Need a level-up for your Etsy product listings? Check out these Etsy listing tips.
Feeling stuck on how to list your products on Etsy? You are not alone. Many new Etsy sellers get overwhelmed trying to figure out the perfect listing setup—what to write in descriptions, how to size photos, and whether mockups are necessary.
After running my Etsy shop since 2023 and investing in Etsy courses, I have learned what works (and what doesn’t).
In this post, I am sharing 5 practical Etsy listing tips to help you create professional-looking listings that attract buyers—without spending a fortune on pricey courses. If you are selling digital products like me, these tips will be even more valuable!
Essential Elements of an Etsy Product Listing
Before we dive into the nitty-gritty, let’s explore the 9 crucial components that shape an effective Etsy listing. Understanding the essential elements of an Etsy product listing lays the groundwork for a successful strategy
- Photos and Video – You have the flexibility to showcase up to 10 photos and 1 video. Keep in mind that videos must be between 5 to 15 seconds, allowing you to experiment with different durations.
- Title – With a character limit of 140, every space counts as a character. Craft a title that captures attention and includes relevant keywords.
- Description – This section provides an opportunity to elaborate on your product.
- Digital Files – For digital products, you can attach up to 5 files with a maximum upload limit of 20MB. If your product exceeds this limit, consider providing a PDF with a link to Google Drive for convenient customer downloads.
- Core Details – For digital products, specify ‘digital files’ as the core detail. Under ‘who made it,’ indicate ‘I did,’ and under ‘what is it,’ mention ‘A finished product.’ Depending on whether your product is customizable, indicate ‘Made to Order’ for custom products and the latest year for non-custom items.
- Price – Conduct thorough competitor research to determine a competitive price for the product you are listing.
- Quantity – You can specify a quantity up to 999. For new products, indicating 999 is common practice.
- Category – Choose the Etsy category that best fits your product. Proper categorization enhances visibility and positions your item appropriately.
- Tags – Maximise discoverability by adding up to 13 tags, each with a character limit of 20. Select tags that align with potential search terms and describe your product effectively.
Etsy Product Photo Tips
Next, let’s explore 9 types of listing photos that can make the most of the 10 slots available on Etsy. Perfecting your Etsy product photos is crucial for presenting your digital products in the best light possible.
- Thumbnail Photo – For a rule of thumb, I usually go for a 1:1 or an 1140 x 912 px for the thumbnail photos. Previously, I purchased a safe zone guide, a tool that ensures all essential information remains visible. This guide is handy given Etsy’s experimentation with different thumbnail shapes, including squares and rectangles, along with overlays like buttons and icons.
- Mockup Photos – Showcase your products from various angles—close-ups, flat lays, lifestyle shots, angled views, and scale images. Consider using mockups generated from platforms like Midjourney for posters or creating enlarged photos to showcase the details.
- Variations (if have) – Display all available variations, such as colors or different designs, to provide customers with a comprehensive understanding of the options available.
- Sizes Available (if have) – Specify sizes offered for the same product, catering to different regions or customer preferences. Common size options include US Letter Size, A3, A4, A5, and A6.
- How to Download – Guide customers on where to access their digital files post-purchase. This step ensures a seamless experience and contributes to positive reviews, emphasizing the importance of customer service even in a digital context.
- What’s Included – Communicate the contents of the digital product, detailing the file type, quantity, and quality (e.g., 300 DPI). This transparency helps customers know they are receiving top-notch files.
- Other Products – Leverage this space to showcase relevant products in the same or different categories. Unlike Etsy’s recommended products further down the page, this ensures potential upsells or cross-sells are visible while customers browse the current product.
- Social Media – Encourage customers to connect on social media platforms, fostering engagement and community building. This strategy not only enhances social presence but also lays the groundwork for future business endeavors.
- Pinterest optimized photo – Create a 1000px by 1500px photo for effortless pinning to Pinterest boards directly from Etsy. This optimization maximizes your product’s visibility on another platform, expanding your reach.
Crafting your Etsy Product Listing Title
Crafting an effective Etsy listing title involves the strategic use of both short-tail and long-tail keywords. To optimize your title, it is important to conduct thorough keyword research on Etsy and Pinterest platforms, along with competitor research.
When researching on Etsy, my approach includes exploring keywords through the search bar and analyzing product descriptions. Meanwhile, on Pinterest, I delve into the search bar and related searches for valuable insights. For a detailed step-by-step guide, refer to Hack 1 in this blog post. This keyword research ensures that your Etsy listing title is not only well-optimized for search but also competitive within your niche.
Writing Your Etsy Product Description
When writing your Etsy product description, follow this structured sequence to provide comprehensive and engaging information:
- Short Description – Begin with a concise yet impactful section containing your strongest keywords, mirroring those used in your title. This serves as the initial information customers see, focusing on the essentials.
- What is Provided – Offer a detailed breakdown of all the files included in the purchase. If a Google Drive link is provided, make sure to mention it here. Clarity is crucial, especially when Etsy indicates the number of digital files. Aligning this information prevents confusion and instills confidence in potential buyers.
- Other Product Links – Include links to other relevant products showcased in the thumbnail section. This step encourages customers to explore additional offerings, enhancing the likelihood of multiple purchases.
- Social Media – Provide links to your various social media platforms. Accompany this with a brief statement explaining the value of following you on these platforms, fostering a connection beyond the Etsy platform.
- Shop URL – Provide a direct link to your shop, allowing customers to explore your full range of product offerings effortlessly. This inclusion serves as an invitation for further exploration.
- Copyright Statement – End your product description with a copyright statement. Given the nature of digital products, it’s essential to communicate that all items are for personal use only, and distribution is not allowed. This statement reinforces the terms of use, ensuring a clear understanding for the buyer.
Understanding Etsy SEO
Understanding Etsy SEO is paramount for digital products, offering key opportunities to expand your product’s reach across a broader audience. Here’s a breakdown of Etsy SEO elements:
- Photos Alt Text – Enhance your SEO by adding alt text to each photo in your Etsy listing. This serves as a booster for external search engines like Google and Bing, contributing to better visibility.
- Title – Utilise a combination of long-tail and short-tail keywords in your title to optimize SEO. An effective strategy is to clearly state the item in the first four words, ensuring it closely matches what potential customers are likely to search for. Experiment with different variations by duplicating listings to identify top-performing options.
- Description – Align your description with the keywords used in the title. Focus on the most important information your customers need to know. Keep it concise with 2 to 3 sentences for optimal impact. This practice aids in ranking within Etsy search and external search engines.
- Tags – Elevate your SEO game by transforming long-tail keywords from the title into short-tail versions to fit the character limit. Utilize any extra space for additional keywords discovered during your research. Aim to fill all 13 available slots, maximizing your product’s discoverability.
For detailed step-by-step guidance on SEO keyword research and crafting the first paragraph for your product description, refer to Hack 1 and 2 in this blog post.
SKIP THE 4-FIGURE ETSY COURSE
The Etsy Setup Toolbox is your shortcut to a fully set-up and thriving Etsy shop. Get easy-to-follow steps, SEO tips, copy-paste scripts, and Canva templates designed to help you launch and grow fast.
Set up your Etsy shop the smart way and drive traffic to your shop today!
Remember, SEO is dynamic, and continuous monitoring is essential. Regularly analyze stats to identify effective keywords and adjust your strategy accordingly. Experiment, test, and tailor your approach to find the unique SEO strategy that works best for your shop. Happy listing!
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