Best-Selling Items on Etsy: Ultimate List

ByJulija A.
March 14,2022

It seems like everyone is selling something on Etsy in 2022. So, whether you’re a business owner or looking to launch a side hustle alongside your main career, this online marketplace has plenty to offer. The following guide on the best-selling items on Etsy will help you convert your creativity into cash.

The Success of Etsy

Before finding the right things to sell on Etsy, you need to determine if this is the right place to offer your unique creations. Since launching in 2005, the public eCommerce platform has grown from strength to strength, as is underlined by the following stats:

  • Etsy reported revenue of $1.7 billion in 2020, marking an increase of nearly 111% from 2019.
  • The number of Etsy sellers grew from 2.69 million in 2019 to 4.36 million in 2020.
  • There are currently 7.5 million active Etsy sellers around the world.
  • 97% of sellers operate from their homes, while more than half are multi-channel sellers.
  • One of the top Etsy sellers HeatherRobertsArt recorded over 33,000 sales in a single month.

All the available data shows that Etsy is one of the world’s top-performing platforms with millions of active users. This community of creators and sellers offers products on the site or alongside their own eCommerce platforms. Setting up and managing successful Etsy shops is quick, convenient, and cost-efficient for sellers of all sizes. 

But before you can unlock these perks, you’ll need to identify the most popular items on Etsy. When combined with engaging Etsy shop ideas aimed at a defined audience, sellers are guaranteed a unique recipe for success.

The Best Selling Items on Etsy

When looking for profitable Etsy items, one can turn to many different sources. You can check out the top sellers or browse different categories to find what sells best on Etsy at any given time. The platform is arguably less prone to changing trends than many others because of a natural focus on vintage items, personalized goods, and handmade creations. 

As such, when looking for Etsy selling ideas, the following 10 product types are all set to deliver great results.

Candles

Starting a candle business has become very popular, not least because seven out of 10 households use them. And thanks to the massive user base on the platform, candles are one of the most profitable Etsy items.

They cost very little to make and can be sold with a significant markup. As far as tips to sell on Etsy are concerned, targeting gift-buyers is one of the more profitable strategies, which is another reason why candles do well. Selections of organic and vegan candles are also popular.

Stickers

When looking at what is the best-selling item on Etsy, most people are surprised to learn that adhesive stickers are generating a lot of buzz. They’re small, inexpensive, and available in an almost endless number of designs, including custom ideas.

Consumers can use them to personalize books, greeting cards, bags, and a range of other items. This allows them to display their personality or passion for a sports team, city, or political movement. That’s exactly what millions of buyers are hoping to do.

Handmade Jewellery

Custom handmade jewelry is an inexpensive way for buyers to revamp their look without having to spend money on high-street options. The list of popular items includes earrings, rings, bracelets, necklaces, bangles, and more. You can check out popular sellers like Caitlyn Minimalist for inspiration.

You can also sell charms and beads and enable buyers to personalize their existing collections. Many of the best-selling handmade items on Etsy fall into the category of jewelry. That’s because a lot of the sellers offer unique styles and are specific about the material they use.

Graphic Design

Anyone who has ever tried to build an eCommerce website understands the importance of design. This component is equally significant when you’re trying to figure out what sells best on Etsy because demand for visual assets is high. After all, a successful brand has to be visually appealing to consumers. Most graphic designers showcase their work and attract clients through their Etsy shop. Their ideas come to life through a variety of projects. 

Sellers encounter minimal costs as there are no delivery fees, and they attract both one-off and repeat orders. Standard and personalized store templates, character designs and logos, organizer templates, and mobile icons are some of the more common items.

Home Decor

Most people who are looking to improve their homes turn to simple home decor and accessories that offer quick and cost-effective transformations. They’re also popular with tenants who are not able to make major changes. Furniture is another popular option.

The best-selling wooden items on Etsy are especially popular for buyers who want to redecorate their bedrooms, lounges, home offices, and conservatories. Wallpapers and home furnishings grew in popularity during the pandemic as people began to invest more in their home surroundings.

Organic Cosmetics 

Research shows that global demand for organic cosmetics is growing at a rapid pace, with the industry forecast to expand from $34.5bn in 2018 to $54.5bn by 2026. Crucially, consumers are more likely to choose SMBs that are more environmentally friendly. 

