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Why Social Media Isn’t Helping Your Etsy Store (and What to Do Instead)

Social media is great for building brand awareness.

In partnership with

Social media and Etsy. Is there a synergy or not?

There are advocates for both.

I understand why people think social media is the key to getting traffic and sales on Etsy.

But in my opinion, it often doesn’t work the way they hope.

THE IDEA
Why Social Media Doesn’t Work for Your Etsy Shop

social media for Etsy shop

Think about how you use social media.

Are you there to shop, or are you just scrolling for fun, talking to friends, or watching videos?

Most people aren’t using social media to buy things. They’re just there to pass the time.

And sometimes, you get people to click on a link to your Etsy shop.

But they probably won’t buy anything.

They’ll look at your shop for a second, then leave.

That doesn’t just waste your time… it can also hurt your Etsy store.

You should understand that Etsy pays attention to how many people visit your shop.

Also, connect this information to how many make a purchase.

If lots of people visit but no one buys, Etsy thinks your shop isn’t good.

Yes, there is something called conversion rate.

And if your conversion rate is low (below 2%), it can make it harder for your listings to appear when people search on Etsy.

So, by sending people from social media who aren’t interested in buying, you could be lowering your chances of getting real buyers.

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THE PROBLEM
Why This is a Big Deal

social media and Etsy store

When you’re running an Etsy store, every visitor counts.

You want visitors who are likely to buy, not just random people who stop by for a few seconds.

There is no point in getting traffic, but no sales.

If your shop’s performance drops because of visitors who don’t buy, Etsy’s algorithm pushes your listings further down.

That means even fewer people who are actually ready to shop will find your products.

This is why it’s important to focus on getting the right kind of traffic.

I’m talking about people who want to buy something, not just browse.

STANDART METHOD
What Do Most People Do?

use social media for Etsy store

Many Etsy sellers work hard on social media.

They post pictures, make videos, and write captions, hoping to get people excited about their products.

It takes a lot of time, but often, it doesn’t lead to more sales.

Sure, social media can help you build awareness about your brand.

But awareness doesn’t always equal sales.

If the people seeing your posts aren’t in the mood to shop, they’re unlikely to buy anything.

And as we just talked about, that can hurt your Etsy shop’s performance over time.

Some sellers even buy ads on social media, thinking it will drive more traffic to their Etsy store.

But if the people who click on those ads don’t make a purchase, that money and effort are wasted.

DO THIS
A Better Way to Use Your Time

social media for Etsy

So, what should you do?

I have a few ideas for you. In fact, these are tips I am already using, and they are much better.

Build Your Own Website

One of the best things you can do is create your own website.

And it is not hard.

With tools like Wix, WordPress, or Shopify, it’s easier than ever.

When you have your own website, you’re not just depending on Etsy. You have your own space online where people can learn about you and your products.

On your website, you can also collect email addresses.

And with an email list, you can send messages to people who are interested in your shop.

You can tell them about new products, special sales, or other news.

This keeps you connected to your customers and helps build long-term relationships.

Send Social Media Traffic to Your Website, Not Etsy

If you do want to keep using social media, try sending people to your website instead of Etsy.

On your website, you can share more about your products, your story, and why people should buy from you.

Plus, when visitors come to your website, they’re less likely to leave quickly because they’re not being distracted by other Etsy listings.

Once they’re on your website, you can guide them through the buying process, making it easier for them to make a purchase.

Focus on Improving Your Etsy Shop

Another step you can take is to put more energy into making your Etsy shop the best it can be.

This means taking clear photos, writing detailed descriptions, and setting fair prices. You can also work on using keywords to make sure your items show up in Etsy’s search results.

And keep this in mind.

Etsy wants buyers to find you through their search feature.

So, the better you optimize your listings, the more likely it is that Etsy will show your products to people who are ready to buy.

Use Social Media Wisely

I know it can sound this way, but you should not avoid social media altogether.

It’s about using it in a way that works for you.

Donts spend here hours every day.

Just limit your time to 30 minutes.

Use that time to share interesting behind-the-scenes looks at your process, post updates about new products, or share stories about your business.

You don’t need to post every day.

Quality is more important than quantity.

Focus on sharing meaningful posts that connect with your audience, rather than just trying to get more followers.

WHY THIS MATTER
Why This Approach Works Better

By building your own website and focusing on improving your Etsy shop, you’re setting yourself up for long-term success.

And this is what you want.

You want to build a lasting online business.

And you…

  • You control your website. If something ever happens to Etsy, like a policy change or a problem with your shop, you’ll still have your website and your customers. You won’t lose everything.

  • You can build relationships with customers. With an email list, you can stay in touch with people who are interested in your products. You don’t have to rely on social media or Etsy to reach them.

  • Your shop’s performance improves. By driving the right kind of traffic to your Etsy shop—people who are actually ready to buy—you’ll improve your shop’s performance. This means Etsy is more likely to show your listings to others who are searching for similar products.

Social media are great for building brand awareness.

They are probably the best for that.

And you should use them.

But only if you have your own business.

I’m talking about the OWN website or shop. NOT on Etsy.

When you do that, you’ll be in control of your business.

And this is huge.

You won’t have to rely on social media, and you’ll have a better chance of getting the sales you want.

Have a nice day,

Miroslav from The Design Nexus

TOOLS YOU SHOULD TRY

Even if you sell products other than mugs or t-shirts, it doesn't mean it will cost you more.

There are tools that can help you with the tasks, and most of them have free versions.

Disclaimer: Within the article, you will find affiliate links. If you decide to purchase through these links, I want to sincerely assure you that I will receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

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