Spreadsheets...Yes? No?

[Former_Member]

So while doing Etsy and running my shop I have found that I am not sure if the time I spend and the money I spend on making my items are worth it. So I decieded I need to start keeping track of everything that happens in my shop and outside my shop (sales, cost, time, views)

I am not sure where to start exactly...do you use spreadsheets to keep track? If so, what information do you have on there?

[Former_Member]

I started with a spreadsheet and now I use Outright.com. They have a free version or you can pay for their premium version so you can have tax info. I had the following headers for my columns "date (sold), paid, shipping, item (description), notes, Etsy fee, DC fee, PayPal fee, total" I made formulas to calculate the fees and add up the total. I had to keep going back and tweek it. That should give you a good start though.

I have a different one for expenses. But like I said, I'm not using it anymore. I like how Outright automatically imports everything from paypal and etsy. I manually enter expenses.

[Former_Member]

I love spreadsheets and organizing! I created this kit before opening this shop to help me organize my bath & body business.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/93817820/etsy-seller-business-organizer-4

[Former_Member]

Thank you Edee I will have to look into that. I love spreadsheets as well. The freedom of tweaking anything I want when I want. I just want to make sure I have ALL the info I need. Jacque those spreadsheets are amazing! Love them!!

[Former_Member]

I use spreadsheets to keep track of my expenses right now... one for my inventory and one for my tax stuff. I use Etsy stats to keep track of my views and sales. At this point I am not that busy so I just do what is easy.

[Former_Member]

Edee, thanks for the link. Just signed up for Outright. Wow, my expenses are waaaaay higher than I estimated. This is a real end-of-year eye-opener.

[Former_Member]

You're welcome! I actually heard about it from someone in the forums so I can't take all the credit ;) I love making spreadsheets too. I used to work in the accounting department for a trucking company.

[Former_Member]

I work in the credit department and all we use are spread sheets for everything!! So I knew I could use them but I was wanting something quicker than formulating all of them. I just signed up for Outright :) It is pretty neat to see everything there. I just have to get use to it! Thank you!!