What Categories Does Etsy Have? How to Dropship on Etsy

Etsy, an e-commerce platform focused on handmade, vintage and unique goods, was founded in 2005 to provide artisans and crafters with a marketplace to sell their handmade and vintage goods.

What are Etsy’s main categories?

Handmade and vintage goods

Primarily selling handmade goods and some vintage items made by independent artisans, Etsy's emphasis on unique, one-of-a-kind products sets Etsy apart from other e-commerce platforms.

Customization and personalization

Many sellers on Etsy offer customizable and personalized items, allowing buyers to request specific details or modifications to suit their preferences.

Artisan community

Etsy creates a global community of artisans, artists, and crafters. Sellers on Etsy can set up their own online store to display and sell their handmade or vintage items.

Global Market

Connecting buyers and sellers from around the world, providing a diverse marketplace for unique and culturally influenced products.

Support for small businesses

Support small businesses and independent entrepreneurs by giving them a platform to reach a wider audience. This is in line with the platform’s mission to promote a more sustainable and connected global economy.

Reviews and ratings

Etsy encourages transparency and trust through its reviews and ratings system. Buyers can leave purchase feedback to help future customers make informed decisions.

Secure Transaction

Etsy facilitates secure transactions with a variety of payment options and ensures buyers and sellers have a safe, trustworthy shopping experience.

In addition to handmade and vintage items, Etsy Studio launches as a marketplace dedicated to selling crafts. This section allows users to find suitable materials for their DIY projects. Meanwhile, Etsy Wholesale is a platform within Etsy that connects sellers with retail buyers, allowing artisans to expand their reach and sell their products in traditional brick-and-mortar stores.

Etsy has grown into a widely recognized platform that has contributed to the success of many small businesses and independent artists. It continues to evolve and adapt to the ever-changing e-commerce landscape, providing a unique and creative marketplace for buyers and sellers.

Many Etsy sellers don’t know how to ensure their goods get to buyers quickly and securely while maintaining good customer satisfaction. In this process, they not only need to consider logistics efficiency, but also deal with the problem of high freight costs. Next, we will have an in-depth discussion on how to operate on Etsy, how to solve shipping problems, and how to optimize the logistics process.

Can I have multiple Etsy shops?

On Etsy, one person can have multiple stores. This provides sellers with greater flexibility to operate multiple stores based on different products or market positioning. At the same time, this also means that sellers need to manage the operations and brand image of each store more carefully.

How to start an Etsy shop with no money?

Etsy allows sellers to register for a free account and start creating their own online store. Use social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, etc. to promote products. Most of these platforms are free. Then collaborate with other small businesses or artists to reduce costs by exchanging services.

So how do you dropship on Etsy?

Contact the buyer first to ensure clear communication with them regarding their specific requirements and shipping address. Then choose the appropriate logistics method based on your budget and transportation needs. Print the label on Etsy, making sure to fill in the correct shipping address and tracking number.

Then comes the delivery step, where the product is delivered to the selected logistics company or courier and the printed logistics label is provided. Update order status in a timely manner after shipment, notify buyers and provide logistics tracking information.

How long does it take for Etsy to ship?

Delivery time depends on multiple factors, such as logistics method, geographical location, etc. Not only does this impact their profit margins, it can also lead to a loss of buyers. But generally speaking, most sellers will choose to ship within 2-3 days.

Why is Etsy shipping so expensive?

To ensure fast delivery, it is very important to choose reliable logistics methods and stock up in advance. The main reason for this is high logistics costs: global transportation and distribution require a lot of time and resources. International shipping involves more costs and risks, such as customs duties, VAT and other additional charges, which increase shipping costs. You can reduce freight costs through dropshipping service providers, such as CNstorm.

Etsy's fulfillment process involves the entire process from order confirmation to product delivery to the buyer. Whether you use international express, postal service or other logistics methods, you need to pay high shipping fees. This process requires sellers to have efficient order processing capabilities, good logistics management, and high-quality customer service.

For cross-border transactions, there may be additional costs such as customs duties and VAT, which will be passed on to the buyer. In order to improve fulfillment efficiency, sellers can consider the following points:

Optimize inventory management

Ensure sufficient inventory to avoid out-of-stocks and delayed shipments.

Choose reliable logistics methods

Establish partnerships with reliable logistics companies to ensure that goods can be delivered to buyers safely and quickly.

Packaging and safety

To ensure that items are not damaged during transportation, sellers may need to use special packaging materials and purchase insurance to ensure safe delivery.

Provide excellent customer service

Respond to buyers’ inquiries and questions in a timely manner to improve customer satisfaction.

competitive pressure

Due to the fierce competition on Etsy, some sellers may use shipping costs as part of their competitive advantage, setting higher shipping costs to offset