Are you a seller on Etsy who’s struggling to get your products noticed? Maybe you’re doing everything you can think of to stand out, but nothing seems to be working. If that’s the case, it’s time to take a closer look at your SEO strategy.
SEO, (search engine optimization) is the practice of optimizing your website or online shop to rank higher in the search engine results.
When it comes to Etsy, having a strong effective SEO strategy can mean the difference between your products being buried on page 10 of search results, or showing up on the first page.
One of the most important things to keep in mind when it comes to Etsy SEO is that it’s not just about keywords.
While keywords are certainly important, Etsy’s algorithm takes a many of factors into account when determining search rankings.
Your quality score being one of them. Which includes your Customer & Market Experience Score.
That means, you need to think about your product titles, tags, and descriptions. s well as your shop’s overall branding and customer experience.
By taking a holistic approach to SEO, you can give your products the best chance of being seen by potential buyers.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of optimizing your Etsy shop for search, don’t worry. There are plenty of resources available to help you get started.
From Etsy’s own Seller Handbook to online courses and communities, there’s no shortage of information out there.
With a little bit of effort and some strategic thinking, you can start improving your Etsy Search Engine Optimization and get your products in front of the right buyers.
Etsy SEO 101
That means, you need to think about your product titles, tags, and descriptions. As well as, your shop’s customers.
Understanding how Etsy SEO (Search Engine Optimization) works can help you optimize your listings and increase your visibility on the platform.
One of the most important factors in Etsy SEO are keywords. Etsy uses the words in your listing title, tags, and description to determine what your product is, and how it should be categorized.
It’s important to choose relevant keywords that describe your product. Making sure your primary keyword is something your customers are searching for.
A great keyword tool for this is eRank. I use it to help me find keywords, so that I can create relevant listings in my niche.
Not to mention, it helps me spy on my competitors. More on that later.
Another important factor is engagement. Etsy tracks how much engagement your listings receive, including views, favorites, and purchases.
Listings with higher engagement are more likely to appear at the top of search results.
Encouraging customers to engage with your listings is a plus. Promoting your listings by running Etsy Ads is another way to get visible.
It can help you increase your sales and improve your visibility on Etsy. Providing excellent customer service can help, too.
Etsy also takes into account the quality of your listings. This include factors such as, having clear and attractive thumbnails. Detailed product listing descriptions and strategic pricing.
When you have high-quality listings, your search ranking improves. Making your shop more attractive to buyers.
Your customer’s search query is and how relative your shop is plays a factor in your quality score.
By optimizing your product listings, your shop’s visibility improves. Bringing you more customers and more revenue.
Etsy SEO Basics
If you want your Etsy shop to be successful, it’s important to have a good understanding of Etsy SEO. Here are some basic tips to help you get started:
Keyword Research
I can’t stress enough how much keyword research plays a role in optimizing your Etsy listing.
Identifying the keyword phrases used by your potential customers are important for success. And will increase the likelihood of finding your product listings.
You can use tools like Google Keyword Planner or Etsy Rank (eRank) to help you with this.
You can also start by using the search bar. You can start typing in the keywords that are related to the products you want to sell and Etsy will begin to auto-populate search terms.
Those are the search terms your buyers are looking for on Etsy. Be sure to do this in a incognito browser window though. You don’t want your personal searches messing with your results.
Once you’ve identified your keywords, make sure to include them in your listing titles, tags, and descriptions. However, be careful not to overuse them. Etsy has a thing about keyword stuffing.
Listing Optimization
In addition to using the right keywords, there are other things you can do to optimize your Etsy listings for SEO. Here are a few tips:
- Use clear, descriptive titles that accurately reflect what you’re selling.
- Write detailed item descriptions that include your keywords and provide as much information as possible about your product.
- Use bullet points to make your listing easy to read and scan.
- Include relevant, high-quality images that show your product from multiple angles.
Image Optimization
Speaking of images, it’s important to optimize them for SEO as well. Here are some tips:
- Use high-quality images.
- Use descriptive file names and alt tags that include your keywords.
- Include multiple images that show your product from different angles and in use.
As of the time of this post, Etsy’s new interface doesn’t allow for alt tags just yet. They said it will be coming soon. That means your file descriptions will be important right now.
Also, Etsy allows you to use up to 10 images and a video. Utilize as many thumbnails as you can to showcase your product listing.
As for the image sizes. I did a video showing you BEST optimized image sizes for Etsy. You can watch it below.
By following these basic tips, you can improve your Etsy SEO and increase your chances of getting found by potential customers.
Advanced Etsy SEO Strategies
If you’re looking to take your Etsy SEO to the next level, there are a few advanced strategies you can implement to improve your visibility and sales.
Long Tail Keywords
Long tail keywords are longer, more specific phrases that customers might use to search for your products.
By putting these phrases into your titles, tags, and descriptions, you can help your listings show up in more relevant search results.
