How many items would be a good limit?

[Former_Member]

Hi all! I've just started out on Etsy, and currently have two items in my store. I know that the more items you have, the higher your chances of being seen, but putting items up does cost some money, and quite a bit of time. How many items you would advice a newcomer to put up before stopping, at least for a while? I would love to hear your opinions!

[Former_Member]

As many as you have time for. Since it doesn't look like your items are actually tangible, it's more about putting in the time. When people see only a few items, I think they often don't want to take the chance on a newer seller (which is unfortunate at times), since they can't see a lot of their work.

I would suggest to never "stop" putting items up. The more often you put items up, the more chances you have. I think I started with about 10-15 items. I now have 150+ in my shop. It just takes time... If you want it to be really successful it will take time and you can't give up by stopping for awhile.

Good luck!!

[Former_Member]

Yes, it does take quite a lot of time to make those things… Thank you very much for your advice! I appreciate it. :)

[Former_Member]

I'd suggest listing an item once daily or at least every other day. If you did one every other day, the fees would be $3.00 for the month - not a big investment. You'll get more views if you list this way instead of listing a whole bunch of items all at once and nothing for awhile. Generally, you'll get more views and sales at 50 and 100 items.

It's entirely up to you how much time you want to invest. If you want your shop to be a viable business though, you will need to invest some time and money.

[Former_Member]

Once you get in the habit of making listing after listing, it gets easier and takes less time. As for the "craft" itself.... it shouldn't really feel like work since you should love to make what you sell :)

[Former_Member]

I found getting over the fifty mark increased alot of traffic to my store. Im setting myself the goal of 100 items now..

I think having more items builds trust in your product - personally I feel discouraged from buying from a shop with a couple of items because I don't get an overall impression of quality, passion, or 'what your shop is all about'

I like to feel like my purchase is coming from someone who loves what they do, not someone with just a moneymaking venture :)

[PICFiberArts]

For me once I hit 50 I started getting more views and sales. My craft takes a lot of time to make so I try to list at least once or twice a week. If a quilt isn't done then I will renew something in my shop. My goal is 100 but hard to reach. I would rather have the sales and keep making! I am doing what I love so no hardship for me.

Good luck!

[Former_Member]

If you are going to run a business (and Etsy is a business) then you need to have some sort of stock.

If you were to walk into a shop and see 2 items on a shelf, how long would you stay? And would you ever come back?

I'd recommend having at least a full page for each section before you even consider opening a shop.

Set up a good business plan and financial plan before you get too deep into the business.

The items in the shop are the last things that are generally added. Usually the shop 'infrastructure' is built first. That consists of the shop announcement, shop banner, profile, shop policies and shop 'about' page.

Once those pieces are in place then its time to add product.

[Former_Member]

I definitely noticed more traffic at even the milestone of 30 items. Now I'm over 60, but have no next listing goal to reach, and will just add as I make new items over time. This is a good number for me, as my shop has had good traffic and sales this month so far.

Whatever works for your shop, each shop is different. The more items you have listed, the more chances people have to find your shop!

[Former_Member]

I didn't open my shop until I had the inventory to fill it.

[Former_Member]

I tried to get at least one page in .... once sales started I increased to 50 items and now the goal is 100 ... although that is gonna take awhile =)

[KriyaDesign]

I started with 8 bracelets. I was crazy about pandora (inspired that is) beads at the time (February last year). I bought one too many beads so I put them together and the store went live.

Then I keep adding. To justify my obsession with charms and flowers. For me, there is no limit to creating, so does the items in the store. I am slowing down because I need to get organized a bit before I go on again.

It does take times and money :-). Searching supplies, buying, labeling, photo shooting, editing, prepping, posting, tagging, titling, book keeping, promoting.. oh wow!

You may want to start with one piece at a time. One task at a time. And be at it... consistently... unceasingly (rule of thumb :-))

"The best walking is one step at a time" Some one wise said this. It makes sense.

[Former_Member]

Carragh from BadgersHollow says

I found getting over the fifty mark increased alot of traffic to my store.
============
Yup, definitely noticed the same!

One day about 15 of my first listings expired in one day, dropping my item count in 30ies, and for 2 days I was in shock why my views amount had dropped almost by half ... as soon as I renewed those listings - BAM, my views count was normal again. Spooky!!

(I have to mention it was NOT those expired listings themselves that had generated the missing views - they seem to work just as a boost to put my listing count over 50).

[Former_Member]

To 433Jewelry - Your post hit home for me. I have had a pity-party for myself the last few months, and your comment that you just have to be patient and put in the time just sort of gave me the chin-up I needed. Thank you!

V

[Former_Member]

I found out from people in another team that I'm in that you can speed up the listing process if you copy a current listing, then edit it carefully for the new item. That has really worked for me.

[SelkiePubZines]

My goal is 60 and then 120--enough for every other and every day of the four month listing term. So far, stuck around 35!

[Former_Member]

It does cost money but you reap the rewards of sales in the long run!

[AllieBlankets]

Don't put a limit on yourself. Keep making items, no matter how your sales are here. People do not like seeing an empty shop, meaning having at least a full page of items would be good to get started. This won't be a situation where you put up a few item, they sell,then you put up more....it doesn't work that way! I had to learn that too; when I first started I was upset when my first two afghans just sat there for months and months. Once I filled my shop, fixed my titles and tags, and promoted regularly, things picked up significantly. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Alisa has the best advice. Also, when you make something that can be easily reptroduced, list that item in your shop. Make a gift, a custom order, a donation for a fundraiser? All those items can be used to build stock in your shop.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much, everyone! You're all so awesome, and have great advice. I'll definitely work on creating more items for my shop. :)

[Former_Member]

I had tried two times in the past to do an etsy shop with very few number of items. granted there were other facts preventing those shops from succeeding, but when I did this shop, I made sure to have (I think it was about six) items to start. Still not nearly enough, but I think it helped a lot with first sales. Now I'm challenging myself to really put out more items, especially after reading some of your all's comments about seeing a big shift after 30-50 listings.
Since you're new, you could always keep your shop on the down low until you fill it up the way you want to.