A Creative Shopportunity - Top Etsy Businesses for 2024
May 20, 2024
Authored by: Kristin Johnson• 8 Minute Read
Whether you’re transforming a creative hobby into a side hustle or launching a full-time enterprise, starting an Etsy shop can be an exciting venture in 2024.
Originally a marketplace for artists and handcrafters, Etsy has evolved into a diverse platform where all kinds of brands get their start. The platform attracts a broad and diverse audience of over 96.3 million active buyers and has proven to be a viable site for experimenting with products and growing a brand.
Starting an Etsy shop is easy. There are minimal barriers to entry and, depending on your product and business model, the initial costs are often low. This does mean that certain product lines can become quickly saturated and highly competitive. Additionally, trends change constantly, so choosing the right product and selling model is key. The most successful Etsy entrepreneurs do their research and focus on niche items with established demand. The items typically align with their longstanding skills and expertise, whether they are skilled jewelry makers or woodworkers. Sometimes, the items have a direct connection to their values. For example, if an artist is passionate about women’s rights, they can create gifts with empowering messages for women. Those who love a particular neighborhood or city can create souvenirs representing pride in a specific region. The possibilities are endless!
But as more makers lean on this platform to sell their goods, the more important it has become to create a solid and memorable brand presence online. Picture this: you've curated a collection of mindful home decor that resonates with the essence of tranquility. One way to shine is to create a unique and branded URL, one that seamlessly directs customers to your Etsy storefront. By incorporating a custom URL, you not only enhance the professionalism of your brand but also make it easier for potential customers to remember and revisit your shop. This personalized touch extends to your business cards and social media channels, offering a cohesive and memorable brand experience. If you happen to be based in the United States, it would make sense to opt for a .US domain, to remind shoppers that you are part of the American artisan community. These are small yet impactful steps toward building a distinctive brand presence in the vast and diverse landscape of Etsy.
To get your creative juices flowing, we’ve compiled the following list of Etsy shop ideas that are expected to perform well in 2024.
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Art, with a meaningful touch: Etsy's roots in curating a market for handcrafted products make it ideal for selling various art forms, from one-of-a-kind, original works to print-on-demand products to digital downloads. While the competition is high, leveraging Etsy's more than 50,000 monthly searches for "Etsy art" can allow artists to establish a presence online.
Baby Products: There is consistent consumer demand for baby products, but also a market for keepsakes that go beyond the daily essentials of diapers and burp cloths. Etsy Baby even has its own category with almost 1.5 million offerings including clothing, diaper bags, dishware, toys, and more. Be sure to consider sizing challenges and adhere strictly to safety regulations with these products.
Candles: The growing candle market, expected to reach $545.2 million by 2025, offers opportunities on Etsy for sellers interested in making their own candles or outsourcing it to other professionals. Some candle holders and tins carry meaningful messages while other candle makers have created artistic colors and adornments with the wax itself.
Clothing: Selling clothing on Etsy includes vintage resale, customization services like monogramming, and custom designs. There is also a market for vintage patterns and fabrics, and another group entirely selling original, custom-made textiles. There is a learning curve to these product lines, and wise sellers are prepared to handle returns and provide excellent customer service.
Craft Supplies and Kits: Etsy's built-in audience for crafters makes it an excellent platform for selling supplies and kits. Ensuring consistent quality is crucial, and additional instructions may be needed.
Curated Boxes: Bundling items in themed packages (think Birchbox or Ipsy) offers flexibility for any niche and is a great way to sell through aging inventory. However, sourcing products and managing packaging can be challenging, but customers continue to appreciate the convenience of these products.
Customized Goods: Personalized items resonate with shoppers seeking unique products. Additionally, personalization allows sellers a way to stand out from competitors. That said, sellers should take care to manage long fulfillment windows and challenges during high demand.
Digital Products: Digital products intangible items delivered electronically. They include items such as resume templates, planners, invitations, and even art. Sellers can hire professional help or design their own work via programs like Canva and Adobe Illustrator, or even through AI software like Midjourney and Dall-E. There is little to no overhead costs and products often have options for customization and unlimited shelf life making them a good product to offer in 2024.
Enamel Pins: Pins offer unlimited design possibilities with less competition than offerings like stickers. Etsy yields around less than 300,000 results for enamel pins. Sellers can either collect and offer vintage pins or produce their own, exploring different types, like textured soft or durable hard enamels.
