.
4. Managing Orders and Shipping
- Order Fulfillment: Quickly process orders and communicate with customers.
- Shipping Options: Offer various shipping methods and consider providing free shipping if feasible.
- Packaging: Invest in good-quality packaging to enhance the customer experience.
5. Customer Service
- Respond Promptly: Address customer inquiries and issues quickly.
- Reviews: Encourage satisfied customers to leave positive reviews, and address any negative feedback constructively.
6. Analyzing Performance
- Etsy Stats: Use Etsy's built-in analytics to monitor traffic, sales, and conversion rates.
- Adjust Strategies: Based on your analysis, refine your marketing and product offerings.
7. Legal and Financial Considerations
- Taxes: Understand your tax obligations and keep accurate financial records.
- Policies: Clearly outline your return, refund, and privacy policies in your shop.
However, even with all of these amazing stuffs, some sellers still stand with the decision to step away from Etsy. And this can be a difficult but necessary decision to take.
Some Reasons Why I Stopped Selling On Etsy
Here are seven common reasons why I or someone might stop selling on Etsy
1. High Fees
Over the years, Etsy has steadily increased its various fees, including listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees. And right now, they don't seem to have stopped since they are still charging additional fees for many other things.
High fees will always send people away from a certian platform. And increasing the fees is not a good idea since it might even send more people away.
For some sellers even, these rising costs can erode their profit margins, making it difficult to maintain a sustainable business on the platform
2. Increased Competition
The platform's popularity means more sellers, making it harder to stand out and attract buyers. The Etsy marketplace has become increasingly crowded, with numerous sellers offering similar products.
This intense competition can make it challenging for individual sellers to stand out and attract a consistent customer base, leading them to seek alternative sales channels.
Even business managers will always say that we should start our business where there is little competition so that you can grow your audience and place your trust in them easily. And if this audience trusts someone else already?
This might cause you to reduce prizes to satisfy them, and this will play on your earnings. And with the high fees, this might not be a good option to check out.
3. Time Commitment
It is quite true that everything needs or requires time to build and become something big. And running a shop requires significant time for product creation, marketing, and customer service, which can become overwhelming.
Etsy is just that too, and it is very much time consuming to grow your page and reach will take much of your time to sacrifice. Now the question is; 'Are you ready to invest this much time?'
4. Changing Market Trends
As trends and consumer preferences shift, some sellers may find that their Etsy products are no longer in high demand. This can prompt them to pivot their business and explore new product offerings or sales channels.
Well, let's think of it, if you are the one in these shoes, what will you do? Will you advance and take that big risk for nothing?
5. Lack of Control
Etsy maintains strict policies and guidelines that sellers must adhere to, which can limit their ability to customize their shop, pricing, and overall branding.
Some sellers may feel that they have insufficient control over their business on the Etsy platform. And because of that, they quit and check out on some other platform.
6. Inadequate Sales and Logistic Issues
Some sellers may not achieve the sales volume they expected, leading to frustration and eventual closure of their shop.
Also, issues with inventory management, shipping, and fulfillment can deter sellers, especially if they struggle with these aspects.
7. Burnout
The pressure to constantly create new products and maintain shop activity can lead to burnout, prompting sellers to take a break or quit entirely.
At times you get discouraged, especially if you put in much efforts and nothing shows up back. This will drive you towards the door and to check for less stressing platforms
Recognizing these challenges can help potential sellers prepare better and make informed decisions about their Etsy venture.
Alternatives to Etsy
There are a few options available to sellers who have made the decision to give up selling on Etsy. These available options are:
1. Creating a Personal E-Commerce Website: Having a specialized online store can allow sellers greater control over their reputation, terms of sale, and interactions with clients.
Though it could take a lot of time to build a reputable webpage, but it is worth it since it is under your name and you run it for yourself
2. Selling on Other Marketplaces: Online stores like;
- Amazon
- eBay
- or specialized marketplaces,
for crafts may present fresh chances for vendors to connect with a diverse clientele. And their higher audience is also a boost for many sellers online.
3. Selling Straight to Customers: Vendors may consider selling their goods directly to customers via social media platforms (like Pinterest, Facebook, Youtube, TikTok, and many others), regional craft fairs, or by forming a wholesale partnership with physical retailers around them.
4. Growing into Wholesale or Business-to-Business (B2B) Sales: Since B2B sales can offer a more steady and predictable revenue stream than direct-to-consumer sales, some sellers may decide to concentrate on these prospects instead of direct-to-consumer sales.
They go through the affiliate route so that they can easily reach a big stage. And once they have grown an audience from the B2B sales, they then continue with their own products and sell them to their audience.
The Pros and Cons Of Selling On Etsy
Here are the pros and cons of selling on Etsy to help you evaluate whether it's the right platform for you:
Pros
- Large Audience: Etsy has millions of active buyers, providing a ready-made market for your products.
- Niche Focus: The platform specializes in handmade, vintage, and unique items, attracting customers specifically looking for these types of goods.
- User-Friendly Interface: Setting up a shop and listing products is straightforward, even for those with limited technical skills.
- Community Support: Etsy offers resources, forums, and seller support to help you navigate challenges and connect with other sellers.
- Built-In Marketing Tools: Etsy provides advertising options and SEO support to help boost visibility and sales.
- Flexible Shop Management: You can manage your shop from anywhere and set your own hours, allowing for a flexible work-life balance.
- Creative Control: Sellers have the freedom to express their creativity and build a brand around their unique style.
Cons
- High Fees: Etsy charges listing fees, transaction fees, and payment processing fees, which can reduce overall profits.
- High Competition: The growing number of sellers can make it challenging to stand out and attract customers.
- Platform Dependence: Relying solely on Etsy for sales can be risky, as changes in policies or algorithms can impact visibility and income.
- Limited Branding: Etsy's platform can restrict how much sellers can customize their shop and branding compared to standalone websites.
- Time-Consuming: Successfully managing an Etsy shop requires time for product creation, marketing, and customer service.
- Market Saturation: Some product categories may be oversaturated, making it difficult for new sellers to gain traction.
- Shipping Challenges: Managing shipping logistics can be complex and may lead to increased costs and customer dissatisfaction if not handled properly.
Final Thoughts
Well, the only thing I can tell you now is that risks are taken in life and consequences are faced. If you started Selling on Etsy and are regretting your decision, then you can decide to take the bold step and brwse other options.
But you should know that changing of atmosphere at times is not easy since it could bother you or might force you to adapt to another platform and it's not easy.
But by carefully evaluating their options and exploring alternative sales channels, these sellers can find new ways to connect with their target audience and grow their businesses in a manner that aligns with their goals and priorities.