Types of AI technologies for eCommerce

To unlock the potential of AI eCommerce, it’s important to understand the core technologies powering the tools you’ll be using. Let’s break down the four main types of AI technology and how each one creates business value across the eCommerce industry.

Why it’s worth using AI in eCommerce

Successful eCommerce platforms like Amazon and Shopify have embraced and developed artificial intelligence across many areas of their business. Tools like Amazon Lex, AWS, and Shopify Magic enhance the customer experience, enable smarter user targeting, and improve product selection.  

By analyzing big data and using machine learning, artificial intelligence helps eCommerce businesses increase profits while delivering a smoother, more personalized online shopping experience.

These are some of the main benefits of artificial intelligence in eCommerce: 

• Machine learning.
  ML is the computing field dedicated to developing systems that adapt without requiring explicit instructions and additional programming.

These systems use algorithms and statistical models that analyze massive data and generate patterns. ML systems have broad applications, including in the eCommerce industry.

• Seamless automation.
  One of artificial intelligence’s primary goals and benefits is to perform tasks with minimal human intervention, with the same or improved quality.

For example, routine tasks for an online business. Having automated, low-level customer support, product recommendations, or sending emails can free up time to dedicate to other tasks.  

• Efficient targeting and advertising.
  AI improves customer data analysis – including purchase history – to deliver more precise, personalized advertising. As a result, customers see ads that align with their interests, leading to stronger engagement and increased revenue.
• More effective sales process.
  Beyond analyzing customer preferences and online browsing habits, AI powers automated communication through email marketing and channels like chatbots.

This includes follow-up emails, survey invitations, and reminders for abandoned carts – increasing data collection, improving the sales process, and giving your business a competitive advantage.

• Customer retention and satisfaction.
  As personalized experience become more accurate and relevant, customers are more likely to respond positively by purchasing products that meet their needs and solve real problems.  

10 Ways to use artificial intelligence in eCommerce

Here are ten of the most practical and promising AI use cases in eCommerce. Many tools combine multiple AI technologies to deliver better functionality, from personalized recommendations to pricing optimization.

Some solutions are still evolving and may take time to become accessible to smaller eCommerce businesses. And because AI in eCommerce is advancing so fast, tools and use cases continue to shift and expand. 

To explore the latest AI tools, we recommend FutureTools – a directory where you can search by use case, pricing, and even find tools that integrate with Google.

2. Chatbots and virtual assistants

Chatbots and virtual assistants use natural language processing (NLP) to interpret online shoppers’ questions and respond in real time. While they can’t fully replace human support, they handle routine tasks efficiently – saving time and improving customer interactions.

Used wisely, these AI-powered tools enhance existing support systems by answering common questions and allowing your team to focus on more complex issues. For best results, implement them as part of an omnichannel enhanced customer service strategy.

Popular tools include:

• SnapCall – From $249/month for advanced AI-powered support.
• ChatHub – A freemium option that connects with multiple chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, Bard, and Bing.

By integrating AI in eCommerce, these tools can help improve customer interactions and reduce response times.

3. Product recommendations

Product recommendations based on customer behavior are one of the most common eCommerce features using artificial intelligence. It’s everywhere, from Amazon and eBay to Etsy and Starbucks.

Many eCommerce platforms and website builders offer plugins that deliver personalized recommendations based on past customer behavior, browsing history, and product descriptions. The quality of these suggestions depends on the strength of the machine learning algorithms behind them.

The goal is to deliver an enhanced customer experience while increasing the accuracy of marketing campaigns and streamlining the sales process.

Sellers on marketplaces like Amazon or eBay benefit from built-in tools, but independent eCommerce websites can also access AI-powered recommendation tools through apps and plugins.

Some of the best Shopify plugins for product recommendations using AI include: 

• Dialogue AI Personalization – From free to $399 per month.
• Visely Product Recommendations – From $199 per month. 
• Personalized Recommendations by Glood.ai – Free plan available. 

WooCommerce store owners can benefit from many AI plugins with free plans or requiring only one payment. Some of the best-rated options include: 

• The official WooCommerce Product Recommendations – From $8.25 per month.
• Related Products for WooCommerce by WebToffee – From $89-199 per year, paid on the developer’s website.
• AI Product Recommendations for WooCommerce by divcoderPlugins – One payment of $21.

4. Fraud detection and prevention

Online interactions are increasingly vulnerable to fraud, which led to $44 billion in losses worldwide in 2024. Fraudsters are constantly changing their tactics, making detection an ongoing challenge.  

Machine learning algorithms are the ideal countermeasure. They can significantly reduce financial losses by analyzing millions of transactions in real time, quickly identifying suspicious patterns, and adapting to new fraud strategies.

ML can catch anomalies that would take humans much longer to spot – like attempts to enter invalid postal addresses, which may signal identity theft or redirected orders aimed at stealing personal data. 

Implementing AI tools also helps detect phishing attacks, payment fraud, document forgery, fake reviews, and even ad fraud. 

While companies like Amazon use their own built-in systems to avoid fake reviews, smaller businesses can turn to tools like Fakespot – a free Chrome extension that specializes in detecting fake reviews and scams across several marketplaces.

Some AI-powered tools for fraud prevention include Nethone, Integral Ad Science, or ZenGRC. 

While some of these systems may be costly for small businesses, investing in a strong fraud prevention strategy early can save far more in the long run.

6. Inventory management

AI-powered inventory management helps eCommerce businesses balance stock based on sales trends, historical data, and projected demand, reducing waste and avoiding shortages. 

Unlike traditional methods, which rely on manual tracking, AI systems automate the process and run continuously. With smart logistics and warehouse robotics, businesses can analyze data, manage stock more efficiently, and respond to supply chain issues faster. 

Amazon sellers from Australia, New Zealand, and the United States can use Intellify’s AWS Solutions, which provide consulting services.

There are solutions for all budgets, including: 

• QuickBooks – Subscriptions from $3.50 per month.
• TallyPrime – One-time payment of $630.
• Fishbowl Inventory  – Request a demo first.

8. Visual search and image recognition

Visual search uses AI systems to let users search with images instead of text – perfect for moments when you don’t know a product name, but know what it looks like. 

Shoppers often screenshot items from social media, then use visual search to find similar products online. AI algorithms analyze pixels, shapes, colors, and patterns, matching them to items in your catalog. As these AI systems train on larger datasets and apply deep learning, visual search becomes more accurate, offering a more intuitive online shopping experience and increasing customer loyalty.

This technology is powered by machine learning and image recognition, with major tools including: 

• Google Lens  
• Bing Visual Search
• Pinterest Lens. 

eCommerce retailers, like Amazon (StyleSnap), Cyder, Aliexpress, and ASOS, also use this technology. 

Another example is Printify’s AI Image Generator – an OpenAI-powered tool that lets users create unique, high-quality designs for print-on-demand products by simply entering descriptive text prompts.

Integrated directly into Printify’s Product Creator, it allows merchants to generate custom artwork in various styles, such as anime, line art, or 3D modeling, and apply it to items like t-shirts, mugs, and posters without needing external design software.

