I have been asked on numerous occasions is Etsy SEO more difficult or different compared to SEO for search engines and the answer is no & no.

Here in this Etsy SEO guide, we will walk you through the steps to complete a successful SEO campaign for your Etsy Store.

Etsy SEO is OfCourse competitive like any SEO campaign you will undertake. The aim is to improve your visibility not only within Etsy’s search but also Bing, Google etc.

Etsy SEO, while not complicated, there will be hurdles to overcome so it is important for Etsy store owners to grasp the basic concepts of SEO best practices to fully optimize your product listings so you can get your products in front of new customers.

So, let’s break down Etsy store SEO so more customers find your listings above your competitors and click on your products to view.

How Etsy search works

Etsy,s search tool like all algorithms has major factors to determine customers’ search queries.

Ranking and user query matches much like user search intent, understanding how any search algorithm works helps ecommerce store owners to attract more potential customers.

Query matching

It is quite simple to work out the more a listing matches a user’s query when they are shopping on Etsy will give your stores listings more chance of being displayed first, have your title tags, categories, and Alt attributes all correct.

Etsy uses your listings rankings, how relevant your store and items for sale are to each query among other factors that make up its search tool.

Here is a run through of other variables to consider on how to rank higher in Etsy search rankings.

• Relevant query match: Tags, titles, categories and attributes matter in ecommerce if shoppers search for an exact match for your keywords you will appear high in search.
• Quality listings: If you have made sure you are fully optimized you will convert more sales, all algorithms reward a good CTR if you have too many bounces, it can have the opposite effect.
• Recency: Etsy does boost new listings though do not abuse this and use for seasonal and new products you are launching.
• Customer Reviews: Etsy takes reviews into consideration when ranking your store, just as customers will judge how trust worthy you store is with about us page, terms and conditions and very important your returns policy keep them easy to understand and easy to find as it will help to convey trust with users and Etsy search alike.  
• Shipping F.O.B: Etsy currently will give priority search placement for USA vendors who offer free shipping to USA customers
• Store language: Keep all of your information the same as your sign-up location for your Etsy account.
• Local shopping: This is for Canada, E.U Australia so if you sell in these regions you will show up more prominent in local Etsy searches, this is not rolled out to other Geo locations as of yet.
• Search Data: Etsy algorithm offers its users customized shopping experiences on past search data so customers can see more of what they like.

Now that you understand how Etsy determines which search listings to display and how to rank them, read on to learn how you can use this knowledge to improve your Etsy shop’s SEO with these eight tips.

 Pick a Shop Title Closely Related to Your Products.

Sometimes this can be hard if you have your heart set on a brand name, that said if you can have a shop title that describes your products it does help Etsy SEO.

The title of your store is your Etsy page title so if you sell vintage Demin naming your Etsy Store oldskooldemin & selling Vintage Demin would you be taking advantage of your Etsy Shop name for SEO.

Every little bit helps online and if by having products you sell in your name it can help you to show up in Etsy searches more often.

Keep your shop title no more than 55 characters long and it is this that will show up in Etsy search and search engines such as Google.

2. Plan your Keywords.

Choosing the correct keywords is important for SEO and with Etsy search the same logic applies so planning your keywords will help.

How Etsy looks at keywords and how it all works

Just as in search engines you can have mixed results sometimes, if you are combining more than one keyword for example:

If you search for a Motor head T-shirt!

at the top of search, you will see motor head T-shirts for sale though you may also see some motor related searches down the fold so it’s important to describe your products correctly with tags, titles & in categories.

• Exact query match is what is says o n the tin!  Search for I want a Motor head T-shirt it will list first in the results
• By having your keywords in titles and tags Etsy will consider your listing more relevant than those that do not
• Get your keywords in at the start of a listing not the end to keep them as relevant as possible

Researching keywords for your Etsy listings

The only game in town for Google is search intent the same applies we believe for all search so it is important to B2C stores.

Research what your customers are searching for you can do this both in Etsy search and Google to help you prepare your keyword plan.

Long tail keywords are a good way to think about how potential customers are thinking when doing searches online, they are ready to buy customers if you match a specific search query for say: blue Demin vintage coat for sale the likely hood of a purchase increases exponentially by matching this query perfectly.

Long Tail keywords & phrases are easy to overlook when you get started, though with search tools becoming increasingly more sophisticated the more detail you can get in to your product descriptions the more opportunity your store has of success.

