So maybe you’ve got a natural talent for crafting, and your pals can’t get enough of your mittens for their cats. If that’s the case, you could be considering Etsy as a method to supplement your income while also sharing your creativity with others outside of your book club.
Etsy, the internet marketplace for fantastic handcrafted finds, has exploded in popularity in recent years. In fact, the platform now has over 1.93 million sellers who serve 33 million purchasers every year. Now it’s your turn to play.
However, you can’t just jump in. You must understand what you’re getting yourself into and be prepared for some surprises. That’s why we’ve compiled some useful information about selling on Etsy and how to keep your handmade shop safe and growing.
Does Etsy Require You to Have Business Insurance?
In a nutshell, no. You, on the other hand, are in desperate need of it. Although you are not required to obtain business insurance in order to sell your products on Etsy, being prepared and protected is essential if you want to keep your business afloat. So you can focus on the crafting, master your Etsy store and carefully preserve it.
Etsy, like most other marketplaces, is set up in such a way that they are not liable for anything that goes wrong with your product. That implies it’s up to you to safeguard yourself in the event that something goes wrong.
Should I Get Insurance for My Etsy Store?
Even if your bank account says no, smart business practice will say yes. You’re at risk whenever you sell items to other individuals. People can and will sue firms for almost anything, especially if they sell anything that may cause harm to others. Even perfumed soaps might result in a dangerous rash and an enraged customer.
Do I need insurance for Etsy store?
Etsy does not demand that you have insurance in order to sell on their platform. But it’s necessary if you want to protect your online store against occurrences that could shut it down.
For example, if your merchandise is stolen or damaged, you will have nothing to sell. Or a customer claiming compensation after a severe allergic response is triggered by something you manufactured.
Solving problems like these takes time and money. Furthermore, they divert your attention away from the day-to-day operations of your company.
When you factor in court fees, legal bills, and lost revenue, you could be looking at some significant losses.
However, the relatively small amount you invest on Etsy seller insurance goes a long way toward resolving those issues. It makes things right, covers whatever compensation you owe, and keeps you up and running no matter what happens.
Do I need insurance to sell handmade crafts?
Crafting has grown in popularity in the United Kingdom, as more people begin to profit from their creativity. Whether you sell your handicraft for a living or as a hobby, you must have insurance coverage if you sell your work.
Even if you don’t consider yourself a business, you are just as vulnerable to legal action as any large corporation. For example, if a piece of one of your crafts fell away, it may injure a consumer. If you are the subject of a claim, you may be forced to pay some exorbitant fees.
Our Arts & Crafts Insurance policy can be tailored to your specific needs, ensuring that you only pay for what you require.
You’ll just have to pay one monthly or annual premium, with one renewal date, whether you choose to insure your products, equipment, or premises. It doesn’t get any easier than this.
Do I need insurance to sell digital products?
Small enterprises and independent digital marketplace sellers can choose from a variety of liability coverage choices. However, it’s a good idea to have a commercial general liability (CGL) insurance coverage in place at the very least. In addition, sole owners can be covered for these types of risks.
Do I need insurance to sell prints?
Accidents can happen despite your greatest attempts to prevent danger from your public activities! You could face a large legal or compensation fee if your art activities injure a member of the public, a customer, or a contractor, or if they cause property damage. If a mishap occurs, public liability protects you from these costs.
Do I need Public Liability Insurance?
Almost every freelance artist and art professional should have some sort of public liability insurance because accidents may and will happen despite the best measures.
Do you work in a completely isolated environment? Do you present your work in public, welcome people into your studio (even if it’s at home), provide courses or events, or visit customers’ offices or have access to their equipment? Because you are accountable if you damage someone else’s property, you should consider Public Liability Insurance.
How does Public Liability Insurance Cover Protect?
If a visitor, client, or other third party damages a possession or suffers some form of loss or harm as a result of your Art operations, you’ll want to be sure you’re prepared to compensate them.
Risk assessments and health and safety checks are part of your duty of care to ensure that members of the public are as safe as possible. If an incident for which you were responsible occurs despite your measures, you put the public’s health and livelihood at risk by failing to be adequately covered.
Is public liability insurance a legal requirement?
You will not receive a jail sentence or a high fine if you choose not to have public liability insurance. Having the correct insurance, on the other hand, might make you appear more professional and provide you with piece of mind. You don’t want to get into a fight with one of your most valuable clients over the implications of an accident or property damage. Getting a public liability insurance policy allows you to focus on your craft while your insurer handles any issues.
How much does public liability insurance cost?
Purchasing insurance directly from an insurance provider or broker will cost you around £65 per year on average.