New to eCommerce? Start with Printify

If you’re just starting your eCommerce business, Printify makes it easy to create and sell custom products across popular platforms. There’s no need to worry about logistics – we handle the production and shipping for you. Plus, you’ll have 24/7 merchant support and our commitment to quality every step of the way.

To summarize

You’ve learned some of the best uses of AI in the eCommerce industry. AI in eCommerce supports smarter, faster growth by enabling data-driven decision making based on customer behavior, purchase history, and real-time market trends. This can help increase consumer satisfaction and develop a more efficient sales process.

Keep up to date and make the most of your website builder or marketplace. AI isn’t a passing trend – it’s here to stay, and learning to use it is part of staying competitive.

Why sell shirts on Etsy

In 2025, the global t-shirt market is set to rake in $46.99 billion, with the average person picking up at least one new tee this year. Meanwhile, the custom t-shirt market is exploding, jumping from $8.17 billion in 2024 to $9 billion in 2025.

This shows that customization isn’t just a trend – it’s the future. People don’t just want shirts. They want statements, inside jokes, eye-catching designs – pieces that say something.

And where do buyers flock when they want something original, niche, and impossible to find at the mall? Etsy. It’s the marketplace where independent creators thrive, where small brands can make big money, and where your shirt could be the next bestseller.

How to sell custom t-shirts on Etsy in 5 steps with Print on Demand

Getting your t-shirt designs noticed is about strategy, consistency, and understanding what Etsy shoppers actually want. The good news? POD makes it easy to start selling without the hassle of inventory or upfront costs.

Follow these five steps to learn how to sell print-on-demand t-shirts on Etsy and turn your designs into a profitable business.

1. Define your target audience

Before you start making shirts, decide exactly who you’ll sell them to. This lets you market your designs to customers who are most likely to buy from your t-shirt store.  

Factors like age, location, education, occupation, and income play a role in defining your target customers.

As you think about how to start selling shirts on Etsy, find a niche you’re passionate about that has enough demand without too much competition. Here’s how to find one:

1. Use tools like Google Trends to research your target audience. Type t-shirts or tees along with words related to your chosen niche. Think “Husky mom t-shirts” or “Pizza chef tees.”
2. Look at Etsy search bar suggestions for popular, trendy, or niche keywords.
3. Use third-party services like eRank to research keywords related to your target audience’s preferences. Include them in your listings and content to attract more customers.

Expert tip

“Etsy sellers can navigate the challenge of balancing trends and market saturation by focusing on product differentiation. 

You should innovate in design, offer customization options, and emphasize quality to set your items apart.

Curating a smaller selection of high-quality, unique products allows for more effective marketing efforts. Stay informed about market trends to adapt your offerings and remain relevant. 

This approach attracts customers and builds a lasting brand identity beyond short-lived trends.”

Simon Bacher
CEO and Co-Founder at Ling-App

2. Choose shirts and design them

There are many ways to source products, but POD with Printify is the easiest and most profitable.

With the biggest variety of customizable t-shirts for printing and free design tools, Printify makes it easy to create best-selling t-shirts for your brand and Etsy customers.

Select a custom t-shirt

Choose a cut, fabric, and fit that matches your target audience. Gen Z loves oversized streetwear, parents go for soft and durable, and niche fandoms want designs that stand out.

Here’s what to consider before creating your first tee:

• Fabric matters – Consider cotton, blends, and eco-friendly options. Different customers prioritize comfort, durability, or sustainability.
• Fit is key – Classic, oversized, or slim-fit? The right cut makes all the difference.
• Print method – Some materials hold vibrant prints better than others, so choose wisely.
• Fulfillment locations – Pick a Print Provider close to your main market to reduce delivery time and shipping fees, keeping customers happy.

Browse the women’s, men’s, and children’s t-shirt selections in our Product Catalog and choose the best styles for your customers. 

Check out Printify’s best-selling shirts to add to your Etsy storefront:

Unisex Cut & Sew Tee (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $21.78 From $16.02 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 2 colors MWW On Demand

Men's Long Sleeve Shirt (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $28.75 From $21.80 with Printify Premium

8 sizes Miami Sublimation

Men's Polyester Tee (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $26.17 From $19.25 with Printify Premium

8 sizes Miami Sublimation

Crop Tee (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $22.64 From $17.17 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 2 colors MWW On Demand

T-Shirt Dress (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $27.41 From $20.16 with Printify Premium

6 sizes MWW On Demand

Women's Cut & Sew Tee (AOP)

By Generic brand

From $19.50 From $14.34 with Printify Premium

6 sizes 2 colors MWW On Demand

Apply designs

Make t-shirt designs that align with your brand identity and target audience’s preferences. 

Our beginner-friendly Product Creator lets you easily add visuals and text, create patterns, and even generate AI images. Already have a design for your t-shirts? Upload it and adjust the sizing and placement.

Quick tip

Read our picks for the best t-shirt design software.

If you’re not feeling that creative spark, use our free t-shirt designs or find high-quality art through our Shutterstock integration. For a completely original design, consider hiring a graphic designer through sites like Fiverr.

Here are a few design guidelines to keep in mind:

• Prioritize simplicity – Keep your custom t-shirt designs clean unless your niche audience prefers maximalism.
• Show off your brand – Create a recognizable aesthetic for your brand identity. Keep your logo readable and avoid using too many different fonts.
• Coordinate colors – Limit the number of colors per design and product variant to help buyers beat decision paralysis.

Explore

Read our article on the best Shopify t-shirt stores for inspiration.

3. Set up your Etsy storefront

After opening an Etsy store, it’s time to list your printed t-shirts.

Publish listings

Finalize your custom designs through the Product Creator by adding a description and clicking Save.

Then, integrate your Etsy account with Printify:

1. Click Add new store on the Manage my stores section. 
2. Select Etsy, enter the required account information, and confirm the integration. 

Once done, you can publish all your t-shirt listings on Etsy in just a few clicks. 

Easily adjust product descriptions, listing images, and prices from your Printify account. For advanced listing edits, like tags, head to your Etsy account.

Remember to add relevant keywords to increase your t-shirt’s ranking in Etsy search results. 

For best results, publish high-quality Etsy listing photos. Make sure to also include comprehensive details about the garment, like fabric and sizes, so customers are confident about their purchasing decisions.

Learn more

Want more information on getting more sales and making money on Etsy? Follow our blog to stay in the loop.

Price your products

Research before setting your prices. See what other Etsy sellers charge for similar items and calculate production costs plus Etsy fees.

Cover all your business expenses while leaving a profit margin of at least 40%-50%. Not sure where to start? Use our Etsy pricing calculator.

Here are three of the most popular pricing strategies to consider: 

• Set a smaller profit margin to get an advantage over other sellers.
• Slightly raise prices and generate more profit by increasing the perceived value. This approach can work well with audiences who put quality over price. 
• Offer free shipping by including delivery costs in the product price to incentivize purchases from Etsy customers.

Remember to adapt your pricing strategy to your target audience and market changes, and take advantage of holiday events with deals and discounts.

Quick tip

Is selling on Etsy worth it? Read our detailed breakdown of t-shirt pricing strategies to see how much you could make.

Build a store page

Log in to your Etsy account and complete the setup process. Choose your Etsy shop name, write a storefront description, and add your business information.

