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I Bought 10 Products On Etsy - Here's What Won My Money Pt 1

Hey there, Etsy sellers and shoppers! If you’ve ever wondered what it takes to actually win over a buyer’s heart (and wallet) on Etsy, you’re in the right place. I recently embarked on a little experiment where I opened my wallet wide and set out to buy 10 products on Etsy. The goal? To discover what truly makes someone like me commit to clicking “Buy Now” instead of bouncing away into the abyss of endless listings.

After hours—no, days—of scrolling, clicking, and sometimes heartbreak, I learned some eye-opening truths about the Etsy marketplace. So buckle up, because I’m about to spill the tea on what really sells on Etsy and what leaves buyers running for the hills.

The Experiment: Committed to Buying, But…

Here’s the setup: I wasn’t just browsing. I was ready to spend money. I looked at upcoming holidays, birthdays, and even my own office decor needs. I wanted to buy things that felt right, that fit into my vibe, that spoke to me.

Sounds simple, right? Well, the reality was anything but.

The Harsh Reality: Etsy Sellers Are Bad at Selling

Let me be blunt: I was shocked at how many shops on Etsy just don’t know how to sell their products effectively. I mean, you’d think that with millions of sellers, there’d be some killer listings out there, right? Nope. More often than not, I found myself clicking on what looked like a promising product only to be hit with a sales rollercoaster:

  • The Hidden Upgrade:

    “Oh, this looks great, but wait—if I want the exact one in the photo, I have to pay a ton more? No thanks.”

  • The Shipping Shock:

    “This is coming from Turkey? Shipping costs are through the roof!”

  • The Information Black Hole:

    “I really like this, but I still don’t know enough about it. What size is it? What material? Is it going to look like the photos? I’m out.”

In about 75% of the cases, I liked the product and agreed with the price—until I dug deeper and realized the listings just didn’t answer my questions well enough. The value wasn’t clear, and I didn’t feel confident enough to hand over my money.

The Etsy Algorithm and the “Diversity” Shuffle

Etsy recently changed their algorithm to promote more diversity on front pages, which sounds great on paper. But here’s the catch: as more shops got featured, I noticed many were simply not good at selling their products. This meant the front page was more diverse but also more frustrating to shop.

As I ventured deeper into page 10, 15, and beyond, the products got more unique but the SEO was terrible, and the selling techniques were even worse. I found myself loving some products but completely clueless about their size, look, or use. Without enough pictures or details, I just couldn’t imagine how they’d fit in my space.

And here’s a kicker: I had a strict rule not to message sellers for more info. I wanted to see if their listings alone could convince me. Spoiler alert: most couldn’t.

The Return Policy Dilemma: Why Etsy Sellers Are Missing a Huge Opportunity

Let’s talk returns. You know how Amazon makes it easy to take a chance on a product because of their generous return policies? You buy those $25 headphones, and if they’re terrible, you just send them back—no questions asked. That peace of mind makes it easier to buy impulsively.

Guess what? Etsy doesn’t have that luxury. Most shops don’t offer generous return policies, and that makes buyers like me hesitate. Why? Because if I’m not 100% sure I’ll love it, I don’t want to risk losing my money.

“The more kind and generous you are with your return policy, the more sales you’ll have.”

This isn’t just my opinion—it’s solid advice. If you trust your product, if you sell it well enough, and you educate your buyers so they know exactly what they’re getting, then a generous return policy can actually boost your sales. It’s a cost of doing business, a way to open the door wider and welcome more customers in.

So if you’re terrified of returns, maybe it’s time to rethink your product or your listings, because a narrow door lets fewer people in—and fewer people means fewer sales.

Brand vs. Product: Why You Need to Be Memorable

One of the most memorable shops I discovered was run by someone called Dr. Maker. They made these quirky, 3D-printed bookends—like a fire hydrant shooting water that holds up your books. It was fun, unique, and had a clear brand personality.

I didn’t even buy from Dr. Maker, but I remember the shop name two months later. Why? Because they told a story and introduced a personality, not just a product. And that’s the key: people remember people. They want to connect, to feel like they’re buying from a real person with a vibe, a story, a brand.

So many shops hide behind their products, but the truth is your Etsy shop is your brand’s stage. When buyers have their wallets ready, that’s your moment to shine. Introduce yourself. Tell your story. Make your shop unforgettable.

What Really Sold Me: Lifestyle and Customer Photos

When I finally did pull the trigger and buy, there were a few things in common among those shops:

  • Lifestyle Photos:

    Multiple angles, different settings, showing the product in real-life use. Not just a lonely product on a white background, but a product living in a home, office, or garden.

  • Customer Photos:

    Real buyers showing off their purchases. This gave me confidence because I could see how the product actually looked and felt in other people’s spaces.

One great example was a shop selling little wooden mushrooms. I have a lot of plants in my office, and these mushrooms were just the whimsical touch I needed. The seller packed her listings with customer photos showing the mushrooms in various styles and setups. That made all the difference.

When the mushrooms arrived, she even included a thank-you card with a shoutout to the customer photos in her listings. It was a brilliant way to build community and encourage more shoppers to share their own photos, which in turn makes future buyers more comfortable.

How to Use This Hack in Your Shop

  1. Create a single listing that includes all your product variants. This makes it easier to focus your SEO and marketing efforts.

  2. Fill that listing with lifestyle photos from multiple angles and in different settings.

  3. Encourage customers to share their photos and showcase them in your reviews and listings.

  4. Send a personal thank-you card with your orders, reminding buyers how much you appreciate their photos and reviews.

Simple, right? Yet so few Etsy shops do this well. It’s a game-changer.

The Bottom Line: Your Competitors Are Leaving Money on the Table

Here’s the harsh truth: most Etsy sellers are asking for market value but not selling their products well enough to justify that price. I said “no” a lot because the listings didn’t provide enough information or confidence for me to spend my money.

But here’s the upside: if you take the time to learn how to sell your product, to tell your story, to use lifestyle and customer photos, and to offer a generous return policy where possible, you can stand out in this crowded marketplace.

So, take a step back and think: is your shop memorable? Do your listings answer every question a buyer might have? Are you making it easy for shoppers to imagine your product in their lives? And do you have a return policy that eases their fears?

Final Thoughts

Buying 10 products on Etsy was an eye-opening journey. It showed me that buyers want more than just pretty photos; they want connection, clarity, and confidence. And sellers who deliver that are the ones who win.

In the coming parts of this series, I’ll dive deeper into the specifics of what made me buy from certain shops and pass on others. But for now, remember this:

Your competitors are really bad at selling on Etsy. That’s your opportunity.

Master the art of selling, embrace your brand, and make your listings irresistible. Your wallet will thank you, and so will your customers.



Helpful Resources for Etsy Sellers

If you're an Etsy seller looking to improve your shop and increase sales, here are some valuable resources you might find helpful:

Incorporating these insights and tools can help you stand out in the crowded Etsy marketplace and turn more browsers into buyers.

Work with me!

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