As such, Etsy is an ideal place to sell skin creams, fragrances, and makeup made exclusively from natural ingredients. There has never been a better time to embrace this concept. You can also incorporate the sale of candles. 

Notebooks and Diaries

When researching what sells best on Etsy, notebooks, journals, and diaries are hard to miss. These are some of the top choices among sellers, with millions of items sold in the US each year. Most consumers want their items to stand out - whether they’re for school, work, or home.

With no shortage of reasons to keep a journal, more and more people are choosing to record their thoughts by writing them down. Whether the pages are customized or you’ve simply designed a brilliant cover, Etsy is a great place to sell notebooks and journals. 

Artistic Posters 

Posters are another fantastic way for people to add a dose of character to their bedrooms, hallways, or workspaces. Graphic designers can turn their images into stunning pieces of printed artwork, while adding a frame can always be a special treat for the buyer.

Etsy offers artistic posters depicting abstract images, recreations of movie scenes or sporting moments, iconic landmarks, and so much more. It is one of the most commonly searched categories by Etsy users, which can bring a lot of traffic to your door.

Baby Items

Toys and baby items are among the best-selling wooden items on Etsy. According to experts, this market is being driven by consumer demand for safe, sturdy, and sustainable items for their children. Etsy sellers who produce quality goods can cash in by successfully marketing their products to parents.

Parents spend a lot of money on their children. Toys, chairs, and other baby products that are designed with comfort, convenience, and function in mind should perform well. The parental community is also very good at telling others about great products. 

Clothing 

eCommerce stats show that fashion is one of the most popular categories. People love to look good, and fashionable items can help them do that. Etsy is an outlet where they can find items to better define their personality, which can’t be found at the mall.

From t-shirts to footwear and accessories like belts and bags, a wide range of fashion items sell well on Etsy. For designers, print-on-demand also removes the financial risk and order fulfillment issues. Unsurprisingly, this is one of the top Etsy sellers and Etsy shop ideas.

The Takeaway

If you are looking to sell vintage items or handmade products, Etsy is the ideal platform for realizing your aspirations. Whether you’re a designer or maker, the list of the best-selling items on Etsy shows that there are plenty of opportunities for creative people from different backgrounds.

If you’re selling the right product, you will never be short of customers as the millions of Etsy users all but guarantee success.

Frequently Asked Questions
What sells very well on Etsy?

Consumers turn to Etsy because they love vintage or handmade designs that inject a dose of uniqueness into their homes and lives. Consumers may also be looking for a product that resonates with them and reflects their personality or passion in life. Clothing, accessories, and home decor are among the Etsy best sellers. Art and spiritual elements are also popular.

What are the top 10 items sold on Etsy?

The exact list of the top 10 selling items on Etsy is always changing. However, there are a few constant features on the top Etsy searches; custom stickers, handmade jewelry, handmade candles, vintage home decor, handmade organic cosmetics, notebooks and diaries, graphic designs, artistic posters, custom baby items, and clothing like t-shirts.

Are the products on Etsy handmade?

Many products sold on Etsy are handmade by the sellers themselves and will subsequently be listed under the handmade items category. Meanwhile, some sellers are designers who need the help of third parties to turn their designs into products. The Etsy platform prides itself on transparency, and sellers have to disclose the relevant details in their About pages.

Does shopping on Etsy help support small businesses?

Absolutely, 97% of sellers are designers and makers who work from home. Etsy is a fair platform that ensures sellers see the majority of their proceeds. Your purchases also help small businesses gain greater visibility on top Etsy searches, which can lead to more sales. The continued growth of the community as a whole will assist sellers too.

Is it legal to resell items from Etsy?

The best-selling items on Etsy commonly fall into three categories - handmade items, vintage items, and craft supplies. Sellers may resell vintage items and craft supplies but are not permitted to list products as handmade if they were made by somebody else (even if they were handmade). Breaking those rules can lead to account suspensions, while buyers can seek a refund.

About the author

Julia A. is a writer at SmallBizGenius.net. With experience in both finance and marketing industries, she enjoys staying up to date with the current economic affairs and writing opinion pieces on the state of small businesses in America. As an avid reader, she spends most of her time poring over history books, fantasy novels, and old classics. Tech, finance, and marketing are her passions, and she’s a frequent contributor at various small business blogs.

