When Do Etsy Sales Start To Pick Up? 

By Scott Voelker •  Updated: 03/14/23 •  8 min read

Etsy is an incredibly popular online marketplace that allows sellers to showcase and sell their handmade, vintage, and unique products to buyers around the world. As a seller on Etsy, understanding the sales patterns on the platform is crucial for maximizing profits and growing your business. 

One of the most prevalent questions asked by sellers on Etsy is, “When do Etsy sales start to pick up?” The answer to this question can differ depending on several factors, including seasonality, trends, and search algorithms. 

In this article, we'll explore these factors in more detail and provide tips and strategies for boosting sales during peak periods. Whether you are a new or experienced seller on Etsy, understanding when sales typically pick up on the platform can help you plan and maximize your profits.

How Long Does a Typical Etsy Seller Take to Make a First Sale?

Unfortunately, the time frame for when you make your first sale isn't set in stone. The duration varies from seller to seller. 

Some sellers report making their first sale the same day their store launches, while for some, it may take longer. However, other factors may influence how long it takes to make a sale. 

What factors affect how long a store takes to Make its First Sale?

The Market You're In 

This goes both ways; if your market is oversaturated, chances are it will take you a while to make your first sale. However, on the flip side, if the market you plan on joining has a small market, it may also affect your sales.

While this might also work in your favor, as you are catering to a group of typically excluded people, gaining traction and getting in front of your audience may take some time. 

Your Marketing Strategy 

What is your plan to get in front of potential customers? Are you optimizing SEO in your listings, keywords, tags, and titles? If not, it's probably time you start employing these techniques.

The Appearance of Your Listings 

Your listings are the face of your shop.

What do your customers see when they click on your shop? If the product photos aren't appealing, chances are they won't stick around to buy your products. 

Ensure the descriptions have zero spelling mistakes. The photos are high quality with zero shadows and can be seen clearly. This leaves potential customers with a good impression. 

The Type of Traffic You're Getting. 

Not all traffic that's directed to your store is good. You have to ask yourself this question. Is the traffic /audience that you're trying to reach willing to buy your products? If not, make some changes; hopefully, it will lead to a snowball effect. 

Your Keywords aren't Ranking. 

When utilizing keywords, you can choose either longtail keywords with a lot of volume or low-competition keywords. Low-competition keywords may rank you in the long term, but it will take longer to see the benefits. As such, decide which route you want to go with.

The Number of Items in Your Store is Low

As a new seller, you should strive to have many products in your stores. This may make a difference in the time it takes you to start seeing sales. You're more likely to rank for several keywords with more products, which may turn into customers. 

The Search Algorithm 

Another thing that can affect when a store's sales start to pick up is the search engine algorithm. These algorithms are designed to promote listings that are more likely to result in sales, such as those with high click-through rates, sales history, and positive reviews. Therefore, optimizing your listings for Etsy's search algorithms can help improve your visibility and increase your sales.

According to some users online, the Etsy algorithm takes about two months to show people your listings. So be patient and take it as a learning process if you decide to open another store.  

When Do Etsy Sales start to Pick Up?

Etsy is similar to many online marketplaces, such as Amazon and E Bay. This means that different variables influence when a seller expects a sale. While Etsy sellers may see a spike in sales after doing their part in terms of SEO, marketing, and product photography, there's not much they can do to control it. 

However, there are several seasons when the sales on the site seem to pick up. 

Holiday Seasons

The holiday season is one of the times when sales seem to be the highest. Some customers are looking for last-minute gifts, and some are looking for gifts for special occasions such as Valentine's, mothers day, and fathers day. Depending on the kind of products you sell, you may also see an increase in sales during specific seasons or times of the year.

Trendy Seasons

Trends also affect how Etsy sales pick up. For example, if beaded necklaces come back in style, more people will likely search for sellers selling this type of jewelry or craft supplies to make them themselves. Keeping up with trends can help you capitalize on these sales opportunities. However, ensure you are not doing a complete 360 from your shop's original idea. 

In addition to these factors, there are several tips and strategies that can help you increase your sales on Etsy regardless of the timing. These include ;

How to Make More Sales on Etsy?

As a seller on Etsy, making more sales can be challenging, but it's possible with the right strategies. Here are some tips for making more sales on Etsy:

By implementing these strategies, you can grow your Etsy sales and business. Being patient and persistent is important, as success on Etsy can take time. Remember to continuously evaluate your strategies and make changes to optimize your sales and achieve long-term success on the platform.

Is It Worth Selling on Etsy?

You may be asking yourself, with the incredible amount of sellers, isn't Etsy over-saturated, making it a worthless endeavor? 

Becoming a seller on Etsy is still worth it. Despite the increasing competition and changes in the online marketplace landscape, Etsy remains a popular platform for buyers looking for unique and handmade items. In fact, Etsy reported 81 million active buyers in 2020, and its sales revenue reached $1.725 billion for the year.

Here are a couple more reasons why selling on the platform is still worth it, 

Built-in Customer Base: Etsy has a large and loyal customer base, which can make it easier to attract buyers compared to starting your website from scratch.

Access to a Global Marketplace: Etsy's platform allows you to sell to buyers all over the world, expanding your potential customer base.

Low Fees: Etsy charges low fees compared to other online marketplaces, which can help you maximize your profits.

Easy to Use: Etsy's platform is user-friendly and easy to navigate, making it accessible for sellers of all experience levels.

Brand Recognition: Etsy is a well-known brand associated with high-quality and unique products, which can help you attract buyers explicitly looking for those types of products.

Offers a Place for Artists to Sell Their Items: If you're a crafter, painter, or artist, Etsy allows you to sell your products unconventionally compared to opening a physical store. 

Of course, success on Etsy requires hard work, dedication, and practical strategies for marketing and selling your products. However, selling on Etsy can be a rewarding and profitable experience for those willing to put in the effort.

Wrapping up 

Understanding the sales patterns on Etsy is crucial for sellers to maximize their profits. By understanding seasonality, trends, and search algorithms, sellers can take advantage of peak periods and optimize their listings to increase visibility. By implementing these strategies, sellers can improve their sales and grow their Etsy business. 

Scott Voelker

Over the years I’ve helped thousands of people TAKE ACTION to UNLOCK their true potential on building their ultimate freedom business, by developing the skills to make them resilient, confident and FUTURE PROOF. I’ve clocked my 10,000 hours over the years working in the trenches myself and helping others build and grow their brands. I know the power in TAKING ACTION better than anyone and I’ve seen people lives changed as a result of it...including my OWN!