Best-Selling Items on Etsy: Ultimate List

By Julija A.

June 19, 2023

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.

FAQ

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.

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