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By Julija A. · March 11,2022
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The value for consumers is that meal kits supply all of the ingredients they need in the proportions they need them. While nothing is cooked beforehand and some chopping is required, they dramatically reduce the amount of mental energy (and often cost) involved in preparing daily meals.  The other option is to prepare ready-to-eat meals. From a logistics perspective, this is slightly more challenging since it is harder to keep pre-cooked food both fresh and healthy. However, there are businesses experimenting with this model, such as Allplants. Meal prep programs go beyond traditional microwaveable ready meals but keep preparation required by the customer minimal.  Then there are companies that host meal prep workshops. Here customers learn how to make tasty meals quickly from simple ingredients. They can then go home and practice what they’ve learned in the kitchen.  Here are some more meal prep niches that you might want to explore:  Vegan and plant-based: With the rising popularity of plant-based living, there’s increasing consumer demand for meals that eschew meat and other animal products entirely. They do exist right now, but the space is growing rapidly. In fact, this could be the perfect niche to get into: most consumers want to eat more vegan meals at home, but they’re not quite sure how to do it. Your business can show them the way. Kids meal prep: Parents have to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner for their children, which is incredibly time-consuming. Therefore, a meal prep business that provides kids’ meals could be the solution they’re looking for. It would cut down on planning, save time, ensure that kids have a balanced diet, and meet their nutritional requirements.  Work meal prep: Busy professionals often don’t have the time or energy to make lunches for themselves in the morning or the night before. Therefore, your meal prep service could take care of the meals on weekdays, freeing up their time. Step 2: Create a Business Plan Once you have a rough idea of what your niche will be, the next step is to create a business plan.  Your plan should include the following elements:  Business name – what you will call your business and why its name will appeal to your customers. Business entity – the legal structure of your business. This is usually a limited liability corporation (LLC) and potentially a limited liability partnership (LLP) if you want to create a joint venture with a partner. Products and services – including information on the types of meal prep kits that you will offer, whether delivery will be part of your service, the cost of supplies, the cost of labor and production, and the amount of money you’ll need to invest upfront How to charge for meal prepping – including information on prices, margins, and so on. If you get stuck, use an online meal prep business plan template to guide you.  Step 3: Get the Necessary Licenses and Permits For your meal prep services business to function legally, it requires various licenses and permits.  The type of licenses and permits you require depends on the business entity you choose and your location. Entrepreneurs starting up at home have different permit requirements from those setting up in commercial premises. Furthermore, federal, state, and local governments may also require different types of permits. Since this step often takes the most time, it’s worth beginning it as soon as possible.  Here we list some of the food prep licenses and permits that you might need. Check the following:  Business license: This license is necessary to open and operate a company in the US. You can apply for these on your state government’s website. Employer Identification Number (EIN): The EIN is another requirement for setting up a business in the US. It’s a code assigned by the IRS and is equivalent to a tax identification number. Certificate of Occupancy: Certificates of Occupancy may be necessary if you plan on occupying physical premises. Foodservice licenses. These are obtainable for city or county health departments, either online or in person. Sign permit: Depending on your area, you may have to ask for permission to put up a sign outside your business. Fees depend on the size of your sign and start from $20-$50, depending on the state and location. Seller’s permit: If you collect sales tax, you’ll need this permit. In some states, it is called a “sales tax permit.” Dumpster placement permit: If your business produces commercial waste, you’ll need a dumpster placement permit. These typically cost between $10 and £100. Building health permit: This permit confirms that the building you operate in is suitable for food preparation and service. Step 4: Get Insurance Learning how to start a meal prep business also requires finding out more about insurance. You’ll need the following:  General liability insurance will protect you if you cause a bodily inquiry to someone else, property damage to another person’s belongings, or there is a  libel/slander lawsuit against you. Commercial property insurance, which covers any rented buildings or equipment you have. Professional liability insurance, which protects you against lawsuits arguing that you made a mistake with the services you provide. If you have employees, you will also need to take out workers’ compensation insurance. This cover protects you if employees get sick or hurt on the job. It pays for things like medical bills, lost wages, ongoing care, such as physical therapy, and funeral costs.  Step 5: Get Funding You can fund your meal prep startup out of pocket, but most entrepreneurs seek external sources to get them off the ground.  