If you’re a crafter, artist, or fan of vintage goods, you know Etsy. Since taking the online shopping world by storm in 2005, Etsy has become the go-to source for everything from handcrafted jewelry and art supplies, to cosmetics and unique toys.
If you choose to sell your products on Etsy, it’s important to understand the various sellers’ fees so you can make the best decisions for your online business. So put down those wire clippers or paintbrushes and get the lowdown on the fees on your Etsy listings, because not only can you put a price on your handmade goods … you can maximize your profits if you price them correctly!
- Listing Fees — You’ll pay 20 cents per listing when published. If after four months your item hasn’t sold, the listing expires and the fee is added to your monthly bill from Etsy. For multiple listings of a particular item (such as if you have 10 of the same handcrafted bracelet to sell), you’ll pay an additional 20 cents for every offering after the first.
- Listing Renewals — To renew an inactive listing costs another 20 cents.
- Transaction Fees — The transaction fee for your Etsy sale is 3.5% of the item price, not including shipping or tax.
- Advertising Fees — Having a strong presence on Etsy can certainly spur sales, but it isn’t free. Search Ads enable sellers’ active listings to appear when certain keywords are used in a customer search. This is a great way to get your listings in front of more buyers. The more you spend, the more often your ads will come up in searches. Pricing varies by keyword and category.
- Payment Processing Fees — If you choose direct checkout for payment, expect a processing fee of 3% of your selling price (including shipping fees and tax), plus 25 cents per direct-checkout order. This fee will be taken from your total sale price and will not appear on your Etsy bill.
Paying Your Etsy Bill
Keep in mind that all fees for your listings, transactions and ads will appear on a monthly bill from Etsy, which must be paid by the 15th of the following month. To access your bill, visit “Your Shop” and choose “Your Bill,” then follow the prompts to pay with your credit card on file or via PayPal.
Finally, don’t make the mistake of assuming a slow month means a break from your bill! There’s no required minimum to be billed. For example, if you owe 20 cents, that’s how much you’ll need to pay. Your credit card or PayPal statement may look a little funny afterward, but console yourself that it’s probably the smallest bill you’ll pay all month.
Happy crafting!
