How to start an Etsy shop as a teenager in 11 steps

Etsy is a popular online marketplace where people can sell their art, crafts, stickers, homemade goods, and more. Sellers of all types use Etsy to market their goods. Some make a full-time living from Etsy, while others just use it as a side hustle.

If you’re interested in selling on Etsy, you may be wondering where to start! We’ve got you covered. This guide goes over how to start an Etsy shop as a teenager.

Can teens sell on Etsy?

Yep! But there are some specific rules to be aware of.

Teens aged 13 to 18 can sell on Etsy. The Etsy policy just requires you to have “permission and direct supervision from a parent or legal guardian.” The legal adult must set up the account using their own information, but once the account is set up, the teen can use it as their own.

Once a teen turns 18, they can have their Etsy account transferred to their own name by contacting integrity@etsy.com.

Minors under age 13 are not allowed to use Etsy.

So before you start selling on Etsy, make sure to check in with your parents first!

How to start an Etsy shop as a teenager

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Whether you’re looking for a side hustle or you’d like to start your own business, Etsy is a great option to consider. And starting an e-commerce business on Etsy doesn’t need to be complicated. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how Etsy sellers can get started on the platform. (Before you get started on these steps, remember to ask a parent first!)

1. Decide what you’re going to sell 🎨

Etsy allows shop owners to sell handmade goods, gifts, artwork, jewelry, home décor, and much more. To have the best experience with Etsy selling, it’s a good idea to make and sell something you’re passionate about!

Maybe you want to create skincare products using all-natural ingredients. Or maybe you’re a fiber artist and want to make your own line of clothing or accessories. Whatever your passion may be, chances are you can sell your goods on Etsy — just be sure to think about how you might set your products apart from your competition. Think about what makes your products different.

2. Take good product photos 📸

Next up, make at least one of every item you plan to sell, and take high-quality photos. You’ll ideally want to have a clean white background with plenty of light as well as a decent camera — although these days, your smartphone might do the trick! You can research more at-home product photography tips to really make your images pop.

3. Create your Etsy account 💻

Before you set up your Etsy store, you need to register for an Etsy account. You can do this by clicking “Sign In,” then “Register,” and filling out the required information.

Remember: If you’re between the ages of 13 and 17, your parent or guardian must sign upand use their personal information to register the account. You can’t use your own info unless you’re 18!

4. Set up Etsy shop preferences 📦

Once you’ve registered an account, you can click the “Sell on Etsy” link in your profile to start setting up your shop. From here, you’ll set up store basics, like your country, language, and currency accepted.

5. Name your Etsy store ✍️

Next you’ll need to choose a shop name. You need to choose a unique name that isn’t already in use, and you can use up to 20 characters. You can change your shop name later, but you can only change it once — so try to pick a name that you like and that describes your products well.

6. Create product listings 🛍

Now it’s time to actually start listing products for sale! Each product will get its own unique page/listing, and you’ll be asked to provide the following:

• Photos: At least one photo is required, but you can add up to 10. Videos are also supported (but not required).

• Listing details: This includes the title of the listing (name of the product), a detailed description, information on who made the item, whether it’s a physical or digital product, and more.

• Inventory and pricing: This is where you list how much the product costs and how many of each item you have for sale. Be sure to price your items at a level that generates profit after paying for the materials, your labor, shipping, etc.

• Product variations: For products with multiple variations (like different colors or sizes), this field allows you to offer customization options to your customers.

• Shipping: This is where you set the cost of shipping your items. Etsy has an option to estimate shipping costs directly from the platform, or you can offer free shipping and just increase the price of your items to cover the cost.

Keep in mind that you’ll pay listing fees to Etsy, which are currently $0.20 per Etsy listing. You’ll be asked to add a credit card to your account to pay for these fees.

7. Set up payment settings 🤑

Here’s a section of some legal/tax details. It’s a good idea to ask your parents for help with this one! And again, remember, if you’re under 18 your parents must use their own information, not yours.

During this step, you’ll set up how you want to get paid and provide Etsy with some information for tax purposes. This includes whether you’re selling as an individual or sole proprietorship (a type of business legal structure), or as an incorporated business.

You’ll also add a bank account to your Etsy account, so that you can receive payments from customers.

Plus, Etsy will ask for your credit card or debit card information, which will be used to pay for Etsy fees.

8. Open your shop 🛒

You’ll now be able to formally open your Etsy shop! You’ll be assigned a unique URL, which will look something like yourshop.etsy.com. You can share this link with friends, family, and others who might be interested in making a purchase!

9. Set up shop policies 📝

Before you start selling, it’s a good idea to set up formal policies for your online business. These policies tell potential customers what to expect in terms of processing time, return policies, shipping options, and more. You can set these policies from within your Etsy seller account.

10. Get familiar with Etsy’s terms and fees 🧐

You’re now an Etsy shop owner, so you should get familiar with how the platform works and how Etsy’s terms and conditions will affect your business. Etsy has plenty of tutorials and learning resources for beginners.

This is also a good time to learn about Etsy fees. The two main fees to be aware of are the listing fee ($0.20 per new listing) and the transaction fee (6.5% of the sale price of each item). There may be other fees for Etsy payments, advertising fees, etc., depending on how you list and sell your items.

11. Start selling 💸

Your hard work has paid off, and you have your own new Etsy shop! You can now sell products you’ve already listed, add new products to your store, create new handmade items to sell, and build up a customer base to expand your business.

Etsy business owners will likely want to promote their items to friends and family to get that first sale or two, but you also might consider using Etsy ads to promote items to a wider audience. You have to pay for Etsy ads, but they can help you reach new customers. 

You can also promote your items on social media or invest some time in learning search engine optimization (SEO) and Etsy search optimization to help get more people to find your items.

Manage your profits wisely to grow your new business

Ready to start your Etsy shop? Check in with a parent first and then follow the 11 steps above. You’ll be up and running in no time!

If you plan to use Etsy as a way to make money from home, it’s important to realize that you’re technically running a small business! And for best results, you should treat things like a business by managing your money, investing in new products or promotion strategies, and being mindful with how you spend, save, or invest your profits.

Want a slick way to help learn about personal finance while also managing your money in a teen-friendly app? Talk to your parents about Greenlight, the all-in-one money app for teens.

Sign up for Greenlight today!