Lately, if you are in any Facebook groups you may have seen posts from Etsy sellers wondering why sales seem to be down. If you're in the same boat, you're not alone. It’s completely natural to analyze your stats down to the tiniest detail—I still do it! When you are wondering why are my Etsy sales are so low its too easy to focus on daily sales. But here's the thing: focusing too much on the micro numbers can really magnify your reactions and emotions. The highs and lows become exhausting to manage, and it’s easy to get caught in a whirlwind of anxiety.
When this happens, try zooming out a bit. Instead of focusing on daily or even weekly stats, shift your perspective to look at the bigger picture—monthly, quarterly, and even half-yearly trends. This approach helps you see your shop’s performance in a broader context, and you’ll start to notice patterns unique to your business over time.
Many Etsy shop owners are reporting a significant decline in sales, with some experiencing a 40-60% drop compared to last year. This decline has left many sellers concerned, especially as the holiday season approaches. The factors behind this loss are varied, including changes in consumer behavior, economic challenges, and shifts in online shopping trends. While some businesses are adapting to the evolving market, others are finding it difficult to regain the momentum they had in previous years.
It’s important to remember that everyone’s sales patterns will be different. There are countless variables affecting e-commerce, far too many to list, but as you gain experience, you’ll start to recognize your shop’s rhythm. So what’s been impacting Etsy sales recently?
- COVID-19: Yes, we’re still feeling its ripple effects, and the pandemic has had unpredictable impacts on consumer behavior. I found myself falling into the trap of comparing this year’s sales to those from last year or even the year before. Coming out of lockdowns, there were so many missed celebrations—parties, weddings, and gatherings—that suddenly needed to be planned. The result? The years immediately following COVID were busier than usual for sellers. Now, as things have settled, it’s natural for sales to normalize again.
- The Economy: With fluctuating budgets, political shifts, and widespread financial hardships, many people are feeling the pinch. As we head into the holiday season, which is quickly approaching as I write this, spending habits tend to shift even further. People are focusing more on buying gifts for others and cutting back on personal purchases or non-essential items, which can impact overall sales trends.
- Natural Disasters: The U.S. recently experienced two major hurricanes, and events like these cause widespread disruptions. Beyond the immediate impact of people losing their homes, livelihoods, and access to electricity and internet, there are also less obvious consequences. Supply chains are disrupted, and many people are forced to migrate or relocate, all of which can affect consumer spending and the flow of goods and services.
- Seasonal and Monthly Patterns: National holidays, mid-month slowdowns for those paid monthly, and other cyclical factors all play a role in shaping consumer spending habits. These predictable patterns can lead to fluctuations in sales that are easy to overlook if you're only focusing on the short term.
Etsy is a bit of a rollercoaster—some months are great, others not so much. The tricky part is that you can’t always pinpoint one single cause for sales being up or down. There are simply too many moving pieces to consider, and even the best analytics program would struggle to break it all down. So don't automatically think it's something you did in your shop that angered the Etsy Gods.
The key takeaway? Don’t get caught up in analyzing daily stats—this can lead to unnecessary stress over short-term fluctuations. Instead, zoom out and focus on your long-term performance. By looking at monthly, quarterly, and yearly trends, you’ll get a clearer picture of how your shop is doing overall, which helps you better manage the inevitable ups and downs of running an Etsy business. To cope with lower sales, consider diversifying your product offerings, experimenting with new marketing strategies, and refining your SEO to increase visibility. Staying flexible and adapting to market shifts will help you navigate the rollercoaster ride of selling on Etsy with confidence and resilience. Trust the process, and keep moving forward with the bigger picture in mind!
