The Best Products to Sell on Etsy

Posted on November 23, 2022 | Updated on November 23, 2022

Small business owners always want to start off on the right foot. Being unique and finding something useful to sell can help find regular customers, grow a startup and make a steady income. Starting a company is also a fantastic way to express creativity while remaining productive. To narrow the niche, finding the best products to sell on Etsy is vital.

This platform is full of business owners looking to sell their craft and break through the competition. On such a condensed and competitive market site, it’s essential to offer what people want the most to initiate consistent sales. Here are some of the best products to sell on Etsy — in no particular order — startups should consider to find a consumer base.

1. Jewelry

Everyone needs a little something fashionable to add a flair to their clothing. Jewelry is an incredibly popular item on Etsy because people love original statement pieces. Even something as simple as a ring with a gemstone could find incredible success on the platform. Naturally, necklaces and earrings could produce just as much of a profit. Additionally, diversifying offerings helps appear to a broader audience.

While jewelry has many creative options, it could also help a business owner develop their craft. They might start making jewelry with wire, but could eventually take classes and learn to work metal into higher-quality items. Jewelry is one of the best products to sell on Etsy because it’s a popular gift option for many people.

2. Stickers

Stickers are incredibly versatile, which is why they’re a great Etsy item. People use them to decorate almost everything — laptops, water bottles, cars, classroom walls and binders. The options are endless, so people want a lot of things to choose from. Stickers can reference fandoms, have motivational quotes or be as simple as something cute or funny. Creating a diverse line of stickers can ensure anyone who comes across the store finds something to buy.

However, some might not look at these as viable business ideas because people sell them for so little. But the cost of printable vinyl is much less than the average $3 or $4 price of each sticker. Some rolls go for as little as $30 — meaning there’s a vast opportunity for profit. For a skilled graphic designer, stickers could be a lucrative way to make some money.

3. Greeting Cards

Greeting cards are multipurpose items startups can offer that could sell fast. Think about it — how many holidays do people need to get cards for? How many times do people need to buy a birthday card? They can also be sentimental or humorous, giving potential customers extensive choices to suit their needs. Greeting cards are some of the best products to sell on Etsy because there are a ton of offerings to create. There will always be events people needs cards for.

In 2020, annual sales of greeting cards averaged up to $8 billion, with 6.5 billion cards sold each year. While this means the market is a bit dense already, finding ways to stand out from the competition isn’t impossible. For instance, a business could offer cards with unique decorations or sell e-cards to appeal to sustainable buyers who want to avoid using paper. All in all, greeting cards could be excellent Etsy items.

4. Vintage Clothes

As many probably know, the interest in thrift shopping has blossomed in the last few years. However, reselling thrifted items does have a bit of a negative connotation to it. The recent high interest in thrift stores has caused stores like Goodwill and The Salvation Army to raise their prices, making their items less affordable to those who need them. Because resellers often sell what they find at a much higher price, these companies are looking to profit as well.

Small businesses looking to sell vintage clothing and other items could stand out in the market by selling their products at a lower price than others. While each product will technically make less money, the Etsy store could make more because customers are attracted to their modest listings. Vintage items don’t have to cost hundreds of dollars — after all, they didn’t sell for that much in the first place.

5. Digital Art

Basic graphic designs have a lot of opportunity to become someone’s next favorite piece in their collection. Neutral colors go well with almost any frame and decor, making them some of the best products to sell on Etsy. However, businesses don’t have to limit themselves to basic art. They could sell fun prints teachers might love to hang in their classrooms or gorgeous graphics a new apartment owner could use to bring life to their space. Almost everyone can appreciate some good art.

Such reasons are why selling digital art on Etsy could be worthwhile. Like stickers, graphic designers could flex their skills in this area to make some side money — or potentially open a store full time. But anyone can learn how to create gorgeous art with a few tutorials and the grit to practice. There are plenty of ways to create an Etsy store selling digital art.

6. Journals

Because the COVID-19 pandemic was so isolating, many used it as a time of deep introspection. Making peace with being alone was essential. That’s why so many turned to journals as a physical way of expressing the difficult emotions they were dealing with. A notebook’s cover can be as straightforward or beautiful as the designer chooses — even including inspiring quotes for those turning to the booklet as a source of comfort.

The journal market is a rather profitable one as well. In 2018, journals rose in sales by nearly 30%. Specifically, notebooks with activities and self-help offerings grew by 40%. In the first four months of 2019, guided journals sold at a rate three times more than in all of 2012. Therefore, creating beautiful notebooks could be a significant sell on Etsy. In a time when people are paying greater attention to their mental health, journals are an excellent product option.

7. Printables

One thing people are sure to love is not having to wait for their item to ship. Printables allow customers to use their new purchase right after buying it. All they have to do is print out the product and they’re ready to go. This is precisely why printables have been so popular on Etsy in the last few years. There are also plenty of options when making these items. Shops can sell coloring books, templates, planners and fitness trackers.

Printables are also a fantastic money-making idea for people who are too busy to make items for every purchase. All the business needs to do is create the product and upload it to their store for however much they want to sell it for. Then, the printable generates passive income every time someone buys it. Like any store, diversifying and coming up with new offerings is crucial, but the creator won’t have to make something new every time they get an order.

Craft the Best Products to Sell on Etsy

Creating a startup on Etsy is a great way to make money, but selling what people want to buy is important. These are some of the best products to sell on Etsy because there are large and consistent markets for each. While finding a consumer base may take some work, offering unique items will help a store stand out from the competition.

About The Author

Eleanor Hecks is the Editor-in-Chief of Designerly Magazine, an online publication dedicated to providing in-depth content from the design and marketing industries. When she's not designing or writing code, you can find her re-reading the Harry Potter series, burning calories at a local Zumba class, or hanging out with her dogs, Bear and Lucy.

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