Etsy is an online buyer and seller community similar to eBay, except it focuses on hand-crafted or vintage goods. Most products sold fall into the category of arts, crafts, jewelry, paper goods, housewares, and artisan candies or baked goods. Etsy is a good way to start a home business from your little hobbies, if you feel that there will be value to selling those items to others.

In the past, craftsmen and artisans needed to sell their pieces at open markets and fairs, but with the internet opening opportunities for these kinds of people as well, Etsy became that opportunity for small home business owners to set up their own storefront, beyond their local area. A lot of people still struggle with setting up their own eCommerce website with a credit card processor.

For you as a local business owner, Etsy can  allow you to set-up a customized online “shop” with full e-commerce capabilities by using its simple set-up wizard. It’s easy, fast, affordable, and an effective way to reach consumers. Etsy also has a loyal customer base, so trying to “promote” yourself could be a less difficult process, and search engines make it easier for customers to search for and shop your products.

Visit the links provided below to learn more on how to create your Etsy shop.

Select on what you’d like to learn about next:

Etsy: Associated Fees

Etsy: Create your online store