How to Open an Etsy Shop in the USA: A Complete Guide

If you have a passion for making or finding unique products, you might have considered selling them online. One of the most popular platforms for creative entrepreneurs is Etsy, a global marketplace for handmade, vintage, and craft supplies. Etsy allows you to showcase your products to millions of buyers who are looking for something special and different.

But how do you open an Etsy shop in the US? What are the policies, requirements, and considerations you need to know before you start selling? In this guide, we will walk you through the steps of opening an Etsy shop in the US, from choosing a name to setting up your payment and shipping options. We will also share some tips and resources to help you grow your Etsy business and reach more customers.

Open An Etsy Shop Step By Step

Step 1: Choose what to sell on Etsy
The first thing you need to decide is what kind of products you want to sell on Etsy. Etsy is a unique marketplace for handmade items, vintage goods, and craft supplies. You can sell anything that falls into these categories, as long as they comply with Etsy's policies and local laws.

Handmade items are items that are designed and/or created by you, the seller. This includes fully handcrafted items like pottery or scarves, as well as items that you design and work with a production partner to manufacture, such as enamel pins or t-shirts. You must disclose your production partner in your listings and profile.

Vintage items are items that are at least 20 years old. Vintage items can include clothing, housewares, electronics, and more. You must accurately describe the age, condition, and origin of your vintage items in your listings.

Craft supplies are tools, ingredients, or materials whose primary purpose is to create an item or throw a special occasion. Craft supplies can be handmade, commercial, or vintage. Examples of craft supplies are yarn, beads, fabric, patterns, stamps, stickers, etc.

You cannot sell items that are prohibited by Etsy's policies or local laws. Prohibited items include tobacco, drugs or drug paraphernalia, weapons, hazardous materials, and others. You also cannot sell items that use the intellectual property of someone else without their permission, such as trademarked logos or copyrighted images.

Step 2: Create your Etsy account and shop
To open an Etsy shop in the US, you need to create an Etsy account first. You can sign up with your email address or use your Facebook or Google account. You will need to provide some basic information about yourself, such as your name, location, and password.

Once you have created your account, you can start setting up your shop. To do this, go to Etsy.com/sell and click on "Open your Etsy shop". You will be guided through a series of questions and preferences to customize your shop.

Some of the things you will need to choose are:

• Your shop language: This is the language you will use to communicate with your buyers and write your listings. You can choose from 30 different languages.
• Your shop country: This is where you are based and where you will ship your products from. You can choose from over 200 countries.
• Your shop currency: This is the currency you will use to price your products and receive payments. You can choose from over 50 currencies.
• Your shop name: This is the name that will appear at the top of your shop page and in your shop URL. It should be unique, memorable, and reflect your brand identity. You can use up to 20 characters without spaces or punctuation.
• Your payment method: This is how you will receive payments from your buyers. In the US, you must use Etsy Payments, which is Etsy's own payment system that allows buyers to pay with various methods such as credit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, etc. You will need to provide your bank account information and verify your identity to use Etsy Payments.
• Your billing information: This is how you will pay for your fees and charges on Etsy. You can use a credit card or PayPal account to pay for your monthly bill. You will also need to provide your tax information if you are required to collect sales tax in the US.

Step 3: Set up two-factor authentication
Two-factor authentication (2FA) is an extra layer of security that protects your account from unauthorized access. With 2FA enabled, you will need to enter a code sent to your phone or email every time you log in to your account from a new device or browser.

To set up 2FA for your account, go to You > Account settings > Security > Two-factor authentication and follow the instructions. You can choose to receive codes via SMS or an authenticator app.

Step 4: Set up your storefront
Your storefront is the page where buyers can see all of your products and learn more about your shop. It is important to make your storefront attractive, professional, and informative to attract and retain customers.

Some of the elements you can customize on your storefront are:

• Your shop logo: This is a small image that represents your shop and appears next to your shop name. It should be clear, simple, and consistent with your brand identity. You can upload a logo that is 500 x 500 pixels or larger.
• Your shop banner: This is a large image that appears at the top of your shop page. It can showcase your products, tell your story, or highlight a promotion. You can upload a banner that is 1200 x 300 pixels or larger, or choose from Etsy's templates.
• Your shop announcement: This is a short message that appears below your banner. It can welcome your visitors, share your updates, or announce a special offer. You can write up to 55 characters for your shop announcement.
• Your shop sections: These are categories that you can create to organize your products by type, theme, or occasion. For example, you can have sections for earrings, necklaces, bracelets, etc. You can create up to 20 sections for your shop and add up to 250 products per section.
• Your shop policies: These are the terms and conditions that you set for your shop, such as shipping, returns, exchanges, cancellations, etc. You should write clear and detailed policies that comply with Etsy's policies and local laws. You can use Etsy's policy templates or write your own custom policies.
• Your about section: This is where you can tell your story, introduce yourself and your team, share your inspiration and process, etc. You can add photos and videos to showcase your personality and behind-the-scenes. You can write up to 5,000 characters for your about section.

