So you have a brilliant plan to make some money, but you have no idea how, which is why you’re probably checking out this list of the 10 best things to sell on Etsy to make money.
I’ve never sold or bought anything on Etsy, but I love the idea, especially because it’s for such a niche group. eBay and Amazon are a mixed bag. Anyone can sell anything they want, which is a beautiful concept, but the fact that Etsy prides itself on promoting crafts and handmade items is so unique and special that it’s hard to imagine a time without it. Almost anything on there can be customized for a nice gift or something to put in your home.
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Etsy is a marketplace where you “can sell handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies.” While this seems like it may limit the product listings, it doesn’t mean you’ll end up empty-handed. There are plenty of things available and not much need for marketing since the target audience is already there.
The market becomes bigger and bigger every year as more sellers choose to make it their primary platform. Many people want to sell their handmade goods here and likely wonder, much like I did prior to making this list, what items are the absolute best to sell. To figure this out, I took a look at Etsy’s best selling items and looked at the profitability rates. Part of the ranking, you’ll see, also includes the longevity of the items in the store, which basically translates to how long you could sustain a shop with this type of product and how long the product could be relevant. The higher the profitability and longevity, the higher the ranking.
Some shops are more successful than others and can serve as an excellent example of how to run your own, so take a look at our list of the 10 Most Successful Etsy Shops in 2015. To find out what kind of product you should sell in yours, keep reading our list of the 10 best things to sell on Etsy to make money:
10. Original paintings
Profitability rates: low
Longevity: high
Artwork is obviously a huge part of the Etsy marketplace. It comes in a variety of forms, but original paintings come in at number ten on our list. The profit is a little low considering the time and supplies you put into it, but the longevity is high since there’s always something new to create.
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9. Digital prints and photographs
Profitability rates: medium
Longevity: high
Much like original paintings, digital prints, the number nine on our list of best things to sell on Etsy to make money, have pretty good longevity as well because there’s always something new to print. These are universal and affordable to make as well. They tend to stay in the store long before getting sold due to competition, but it’s still one of the best-selling items on Etsy.
Copyright: buchachon / 123RF Stock Photo
8. Vintage goods
Profitability rates: medium
Longevity: high
We are continung our list of best things to sell on Etsy to make money with vintage items that are a bit of a signature thing for the Etsy marketplace, if there is such a thing. This can range from vintage jewelry, milk bottle caps, dainty lace trim, and old rings. While there are Etsy sellers who sell their own stuff, some source them from flea markets and garage sales. The profit is decent because Etsy is filled with vintage lovers, so they sell fairly quickly. The advantage is in the longevity because the older the item is, the higher the value becomes.
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7. Custom jewelry
Profitability rates: medium
Longevity: high
Part of Etsy’s advantage over other online marketplaces is its feature to make custom orders. A lot of Etsy sellers make a lot of money from customized jewelry pieces. They come in a variety of types, like customized pendants, watches, rings, earrings, and bracelets. These get sold pretty quickly and there’s always a demand.
Copyright: NejroN / 123RF Stock Photo
6. Craft kits
Profitability rates: low
Longevity: medium
Craft kits are a major item you see all over Etsy, which is probably why they take quite a while to sell. They do, however, make some money because people who make crafts need the supplies to do so, but the demand keeps the longevity in the medium range.
5. Beaded bracelets
Profitability rates: medium
Longevity: medium
This can range from healing bracelets to charm bracelets and other types that we associate with good luck and health are things that have a bit of buzz on Etsy. They constantly top bestseller lists, which is why they’re included in our list of the 10 best things to sell on Etsy to make money because of how cheap the materials are. The profit margin is pretty high and they’re sold quickly.
4. Crocheted items
Profitability rates: medium
Longevity: medium
Crocheted items are kind of in a league of their own because of how broad this category is. They’ve made a lot of fashions statements lately and they’re not hard to make, and even when you factor in the labor and material cost the profit is pretty decent. They sell quickly and orders will generally come rolling in fast, too.
3. Organic, homemade cosmetics
Profitability rates: high
Longevity: medium
The third place on our list of best things to sell on Etsy to make money are handmade cosmetics are all the rage right now because of the rise in knowledge that manufactured cosmetics have parabens and other harmful chemicals. Thanks to Etsy, there’s a place to sell the healthier, organic cosmetics for people to use. Many sellers make money from these because the raw materials don’t cost much, leaving room for profit. They’re among the fastest selling items.
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2. Handmade soaps
Profitability rates: high
Longevity: high
Handmade soaps made great waves on Etsy since last year. They’re organic, healthier, and simpler alternatives to traditional soaps. Because they’re made from natural ingredients, the net profit is great. They sell fast and easy, which means the profit and longevity are both high.
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1. Craft supplies
Profitability rates: medium
Longevity: very high
Because crafting supplies are among the fastest selling items on Etsy, it’s clearly the winner on this list, too. Because Etsy is the home for internet arts and crafts, people think the best materials can be found on the site as well. The profits are pretty good because people always need supplies and there’s always a demand.
Etsy is a great place to make money, and if you’re dedicated you could even make a living selling products on the site. It might be challenging to start out, but with our recommendations for the 10 best things to sell on Etsy to make money, you’ll be able to get a great start.
