Etsy is an online marketplace with over 90 million active buyers where you can sell handmade creations like jewellery, candles and soaps. You can also sell vintage items such as furniture and clothing at least 20 years old, craft supplies like fabric and beads, and digital products like printable art, resume templates, and stock images.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through the step-by-step process of setting up your Etsy shop. First, let’s take a quick look at why Etsy is an excellent platform for beginners.

Why sell on Etsy?

• Low initial costs: Setting up an Etsy shop is affordable, as there are no major upfront fees. There is a small listing fee of $0.20 for each product you post.
• Built-in audience:  Etsy already has millions of active buyers, so you don’t have to start from scratch to find customers.
• Global reach: Etsy connects you to buyers around the world, expanding your potential customer base.
• Easy to use: The platform is user-friendly and makes it simple for beginners to manage their shops, list products and process orders.
• Flexibility: You can set your hours, manage the shop on your terms, and work from anywhere. This makes it a great option for students or digital nomads to earn extra income.

Now that you understand the benefits, here’s how to set up your Etsy shop.

Five steps to set up an Etsy shop

Create an account:

Visit etsy.com to create your free account. Fill out the form with your correct name and email address.

Choose your shop preferences:

Once your account is ready, choose your Etsy shop preferences, including language, country and currency. Save your preferences to move on.

Next, choose a name that reflects your business and attracts the target audience. While you can change it later, picking something SEO-friendly from the start is best.

Bonus tip: If you need ideas, try online name generators for inspiration.

Upload your products:

Once your shop name is set, you can create your first listing! You’ll need the basic details of your item, including the product type, year of production, and materials used.

You can upload up to 10 images and one video, but ensure your media is high quality and meets Etsy’s requirements.

Choose how you get paid

It’s time to choose how you’ll receive payments. Linking your Grey account will ensure you have smooth and seamless transactions.

Here’s how to set it up:

• Select your bank’s country
• Choose whether you’re registering as an individual or a business
• Enter your personal information, i.e. name and address.
• Add your Grey US, EU, or UK bank account details, depending on your preference.
• Etsy will process payments to your Grey account, making it easy to manage your earnings

Also read: How to open virtual bank accounts for freelancers outside the USA

Set up billing:

To complete your Etsy setup, provide billing information to cover any fees Etsy may charge, such as listing, transaction, and payment processing fees.

Here’s what to do:

• Enter the details of your Grey virtual USD card
• Provide billing address (you can find this information on your virtual card page)
• Select your payment method and link your Grey account for easy payouts.

Once this is set up, your Etsy shop is good to go. For added security, add two-factor authentication to protect your account.

You can also customise your Etsy shop to make it stand out. Add a shop banner or logo, shop bio, and policies. Don’t forget to link your social media accounts to drive more traffic to your shop.

Now that your Etsy shop is set up, here are some tips to help maximise sales in 2025:

• Always write well-detailed descriptions: Be specific about your product’s features, size and materials. Use relevant keywords in your tags and titles to make your products easy to find.
• Offer excellent customer service: Do your best to respond to messages quickly and address any issues politely.
• Also read:  Customer success handbook: Essential skills
• Use social media: Promote your products on social media to attract more customers.
• Encourage reviews: Ask your buyers for feedback to build trust and credibility.

Simplify Etsy payments with Grey

Don’t forget, with Grey, you don’t have to worry about how to receive payments or convert your earnings from Etsy. You can easily add your bank account and virtual USD card to manage your finances seamlessly and focus on growing your business. Create a free Grey account to get started today.

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