We have an inhouse Etsy SEO tool which has been designed for Etsy SEO & there are many others on the market also.

If you are on a budget, you can utilize Google Keyword Planner

3. Do not Keyword Stuff.

It will not get your listings higher and in fact it could even hurt your stores listings to be looked at as low quality.

Etsy is pretty fair to their store owners so if you have similar listings in your Vintage Demin store it will only show 1 listing of yours & other store owners who have listings that also match the customers search query will show up next to yours.

As Etsy works like this do not compete with your own items if you do sell similar items in your store some creativity may be needed regarding certain stores owners’ product descriptions.

 4. Use all Tags Available in Each Listing.

So, you are setting up your product listings. Etsy will mark what is mandatory and what is not we think this is why some people overlook tags in Etsy yet there are 13 tags that will optimize your products listings in more detail helping propel your products and store up in Etsy rankings

Make sure to have your research done before you write out all your titles, tags, categories for your products, this will keep you on track.

5. Get Your Keywords in Early.

There is no point in having the most important keywords in places that will not help to generate traffic.

So, try if you can to have a main keyword in your shop title & listings.

Some important aspects to take into consideration when listing your products on Etsy.

• Product title: Match your keywords with what Etsy shoppers are searching for in each of your product titles.
• Product description: You have 160 characters for your product description to rank higher and to catch the eyes of potential customers.
• Shop sections: Etsy allows your store up to twenty sections each having its very own landing page to attract potential customers keep your landing pages relevant to its section.  

6. Renew Your Listings Regularly.

Etsy does give guidelines on renewing listings just for the purpose of SEO though it is advised if your listings is of good age from time to time to Renew listings, if you sell a lot of seasonal products keeping on top of this will help you get in front of more customers at peak times of your sales cycles.

7. Promote your Etsy Shop to Earn Backlinks.

Backlinks are still an important component in Off-Page SEO in how algorithms work.

By promoting your stores products outside of the Etsy platform, you can attain inbound backlinks that will gain you traffic from multiple sources.

• Pinterest, Facebook among others are great places for people to share what you have to offer.
• Outreach to people in your niche for paid articles and features.
• Send out samples, if possible, of your products to raise your reviews if new.
• Are there fellow Etsy sellers who may match with you to help you network?
• Affiliate programs are great and is one tactic Saas companies use to scale so fast, try to replicate an affiliate offering if the margins allow.

8. Amazing Customer Service Never Hurts.

Every single platform out there wants the best sellers they can get from Ebay Amazon.

So do not expect Etsy or their customers to be any different!

By providing excellent customer experience and adhering to Etsy policies your store will earn more trust from both Etsy users and Etsy itself earning higher rankings.

All e-commerce owners need to clearly display Shipping F.O.B. options. Your return policy, terms and conditions, payment options.

It stands to reason if you provide bad customer service and it will hurt your business, you can provide a great shopping experience through professional dealing of returns, customer disputes and how you handle negative reviews.

These problems all go hand in hand in delivering the ecommerce experience customers have come to expect.

Let’s improve your Etsy SEO

Whether you are doing your SEO yourself or engaging with an SEO agency you will soon see the benefits that SEO will bring to your Etsy stores success.

If you would like us to help you raise the rankings on the Etsy platform do not hesitate to reach out anytime. 

A Seller’s Guide to Etsy

When Etsy first launched, its main focus was on independent artisans. However, Etsy has gradually shifted its focus and allowed larger companies to join.

You will now find suppliers of packaging, materials and other essentials.

If you’ve been to Etsy recently, you may have also noticed some sellers specializing in antiques and collectibles. Printables are also popular.

With all these changes, it’s fair to say that Etsy continues to get stronger. In 2019, it had more than 45 million buyers, a notable increase from 2018.

While these numbers are impressive, it still lacks the audience engagement of Amazon or eBay. However, it’s affordable and easy to use, and most importantly, Etsy is a niche site that puts marketers ahead of their ideal customers.

Anyone new to Etsy is sure to have a multitude of questions. This article aims to respond to several of them. When you’re done reading, you’ll have everything you need to get started.

How to Prepare to Sell on Etsy

Before you start selling on Etsy, you have work to do. Like any sales platform, Etsy works best when you research the competition, understand your buyers, and focus on a niche.