Then, add elements that’ll make your online store stand out.

Upload a shop banner, add high-quality images for branding, and fill in the About section to appeal to your target market and make your Etsy shop unique. 

The more information you include in your Etsy store, the better. This will increase your shop’s credibility with potential Etsy customers and help improve your t-shirts’ visibility in search results.

Quick tip

Check out our in-depth guide to selling on Etsy.

4. Market your Etsy store

A carefully planned marketing strategy will help you sell more shirts. Here are some popular methods on how to start a t-shirt business on Etsy that attracts eager buyers.

Search engine optimization (SEO)

SEO increases your store’s searchability for better brand awareness.

Implement Etsy SEO strategies by adding relevant keywords, tags, and categories to your listings. This improves your store’s visibility in search results that are most relevant to your niche and target customers’ queries.

Content marketing

Create blog posts or articles that provide valuable content. Depending on your niche and audience, you can discuss styling tips, design inspiration, or the stories behind your creations. 

Share insights on what makes a great custom t-shirt, highlight seasonal trends, or offer gift guides to attract shoppers and drive sales. 

Don’t forget to share positive customer feedback on your Etsy store to build awareness, trust, and authority.

Social media marketing

Social media platforms are valuable for communicating directly with your customers. Engage regularly with your audience to build your brand identity and direct traffic to your Etsy shop through promoted posts and discussions.

Use visual platforms like Instagram or Pinterest to promote your personalized shirts with fun images and videos. Remember to include popular hashtags and relevant product info.

Email marketing

Email marketing is a powerful tool for any eCommerce business owner. Whether you use it for order confirmations, customer support, newsletters, or promotional materials, it’s a prime channel for giving customers helpful information.

Create an email list to keep customers in the loop about new shirt designs or special offers. For instance, send a newsletter promoting your best-selling shirts on Etsy and include exclusive discounts for subscribers.

Etsy Ads

On-site ads, known as Etsy Ads or promoted listings, are paid advertisements that appear within the marketplace. It’s a great tool for getting your shop on the front page of Etsy search results.

Once you make a few sales, consider creating an Etsy ad campaign. That way, you’ll have some data on your top-performing products. 

Set up promoted listings in the Shop Manager section on your Etsy account’s Marketing page.

Search engine marketing

Etsy offsite ads promote listings on Google, Bing, and social media platforms. This is a fixed Etsy campaign that stores are automatically enrolled in.

If you generate sales from these ads, Etsy will charge a commission.

There’s a 15% fee for shops that sell less than $10,000 worth of merchandise in a year, and a 12% fee for shops that earn more. While Etsy caps it at $100 per order, only stores in the first category can opt out of the offsite ads program. 

These promotions can help you get more sales, but the fees may eat into your profits. If you’re eligible to opt out, head to Settings under Shop Manager and then select Offsite Ads.

Quick tip

Check out our Etsy marketing guide for a detailed breakdown of our best tips.

5 Tips to successfully sell shirts on Etsy

Setting up an Etsy shop is just the beginning – scaling it into a profitable t-shirt business takes strategy. These five tips will help you stand out, attract customers, and improve sales.

Frequently asked questions

How to make shirts on Etsy? Create designs and start making sales

Now that you know how to make money selling shirts on Etsy, start sourcing products with Print on Demand and opening your Etsy t-shirt shop. 

Take your time, create winning t-shirt designs, and remember to continuously monitor your store’s performance and market changes for the best results. 

Partner with Printify today to start a thriving t-shirt shop on Etsy!

With over 96 million active buyers, Etsy is a great place to sell handmade goods, vintage items, craft supplies, and print-on-demand products.

This guide will explain how to start an Etsy shop and build a thriving small business online.

Not sure how much effort it takes? We’ll cover market research, product selection, Etsy payments, and search engine optimization so you can start selling in no time.

Prep step 1: Research the market

Before you learn how to open a shop on Etsy, analyze which products are most profitable and identify gaps in the market.

Strategically position your store to attract and retain customers by doing the following:

• Focus on a specific target market niche. Research the demographics, interests, and product preferences of your potential customers.
• Use keyword research tools like eRank to identify popular search terms. Explore bestselling products through the Etsy search bar.
• Look at favorited items and read user reviews to understand customer preferences and identify areas for improvement.
• Don’t mimic the competition, but provide additional value based on customer needs and your unique selling proposition.

Prep step 2: Decide what to sell on Etsy

Starting your own Etsy shop begins with a simple yet crucial question – what are you going to sell?

How to create your products

Now that you have an idea of what to sell, there are three main ways to create products for your Etsy store:

• If you have a talent for crafting, consider making products yourself. You’ll be in charge of producing and shipping these items to your customers.
• Buy products in bulk from third parties and resell them on Etsy for a profit. Note that you’ll need space for inventory.
• Connect your Etsy store to Printify and let us fulfill your orders and ship products directly to your customers. It’s the easiest way to sell print-on-demand items like custom apparel and accessories.

Sign up with Printify for automated order fulfillment and choose your next bestsellers from more than 1,300 customizable products in our Product Catalog.

Mug 11oz

By Generic brand

From $5.39 From $4.09 with Printify Premium

1 sizes SPOKE Custom Products

Unisex Heavy Cotton Tee

By Gildan · 5000

From $8.61 From $5.89 with Printify Premium

8 sizes 70 colors 22 print providers

Sublimation Socks

By Generic brand

From $8.05 From $5.92 with Printify Premium

3 sizes SPOKE Custom Products

Cotton Canvas Tote Bag

By Liberty Bags · OAD113

From $9.22 From $7.00 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 2 colors 2 print providers

Skinny Tumbler with Straw, 20oz

By Maars

From $23.14 From $17.02 with Printify Premium

1 sizes 23 colors Fancy Fanny

Scented Soy Candle, 9oz

By Lumient

From $10.94 From $8.76 with Printify Premium

1 sizes Lumient

Become an Etsy seller today!

Start selling

Expert tip

“Some people believe that building a successful Etsy POD business is low-effort and extremely passive.

This is not true —  if you want to be successful on Etsy, it’s going to take a lot of time and energy. 

You’ll need to do tons of research, publish lots of products, provide a great customer experience, and be consistently active in your shop.

Don’t start an Etsy business if you aren’t ready to hustle!”

Megan Doleweerd, Etsy Expert

Prep step 3: Create high-quality images

Since customers can’t examine products from an Etsy shop as they would in a brick-and-mortar store, high-quality photos make all the difference.

90% of Etsy shoppers reveal that the quality of photos is either “extremely important” or “very important” when making a purchase decision.

Etsy sellers can use their phones to take photos or invest in a decent camera. If you’re selling with Printify, use our Product Creator to generate realistic product mockups for your Etsy listings.

Prep step 4: Build an effective SEO marketing strategy

Search engine optimization improves your shop’s ranking on both Etsy and search engines like Google.

Optimize your store and product listings to maximize your online presence and grow your small business successfully. The table below provides an overview of how different SEO elements impact your store’s visibility.

Step 1: Sign up on Etsy

To start setting up an Etsy shop, click Sign in to use an existing account or select Register.

Enter your name, email, and password, and confirm your registration via the link in your inbox.

