The Etsy platform is a great way to connect customers with unique products, but it can be a bit tricky to navigate. The algorithm that the platform uses to match customer searches with products takes many elements of your shop and listings into account. While tags are certainly important, there are other factors that play a role in how well your listings rank in search results. In this article, I’ll be sharing some tips and tricks to help you strengthen your listings and boost your rankings. My goal is to help you reach the first page of search results, where you’ll be most likely to attract customers. So, let’s get started!
What Is SEO?
So, you might have heard the term SEO before and wondered what it means when it comes to your Etsy shop. Well, SEO stands for “Search Engine Optimization”, and it’s all about making sure your shop and listings come up at the top of Etsy search results when people are looking for something specific. Think of it like a special recipe of keywords, titles, images, and other elements that help Etsy understand that your shop and listings are relevant to what they’re searching for. It’s like a secret ingredient that can help you make your shop more discoverable and visible to more potential customers on Etsy. And don’t worry, Etsy updates its algorithm all the time, so you can always check on its website for the most up-to-date best practices.
So, by optimizing your shop and listing information, you can increase your chances of getting your items ranked higher in Etsy search results. It could be the difference between your shop being on the first or the second page of search results. Pretty cool, right?
Ranking Factors On Etsy
When it comes to Etsy SEO, there are a few key factors that determine how well your shop and listings will rank in search results.
First, let’s talk about Relevancy. This is all about making sure that the words and details in your listings match what shoppers are searching for. The more relevant your listings are, the higher they’ll show up in search results. It’s like a secret recipe of words that helps Etsy understand that your shop and listings are exactly what the customer is looking for.
Next, there’s the Shipping Price. Listings that offer free shipping or are available for digital download get a little extra boost in search results. Buyers are more likely to purchase something if the shipping cost is low or free.
Listing Quality Score is another ranking factor to consider. Etsy wants to know how many shoppers view your product versus how many go on to buy it. The higher the number, the higher you’ll rank in search results. This is because Etsy wants to make sure that shoppers are finding items that are worth buying.
Customer and Market Experience Score is another important factor. This score takes into account all of your feedback, both positive and negative, and helps Etsy understand how your shop is doing overall. Things that can affect your score include customer reviews, whether or not your shop page policies are set up, a completed About section, cases against your Etsy shop, and intellectual property infringement violations.
Translations and Language are also important. Etsy automatically translates your titles and tags, but if you add your own translations, it will increase your chances of ranking higher in search results as they are often more accurate than the platform’s automated translations.
Another important factor is shopper habits, Etsy tailors search results to each individual buyer. This means when Buyer X searches for “digital planners,” they’ll see different results when Buyer Y enters the same search term. To improve this aspect of Etsy SEO, the platform recommends using the stats it provides to see what buyers are searching for to reach your top and lowest-viewed listings. This will help you optimize underperforming listings.
Images Quality and Quantity are also ranking factors. High-quality images that show the product from different angles and in use, can increase the chances of getting more views and sales. Also, providing multiple images can also help shoppers to make a more informed decision before purchasing.
Lastly, Social Media presence is also an important factor. Having a strong presence on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest, can boost your shop’s visibility, and drive more traffic to your shop.
Tips And Tricks For Better Ranking On Etsy
Keywords – When it comes to getting your listings to show up in search results, using the right keywords is key! By including relevant keywords in your titles, tags, and descriptions, you’ll be helping Etsy match your products with what shoppers are searching for. It’s like a secret code that helps shoppers find what they’re looking for and helps your listings rise to the top. Make sure that you use keywords that are specific to your product and try to include them in the most natural way possible. Additionally, don’t forget to use variations of the keywords you are targeting as it will help you reach a broader audience and increase your visibility.
High-Quality Images – no wonder they say “pictures are worth a thousand words”! By using high-quality images that show your products from different angles and in use, you’ll be helping shoppers get a better sense of what they’re buying. This can be especially helpful for items that are difficult to describe or understand just by reading a product title or description.
