• Tutorials
  • Ikea Hacks
  • Free Printables
  • Holiday
  • Handmade Gifts
  • Etsy Business

EverythingEtsy.com

Etsy Blog | Selling on Etsy | Etsy Banners | Giveaways & Creative Stuff

You are here: Home / Running Your Etsy Business / Etsy Wants You To Succeed — Don’t Believe Otherwise!

Etsy Wants You To Succeed — Don’t Believe Otherwise!

By Tim Layton 16 Comments

winwin

“Your success is our success and growing your sales is what we are focused on. Period. Only by placing ourselves in your shoes can Etsy be successful.”

The above is the closing of a post by Etsy itself on the Etsy forums recently. Makes sense, doesn’t it?

We hear so many reports of people in various forums and blogs writing things that are contrary to common business sense. They write about Etsy hogging Google traffic for itself rather than letting it go to shops. They talk about changes in Etsy site structure causing search traffic to fall through the floor. (We’ve posted in the past: Don’t Count on Google for Etsy Sales)

When we hear those things, we have to wonder… why? What purpose could Etsy possibly have in reducing any benefit to sellers? If nobody sells on Etsy, nobody will be on Etsy. The success of sellers is inherently important to the business of Etsy. In fact, it’s pretty much the most important thing of all! Right?

There is always a natural decline right after the holidays and it applies to all consumer sales across the board. Maybe that’s what people saw.

There are other venues that want a bigger piece of the pie. Maybe they have something to gain by spreading the word that Etsy “just isn’t working for sellers”?

Maybe sellers are human beings and they tend to look outward when something is wrong in search of the source of the problem. Maybe the truth is that those who have seen significant declines aren’t running their Etsy business as a real business. Maybe they aren’t doing what they can to get traffic and sales.

Sellers who want to actually get sales can’t count on traffic from search engines or from the Etsy homepage. You may get some of both and that’s great, but the chances are not huge in your favor.

The thought is much like going over to www.blogger.com and starting a blog today, then wondering tomorrow why nobody read it and you have no comments.

Nobody knows it’s there. It’s up to you to tell them.

Related posts:

  1. Support Esty Sellers!
  2. Common Sense Service
  3. Success on Etsy {It’s a Sure Thing}
  4. More Free Banners For Your Etsy Shop!

Filed Under: Running Your Etsy Business, Tid-Bits Tagged With: etsy business

Comments

  1. Charissa @ MiMi's Babies says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:27 am

    Great points! I couldn’t agree more. We work hard an advertise and promote our shop in every venue we can find. It is not up to Etsy to drive traffic to our shop.

    Just wish that Etsy offered discount codes and a monthly package, but those are my dreams for Etsy. 🙂
    .-= Charissa @ MiMi’s Babies´s last blog ..Bubblegum Pink TODDLER Crochet Beanie with Interchangeable Hot Pink Crochet Flower Hairclip – 9 months – 8 years =-.

    Reply
  2. Catherine says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:48 am

    Agreed. In my opinion, Etsy offers an incredible service at a very fair price. We have to pull our own weight.
    .-= Catherine´s last blog ..May Already?! A review, giveaway, and more projects… =-.

    Reply
  3. Melissa says

    May 5, 2010 at 10:48 am

    Well said! Our success is dependent on ourselves. Quite frankly, that is why I started my own biz…I wanted total control. So, when things are good, I take all the credit! But when things are slow, I don’t look to blame someone else, I evaluate what I should or should not be doing. And then I try my hardest to turn things around!
    .-= Melissa´s last blog ..BEER Soap – The Brunette – Made with Guinness Beer – Handmade Cold Process Soap =-.

    Reply
  4. Stacy says

    May 5, 2010 at 11:49 am

    THANK YOU!!! I am glad to hear that I am not alone in the sales dropping. I was getting some mixed feelings in some of the forums the other day, now I am glad I am not alone in my thoughts. I love the changes that are coming to Etsy. I think the best is yet to come!!! Great post! http://slmpetersen.etsy.com
    .-= Stacy´s last blog ..PDF Links Fixed =-.

    Reply
  5. Kim says

    May 5, 2010 at 3:33 pm

    I can’t understand why anyone would think otherwise…i know they get a big chunk of my sales when i do good, they do good! it is alot of work to get your name and product out there, but i believe etsy has a great platform. I stay away from the forums as i don’t have time for kindergarten b**ch sessions, i have a business to run! :0)

    Reply
  6. Brandi says

    May 5, 2010 at 3:36 pm

    “Maybe sellers are human beings and they tend to look outward when something is wrong in search of the source of the problem. Maybe the truth is that those who have seen significant declines aren’t running their Etsy business as a real business. Maybe they aren’t doing what they can to get traffic and sales.”

    Thank you for this! I agree 110% – it’s my business, so it’s my responsibility to keep up with it. Whenever sales slow, I start brainstorming what *I* can do better, and I blame no one but myself.
    .-= Brandi´s last blog ..Tip Share :: How to Add Text to a Photo =-.

    Reply
  7. Cori Berg says

    May 5, 2010 at 4:54 pm

    You know.. many people just like to complain… Put that energy into creating something new.. and it’ll be a new listing for your etsy shop and a better chance of selling something! Sometimes we just have to remind ourselves that the world is not against us… 🙂
    .-= Cori Berg´s last blog ..Remember =-.

    Reply
  8. shawna says

    May 5, 2010 at 5:51 pm

    I completely agree. It’s up to you the seller to get out there and sell yourself! I’m online everyday promoting in some way or another. I’ have been very successful with Etsy since December 09.
    I switched from my own website to Etsy after realizing there was just way more traffic on Etsy than to wait for someone to find me on Google.