Step 2: Create a shop

Now, let’s begin the process of how to set up an Etsy store.

Go to the drop-down menu in the upper-right corner and select Sell on Etsy to create an Etsy Seller account. Find information on Etsy’s ​​fees, tools, support, stories, and an FAQ.

Click on Get Started at the top of the page or Open Your Etsy Shop. Review and agree to Etsy’s policies and terms of use and answer additional questions, like reasons for launching your store.

Step 3: Adjust your Etsy shop preferences

Fill out all of the required fields:

• Shop language. Choose carefully since you can’t change it after launching your store.

• Shop country. Select your store’s location and where you pay taxes.

• Shop currency. Etsy will charge a 2.5% conversion fee if your bank account’s currency differs from your shop’s. The platform also automatically displays prices in your customer’s local currency. 

Click Save and Continue.

Step 4: Name your Etsy store

Your store name must be four to 20 characters without special symbols, spaces, or accented letters.

Depending on your branding and niche, this can be your own name, a phrase reflecting your product selection, or something more abstract.

• Make it clear. The name should be easy to pronounce and spell.
• Use a focus keyword. Help target customers find your store more easily by using a high-ranking keyword in your shop name.
• Research. See if another business already uses the name or if it has any trademarks to avoid legal issues.
• Check cross-platform availability. Verify that your store name is available across online platforms, social channels, and domain sites like Namecheap.
• Use online tools. Try business name generators like Namelix to discover unique and catchy store names.

Step 5: Stock your shop

In this step, you’ll create your first product listing. You can’t skip this, and Etsy will charge a $0.20 listing fee.

Step 6: Adjust payment options, billing, and security

Set up a bank account, provide personal documents, and enroll in Etsy Payments during the registration process. Follow these steps carefully to avoid an account block or ban from the marketplace.

Step 7: Review, customize, and launch your store

At this stage, it’s time to fine-tune aspects from the initial setup, infuse personality into your shop, and provide more insights into your small business.

FAQ

How to start an Etsy store: Final thoughts

The steps to open an Etsy shop is fairly simple, but taking it to the next level requires planning and dedicated effort. 

Follow this guide and grow your customer base using strategies like listing optimization, social media, and leveraging Etsy’s advertising services.

Now that you know how to set up an Etsy shop, enhance your product offerings and simplify business operations by partnering with Printify. Create a thriving online store without the hassle of inventory.

How to drive sales with Shopify marketing

Many Shopify store owners learn marketing on the go. While some succeed this way, poor planning can lead to complications. 

We’ll introduce several steps and marketing tools to promote your Shopify store and grow your business into a self-sustaining enterprise.

2. Set up customer segmentation

Understanding your customers is key to a successful Shopify marketing strategy. Identify distinct groups within your audience and tailor your messaging and offers to meet their preferences. 

Shopify offers an innovative customer segmentation tool, ShopifyQL, to help with this.

It lets you automatically group customers into segments based on specific criteria and automates tasks according to the segments.

Group customers by location, email address, or based on unique behaviors like the amount spent or their purchase frequency. This lets you personalize offers and better reach your target audience.

4. Practice SEO-driven content marketing

Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is the use of relevant keywords in your content to improve your website’s ranking in search results. Applying content marketing and improving your Shopify SEO ranking are the best ways to increase organic traffic to your online store. 

Quality content establishes your reputation and helps Google searchers find you. This includes blog posts, tutorials, podcasts, or videos containing relevant keywords.

Content doesn’t have to be strictly sales-focused – it can be anything related to your products or niche. Include it in social media posts, your website, or emails to attract your target audience. Encourage comments on your blog to boost engagement and inspire user-created content. With permission, feature user-generated content on product pages or share it on social media for extra reach.

Research keywords your audience searches for and make content they’ll like. Update your product descriptions with relevant details and meta descriptions to increase your Shopify store’s discoverability.

5. Advertise on Google and social media

To maximize your Shopify store’s full Google potential, create a Google Merchant Center account. Next, go back to Shopify, install the Google Channel app, and choose Google as a sales channel in the Shopify admin. Then, connect to your Google Merchant account.

All the configuration is done in the Google sales channel setup, where the products should be selected. Changes made to Shopify products will automatically sync with Google.

Fill in your product data carefully, observing SEO, keyword research, and Shopify’s recommended image sizing to improve your listings’ visibility and promote your Shopify store before spending on ads. 

Google provides paid and free listings for Shopify users and eCommerce stores.

Paid listings 

Google Smart Shopping is a paid advertising solution within Google Ads.  Product information is synced directly from your Shopify store, allowing Google to automatically create and display ads across various platforms (Shopping, Search, Image, Lens, Gmail, and YouTube). 

All order management is handled in Shopify when customers purchase products through these platforms. Smart Shopping integrates with analytics, using the collected data to enhance your ads for maximum impact.

Free listings

Google’s free listings are displayed alongside paid ads but are only available in fewer than 50 countries.

Social media marketing

Products on Shopify can be shared through synchronized social media posts on Facebook and Instagram. Users can navigate and buy directly from social platforms by clicking on posts and using one-click checkout without leaving the sites.

Selling Shopify store products on Facebook and Instagram is free since all Shopify plans include this channel integration. The Shopify admin manages orders and payments.

Disclaimer

As of April 24, 2024, shops in the US that do not have Facebook or Instagram checkout activated (meaning they use messaging-based checkout or checkout on their own website) will no longer be accessible. As a result, features associated with these shops, like product tagging in posts and creating new custom and lookalike audiences from shop visitors, will be discontinued.

Advertise Shopify products on Facebook through single or carousel ads. Carousel ads include up to five products, allowing them to display collections or tell visual stories. This format encourages customers to click and explore.

Paid advertising, which includes Shopify Facebook and Instagram advertising, can be set up either in the Facebook Ads Manager within the Shopify admin interface or directly through the Meta Business Manager on Facebook and Instagram.

Set your daily ad budget, precise targeting, and the period the post or product will be advertised.

Expert tip #3

There are three common paid ad misconceptions when people start promoting their products on Google, Facebook, and Instagram:

1. “Paid advertising will bring immediate results.” You must thoroughly plan, test, and optimize your ad campaigns to generate serious results. Be patient, stay focused, and don’t give up.

2. “Paid search is the answer to all of my problems.” Many people waste money on advertising to drive traffic before they know the real issues. Closely examine your business or website and be honest with yourself.

3. “Paid advertisement doesn’t require much of an investment.” Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads can cost as little as $5 a day, but that doesn’t mean you should expect big results. A campaign’s success will rely heavily on the budget.

A strategic paid advertising campaign will build brand awareness and increase sales. Many resources can help you learn more about digital marketing strategies, but getting help from a professional in the Printify Experts Program is an excellent idea!

Ryan Temsamrit, Digital strategy expert

7. Display customer reviews in your Shopify store

Customer reviews are social proof of your brand’s quality. They reassure other potential buyers of your trustworthiness and encourage sales. Reviews increase customers’ engagement with your Shopify store and each other. The Shopify Product Reviews app is the free, standard app for Shopify stores. It supports Google-rich snippets and structured data, adds aggregate review scores, displays them in Google, and increases organic traffic.