To find long tail keywords, start by brainstorming phrases that describe your products in detail. Create a list of keywords off the top of your head.
You can also use eRank to see what phrases customers are searching for related to your products.
This tool can also give you more keyword ideas. Then you will have a larger list of potential keywords you can target.
Competitor Analysis
Analyzing your competitors can help you identify areas where you can improve your Etsy SEO.
Look at the titles, tags, and descriptions of top-rank listings in your category. See what keywords they’re using and how they’re formatting their listings.
eRank does this for me. It’s my go-to SEO tool. Inside of eRank it shows you the exact product tags your competitors are using. I typically take these tags and plug them into the Etsy search box to see what listings show up.
Once you’ve gathered information, make sure your listings are as optimized as possible.
This can lead to customer reviews and you want lots of positive reviews on your listings. Better yet, you want 5-Star Reviews.
The more 5-star reviews you receive, the more Etsy will display your listings in the search. Your reviews can also get those potential customers off the fence about buying from you.
There is so much eRank can do to help grow your Etsy shop. I love it!
Check out the image below.
Utilizing Etsy Stats
Etsy provides a wealth of data through its Stats dashboard. It includes information on how customers are finding and interacting with your listings.
Use this data to identify which keywords are driving the most traffic and sales to your shop. And then adjust your listings accordingly.
You can also use Etsy Stats to track the performance of your promoted listings. Then you can make adjustments to your Etsy Ads strategy.
By implementing these advanced Etsy SEO strategies, you can improve your visibility and sales on the platform.
Keep experimenting and adjusting your approach to find what works best for your buyers.
Maintaining Etsy SEO
Regular Updates
To maintain your Etsy SEO, it’s important to update your shop and product listings on a regular basis.
This includes adding new products. Updating your product descriptions. Refreshing your shop’s banner and profile picture. By showing Etsy you’re serious about your business, this helps with your quality score.
Another important element Etsy looks at are your shipping and return policies.
Note: Etsy looks at shipping price too as a part of your quality score. The seem to favor free shipping as the preferred method.
Make sure your policies are clear, concise, and up-to-date. Update them as needed to reflect any changes in your business.
Monitoring SEO Performance
It’s important to track your Etsy SEO performance to ensure you’re on the right track.
Use Etsy’s built-in analytics tools to track your shop’s traffic. You can track your conversion rate, and other key metrics.
This can help you identify areas of improvement.
By updating your shop, and monitoring your SEO performance, you can maintain a strong presence on Etsy and attract more customers to your shop.
Common Etsy SEO Mistakes
When it comes to optimizing your Etsy shop for search engines, there are a few common mistakes that many sellers make. Here are two biggest mistakes to avoid:
Keyword Stuffing
One of the most common mistakes that Etsy sellers make is keyword stuffing.
This means using a keyword or phrase repeatedly in your listing titles, tags, and descriptions in an attempt to rank higher in search results.
While it may seem like a good idea, it can actually hurt your shop’s visibility and reputation.
Not only does keyword stuffing make your listings look spammy, but it can also result in your shop being penalized by Etsy’s search algorithm.
Instead of stuffing your listings with keywords, focus on using relevant, descriptive keywords that accurately represent your products.
Ignoring SEO Updates
Another common mistake that Etsy sellers make is ignoring SEO updates. Etsy’s search algorithm is constantly evolving, and what worked a few years ago may not work today.
If you’re not paying attention to updates and changes, you could be missing out on valuable opportunities to improve your shop’s visibility. ie. Adding video to your listings.
Make sure to stay up-to-date on Etsy’s SEO guidelines and best practices. This includes regularly checking for updates and changes to the algorithm and making adjustments to your listings as needed.
By avoiding these common SEO mistakes, you can help improve your shop’s visibility and attract more customers to your listings.
Key TakeAway
- Use relevant keywords in your titles, tags, and descriptions. It helps Etsy understand what your listing is about. Use a keyword research tool like eRank to help you.
- Optimize your images by using high-quality photos and including descriptive alt tags.
- Focus on providing excellent customer service. Generating positive reviews to boost your shop’s reputation, and get more organic traffic to your Etsy shop.
- Keep your shop up-to-date with fresh listings. Run seasonal promotions to attract new customers. You want to gain more search visibility to increase your odds of more product visibility.
- Track your shop’s performance using Etsy’s analytics tools. Adjust your SEO strategy as needed.
Pro Tip: Make sure your primary keyword is in your shop title. If you’re new to Etsy, head over to Setting Up Your Etsy Shop for Success From Day One. This is where I talk more about getting setup the right way from the start.
Remember, SEO is an ongoing process. It takes time to see results. It takes time to build search traffic. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate improvement in your sales.
Keep experimenting with different keywords, titles, and tag. Track your shop’s performance on a regular basis.
Following the Etsy SEO tips I mentioned here will help you improve your shop’s visibility. Keeping your listings updated will attract more customers to your product listings.