    Reply
  9. Barbra says

    May 5, 2010 at 9:01 pm

    1,000,000 % correct. Most don’t realize how much work it is to promote and get your name out there. Rather than do that or create new product, they go on the forums to moan and groan & make all kinds of strong suggestions as to how Etsy can better serve them. If they channeled that energy otherwise, we’d all be better off. Great post!
    .-= Barbra´s last blog ..Blues and Greens Promo Matchbook Pads Free US Shipping =-.

    Reply
  10. Steph says

    May 5, 2010 at 9:44 pm

    THANKS for this post!! The negative threads on Etsy are such a downer & I was feeling alone in thinking that I was the only person who did not agree with them.
    .-= Steph´s last blog ..A Pirate’s Life pirate charm bracelet =-.

    Reply
  11. Rose Kute says

    May 6, 2010 at 7:45 am

    Very well said. I have come across sellers that all the do is whine they haven’t had sales.
    Any venue, just putting your product on the ‘shelves’ is not a guarantee they will sell.
    .-= Rose Kute´s last blog ..Handmade Crochet Reusable Cotton Pads – set of four =-.

    Reply
  12. Cheri Tracy says

    May 6, 2010 at 10:32 am

    Excellent point, Kim. It always makes me laugh when people think “If I build it, they will come”. This may have been the case in 1990, but not today. It’s a full time job to get your name / brand out there…
    .-= Cheri Tracy´s last blog ..Brimstone – Pure Organic Mineral Eye Color =-.

    Reply
  13. EcoRetroBling says

    May 6, 2010 at 12:54 pm

    Amen! I think a lot of it has to do with the site changes Etsy was rolling out at the time – it gave people a convenient target for what was happening to their views and sales. With regards to the forums it is really frustrating – there’s a huge intimidation factor that keeps those of opposing views to have their say which contributes to the illusion that (to quote a certain thread) “sellers are up in arms”. It’s like the social obligation to hate your boss: it doesn’t matter what he/she does there will be those who cannot and will not judge them based on their actions on par with every other real human being. It’s easy to point the finger at ‘the boss’, and more insidiously, it contributes to the illusion that there are simple, neat solutions to every problem. Not to mention it shows an incredible lack of maturity and is remarkably inefficient in solving problems.

    Reply
  14. Kelly Irene says

    May 6, 2010 at 8:19 pm

    Such a great post! I would also add that Etsy’s purpose is NOT to make sales for you. Etsy provides a platform from which you (the Seller) can do what you are supposed to do: run your business! It is certainly not perfect, and there are lots of great ideas out the to improve things, but the lack of improvement is not because they do not care about whether or not sellers are making money!
    .-= Kelly Irene´s last blog ..To sew or not to sew =-.

    Reply
  15. Mojo Spa says

    May 11, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    I am so glad to have read this post. When I started Etsy I got very involved & did a lot of homework. I improved my pictures, renewed often, & make more items. All of these things cost more money but eventually it started to pay off & now I have loyal customers who help spread the word.

    YOU GET BACK WHAT YOU PUT IN!

    This has always been my motto with Etsy.

    Reply
  16. Marcia says

    May 14, 2010 at 3:40 pm

    I would love to be discovered
    but I don’t want to be “mothered”
    when Etsy tells me what I need to do
    I want to cry the ‘it’s all your fault’ blues

    what about my overnight success???
    what about my unrecognized genius????
    what’s all this ‘work work work’ fuss???
    Don’t you Ants know that I’m a grasshopper!?!?!

    Since I joined in January of this year I’ve spent hours and hours reading the resources, advice, suggestions, etc., etc., that Etsy admin provides for their vendors. It’s a honor to be an Etsy vendor. I am not just being obsequious (I heard someone use that word today and I had to go look it up). There’s no evidence that Etsy stands for anything other than the values they promote. Slowly but surely I’m applying what I learn, and slowly but surely I’m gaining hearts and views and traffic. I’m not going to throw up my hands because I’m not selling in the thou$$$$ands. My time will come if I am persistent.

    Don’t read that blathering cr** on the forums, it’s a negativity vortex! Stick to the positive messages, the encouragement, and the TRULY USEFUL information available. You only have so much time, so much mental energy, and so many brain cells to burn. Where are you going to spend them???
    .-= Marcia´s last blog ..Amethyst Royal Orbit Filled Gold Ring =-.

    Reply
Previous Post Button Flower Bouquet {Tutorial}
Next Post I Made It Blog Party & Paper Platypus Giveaway

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

  • Bloglovin
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Twitter

Never miss a post:

Enter your email address:

Sell doTERRAEssential Oils How to Start a Blog for Your Etsy Business

 


 

 

 


follow EverythingEtsy on Pinterest


Disclosure: Various posts and pages on this site include affiliate links. We could earn a referral fee if you make a purchase through those links. Your purchase won't cost you more because you followed our link and we only refer you to sources we can personally recommend.

RSS Now at HandmadeandCraft.com

  • 12 DIY Kitchen Ideas
  • 15 Easter Cupcake Recipes
  • Organize with a Chalkboard Wall Calendar!

RSS Now at KimberlyLayton.com

  • St. Patrick’s Day Crochet Shamrock Pattern & Video Tutorial
  • Printable Coloring Pages for St. Patrick’s Day
  • How to Get Your Business Featured on Blogs

[footer_backtotop]

Copyright © 2025 EverythingEtsy.com · All Rights Reserved · Privacy Policy ·


The term "Etsy" is a registered trademark of Etsy, Inc. - This site is not affiliated w/ Etsy, Inc.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish. Cookie settingsACCEPT
Privacy & Cookies Policy

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these cookies, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may have an effect on your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information.
Non-necessary
Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. It is mandatory to procure user consent prior to running these cookies on your website.
SAVE & ACCEPT