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Writer's pictureRenee Clancy

My Two-Step Formula for Creating a Successful Etsy Shop

Are you wondering how to identify the hottest selling items on Etsy and how to make those items? I'll show you the WHAT and the HOW to be successful.



The WHAT and the HOW

There isn't just one hot selling item on Etsy. Within each niche, there are multiple top-selling items. So, do you need to have a niche? The experts have differing opinions on this.


THE WHAT: Successful shop owners spend more time researching WHAT they will create and sell. Take the time to identify what is working and what is not both within your data and the Etsy platform.


THE HOW: How your items are created will be up to you! I use Kittl, but you can use any platform that works with your needs.


The Niche Debate

Some experts, like Sandra Dee, say YES: niche down to be successful. Such as only digital art downloads, or only t shirts.


Others, like Cassidy Johnson, say no: it's okay to sell a variety of concepts. Cassidy runs a General Store and has built a full-time business on Etsy.


Despite their differing opinions, they both agree on one thing: find what works, and follow that path.


My Journey on Etsy

#1 Trying a Little of Everything

When I started my Etsy store, I tried a little of everything at first. My store focuses on digital downloads and Print On Demand (POD) items. While I don't feel it's niche enough, my store is new. With just two months under my belt, I'm okay with still being in the experimental phase and keeping a broad niche.


#2 Analyzing Data

To understand what's working, I regularly check my Etsy Stats page. I've been running ads, and by looking at what's been selling, what's been favorited, and what has the most views, I've identified that art prints and tumbler downloads are at the top.

For the upcoming holidays, I'm focusing on art prints, specifically kids' room art prints, since my kid truck art prints have been selling well.

Steps to Success


#3 Research What's Selling for You

Start by narrowing down what has sold for others. Use tools like Alura to start with a keyword search. For example, I searched for "Kids room wall art," but the competition was high. Adjusting the search volume and switching to "Nursery wall art download" on Etsy, I used the Alura plugin to select items by revenue and spy on successful shops.

This research led me to decide on creating Safari Nursery Wall Art.


#4 Create Your Product

I use Kittl for my digital art. By identifying the most requested image ratios, I created a template to streamline my process. Here's how I do it:


  • Create a template to use repeatedly.

  • On the first art board, use the AI tool to type in a description.

  • Choose a watercolor style.

  • Remove the background.

  • Copy and paste to all boards.


After designing, download and create your Etsy listing.



By following these steps and focusing on what works, you can find and create hot-selling items on Etsy, whether you choose to niche down or keep a broad range of products. Happy selling!

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