8. Use Shopify automations

Built-in Shopify automations, available with the basic plan, let you automate many repetitive tasks, saving you time and resources. Set any marketing automation for Shopify with simple trigger conditions and ready-to-use templates. 

The Shopify Flow app, available in Shopify paid plans, offers more extensive automation and integration with several apps.

Schedule automations for specific triggers or events. They often activate multiple actions simultaneously, like updating customer groups or launching email campaigns.

For example, you could set up a Shopify automation to send winter sports email campaigns in December to customers living in Northern Hemisphere locations. Customer groups are automatically updated, so if someone moves from a warmer climate to a winter sports region, they’ll receive emails targeted toward colder areas. 

Other examples of common automations are:

• Scheduled sales, product releases, or promotions.
• Discounts applied at checkout according to customer location, the order total, or the number of products.
• Notifications sent to security teams about suspicious transactions and flagged customers or locations.

9. Review Shopify’s reports and track KPIs

Tracking the progress of your Shopify marketing campaigns helps you adapt your marketing strategies when necessary. 

Metrics will inform you which products are selling and which are not, who your Shopify store visitors are, and how well your campaigns are reaching their targets. Many metrics can be tracked with Google Analytics and Shopify’s built-in analytics tools.

Expert tip #6

The most important KPIs to track are sales, site traffic, and conversion rate. These broad, high-level KPIs give you a better sense of your Shopify store’s overall performance. You should also monitor low-level KPIs like profit margins, average order size/value, and cart abandonment rate to get a more detailed view of your store’s performance.

Ryan Temsamrit, Digital strategy expert

Use Shopify and Google Analytics to keep track of: 

• Social media follower count and user engagement
• Traffic sources for different channels and devices
• The total and average number of clicks
• Time spent on the site and average session duration 
• Returning vs. new visitors 
• Bounce rate (the number of visitors that leave your site after viewing only one page)
• Affiliate marketing performance 
• Pay-per-click (PPC) traffic 

11. Use third-party apps to reach your goals

Customize and expand Shopify marketing features through proprietary and third-party apps. The Shopify app store is unbeatable when comparing Squarespace or BigCommerce, offering over 900 marketing and advertising-related apps.

There are some things to consider when adding apps to your Shopify store:

• Plan for additional costs – There are many free Shopify apps, but some require subscriptions to unlock advanced features. Subscription fees for many apps will add up.
• Multifunctionality – If you decide to pay for an app, look for those offering more functions. Earlier, we mentioned Grove, an app that facilitates customer loyalty program options, customer reviews, and wishlists. There’s also UpPromote, which lets you create a referral program or a Shopify influencer marketing strategy with affiliates.

Necessity – Every addition to your Shopify store should be functional. Otherwise, it will consume resources and slow your page loading time, worsening the user experience and negatively impacting your SEO.

Expert tip #7

It’s easy to get lost in the vast selection of apps in the Shopify App Store. Here are two of the best Shopify marketing apps:

1. AVA Trust Badges, Sales Pop‑up by AVADA – The customer is everything, so focus on what they need to see before purchasing. This app has many social proof features, but the most popular is the Sales Pop-up.

2. Bulk Product Edit & CSV import by Hextom –This app is a time saver. It lets you edit just about any detail for your products in bulk, freeing you to spend your valuable time on other higher-priority tasks to help your business succeed.

Ryan Temsamrit, Digital strategy expert

Finally, we recommend checking out these apps, too:

• Social media – Establish a presence on Pinterest or TikTok to reach other potential customers and demographics beyond Facebook and Instagram.
• Spotify for Artists – Advertise on one of the largest media streaming services and sell Spotify merchandise through Shopify. 
• Printify – The best app for Shopify stores using Print on Demand.

Printify will connect your eCommerce store to a worldwide network of selected Print Providers. Integrate your Shopify store with the Printify app or directly from Printify’s website, gaining access to the most extensive product Catalog in the industry. Printify handles all fulfillment and logistics, freeing you to focus solely on promoting your Shopify store. 

We posted an article on what to sell on Shopify to give you some inspiration. Learn more about Shopify dropshipping and how to create your Print on Demand store for free on our blog.

FAQ

Marketing with Shopify: Key takeaways

Well-thought-out Shopify marketing strategies will help you reach your target audience, increase customer engagement, promote your Shopify store, and increase sales.

In short, these are central components for establishing your Shopify marketing strategy:

• Customer Segmentation
• Email Marketing
• SEO-Driven Content Marketing 
• Advertising on Google, Facebook, and Instagram
• Customer Loyalty Programs
• Showcase Customer Reviews
• Automation
• Tracking KPIs
• Educational Resources
• Third-Party Apps

Now, it’s time to apply what you’ve learned. Use our tailored Shopify marketing strategies to promote your store, launch a customer loyalty program, and succeed in your online business.

Hi Nicole, when did you start the Fantasy Fangirls podcast?

“My sister Lexi and I started the podcast back in September 2023. 

The theme is centered around deep diving into fantasy and romance books. We do in-depth explorations of the themes and lore, sometimes spending over 13 weeks or episodes on a single novel. 

When we started out, we had no existing community to rely on, and our goal was to achieve 20 downloads in our first week. 

As it turns out, we ended up going viral on TikTok. We got 5,000 downloads in our first week and went on to hit 1 million downloads after just three months. I still tell the story like it isn’t real.”

You got that many listeners in such a short time?

“Yeah. The whole thing was a happy accident. We just wanted to start a podcast about books. 

We began with the novel Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, which was mega popular on TikTok at the time, with its various hashtags generating over a billion views combined.

When the sequel Iron Flame came out in November 2023, we were covering the first book in the lead-up to the second book’s release. Plenty of people were talking about it, but none were doing it in the deep-dive, podcast-style format that people seemed to be hungry for. 

I guess we just inserted ourselves into a trend that was already on the up and up, and things just went from there.”

What gave you the idea to sell POD merchandise?

“We’ve now curated a 134,000-person community that we love so much. We learned very quickly that they’re all kind of obsessed with bookish merch, and they would keep asking for themed items from the podcasts. 

I was an entrepreneur for five years before starting the podcast, so I knew we had to figure out how to create our own brand. Plus my sister, Lexi, has been in marketing and PR for years, so she knew how to take that brand and run with it.

After asking around, I discovered Print on Demand. The business model worked really well, as there was no way we would have had the time to order the stock and learn how to distribute it worldwide.

We liked that Printify had such a wide range of products, and the prices seemed like we could keep our items affordable. We didn’t want to price people out of the merchandise, as we knew that collecting books was already a pretty expensive hobby. 

Once we began making merch for the show, it ended up going incredibly well. It’s now one of our sources of revenue for the podcast.”

Do you have a background in graphic design?

“I don’t have any formal training, but I already enjoyed designing things on Canva, and I consider myself a creative person. 

My sister is very meticulous, and her attention to detail helps ensure the designs are perfect before we publish them.

Lately, we’ve also begun to collaborate with other people in the community who are artists. 

For example, one person we’ve become friends with designs amazing stickers and other digital art. It’s been really fun to see another person’s take on a design idea, and we now have a plethora of different designs and styles in our store.”

How did you find the learning curve with POD?