As a charity with a well-established professional membership, we collaborated with Perkins Slade and Hiscox Insurance to develop a Public Liability Insurance Cover for Artists and Art Professionals, which is included in the cost of membership. It also includes FREE Professional Indemnity Insurance, unlike many other options.
Do you have public liability insurance already? Here are five reasons why your public liability insurance may need to be reviewed.
What you need to do to sell on Etsy?
Etsy makes it simple to get started selling. The steps to selling on Etsy and starting your own online store are outlined below.
Open your Etsy shop by going to the Etsy homepage, clicking the Sell on Etsy link, and then clicking Open your Etsy Shop.
Customize Your Shop’s Settings.
You can configure your shop preferences for how you wish to market your products as your own shop manager. Choose a language to describe your products and a currency to deal in, as well as your location.
Select a Shop Name.
This is where you may let your imagination run wild. You should call your Etsy shop something that shows your particular style. Customers should be able to recall your name because it is synonymous with your product offerings. There must be no spaces or special characters in the name, and it must be between four and twenty characters long.
Start Listing Your Products.
Add Images: Etsy sellers should have at least five photos for each item, shot from various angles so that consumers can get a good idea of what your product looks like. The photographs should be of good quality and taken against a pleasing backdrop.
Adjust thumbnails: Thumbnails are the first images a buyer sees while searching for or discovering your product. Make sure they’re consistent with your brand and complement the style and feel of your shop.
Complete the following information for your listing: Your product description should include a title and a detailed description of what it is.
Use the 13 ‘tags’ available for each product as well. On Etsy, buyers search for things using keywords, so be sure your tags match your keywords.
Enter the quantity and price of the inventory: Add the prices of each item together, making careful to account for all expenditures in your sale price. Include the stock number as well as any product variations such as size, color, or material.
Set the shipment fee: Include shipping rates, the nation of origin, processing time, weight, and size in this section. If necessary, you can always amend this information later.
Take a look at your Etsy listings: Examine the shop to see if any adjustments are required. Before publishing for the first time, make sure you like how your shop looks from the customer’s perspective. You’re finished adding your first product when you click Finish.
Select Your Payment Method.
On Etsy, you can make a variety of electronic payments. Most sellers use PayPal or Etsy Payments, so you might give those options. Etsy Payments enables merchants to receive funds via a variety of methods, including credit and debit cards (as well as store credit) and Etsy gift cards.
Include Billing Information.
Your country of origin will determine this. A credit card may be required by Etsy for permission and identification purposes. You’ll also need to give a credit card so Etsy may charge you fees and commissions.
That is all there is to it. You’ve completed the setup process and are ready to begin optimizing and promoting your products.
Optimize Your Shop.
Add Your User Profile: This will include a brief biography of yourself as well as a photograph. This will establish your credibility as a seller by allowing visitors to learn more about you. You can take advantage of this opportunity to establish a personal relationship with your customers and provide further information about your product.
Add Your Shop Policies: This section contains frequently asked questions (FAQs) concerning the product that customers may have. You may also include processing and delivery timelines so that customers know how long it will take to get their order. This section also includes any return policies.
Add a Store Bio: This is the place where you may tell us more about your ecommerce business and yourself. Etsy sellers have 5,000 characters to compose their bios. Remember to write from the heart and make an emotional connection with your potential customers.
Transparency is valued by people, so try to be honest about your values. You may also use images or videos of your workspace to show people how you make your products. You can also provide links to your shop’s social media accounts here.
Use Etsy’s Marketing Tools: Using social media, you may reach out to a larger consumer base. Etsy has made it simple to do so with a new marketing tool that allows sellers to share their wares on social media sites such as Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.
Do candles need insurance?
There are several dangers associated with candle businesses that can become quite costly if you don’t have basic insurance coverage for selling candles. When your candle business burns down, a client files a claim after you fail to deliver inventories on time, or a customer complains that you’re selling low-quality candles or wax melts, you may need to turn to insurance.
Do I need insurance to sell at craft fairs?
Before permitting you to sell at their craft fair, most organizers will ask for proof that you have an insurance coverage in place. Employers liability insurance is required by law if you have any employees who are not family members or contractors accompanying you to the craft fair.
Do I need public liability insurance for a craft fair?
While public liability insurance is not required by law at craft fairs, it is strongly advised, and some event organizers may request proof of craft stall owners’ public liability insurance policy. Hopefully, you’ll never need to use your public liability insurance coverage, but if you do, you’ll be glad you have it because claims for injuring a member of the public may be very expensive.
Do Etsy labels include insurance?
When ordering shipping labels on Etsy, you can choose to include insurance or coverage for your item. Insurance is included in some shipping methods. The quantity of insurance you buy should cover both the delivery and the order’s costs. Complete your shipping label purchase.