Using images that show your product in use can help shoppers envision using your product in their own lives, making them more likely to buy it. Another idea to enhance your listing’s visibility is to make use of the video feature that Etsy offers, which allows you to upload a video of your product, this will give more information to the shoppers and increase the chances of them buying your product.
Keep Your Listings Fresh – By doing this, you’ll be giving shoppers a reason to come back to your shop again and again. When you renew an item, it gets bumped back to the top of the search results, giving it a better chance to be seen. This will also help you keep your shop active and increase your chances of appearing in search results.
Brand Your Shop – Creating a consistent look and feel across your entire Etsy shop can make a big difference in how customers perceive and remember your brand. This includes everything from your shop banner to your product photos and descriptions. By making sure that all of your branding elements, such as colors, font, and imagery, are consistent, you’ll be making it easier for buyers to recognize and remember your shop.
Consistent branding will also make your shop look more professional and trustworthy, which can help buyers feel more comfortable making a purchase. It’s like building a trustful relationship with your customers, and it will help them come back to your shop again and again.
Copyright and Shop Policies – When creating your products for Etsy, it’s important to make sure you’re not breaking any copyright laws. This will help you avoid any legal issues that could negatively impact your score. Also, keeping your listings and shop policies up-to-date can help improve your customer and market experience score. This point is very important especially for digital product sellers because it is very easy to create similar products even without noticing it.
Find The Perfect Keywords For Your Shop
I’ll show you my three main methods to find matching keywords for my shop on Etsy.
Manually researching the Etsy Bar: One of the simplest ways to find keywords for your Etsy shop is to manually research the Etsy bar. Start by typing in keywords related to your products and take note of the suggested search terms that appear. These suggested search terms can give you a good idea of what people are searching for on Etsy and can help you come up with keywords for your own listings.
Google Planner: this allows you to research keywords for free and see how much traffic they generate. However, it may not be as accurate as paid tools and it’s not specific to Etsy, it’s for general web pages.
Paid Tools like EverBee: There are several paid tools available that can help you find keywords for your Etsy shop. One of the most popular options is EverBee. This tool allows you to research keywords, track your competitors, and see which keywords are driving the most traffic to your listings. I opt for EverBee because it is easy to use (as a chrome extension) and makes my life much easier. If you are interested in this tool you can check my in-depth EverBee tutorial.
Mistakes That Can Destroy Your SEO
There are some no go ways to perform SEO for your Etsy shop. Avoid some of these mistakes.
Being Too Frequent With Changes: Making too many changes to your listings too quickly can also negatively impact your ranking. Be sure to give Etsy time to process any changes you make to your listings before making additional changes.
Duplicate Keywords: Using the same keywords in multiple listings can also negatively impact your ranking. Be sure to use a variety of keywords to improve your visibility and reach a wider audience.
Avoid Keyword Stuffing: While it’s important to include keywords in your listings to improve your visibility on Etsy, it’s also important to make sure your listings are written in a way that is easy to read and makes sense to customers. Overusing keywords in your listings can make them difficult to read and can negatively impact your ranking.
Fix Broken Links and Pages: Broken links and pages can make it difficult for customers to find what they’re looking for in your shop and can also negatively impact your ranking. Be sure to fix any broken links or pages as soon as you become aware of them.
Conclusion
To summarize, your Etsy shop ranking can play a big role in boosting your sales. By implementing effective strategies such as optimizing your listings with relevant keywords, providing excellent customer service, and regularly updating your shop with new products, you can improve your visibility and attract more customers. Also, promoting your shop through social media and collaborating with other sellers can help drive more traffic to your shop. Remember to stay up to date with the latest trends and changes on Etsy, and keep testing and adjusting your approach to see what works best for your shop. With a little bit of effort and patience, you can achieve a higher ranking and become an Etsy Super Seller. Wish you all the best!
Affiliate Link Disclosure
This article includes some affiliate links, which means that I may receive a small commission if you click on them and make a purchase. There is no additional cost to you for clicking on these links. I hope that the information in this article is helpful to you!