This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
You have taken the photos, written the title and filled in the boxes. The listing is almost ready. Before you press publish, it is worth taking five minutes to check the details that sellers most often forget.
This checklist walks through 15 things to review, from photos and titles to settings. Etsy updates its rules from time to time, so treat the numbers below as a guide and double-check them in Etsy’s own help pages.
Photos and video
1. Put your clearest photo first. The first photo is the one shoppers see in search results, so choose the image that shows the item best at a glance.
2. Use the space you are given. Etsy lets you add up to 20 photos and 2 short videos (5 to 15 seconds). Show the item from different angles, in use and at different sizes.
3. Check image size. Etsy recommends photos that are at least 2,000 pixels wide. Very large files can be slow to upload, so compress them if needed.
Title and tags
4. Write the title for a buyer, not a search engine. You have up to 140 characters, but Etsy suggests keeping titles under about 15 words. Put the most important words first and leave out price and shipping details.
5. Use all 13 tags. Etsy allows up to 13 tags per listing, and each tag can be up to 20 characters. Use phrases a buyer would actually type, not single random words.
6. Match the category and attributes. The right category decides where your item appears. Fill in the attributes too, since they help the item show up in the right places.
Description
7. Put the key details first. Only the first part of a description shows in search previews, so start with what the item is and who it is for.
8. Answer the questions buyers ask. Include size, materials, what is included and how it works. For digital items, say what file type they will get and how to download it.
Details and settings
9. Check the digital file rules. Digital listings can include up to 5 downloadable files. They also can’t use variations, so plan your listing around that.
10. Check your price. Make sure your price covers fees and your time, not just materials.
11. Review processing and shipping. For physical items, choose a realistic processing time and check your shipping profile, origin postal code and delivery estimate.
12. Choose your renewal setting. Renewal can be automatic or manual. Know which one you have picked before you publish.
Final checks
13. Check that you follow Etsy’s policies. Make sure the item, the photos and the wording follow Etsy’s seller rules, and don’t promise results you can’t guarantee.
14. Preview the listing on your phone. Many shoppers browse on their phones, so check that the first photo and the title look good on a small screen.
15. Save a draft and proofread. Read the title and description out loud, check for typos and then publish. A new listing can take up to 48 hours to appear in search results, so give it time before you change anything.
Handy supplies for photos and packing
This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.
If you sell physical items, a few simple tools can make your listings look better and your orders easier to pack.
For photos. A product photography light box gives you even light on a small table, and a phone tripod keeps your shots steady and consistent.
For packing. Bubble mailers and tissue paper protect your items, and thank you stickers add a personal touch to every order.
For shipping. A thermal label printer makes printing shipping labels faster, and a small postal scale helps you check weights before you set your shipping profile.
Prices change, so check the current price on Amazon before you buy.
Keep your launch organized
If you are launching several listings at once, it helps to keep everything in one place: your checklist, your listing details and your launch dates. I made a fillable Etsy & Shopify Product Launch Planner for exactly that.
Get the Etsy & Shopify Product Launch Planner
Frequently asked questions
How many photos can I add to an Etsy listing?
Up to 20 photos and 2 videos, according to Etsy’s help pages.
How long can an Etsy title be?
Up to 140 characters, including spaces and punctuation.
Do I need to use all 13 tags?
Etsy allows up to 13 tags. It is a good idea to use them all with phrases buyers would search for.
How long does a new listing take to appear in search?
It can take up to 48 hours.
Final thoughts
A good listing is mostly about small details done consistently. Run through this checklist each time, and you will catch most of the common mistakes before a buyer does.
Comments
Post a Comment