🎧 Listen to this blog post as a Podcast instead - Proven Etsy Listing Tips to Boost Your Sales and Get Found in Search

Struggling to get sales on Etsy? In this episode of How to Be a Handmade Boss, Steph shares 5 powerful tips to help your Etsy listings get found, get clicked, and get bought. Whether you’re brand new to selling handmade products online or you’ve been on Etsy for a while with little traction, this episode will show you exactly how to optimise your Etsy listings for more visibility, better conversion, and sustainable growth.

We’re covering:

✅ Etsy SEO tips for beginners

✅ How to write titles that actually get found

✅ What your photos really need to do

✅ How to write product descriptions that sell

✅ The truth about pricing and perceived value

✅ Why your tags matter more than you think

So if you’re ready to turn browsers into buyers and create listings that do the selling for you, grab a notebook and tune in!

✨ The Ultimate Etsy Listing Guide: 5 Steps to Get Found, Get Clicked, and Get Bought

So, you’ve made something amazing. You’re ready to list it on Etsy. You upload your photos, write a title, maybe a quick description, throw in some tags and hit publish…

…and then tumbleweed. 👀

No views. No clicks. No sales.

If this sounds familiar, don’t worry — you’re not alone. The truth is, listing a product on Etsy isn’t just about adding pretty pictures and a cute name. Your Etsy listing needs to work for you — doing the heavy lifting to get your product found in search, clicked on, and added to basket.

In this blog, I’m sharing the 5 key steps to optimise your Etsy listing so it actually converts. Whether you’re a total beginner or have a shop that’s been open for a while but isn’t gaining traction, this guide is for you.

Let’s make your Etsy shop work.

1. Write an Etsy Title That Gets You Found in Search

Your Etsy title is not the place to be fancy or cute. It’s where you need to be crystal clear and SEO-smart. That means using keywords that your actual customers are typing into the search bar.

Here’s what to do:

• Front-load your title with the most important, searchable keywords

  e.g. “Personalised teacher gift mug” instead of “The Amanda Collection”

• Use plain language your ideal buyer understands

  e.g. “Butterfly bracelet” not “One-of-a-kind artistic wristwear”

• Avoid filler words like “beautiful,” “unique,” or “lovely” unless people actually search for those terms

Keyword tip: Use the Etsy search bar to start typing your product type and see what auto-fills. Those are real, popular searches happening right now — use them!

2. Nail Your Etsy Listing Photos

Your product photos are often the only thing standing between a scroll-past and a sale. They need to be clear, bright, and tell a story.

You get 10 photo slots on Etsy — use them all. Your first image (aka thumbnail) is especially important.

A good Etsy thumbnail should:

• Be bright and uncluttered

• Show the product in context (e.g. a mug being held, jewellery being worn)

• Look scroll-stopping next to other listings in search

Use your other photos to show:

• Product details (zips, handles, buckles)

• Size and scale (held in a hand, next to a ruler)

• Packaging or gift wrap

• Variations and options

• Lifestyle images (how it fits into real life)

• One image with text or an infographic if needed

Photo tip: Use natural daylight (cloudy days are perfect), shoot against a neutral or brand-coloured background, and avoid wooden floors — they suck the light right out of your photo and look messy.

3. Write Product Descriptions That Sell (Not Just Inform)

Your Etsy description should do more than just list specs — it should make people want your product and feel excited to buy.

Here’s a simple format you can follow:

1. Hook: Grab their attention with a relatable benefit

   e.g. “This mug is made for those ‘just five more minutes’ mornings…”

2. Details: Use bullet points for size, colour, materials, options

   Also include a short paragraph for browsers who want a story

3. Usage: Show how and why they’d use it

   e.g. “Perfect for a cosy evening tea or a thoughtful end-of-term gift”

4. Reassurance: Answer FAQs upfront

   e.g. care instructions, how it’s packaged, delivery details, etc.

SEO tip: Naturally include keywords in the first few lines of your description — this helps your listing show up in Google as well as Etsy.

4. Use Etsy Tags Properly (They’re More Important Than You Think)

Tags are often overlooked — but they’re a huge part of your Etsy SEO strategy.

Here’s how to use all 13 Etsy tags effectively:

• Repeat your most important keywords from your title (yes, repeat!)

• Include synonyms and related terms 

  e.g. mug, cup, ceramic mug, hot chocolate cup

• Think seasonality and gifting 

  e.g. gift for new mum, Christmas gift, self-care package

• Mix broad and niche keywords

  e.g. “ceramic mug” + “funny mental health mug”

Tag tip: If your keyword is longer than 20 characters, break it into two logical parts. Don’t just add random single words to fill space.

5. Price Your Products with Confidence (Not Guesswork)

One of the most common questions I get is: “How much should I charge?” 

Your Etsy pricing should reflect:

• Your materials

• Your time (yes, pay yourself!)

• Packaging and shipping

• Etsy’s fees (typically 21–25%)

• Your brand positioning — are you affordable, mid-range, or premium?

Also consider perceived value: does your photography and description support the price you’re asking?

If your product looks premium but you’re pricing it like it’s from a bargain bin, there’s a disconnect. Likewise, don’t underprice a luxury product — it confuses your buyer.

Bonus tip: Etsy promotes free shipping. You can build it into your price if needed — you’re not losing money, just presenting it differently.

Recap: Your Etsy Listing Checklist 🛍️

Here’s your quickfire checklist to optimise your next listing:

✅ Front-load your title with searchable keywords

✅ Use clear, bright, lifestyle-focused photos

✅ Tell a story in your description (not just facts)

✅ Use all 13 tags with intentional, relevant keywords

✅ Price for profit and positioning

✏️ Your Homework:

Pick one listing (not a best-seller) and give it a full refresh using these steps.

Then track it for at least 4 months to see how it performs. No constant tweaking — give Etsy time to do its thing.

Love Steph & Team HB xox

👋 Welcome everyone! My name is Steph, I've been running my handmade business full time on Etsy since 2016, and I'm here to help you! 

🧡 I'll help you to start an Etsy shop, Etsy ads, show you how to sell more on Etsy, get to grips with Etsy SEO, Etsy branding, Etsy product ideas, finding your target market, identifying your niche and many many more.

🛍️ If you have an Etsy shop or your own website selling handmade products, or want to start one, this is THE channel you need to be subscribed to!

💰 I help makers start, run and scale their handmade businesses. Turning them from an expensive hobby to profitable businesses making 4 and 5 figure months on Etsy and your own website.

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✨I go live most Mondays on YouTube and in my Facebook group for mini workshops to help you make more money from your handmade business! You can see our upcoming events here

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