Step 5: Add listings to your shop
A listing is a page where you describe and sell one of your products. You need to create at least one listing to open your shop, but you can add more later. Each listing costs $0.20 USD to publish and lasts for four months or until the product sells.

To create a listing, go to Shop Manager > Listings > Add a listing and fill out the required fields. Some of the things you will need to provide are:

• Title: This is the name of your product that appears in search results and on your listing page. It should be descriptive, accurate, and include relevant keywords that buyers might use to find your product.
• Photos: These are the images of your product that show its features, details, quality, and variations. You can add up to 10 photos per listing that are at least 2000 pixels wide. You should use clear, bright, and consistent photos that showcase your product from different angles and in context.
• Price: This is the amount you charge for your product. You can set a fixed price or a variable price depending on options or personalization. You can also offer discounts or free shipping for certain orders or periods.
• Quantity: This is the number of items you have available for sale. If you sell one-of-a-kind or made-to-order products, you can set the quantity to one. If you sell multiple identical or similar products, you can set the quantity to more than one.
• Description: This is where you describe your product in detail, such as its size, color, material, features, benefits, care instructions, etc. You should write clear and comprehensive descriptions that answer buyers' questions and highlight what makes your product unique.
• Category: This is where you choose the most relevant category and subcategory for your product from Etsy's list of options. For example, if you sell earrings, you can choose Jewelry > Earrings as your category. Choosing the right category helps buyers find your product more easily.
• Attributes: These are additional details that describe your product's characteristics, such as color, size, style, occasion, etc. You can choose from Etsy's list of options or create your own custom attributes. Adding attributes helps buyers filter their search results and find products that match their preferences.
• Tags: These are words or phrases that describe your product and help buyers find it in search results. You can add up to 13 tags per listing that are up to 20 characters each. You should use relevant and specific tags that match the keywords in your title and description.
• Shipping: This is where you set up how you will ship your product to buyers, such as the shipping methods, costs, processing times, destinations, etc. You can create shipping profiles for different types of products or orders and apply them to multiple listings.

What is Etsy policies about open an shop in USA

To open an Etsy shop in the US, you must:

• Be at least 18 years old.
• Have a valid email address.
• Agree to Etsy's Terms of Service and Seller Policy.
• Provide Etsy with your personal and billing information.

You must also comply with all applicable laws and regulations in the US, including those related to taxes, business licenses, and product safety.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind:

• You can only sell handmade, vintage, or craft supply items on Etsy.
• You can't sell prohibited items, such as weapons, drugs, or hazardous materials.
• You must have the right to sell the items you are listing, and you must not infringe on the intellectual property rights of others.
• You are expected to provide excellent customer service to your buyers. This includes responding to messages promptly and resolving any issues in a timely manner.

How to Shpping goods to custumers in USA?

To ship goods to customers in the USA, you can use a shipping carrier such as the United States Postal Service (USPS), FedEx, or UPS. Each carrier has its own set of shipping rates and services, so it is important to compare them before choosing which one to use.

Here are the steps involved in shipping goods to customers in the USA:

1. Package your items carefully. Use sturdy boxes and packing materials to protect your items from damage during shipping.
2. Weigh and measure your packages. This will help you determine the shipping cost.
3. Choose a shipping carrier and service. Consider the shipping cost, delivery time, and the type of items you are shipping when choosing a carrier and service.
4. Create a shipping label. You can create a shipping label online or at a shipping carrier location.
5. Pay for shipping. You can pay for shipping online, at a shipping carrier location, or by cash on delivery (COD).
6. Ship your package. You can drop off your package at a shipping carrier location or schedule a pickup.

Here are some tips for shipping goods to customers in the USA:

• Use a shipping calculator to estimate the shipping cost. This will help you budget for shipping and set competitive prices for your products.
• Offer free shipping on orders over a certain amount. This is a great way to encourage customers to spend more money in your shop.
• Ship your packages promptly. Customers expect to receive their orders quickly, so it is important to ship them within a few days of receiving the order.
• Provide tracking information to your customers. This will allow them to track the status of their shipment and know when to expect it to arrive.
• Insure your packages. This will protect you from financial loss in case your packages are lost or damaged during shipping.

Shipping prohibited items

There are a number of items that are prohibited from being shipped to the USA. These items include:

• Weapons
• Drugs
• Hazardous materials
• Alcohol
• Tobacco products
• Food (some restrictions apply)
• Animals
• Plants

If you are unsure whether or not an item is prohibited, you can contact the shipping carrier for more information.

By following these tips, you can ensure that your goods are shipped to your customers in the USA safely and efficiently.

Competitors in USA

You can see all sellers in different country/region in EtsyHunt Shop Analysis or see Top 100+ Sellers in USA