What Is In Your Control
Product Title, Tags, Categories, and Attributes - You have full control over crafting clear, keyword-rich product titles, selecting relevant tags, choosing appropriate categories, and filling out all applicable attributes. These elements makes sure your listings match your target customers’ searches on Etsy.
Product Description - Write detailed and compelling descriptions that include 3-5 keywords in the first paragraph. Highlight the main benefit and features of your product to improve relevancy and conversion rates.
Product Photos - Make sure each listing has at least 5 high-quality images with a minimum resolution of 2,000 pixels wide. Use well-lit photos that provide a clear view of the product from multiple angles and avoid using collages for the thumbnail.
Shipping Price - Keep domestic U.S. shipping fees under $6 to comply with Etsy’s latest algorithm update. But even if you are an international seller, lower shipping price still helps improving your conversion rate.
Return Policy - Set a clear return policy for all listings, even if you do not accept returns. Transparency in your return policies builds trust with buyers and positively impacts your search rankings, as Etsy requires shops to provide clear and honest policies.
Customer & Market Experience Score - Actively seek positive reviews and provide excellent customer service to improve your shop’s reputation, which boosts conversion rate.
Shop’s About Section and Policies - Complete your shop’s About page and all policy sections thoroughly. A well-detailed About section and comprehensive policies help build trust and connect with your target customers.
Conversion Rate Optimisation - Optimise your listings by using compelling titles and descriptions, high-quality photos, and removing shopper purchase barriers. Also, have a strong handmade offer for your products (also known as unique selling points for some people). Enhancing these elements increases your conversion rates, which in turn improves your listing’s ranking on Etsy.
What Is Out Of Your Control (Or Takes A Lot Of Effort & Time)
Shop Location - Etsy prioritises local shops in regions like the EU, Australia, and Canada, which can be challenging to change without relocating your entire business. Instead of focusing on location, optimise other controllable factors to enhance your shop’s visibility despite geographical limitations.
Translation and Language - While manually translating your shop’s content into other languages can provide a small ranking boost, it is time-consuming and resource-intensive. Relying on Etsy’s automatic translations is more practical, though making sure key sections are accurately translated can still help improve buyer experience.
Shop’s Age - New shops receive a temporary boost in search rankings, but maintaining an established shop with accumulated reviews and reputation is more beneficial in the long run. Instead of opening new shops to exploit the age factor, focus on building and enhancing your existing shop’s credibility and performance, especially now that opening a new Etsy shop may not be free anymore.
Shoppers' Habits (Context-Specific Ranking) - Etsy’s algorithm personalises search results based on individual shopper behaviours, such as their search history and purchase patterns. While you can’t control these behaviours, creating universally appealing listings with strong product offering, high-quality photos and excellent customer service can positively influence a broad range of shopper interactions.
Recency - New or recently renewed listings receive a short-term boost in rankings, but constantly renewing listings is not cost-effective and offers very minimal long-term benefits.