So, you’re ready to open an Etsy shop, but there’s one big question holding you back: What should I sell? Don’t worry—you’re not alone. Deciding on a product idea is often the hardest part of getting started, especially if you’re a beginner. But here’s the good news: choosing a product doesn’t have to be complicated, and you don’t need to reinvent the wheel to be successful.
In this post, I’m going to walk you through how to decide on a product idea for your Etsy shop, focusing on easy-to-create digital products like planners, printables, and wall art. These are perfect for beginners because they don’t require inventory or shipping. Plus, the demand for digital products is growing like crazy! Let’s dive in.
1. Start with What You Know (or Want to Learn)
One of the best ways to decide on a product idea is to think about what you already know or what you’re excited to learn. If you love designing things, creating printables or digital planners might be right up your alley. If you’re passionate about home décor, you could create printable wall art.
If you don’t have a specific skill set yet, that’s okay! Platforms like Canva make it easy to create digital products without needing a background in design. The key is to choose something you’re interested in because if you enjoy making your products, you’ll be more motivated to keep going.
Examples:
- Are you super organized? Try creating printable planners or to-do lists.
- Love art and quotes? Start designing printable wall art for home décor.
- Into budgeting or finances? Make budget planners or expense trackers.
2. Look for Gaps in the Market
One of the smartest ways to choose a product idea is to find a niche that isn’t overly crowded. You want to balance demand with competition. Start by browsing Etsy for similar products, and pay attention to what’s popular but not oversaturated.
For example, digital planners are always in demand, but you can niche down by creating planners for specific audiences, like teachers, entrepreneurs, or fitness enthusiasts. Finding your own angle helps your shop stand out from the crowd.
What to look for:
- Products with good sales but fewer competitors.
- Niches that you can bring your own unique spin to.
- Specific customer needs that aren’t fully being met.
Tip: Tools like Marmalead or EtsyRank can help you find popular but less competitive keywords, giving you insights into what buyers are searching for.
3. Think About the Practicality of Your Product
While it’s great to choose something you love, it’s also important to think about the practicality of your product idea. Some products take a lot of time to create, while others can be made more quickly. As a beginner, you may want to start with something that’s relatively simple and can be created in batches.
For digital products like printables or wall art, once you design them, they can be sold over and over again without any additional work—making them a great option for beginners looking for passive income. You’ll only need to focus on creating the product once, then promoting it.
What to ask yourself:
- How long will it take to create each product?
- Can you batch your work to save time?
- How easy will it be to market your product?
4. Consider What People Are Willing to Pay For
Not every idea that pops into your head will be a hit, and that’s okay! What’s important is that there’s a demand for the type of product you want to sell. Spend some time researching what people are already buying. Look at bestselling items in your product category to get a sense of what’s popular and at what price point.
You can also think about trends—seasonal items like holiday printables or New Year planners often do well at certain times of the year. Keep an eye on Etsy’s trending products section to see what’s in demand.
Quick research tips:
- Browse Etsy’s bestsellers in your chosen category.
- Check Pinterest for trending product ideas.
- Research what similar shops are doing, and think about how you can differentiate your products.
5. Start Small and Test Your Ideas
You don’t have to launch with a hundred different products in your shop. In fact, it’s better to start small, test a few ideas, and see what resonates with buyers. Once you get feedback and see what sells, you can adjust your offerings and add more products over time.
Starting with just a few listings will give you a chance to perfect your product, your listing descriptions, and your SEO. You’ll also be able to see which designs or types of products are getting the most attention, so you can double down on what works.
How to test:
- Start with 3–5 products in your shop.
- Pay attention to customer feedback and sales trends.
- Tweak your listings and keywords to improve visibility.
Bonus Tip: Join the Passive Income Society to Fast-Track Your Success
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the idea of starting your Etsy shop, there’s a way to make things easier on yourself. The Passive Income Society is a membership designed for people who want to build a successful Etsy business without all the trial and error.
Inside the membership, you’ll get access to step-by-step training on how to create digital products, market your shop, and grow your sales. Plus, there’s a supportive community of fellow Etsy sellers who can help guide you on your journey. It’s the kind of resource that will save you time, headaches, and help you hit the ground running!
Final Thoughts
Deciding on a product idea for your Etsy shop might feel daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. By focusing on what you enjoy, researching market demand, and testing your ideas, you’ll be able to find your niche and start building a shop that buyers love.
Remember, you don’t need to have it all figured out from day one. Start with small steps, learn as you go, and most importantly—have fun with the process! And if you need extra help along the way, the Passive Income Society is there to guide you every step of the way.
Good luck, and happy selling! 🌟