Fitness Trackers, Planners, and More: Cater to fitness fanatics and those seeking more “fitspiration” by offering personalized fitness gear, such as custom-designed workout towels, gym bags, and water bottles. Think about other items that encourage a commitment to fitness, such as fitness planners and journals. These items could include custom-designed workout apparel or fitness accessories with unique prints or motivational quotes. A little motivation can go a long way.
Furniture and Home Goods: “Etsy Furniture” gets over 3,000 searches monthly. Additionally, sellers can explore different niches within home goods and seasonal decor. Keep in mind that large pieces can be challenging and expensive to deliver, so be sure to price things appropriately.
Jewelry: A massively popular Etsy item, jewelry provides a small and easy-to-ship product with unlimited opportunities for customization and personalization. Sellers can explore the vast market by tapping into the 8,000 monthly searches for "Etsy jewelry."
Pet Accessories: Like Baby Items, Pet products have their own category listing on Etsy. Some experts forecast revenue from pet supplies will even overtake the market for baby products. The products are often less regulated than baby gear, making it a good opportunity for handcrafted accessories and products, such as feeding supplies, bedding, and collars.
Phone Cases: Another small, lightweight item that is easy to ship, phone cases make great Etsy products. Phone cases are a great opportunity for personalization and work well with dropshipping and print-on-demand models of selling. Sellers can explore creative possibilities in the phone case market, considering over 700,000 results for "phone cases."
Plants: Plants and plant-like products are a popular search item on Etsy. Wreaths, for example, garners almost 1,600 monthly searches on average. Regarding real plants, use caution when shipping. There are some restrictions on international shipping and plants are easily damaged in the process.
Stickers: Stickers are among the most popular Etsy items. There are more than 4 million results for stickers on Etsy and globally, the market for die-cut stickers is expected to reach $241.56 million in 2025. Stickers offer almost endless opportunities for customization and their small size means affordable shipping.
Tech Accessories: Liven up any tech gadget with style and creativity. Design a range of personalized accessories, such as laptop sleeves, airpod cases, cable organizers, and gadget holders. In fact, one of the most popular tech accessories on Etsy is a leather cable and charger organizer that can even hold an AirTag. Allow customers to choose designs, colors, initials or even add personal messages.
Vintage and Secondhand Goods: There is a thriving market for used goods given current sustainability trends. Sellers can explore different categories like homegoods and toys, but clothing is arguably the most popular on Etsy. When choosing to sell vintage or secondhand, consider shipping challenges and be ready to provide excellent customer service.
Wellness and Self-Care Kits: The wellness industry is booming, and people are actively seeking products that contribute to their mental and physical well-being. You can specialize in a single product, like aromatherapy mists or gua sha facial massage tools. You can also think bigger and create curated wellness kits with bundled items like meditation aids, relaxation tools, and self-care journals. Focus on creating aesthetically pleasing and thoughtful kits that encourage a true experience.
Woodworking Projects: Etsy co-founder Rob Kalin, known for crafting wood furniture, reflects the platform’s roots in crafting. Woodworking on Etsy offers opportunities to sell versatile products, from simple to intricate, and allows for upcycling and customization. However, navigating a learning curve and the sometimes prohibitive costs of machinery and building materials are essential considerations.
Whether you choose to sell original, physical items, or utilize a print-on-demand or dropshipping method, remember that Etsy has a strict Handmade Policy. It states:
“...people come to Etsy to discover items that they might not find anywhere else. Your design and production process should lead to the creation of a unique item that would not exist without you…”
Whatever you sell, make it unique, include any partners used, and be transparent about your production and fulfillment process.
In the ever-evolving landscape of Etsy, the possibilities are as diverse as the creators themselves. While Etsy provides the platform and audience, successful sellers must also practice good business, considering pricing strategy, marketing efforts, and shop management.
Turning a creative endeavor into a thriving business demands quality products, optimized listings, and customer engagement. Etsy is a popular destination for gift-shopping and offers an excellent user experience that encourages browsing and new product discovery. It’s therefore important to create a brand presence on and off the platform. In addition to creating a memorable business name, it’s smart to also create a branded URL to redirect users to your Etsy page. You can simply leverage your existing Etsy page with a custom URL to put on your business cards and social media channels.
That said, Etsy remains a vibrant marketplace for creativity and commerce, offering endless opportunities for creativity and commerce.