Research also helps you discover sales strategies and potential areas where you can outperform the competition.

Research the Competition

The fastest way to find bestsellers is on Etsy’s bestseller page. Here you will learn a lot just by taking a look. The page presents a diverse list of items in a variety of categories.

For example, the page may display durable and educational items for children, seasonal clothing or accessories, and custom-made and custom jewelry.

Click on one of these bestsellers and you’ll learn more. When reviewing your competition, focus on:

• The type of feedback they receive
• How they mark your store
• Whether they offer free shipping or special discounts
• If the products are customized
• Information included in descriptions
• The number and type of images they use.
• Your shipping and return policies.
• How they integrate keywords

Dive into Etsy Data

Now that you understand the basics of a good ad, you may want to go one step further. With some data to inform your decisions, you’ll have more confidence that you’re targeting the right products.

You’ll find that there are great tools to help you get started. For example, Marmalead uses machine learning to help you:

• Discover trends
• Analyze prices
• Search for keywords
• Optimize ads

Identify your Etsy Niche

One way to get started is to list various items to see what sells. However, you’re likely to get off to a better start if you’re trading in a niche. Selling this way makes it easier to market to your ideal customers.

What should you look for in a niche? Ideally, you’ll want something that’s a popular seller and something you’re also passionate about. Also, when selecting products for your niche, focus on profitability, ease of shipping, and items that are in high demand but little competition.

But there’s more. You’ll also want to focus on creating a unique style, something that is definitely yours and that others will find difficult to copy.

Understand your Buyers

Before you can sell to your customers, you need to understand them. Start by looking at Etsy from the perspective of your customers. If you had to buy, what would you expect from a product? What search terms would you use? What inspires confidence when you read a list of products?

Now refine this to more specific questions. Etsy has a great list of the 20 most frequently asked questions from shoppers that can help you think about your buyer.

How to create an Etsy Account

Setting up your Etsy account is free and easy. Just follow these steps:

1. Go to the Etsy website and click Subscribe at the top of the page.
2. Enter your email address, name, and password.
3. Click Register.
4. Wait for the confirmation email to arrive (it will take a few minutes), then click on the confirmation link.

That’s all! You’ve created your Etsy account and are almost ready to publish your first article. Before you can do this, however, Etsy will want financial information.

Etsy wants two things from you: a PayPal account so you can get paid and pay for your ads, as well as your bank details if you’re in a country that can receive payments from Etsy.

How to Set Up a List on Etsy

Once you’ve submitted your financial information, your account should be ready for use and it’s time to start listing the items. To do this, look for the Store Manager button at the top of the page.

• Scroll down to Lists. You will find it on the left side.
• Click Add List at the top right.
• Start by adding a photo. Etsy allows up to 10 images.
• You also have the option to download a video that shows the product in more detail. Videos should be between 5 and 15 seconds long and in high resolution.

Etsy List Details

The list of items is the longest part due to the multiple drop-down options.

• Start with the title of your article and don’t forget to include keywords. There are many free tools you can use to find ideas, such as Ubersuggest.
• You will then see a drop-down menu titled “Who created it?” You have three options to choose from. Etsy just wants to know if you made the item yourself, if it was made by a member of your team or store, or if it’s from a manufacturer.
• You will now move on to “What is this?” scroll menu. Here you will find two options: a finished product or a tool for making things.
• Finally, there is the “When was it done?” scroll menu. Etsy gives you a list of dates to choose from: recent, old, and not yet-to-order items.
• For the next step, complete the Category box. Enter up to three words and you will see a list of categories appear. Find the one that suits you best by clicking on the drop-down menu that appears.
• Complete your renewable options. Here, choose between Automatic or Manual. Etsy recommends the Automatic option, which costs 20 cents per ad and lasts 4 months.
• Complete the Type section. This indicates whether your ad is for a physical or digital product.
• Your next step is description. Now is the time to get creative. Like a Google snippet of code, Etsy shoppers will only see the first few lines. Be sure to include the unique features and keywords of the article. Etsy suggests also including the process behind the product or your brand story. However, if you want more inspiration, Etsy has an article on how to write great descriptions.
• You can now add these optional details:
  • Sections: This allows you to group related items.
  • Keywords: Think of them as keywords to help shoppers find your items.
  • Materials: Detail materials or components.