“I actually began to question why it was so easy to bring the designs into Printify and get started. I think we got the entire merch store up and running in three days. 

The only reason it took that long was because we were focused on getting the details right. If we’d have rushed, I think we could have gotten it online in 24 hours.”

Why did you choose to use a Printify Pop-Up Store?

“Unlike many print-on-demand sellers who start from zero, we already had an audience for our podcast. 

For that reason, we didn’t need to show up in Google search results or tap into the traffic of a platform like Etsy. Our potential buyers would simply be clicking on a link in the show notes or via our website.

For those reasons, we decided a Printify Pop-Up Store would be the perfect solution. We could get up and running with the minimum fuss and didn’t need to set up third-party stores with Etsy or Shopify and link them to our Printify account.”

Are there any other advantages to a Pop-Up Store?

“I love the quote, ‘If you build it, they will come.’

The nice thing about Printify’s Pop-Up Store is that it makes it simple to build a merchandise shop, and you’re not penalized if you go a whole month and only one person buys from you. That’s really important because it means you can focus on building slowly and pouring as much love and effort as possible into your products.

Another advantage is the ease of simply displaying a URL for people to click. I also like the layout of the Pop-Up Store and the fact I don’t have to design or build anything. 

The entire thing is seamless, and there didn’t feel like any hurdles getting the merch store up and running.”

What were your biggest fears when starting out?

“Our main anxieties were whether people would like our designs and that they were crisp, clear, and of a good quality. 

Like many beginners, we had plenty of issues with pixel counts and creating designs with words that people weren’t able to read. It took a lot of trial and error to get right.

It can also be stressful when you’re dealing with a global audience. We worried that customers in Australia or the United Kingdom wouldn’t get their orders on time. 

For instance, we did a Christmas sweater that unfortunately didn’t arrive until after the holidays. Luckily we have a really close and friendly community, and it was really sweet the way they handled it.

We’ve learned a lot since then, and we now know how crazy the holiday season can get, so we’ll make sure we allow plenty of time next year.”

What helped during those kinds of situations?

“Printify Customer Service has been pretty seamless. We now have a large store, and it’s inevitable that things go wrong from time to time. 

However, when I contacted the team, they always immediately reimbursed the customers or quickly organized a reprint. 

On the creator side of things, I’ve often used the chat function and been able to figure out things pretty quickly.”

How do you decide what designs to publish in your store?

“Figuring out what people want can be tough. The nice thing for us is that we already had an audience who would request new designs, so in that sense, we had it pretty easy.

Our followers would send messages requesting t-shirts and tumblers with sayings and catchphrases from the show. 

Whenever we made a new item, we’d make an Instagram reel or a TikTok video to show it off. 

The whole experience has been a lot of fun and it’s been great to see how well the merch has been received.”

How do you handle marketing?

“We mostly use our podcast to advertise our merchandise. For instance, we’ll wear our own clothing or have a mug or water bottle on display while recording. We don’t necessarily mention the merch directly, but even if we include a simple link in the show notes, we’ll get people purchasing items.

If we’re launching something new, we’ll mention it in our social media feeds. Mostly, though, we just use the podcast itself and don’t do a whole lot of dedicated marketing.

We’re really lucky to have a community behind us that supports what we do. They cheer us on and buy our products because they know the money goes directly to us, and they want us to succeed and make this our full-time job.”

What has been your greatest success so far?

“Some of the books we reviewed had some very descriptive romantic scenes that definitely weren’t PG-rated. We made a sweater that was a nod to one of those steamy scenes, and it proved to be a huge hit. 

People were telling us that they couldn’t wait to wear it to Christmas parties and be the only one in the room who knew what the design was about. It became a big inside joke, and it was insanely cool and made us so happy.

We also went to a midnight release party at Barnes and Noble for the Fourth Wing sequel, Iron Flame. While we were there, we saw people wearing another one of our inside joke shirts, and others were wearing Fantasy Fangirl logo merch. It was such a cool moment.

We were laughing about the surreal situation we were in, and then someone recognized us just by my sister Lexi’s laugh. 

We ended up giving out stickers, and it was one of those stages in our journey where we realized that we weren’t the same people as a few months before. It was really wild.”

What advice would you give for starting a creative project?

“Don’t focus on how you can get an audience of 135,000 people as fast as possible. Focus on creating the best experience for every person. 

After a while, that person will tell ten people about you, and those ten people will each tell ten more. 

Fantasy Fangirls grew in this exact way, with people sharing our videos and telling others about the podcast. It was all by word of mouth.”

What is the secret to your success?

“I think people recognized that we were doing our best to give back to our community. We were never about trying to make the most money possible out of our fans. 

That’s one of the reasons I believe we have succeeded because we’re genuinely trying to make the happiest audience in human history.

People love supporting people who love supporting people. 

We’ve always thought about what we can do for our listeners rather than what they can do for us. 

We believe that’s the secret to success, end of story.”

Hi Andrew, how did you get into POD?

“Like many people, I discovered Print on Demand during the pandemic. 

My wife got a Cricut machine and played around with various designs and techniques. We initially had the idea to start using it to make custom shirts, but quickly figured out there would be no way to scale the business if we were printing and shipping everything ourselves. 

After realizing there was no way we could scale business printing items at home, we turned to the internet and discovered Printify. Even before I started a real shop, I could instantly see the potential of Print on Demand. 

I figured that even if I didn’t make any money, I could still use POD to create cool designs and make clothing I could wear myself.”

What challenges did you face as a new seller?

“The hardest part is keeping motivated and stopping yourself from quitting. 

It takes at least 25 to 50 listings for the algorithm to take notice of your shop, and realistically, that means it takes time to make your first sale. 

Once you’ve got over the initial hurdle of selling your first item and you’ve made 20 or 30 sales, things start to get easier, and you look more authentic and legitimate.”

What made you want to sell on eBay?

“I initially started an Etsy shop, but by 2023, after using various SEO tools, I noticed that for many items, eBay listings were ranking far better. 

That realization made me consider moving to eBay, and after a great deal of research, I began testing Printify’s integration and opened a store on the platform in August 2023.

After six months or more on eBay, I think things are going pretty well. I’d even say that my sales are ramping up faster than they did on Etsy. 

Although I probably made faster progress from already having designs made up, I’d definitely say the audience on eBay is a better fit for the kind of items I sell.”

Was moving your store over to eBay a challenge?

“My biggest concern was that I’d have to recreate everything from scratch, but I needn’t have worried. In the end, I basically copied everything over from my Etsy store and added it straight to eBay.

Of course, you need to make a few tweaks, such as accounting for the different character limits of the listings on each platform, but overall, the process was pretty smooth.”

What contributed to your fast growth on eBay?

“The total volume of traffic on eBay is significantly higher for the niche I sell in. I think it’s important to point out the very different demographics of each platform. 

My wife uses Etsy a lot, and for the most part, the shoppers there are women who love craft and homemade items. On the other hand, I’ve heard that eBay is the exact opposite, with a user base of over 60% men.

As you can imagine, that means certain niches and styles work better on each platform. For my niche, which is crypto and finance, eBay seems to be a better fit.”

What are the perks of using Printify to sell on eBay?