Small business funding options include:  Venture capital or angel investments: Here, you’ll need to convince an individual or company with the required capital that your business idea will succeed and generate profit long-term. Equipment financing: This allows you to rent equipment for a low monthly fee instead of buying it outright. Business credit cards: Most banks offer business credit cards to business owners with strong credit ratings. Credit cards give you access to short-term cash to tide you over, but they are not appropriate for longer-term projects. Business lines of credit: A business line of credit is a facility you can use to borrow money when you need extra cash to cover your expenses. It is more flexible than a conventional business loan.  Step 6: Find Your Suppliers The average meal kit delivery service works with dozens of suppliers. Not only do they have to source all the food for their boxes, but also the packaging as well. Many have an outer bag or box that they transport meal kits in, and then smaller pots and containers for ingredients with special requirements, such as yogurt, sauces, spices, oils, etc. They also need ice packs to keep certain ingredients cool during transit to prevent spoiling. Start researching who your suppliers will be as early as you can, and then ask them if they are able to distribute units of food to you in quantities your customers need for a single meal. In some cases, you may find that preparation is necessary on your end since many wholesale food suppliers lack flexibility.  You’ll also want to work with a packaging provider that complements your niche. For instance, if you market yourself as a sustainable alternative to conventional meal prep businesses, it doesn’t make sense to put food in polystyrene containers. Recycled paper is a better option.  Step 7: Market Your New Business Getting your food prep marketing strategy right is perhaps the hardest part of the process. If you can inspire consumers to use your brand, you can often set up a highly profitable business. Here are some marketing ideas to help you along: Make Customer Service Your Top Priority Customers who have a great experience with you are much more likely to come back for more in the future. To achieve this, you’ll need to:  Ensure that food is still fresh when it arrives at your customers’ homes. Create an easy-to-use and fast website that allows customers to select meal options without fuss. Deliver all your meals on time so that customers don’t wind up having to rush out to the store at the last minute. Offer helplines so that people can call you if something with your service goes wrong. Tell People In Your Community About Your Project Word-of-mouth is a powerful vehicle for getting more people to try your brand. Offer your core customers an impeccable service, and they will market your business to their friends on your behalf.  Make Your Packaging Bold Like other products on the market, you’ll also want to ensure that your packaging is bold and stands out. Today’s consumers want sustainable, attractive packaging that they can recycle. Many also want to feel like they are treating themselves, not just going with whatever represents the best value. Talk About Your Company in Social Media Many Instagrammers prepare meals to go and share them on the popular social network. You can do the same. By posting images of your meal prep service, you can show your audience your processes to build trust and prove to them just how easy it is to prepare a meal using your service. Social media is free to use and allows you to connect with a lot of people. You can post whenever you add a new recipe to your collection or come up with a new idea. Just make sure that whatever content you create is relevant to your audience. Listen to community feedback, and respond appropriately.  Prioritize Photography When it comes to selling food, photography is critical. Brands that take great images of their recipes whet their audiences’ appetite and get them in the mood for spending.  Taking and editing great food photos is very challenging, though. Therefore, don’t try to do it yourself. Instead, hire a professional food photographer to do it for you. Prices for this can be quite high, but the investment is worth it. Just make sure that you finalize all your recipes and products before getting a photographer so you won’t have to hire them multiple times. Sell at a Festival Festivals are a great place for getting your brand message out to the public. The large audience combined with the spirit of the event creates positive associations with your brand with minimal effort. If possible, look for suitable events in your niche. For instance, if you want to build a kids' food prep company, go to children’s events. Print Out Leaflets Physical leaflets or menus are another powerful way to spread the word about your business. You can hand these out to prospective customers directly, bypassing the need to raise awareness online, which can be challenging.  Conclusion In summary, learning how to start a meal prep business is surprisingly easy. Mostly, you are following the same steps as you would for any other enterprise.  The biggest difference comes from how you market your business. The meal prep industry relies heavily on quality photography and marketing that explains the economic value of these services.  Customers can sometimes experience sticker shock when it comes to meal prep prices. Therefore, businesses in this sector need to educate their audiences on all of the benefits of the service. For instance, saving time on shopping and thinking about recipes or the cost of actually getting to the store.  Meal prep business profits can be high, but you’ll need to scale. The faster you can get to 10,000 subscribed customers, the better.  Further Reading Bad Credit Business Loans: Our Top Picks Small Business Banking: Top Banks Best Website Builder: Our Top Picks
By Nemanja Vasiljevic · December 13,2022

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