Both new and veteran Etsy sellers know success is highly dependent on the category they sell in. Etsy forums are full of disheartening stories of handmade crafters that never sold, or sell at best once a month.
The harsh truth is that no matter how good the craftsmanship, how high quality the materials used, some types of items sell and some don’t.
This is a tough lesson, one that I only learned after a few years of very moderate success on Etsy, before realizing that other products in the same category were selling A LOT more than mine, without being “better” in my eyes…
But I came to admit they were better in the sense that they matched better the public tastes and demands. Once pointed in the right direction, I and my wife went from a side income to 2 full-time jobs in less than 6 months after years of struggle.
This is why I decided to write this guide to help sellers find ideas on what are the best selling items on Etsy and make their shop one of the best selling on Etsy. Do not get upset if your favorite items are not on the list, it was tough to pick only ten.
Some niches have tons of sales, but even more, sellers, making a shop specialized in it not so successful. I used Etsy SEO “Keywords” Tool by seller-way.com to find what niche is getting a lot of attention from buyers, but is not completely saturated on the seller side.
1. Wedding Items
Weddings are the biggest event in most people’s lives. They are ready to pay for unique items that will make their wedding special. And as soon as quarantine stops, there will be a rush of weddings to catch up on lost time.
This is also an ultra-competitive sector, but I found for you 2 items that sell a lot with limited competition:
Hair accessories:
Those will be in all the wedding pictures, no hesitation to pay for a great hairstyle.
Cake Toppers:
Cheaper compared to the cake itself, they allow your client to express their passion and uniqueness, and will also be a focal point of many of the wedding pictures.
2. Beauty and Relaxation:
Bath bombs and fizzers
Promise relaxation in a nice warm bath after a long day at work. Scented candles are also an option, but are more competitive.
All organic and natural ingredients are a must for this niche. A happy client will also probably keep buying again and again, and try new products from your shop.
3. Cosmetics:
A tough niche, with a lot of competition in most of its categories.
But I found that the sales are solid for many sellers of unique mixes of essential oils. The secret is to create a unique mix and packaging for the many uses of essentials oils: reducing stress, boosting immunity, skincare, haircare, and so on. Do not hesitate to explain extensively your production process and the history behind your products.
As for beauty, count on regular repurchases for your all-natural curated selections.
4. Custom Items
There is almost an unlimited amount of possible customization, but 3 dominate the market:
T-shirt and apparel
Mugs and Drinkware
Engraved or stamped jewelry
For each of these items, focus on messages and designs that people will care about. It can be a funny-witty message, a cause they care about, or a unique message from their loved one. Be creative by asking “what do I want to offer to my husband / wife / mom / sister / friends / boyfriend / etc… for Christmas / Birthday / Valentine’s Day / Mother’s Day / etc… ?“
5. Unique Designs
If you are a master in digital art, you might want to create your own unique designs. In what format should you sell them? Digital files are an option, but many buyers will not want to be bothered by printing them on an item. You can help them by taking care of that yourself and making impulse buying a lot easier.
T-shirts
are a never out of fashion item, especially if they are original, funny or sarcastic and reflect its wearer’s personality.
Another option is the
Temporary tattoo,
As people are increasingly willing to change their tats depending of the event or their mood.
6. Food Kit
It is a long-term trend that people want to know what they eat instead of just buying food outside. The pioneer enthusiasts are now mainstream and you can easily make your own
beer, wine, gin, or lemonade at home with pre-made kits
containing all the ingredients formerly available only to professionals. Or maybe you like more consistent meals with cheese or bacon kits?
Do not forget to include very detailed instructions and troubleshooting help in your kits.
7. Baby Items
If you are a mother, you know that baby toys are a budget that can be stretched when your heart melts for a cute design or a toy you KNOW your baby will love. When looking at baby items, I found 2 categories that seem to sell a lot with decent competition:
Teethers Baby toys (but not so many plush toys, more innovative designs).
Both are a solution to a problem (teeth coming or baby needing stimulation) but also a symbol of a mother’s love for her baby and carry a huge emotional value.
8. Pet Accessories
The fur babies are not forgotten when we buy items online.
The best 3 niches I found for pet supplies are beds, custom leashes, and dog clothes.
Sturdy materials and many sizes options are key in this very diverse niche.
9. Food Products
Some foods are hard to find, unique, or require an expert curator to recommend the best selection. From my Etsy SEO search, I came to the conclusion that the best 2 niches are Teas and Organic spices.
If you know a lot about this or know where to find the best quality rare spices, you should consider buying it in bulk and building your brand as an expert curator.
10. Spiritual Items
Maybe you felt this list is too focused on material needs; indeed, humans are also spiritual creatures. If you are a religious or spiritual person, you should consider items that connect with your fellow believers.
Supportive messages on all supports and symbolic items (from a rosary to healing stones) will carry a deep meaning to your buyers and help them in their daily life.
11. The big No-No
I know I promised 10 best-selling items on the Etsy list, but there is one last thing you need to know.
Do not, I repeat, DO NOT make products with copyrighted content. This is true for any visuals, symbols, quotes from TV shows, Movies, music, Books, etc… This includes Game of Throne, Harry Potter, Star Wars, etc…
Yes, I know there are plenty of Etsy shops doing it. Sometimes for a decade. But Etsy has been enforcing its rules a lot more strictly lately, and it will only get worse. You do not want to see yourselves banned for life from the best eCommerce platform for gift selling in the world.
With proper Etsy SEO and Etsy keyword tools, you will anyway never run out of ideas for new products.
I hope this has given you a few ideas on what you could sell on Etsy. No matter if you are a beginner, a struggling seller, or already a full-time seller, Etsy is a very big playground and there is space for everybody in it.
If you already have a product or a craft you want to sell, you should try the “Trends plus” Tool to find out if there is a solid demand for it, discovering trendy products with high amounts of sales.
Have a great time selling on Etsy!
Author:
Jonathan Schramm
Long time Etsy seller,
now providing dropshipping service
for engraved jewelry and accessories
and helping other sellers
to build solid businesses online.