“Printify has so many different products in the Catalog. You can find everything from doormats and candles to tech accessories. There are flags, face masks, and everything in between. The only limitation is your imagination.

Most importantly, unlike other providers I’ve worked with, I’ve also noticed that Prinitfy holds its print vendors to very high standards, cutting ties with them if the products are consistently low quality. 

This makes it easier for me to sell with fewer issues with Printify, which I think is something to be proud of.”

Has the Printify eBay growth advisory program been helpful?

“Yes, the program is very good. My Printify Product Manager, Katie, and my eBay Growth Adviser, Pierce, contact me monthly to discuss my store and any issues I’m having. 

If I have any questions about publishing designs, they’re always happy to help, and I even get advice on how to improve my listings.

Overall, the experience has been very different from other platforms. I’ve learned all about promotional listings and volume pricing, and it’s obvious that you can do a lot more on eBay in terms of advertising your store and items. 

On other channels, you basically set a daily budget, but with eBay, you can promote listings at a reduced percentage and much more. There’s certainly a lot more potential, and I haven’t even scratched the surface.

Working with Pierce from eBay and Katie has helped me a lot because they were able to show me things I didn’t even know existed. 

I’ve definitely benefited from the information I’ve gained from the eBay Growth Advisor Program.”

How is selling on eBay different from other platforms?

“As a new seller, it’s hard to fathom just how detailed eBay is and how massive the platform has grown. 

It’s very robust, and there is a vast amount of payment and customer data at your fingertips if you know how to access and benefit from it.

eBay’s analytics are nearly as detailed and comprehensive as Google’s. 

In addition, I was also shown a store newsletter feature, which I’ve only recently started experimenting with. Combine that with learning about coupons, markdown sales, and a bunch of other selling tools.”

Were there any challenges specific to eBay?

“eBay has quite a steep learning curve because it has much more detailed listings. 

For example, you have your brand, who your product is steered towards, as well as other item specifics such as sizing. 

It took a long time to get my head around the extra details, but I pushed through, and it was definitely worth my time.

In the end, I settled on a strategy of listing my products in batches. I’d list 30 different mugs before moving on to batches of t-shirts and then hoodies. 

For each set of products, I’d add all of the required information and any SEO-specific keywords related to my crypto niche.”

Does Printify’s eBay integration offer any specific perks?

When I had a couple of issues with missed shipping windows during the early stages of setup, my Prinitfy adviser Katie quickly made a note of the problem and took care of everything really quickly. 

Everything has worked well since then, and I’ve had zero issues.”

Have you altered your prices since switching to eBay?

“Overall, I’d say they’ve stayed relatively the same, with a few changes here and there. I’ve slightly increased some of my prices on eBay.

I also run a lot more ads on eBay. Around 80% to 90% of my sales are driven by advertising, and eBay takes a percentage of each one. 

Typically, the platform charges around 12% of the final value of each sale. I’ve heard from more experienced sellers that after a time, it’s possible to get those figures down.”

Do you think eBay is a relatively untapped market for POD sellers?

“I’d say so, yes. Many people don’t really consider the platform for selling things like clothing, mugs, or apparel. 

However, if you’re prepared to learn how everything works and build your brand, the potential is huge. 

It’s also possible to make any niche work if you put in the effort. After all, pretty much everyone shops on eBay and understands how the site works.

One of the best things for me about eBay is that the site offers more benefits than most eCommerce platforms. When you make a sale, you get a much better breakdown of fees, ad spend, and other fee details. 

Everything is transparent, which makes it much easier to understand your net profit from the start.”

What does it take to be a successful merchant on eBay?

“You need to have good designs and quality products. 

My best advice is to simply stick at it because any limitations from the print-on-demand business model will come from you. 

Just try to consistently create great products, and success will come eventually.

I’m doing well on eBay, but I still have a 9-to-5 job. I’m also a father with three children, so most of my work on the online store takes place in the evenings and often on weekends.”

Can you offer any personal tips for POD newcomers?

“It’s vital to keep on top of current trends. I use SEO tools like eRank, Alura, and EverBee to find the best trends and keywords. 

However, you don’t necessarily need those to do research. 

If you’re online often enough, you’ll begin to see poorly designed items that do have good themes or slogans. I’m not suggesting stealing other people’s work, but being able to spot opportunities to improve on a good idea can be pivotal to your success.

As I mentioned, my niche is crypto and finance. I had a great deal of success back in March 2023 by creating a range of products based on US financial news, such as the string of bank runs that were making news at the time. 

Obviously, trends like that tend to die down eventually, but I still did exceptionally well because I kept on top of the news cycle and got my designs published in plenty of time.”

What’s been your most inspiring and joyful experience so far?

“Honestly, I just really enjoy designing the products and getting them out there. I really like making people happy with my designs. 

It’s one thing just to upload as many items as possible and maybe just design a simple Bitcoin t-shirt, but creating something successful people love is cool and makes you feel good.

I’m not here to cheat people out of their money – I’ve eaten costs associated with wrong addresses and missed deliveries. 

I want my customers to like and tell their friends about what I’m doing. I guess overall, I just want to bring a smile to people’s faces.”

Connect with Andrew on X to learn more about his success journey on eBay.

Hi Rileigh, when and how did you start your POD journey?

“My partner and I were living in Japan and had a hard time getting part-time jobs due to the language barrier. I was scrolling through TikTok one day and discovered a video about POD. The idea really appealed to me because I’ve loved designing t-shirts ever since I was a kid in middle school.

I watched several YouTube videos and eventually opened up an Etsy Shop. That process happened while I was in Japan, but I continued building the business when I returned to the US in February 2023, despite having to work two jobs while finishing my final college semester.

I had begun putting real effort into the business by April and May 2023. After seven months of hard work, I hit 100 sales, and by the first anniversary in October, I had sold 500 items. After a successful holiday season, my total sales had passed $30,000, and I’m now starting 2024 having achieved over 1,000 sales.”

Was there a turning point where you figured out how to increase sales?

“Initially, I was putting in plenty of hours but wasn’t seeing any progress. The simple fact is that I didn’t really know what I was doing. 

I had watched hours of YouTube content on how to start a POD business, but I was creating designs for teachers and nurses, and t-shirts with inspirational quotes. 

Those kinds of niches have thousands of listings on Etsy, and there’s huge competition. It wasn’t until I started researching lower-competition, high-search niches that I began to make progress. Once I’d begun focusing on keywords and search volumes using tools like eRank, my sales skyrocketed.”

How do you market your designs?

“Funnily enough, my day job is doing marketing for a non-profit. However, all the traffic for my POD business comes directly through Etsy. 

I’ve tried using Etsy ads and working with influencers, but those tactics only helped me make a couple of sales. Most of my success has come from organic Etsy traffic, and I make 50% of my sales in a single niche.

I think the secret is working in smaller niches that people are passionate about. Once people find your designs, they’re more likely to share them with friends, family, and the wider community. 

I’ve also started an email list, which has been pretty helpful as you’re more likely to get repeat business that way.”

Do you have any advice for selecting lucrative niches?

“My best advice is to avoid designing items that try to appeal to everyone. 

Do your research, explore niches and trends that are selling well, and try to find a unique angle. 

