Are Etsy ads worth it? If you’re an Etsy seller, you’ve probably heard about Etsy ads, and you may have wondered if they’re worth the investment.

Etsy ads can help increase visibility and drive traffic to your shop, but how much should you spend, and what kind of return can you expect?

I decided to do some investigation and testing for my own Etsy shop to answer these questions.

Let’s dive right in.

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How Etsy Ads Work?

Etsy Ads or Promoted Listings have become a popular marketing tool among Etsy shop owners who want to increase their product visibility and sales. Essentially, it enables shop owners to promote their products to potential customers on the Etsy platform, giving them the opportunity to reach a larger audience than they would through organic means alone.

Etsy offers two types of ads to choose from: onsite and offsite. Onsite ads are the type of ads that you can see on the Etsy website or mobile app while browsing. They are also known as internal ads as they promote items within Etsy’s own platform. Onsite ads can appear in various locations on Etsy, including the homepage, search results, and category pages.

On the other hand, offsite ads are those that promote your products on external websites and social media platforms. Etsy automatically enrolls you in their offsite ads program if you make at least one sale in a 60-day period. These ads are managed by Etsy and are charged on a commission basis.

Overall, Etsy Ads can be an effective way to increase product visibility and drive sales, but they do come at a cost. Shop owners must be strategic in their approach to running ads, ensuring they target their best sellers and optimize their listings for SEO. By doing so, they can make the most of their ad budget and see a positive return on investment.

Where do the Etsy ads show up?

Etsy Onsite Ads:

Onsite ads are displayed to customers searching for specific keywords on the Etsy website. Etsy onsite ads appear in search results, category pages, and item pages. When you set up onsite ads, you can select which products you want to advertise and how much you will pay for each click.

Etsy onsite ads are managed through the Etsy dashboard, and sellers can easily track their ad performance.

Etsy Offsite Ads:

Etsy’s offsite ads, on the other hand, are displayed on external platforms such as Google and Bing. These ads are automatically generated by Etsy and are shown to potential customers who have visited the Etsy website but haven’t made a purchase.

Etsy charges sellers a fee for offsite ads only when they result in a sale. The fee is a percentage of the total sale amount, and the percentage depends on the seller’s total annual sales on Etsy.

Can you adjust the Etsy ads?

Etsy offers two main types of ads for Etsy sellers: onsite ads and offsite ads. Onsite ads are advertisements that appear within the Etsy website, while offsite ads are ads that are displayed on external platforms like Google and Bing.

Customizations:

Sellers have some control over the customizations of their onsite ads, including the budget, keywords, and duration. Sellers can also create different ad campaigns for different products and adjust the bid amount for each campaign. For offsite ads, sellers can choose to opt-out of the program entirely or adjust their ad spend limit.

Placement:

Onsite ads are displayed in search results, category pages, and item pages. Offsite ads are displayed on external platforms like Google and Bing.

Etsy Ads Cost:

The cost of Etsy ads depends on the bid amount, competition for keywords, and ad placement. Etsy charges a fee for offsite ads only when they result in a sale. The fee is a percentage of the total sale amount, and the percentage depends on the seller’s total annual sales on Etsy. For onsite ads, sellers can set their own budget and pay per click.

Etsy ads can be a great marketing tool for Etsy sellers. Onsite ads and offsite ads have their own benefits and drawbacks, and sellers should carefully consider their advertising goals and budget when deciding which type of ads to use. By analyzing ad performance and making adjustments to ad campaigns, sellers can optimize their Etsy ads and increase sales.

Are Etsy Ads Worth It?

When it comes to marketing your Etsy shop, Etsy Ads (formerly known as Promoted Listings) can be a valuable tool to increase visibility and drive sales. However, many Etsy sellers wonder if the cost is worth it and how to make the most of their advertising budget.

To use Etsy Ads, simply set a daily budget and bid on relevant keywords. You can also customize your ad’s title and image to catch shoppers’ attention.

While some sellers have reported great success with Etsy Ads, others have found it to be a waste of money. It ultimately comes down to your shop’s niche, competition, and advertising strategy.

By understanding the ins and outs of Etsy Ads and experimenting with different approaches, you can determine if it’s worth it for your shop.

My experience with running Etsy ads

When it comes to Etsy ads, I have found that consistency is key. Running ads on a consistent basis allows me to gather data and adjust my strategy accordingly. One thing I have learned is to focus on promoting my best sellers and mid-range priced products. These are the items that have the highest chance of generating sales and bringing in revenue.

Another important factor to consider is monitoring the ads on a daily basis. I make sure to check the Etsy dashboard regularly to see how my ads are performing and make adjustments as needed. This includes adjusting the daily budget and turning off ads that are not performing. 

