If you’ve been waiting to take your t-shirt designing skills out into the world (and earn money while doing so), we get why you’re here. Etsy is one of the best e-commerce sites today to kickstart an online store, especially if unique crafts, vintage goods, trendy clothing, handmade goods, and similar products are your forte.  

If you’re just getting started, you may be wondering: how do I sell on Etsy? This guide will walk you through the steps to set up your shop and list your first products. 


How to Create Your Etsy Store


Follow these steps to launch your store: 

Step 1: Create Your Account 

Start by visiting the Etsy website and creating your free account. You’ll only need to fill in some basic information, such as your name, email address, and a password. 


Step 2: Set Up Your Shop 

Once your account is ready, you can set up your store. Like most e-commerce website builders, Etsy offers a straightforward guided setup process. For this, you'll have to enter the required details for your shop, which typically include: 

  • The name of your store 
  • The country, currency, language, and other store-related information 

Step 3: Create Your Listings 

After creating your shop, you can start uploading products by creating their listings. Each listing will house details such as when the product was made, the category it belongs to, the listing type, whether it’s a physical or digital product, and the product images.  

Remember to also include the pricing and shipping details as well. 

  • Use the ‘Inventory and Pricing’ section to add the required pricing information, such as the product price, available stock, sizes and colors, and the SKU. 
  • Also, add the shipping and return information for your products. Clearly mention the shipping locations and your average shipping times after placing an order. 

Step 4: Select Payment Methods

After you have set up your listings, you are ready to proceed with selecting your preferred payment methods. Follow these steps for this: 

  • Choose whether you’re a business or an independent seller.  
  • Provide your basic information, including your name and address. 
  • Provide your bank account details as needed.  

Step 5: Set Up Your Billing Method

Once you choose your payment settings, Etsy will ask you to choose your preferred billing method. This is not for the payments you receive but for the fees Etsy usually charges, which are primarily for posting listings and starting your shop. Based on your region, you can select from various billing options, including credit and debit cards. 


Step 6: Finish Off With Customization

You can finish your store setup by customizing how it looks on Etsy. Keep in mind that first impression always matters. It is especially important when you are trying to attract attention from online audiences. Customization decides what your customers see when they make their first visit to your store profile.  

  • Profile Visuals: Add a profile and banner image that best conveys your business identity in the best possible way. Here, you can add things like your business logo, in-store images, product images, and any other visuals that best resonate with what your store is about.  
  • Store Description: Customers will likely bounce off your page if you don’t say who you are or what you do. Add a store description that tells customers what your e-commerce business is about and how it came to be. This is especially important for first-time customers who are unfamiliar with your store. 
  • Your Bio: Do not leave you bio section empty. Introducing yourself is a great way to put a face to your business. You can include things like how you started the store, whether you are the owner or manage the storefront. Add details that inform customers about you.  
  • Store Policies: Store policies are vital for clarity on purchases. As you set up your store, mention your store policies, such as the average shipping times, privacy details, and return policies.  

Wrapping Up


If you’ve been waiting to take the leap of faith, we hope this guide will help you get started. Yes, there’s a lot more to fully managing an Etsy store, from checking dashboards to understanding buyer trends, but this checklist will help you get the ball rolling. After setting up your shop easily, you can get that out of the way and start selling your products.