Now it’s time for inventory and pricing. You should have a good idea of the prices now looking at similar products. Fill in the boxes and don’t forget to include labor, material, and shipping costs. Next:

1. Quantity: Enter the amount you have to sell.
2. SKU: You can also enter a SKU, but this is optional.
3. Variations: This is where you will list different colors, designs, and sizes.
4. Customization: Select the “Enabled” option on the right side. Next, you’ll see a box titled “Instructions for Buyers.” Add customization instructions.

You’re almost there! Simply select your shipping options.

Etsy Shipping

The last step is shipping. There are four boxes to complete:

• shipping options
• origin
• Processing time
• fixed shipping prices

At the bottom of the page, on the right side, you have three options: Preview, Save as Draft, and Publish. The post will show your article live on Etsy. However, it’s always a good idea to preview it first.

Tips for Selling on Etsy

A good Etsy listing goes beyond SEO keywords. It’s best to have clear descriptions, a solid brand image, good customer reviews, and an up-to-date bio. Let’s discuss it.

Write the Perfect Description

This article has already covered the basics of writing solid product descriptions. However, since they are an essential part of your Etsy business, there is room for more. In addition to detailed, honest, and keyword-rich descriptions, you should also use:

• your brand voice
• short, forceful paragraphs
• fleas
• creativity

Add your Etsy Store to Favorites

The brand builds trust and loyalty. It gives you a unique voice that shoppers recognize, helping you get noticed in a crowded market.

Start your brand strategy by identifying your unique selling point. Then:

• Detail the history of your business and incorporate keywords.
• Use your knowledge of your customers’ demographics to attract them.
• Create a slogan or statement. Make it something memorable.

Once you’ve decided how you want your brand to look, start working to make it cohesive. Make sure your Etsy store, packaging materials, and everything between looks, style, and tone. The most important thing is to make sure it’s yours alone.

Keep your Organic Store up to date

Don’t use your timeline to tell shoppers who you are. Use it to make in-store announcements, offer discounts, and highlight sales and new listings. If there’s something else worth including in your bio that will make you different, include it as well. For example, if you got an additional degree in art or jewelry, shout about it.

You can also add your most recent or best reviews, any advertising you collect, or any changes you’ve made to the ordering processes, returns, and disclaimers.

Encourage Etsy Reviews

It’s no secret that receiving reviews encourages customers to buy. However, receiving your first feedback is not always easy, even if the customer is happy.

That said, there are a few ways to actively encourage your customers to leave a review. You could:

• Put a note with the commands: Include a polite message with each order you submit to ask your buyer to leave a comment. Don’t forget to invite your buyer to contact you directly if you are not satisfied in any way.
• Use your ads: In your ads, explain how important feedback is to your business and ask customers to leave their feedback after receiving your articles or to contact you directly if they have any questions.
• Invite your friends and family to purchase an item: Okay, it’s a bit misleading, but one way to boost your comments is to ask people you know to buy an article and give an honest opinion.

Advertise your Etsy Store

Etsy Ads is a way to promote your store. Etsy’s PPC feature works very similarly to any other PPC advertising campaign. Once launched, these ads give you better visibility on Etsy’s search engines, and Etsy will run your ads through a combination of your properties.

Register:

• Sign in and choose Store Manager.
• Choose the marketing option.
• Click Advertising and select your budget. The default amount is $1 per day.
• Check your listing, then choose Advertise.

Also, don’t forget to make the most of free advertising opportunities. Consider posting on social media, encouraging word of mouth, or joining an Etsy team.

Provide Excellent Customer Service

Regardless of your seller status, you can always provide top-notch customer service, such as sending emails to customers to confirm orders and shipments. They’ll get notifications from Etsy, but customers always appreciate a personal touch.

Remember that great customer service starts before the customer places orders. You can achieve this by writing detailed descriptions of items, having clear purchasing policies, and using quality images.

You can also focus on building customer relationships by inviting customers to subscribe to your newsletters, tracking aftermarket customers, and encouraging future purchases through special offers and reductions.

Conclusion

If you sell in the arts and crafts niche, Etsy could be a solid choice. It offers an audience of millions of customers each year and it’s easy and affordable to get started.

However, with so many sellers on Etsy, it’s hard to differentiate yourself from the competition. That’s why it’s essential to research and find out what other sellers are doing before opening a store. Once you understand the basics of the brand, get a loyal following and create a unique proposition, you have every chance of success.