Of course, having high-quality photos is crucial for any Etsy listing, including those running ads. I make sure to use clear, well-lit photos that show the product from multiple angles and provide a sense of scale. This can make a huge difference in attracting potential buyers and increasing the likelihood of a sale.

Finally, optimizing my listings for SEO has been critical in getting the most out of my Etsy ads. This includes using relevant keywords in the product title, description, and tags, as well as including accurate item specifics. By doing so, my listings are more likely to show up in relevant search results and attract interested buyers.

Overall, my experience with Etsy ads has been positive. By focusing on my best sellers, monitoring the ads daily, using high-quality photos, and optimizing my listings for SEO, I have been able to generate sales and increase my revenue through Etsy ads.

Are Etsy Ads Worth It FAQ

What is the typical timeframe for seeing results from Etsy Ads?

The answer to this question can vary depending on a number of factors, such as the type of Etsy Ads you are running, your budget, the competitiveness of your market, and the quality of your listings. Generally speaking, it can take a few days to a few weeks to start seeing results from Etsy Ads. It’s important to monitor your Etsy Ads regularly and make adjustments to your strategy as needed. Additionally, it’s important to remember that Etsy Ads are just one component of a successful Etsy shop, and that factors such as SEO, product quality, and customer service also play a significant role in driving sales.

What is the ideal budget for Etsy ads and how can you determine it for your shop?

There is no one-size-fits-all answer to how much you should spend on Etsy ads. The amount you should spend on ads largely depends on your shop’s budget and goals. However, Etsy recommends starting with a small budget of $1 to $2 per day and monitoring the performance of your ads.

To determine the ideal budget for your Etsy ads, you should consider the cost of your products, profit margins, and the average conversion rate for your shop. You should also consider the competition in your niche and adjust your budget accordingly.

It’s important to keep in mind that running ads is not a guarantee of sales, and it may take some trial and error to find the right budget and targeting for your shop. Monitor your ad performance regularly and adjust your budget and targeting as needed to achieve your desired results.

How many listings should I advertise on Etsy for better results?

When it comes to advertising on Etsy, it’s not necessarily about the quantity of listings you advertise, but rather the quality of the listings you choose to advertise. It’s important to choose your best-selling and most visually appealing products to advertise, as those are the ones that will likely drive the most traffic and sales.

Instead of focusing on advertising more or fewer listings, it’s recommended to test different listings and see which ones perform the best. Start with a small budget and gradually increase it as you see positive results. It’s also important to regularly monitor and adjust your ads based on their performance.

What is the process for cancelling Etsy ads?

If you decide to cancel your Etsy Ads, you can do so by following these steps:

1. Log in to your Etsy account and go to your Shop Manager.

2. Click on the “Marketing” tab and select “Advertising”.

3. Select the “Etsy Ads” tab and click on “Manage” to view your active ads.

4. Locate the ad you want to cancel and click on the “…” icon next to it.

5. Select “Cancel” from the dropdown menu and confirm your decision.

Keep in mind that cancelling an ad does not necessarily mean that you will receive a refund for the amount spent on it. You can contact Etsy’s customer support team to request a refund if you believe it’s appropriate.

Ready To Scale Your Etsy Business To A Full-Time Income?

Join my free Etsy training now and learn how to take your shop to the next level! 

In this training you’ll learn:

• Research your target market inside and out.
• Create products that your target market is searching for on Etsy.
• Optimize your product listings using keywords and other best practices.
• Promote your products through strategic marketing efforts
  ​
  I’ll be going into more detail on each step during the training. Still, even if you only implement these four steps, you’ll see a significant difference in your Etsy shop’s performance from visibility, traffic, and SALES!

Click here to reserve your seat!

Conclusion: Are Etsy Ads Worth It

In conclusion, the effectiveness of Etsy ads depends on several factors, including the products being sold, the competition in the market, and the advertising budget. However, by carefully selecting which products to advertise, optimizing product listings for SEO, monitoring ads regularly, and having high-quality product photos, Etsy sellers can improve their chances of success with ads.

It’s important to remember that Etsy ads should be used as part of a broader marketing strategy that includes social media, email marketing, and other advertising channels. And while Etsy ads can be an effective way to increase product visibility and sales, it’s essential to track results and adjust advertising strategies as needed to achieve the desired outcomes.

Overall, Etsy ads can be worth it for sellers who are willing to invest the time and money into creating effective campaigns. By following best practices, monitoring results, and constantly optimizing ads, Etsy sellers can leverage the power of Etsy’s advertising platform to reach new audiences and boost sales.

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