You can even start to screenshot and save certain color schemes, patterns, and fonts that are trending and apply them to your designs.

I’ve even had success using popular phrases and slogans from oversaturated niches and applying them to completely different genres. In some cases, those designs have easily made 25 sales, so the research has quickly paid off.”

Is there a specific criteria you use when doing niche research?

“When using eRank, I’ll look for keywords and niches with less competition. 

For example, a generic term, like football shirts, might have 1,000 monthly searches but a high competition rating of 15,000. If you divide the 1,000 searches by the competition rating of 15,000, you get a figure of just 7%.

I’ll add those figures to a spreadsheet and look for favorable niches with higher percentages of people searching for items. 

Some of the micro-niches only have 100 searches per month, but the people hunting for those items are much more likely to find your listings and make a purchase.”

Does your Etsy store have a large number of product listings?

“Yes, I have a lot of listings. I think selling on Etsy is a lot like fishing. If you have more poles in the water, you’re more likely to catch a fish. 

I currently have around 3,500 listings, which dramatically increases the chances of someone finding me.

For each design I create, I’ll upload multiple listings using different Printify products. For example, I might have one design on a Bella+Canvas t-shirt and another on a Comfort Colors sweatshirt. That means that out of 3,500 listings, I’ve probably created about 800 unique designs.

Another way I’m able to upload lots of designs at once is by using templates. For example, if I was making a World’s Best Nurse t-shirt, I’d also branch out and create World’s Best Mom and World’s Best Teacher versions, too.”

Was there a point in your journey when It became easier to make sales?

“I can’t speak for other platforms, but on Etsy, it seems like the more you sell, the more the site pushes you up the listings. Positive reviews and having your items favorited can also give you a boost. 

Overall, it’s exponential. So, although in the beginning, progress felt slow – I’m sure now that I have reached 1,000 sales, it will be significantly easier to reach the next 1,000.

When you first start out, it feels insanely slow. My advice is to stick at it because one day, you’ll look back at the numbers and realize people have spent $30,000 in your shop. The whole concept is so cool, but I still sometimes find it hard to believe.”

Your hard work has definitely paid off

“A lot of YouTubers make out like POD is passive income, and that’s definitely why it appealed to me. Obviously, it can be passive in the end, but to get there, you’ll need to put in a great deal of work. 

There are people out there making hundreds of thousands of dollars, and many of them have stopped making new products. 

In the beginning, though, you need to put the hours in and invest in your business so that you see the returns later on.”

How are you preparing for upcoming holiday events in 2024?

“I’ve not been going long enough to be properly chasing holiday sales, but I’m beginning to get more prepared. For example, I uploaded Valentine’s Day designs in early January, which is still a little late, but I was only just over the hustle and bustle of my first major Q4 season.

On platforms like Etsy, it takes six to eight weeks for the algorithm to pick up on a listing and for it to gain traction. 

Right now, I’m concentrating on more evergreen designs, but I’ll still upload some items for Mother’s Day, the Fourth of July, and St. Patrick’s Day.

Most shoppers on Etsy are looking for individual items they can’t find at places like Walmart. I think that means if they’re spending $35 on a t-shirt, they’re going to want to wear it more than once a year, which is why I’m mostly sticking to those evergreen niches.

With all of that being said, it’s hard to ignore Halloween and Christmas. My biggest sales came during the last Q4 because I really focused on Halloween listings in my shop. Etsy absolutely gets more traffic in the holiday season, so you’re likely to pick up more sales in whatever niche you are in.”

Do you have any tips on how to price items?

“Don’t be afraid to set realistic prices that make a decent profit. You’ll notice a lot of $5 or $7 t-shirts on Etsy, but many of those are in children’s sizes and used as a loss leader strategy. 

Also, if you stay away from the popular genres and really niche down, then your customers will be more likely to pay more money for a unique design they can’t get elsewhere. 

When it comes to pricing specifics, I like to sell all of the different colors and sizes of shirts for the same average price. I find my average base cost and add the profit margin I’d like, so I’m still making a profit on the bigger sizes. But my 5XL is the same price as the medium, one price for all the sizes. I don’t believe people of bigger sizes should pay more for their clothes.”

Has a customer ever made your day?

“One of my customers was looking to buy one of my designs but wasn’t comfortable wearing it on a t-shirt in public. 

I offered her a 50% off voucher and told her I’d experiment with some stickers and tumblers. In the end, she refused to use the voucher and thanked me for creating the new items. 

She wanted to help a small business owner and was happy to pay full price. I thought it was so cool that she wanted to support me as a creator.”

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned so far on your journey?

“Keep going, and never give up. I could easily have quit after seven months of hard work, but luckily, I persevered. 

My biggest piece of advice to anyone starting out is to remember that you’re building a business. Invest as much time as you can because it will definitely pay off in the long run.”

How does it feel to hit the $30,000 revenue milestone?

“I’ve reinvested some of the money, of course, but it’s still a life-changing amount. My partner and I hope to build a school bus conversion so that we can tour around the US, and that takes a lot of money. 

POD has helped with that and also meant that I’ve been able to pay off some of my credit card debt.

As I mentioned earlier, it’s completely overwhelming to think that I’ve designed a bunch of things on my laptop that have not only earned $30,000, but over a thousand people are now out there wearing them. 

It makes me feel good and that all the hard work has paid off.”

How has Printify helped shape your business?

“The Printify Rockstars Facebook group has been the biggest help to me, especially when I was first starting with POD when I lived in Japan. 

When I had no idea what I was doing, I was able to tap into a whole community of like-minded people who were willing to share tips and teach others how to get started.

As the last Q4 season was building, Printify was holding its Amplified conference and had announced that they were going to pick three people from the group to attend. I joked with my boss that I would need time off to travel to Latvia, and suddenly, I got a message that I had been picked.

That was a huge turning point for me and my POD business because I got to meet people who had found success and made a career doing the same thing as me. 

It inspired me to know that while I was working on my computer listing Etsy products, other people out there were already living the dream.

I also realized that Printify is so much bigger than I expected. The founder started out selling laptop sleeves, and now there’s a network of people and companies behind the scenes working together so that t-shirts from my small business can be worn all around the world.

I keep reminding myself of all this when I’m punching away on my laptop and that what I’m doing is just as important as Jeff Bezos building Amazon in his garage. 

If all of this is still around in the future, I might even be showing my grandkids how to run the business.”

Daisy discovers POD and spearheads the business

For the last eight years, Brett has been involved in marketing and advertising campaigns for various corporate eCommerce businesses.   

“I’ve worked with many different corporate clients through agencies, and I’m still employed full-time by an Australian company that has its own brand,” says Brett. “I run the Facebook ads, manage the financial side of that operation, and do marketing.” 

Although it’s fair to say Brett has an extensive background in eCommerce and print on demand, he admits that he only considered opening his own POD store after his partner Daisy suggested the idea back in January 2023.

“I’m a disability support worker,” Daisy explained, “but I was searching for a job or business idea that would eventually allow me to travel without being tied down. I knew I wanted to start doing something online, and discovered print on demand after watching several YouTube videos on the topic.”

Overcoming a major design roadblock

Brett had plenty of experience in the world of eCommerce but had never sold any physical products himself. Meanwhile, Daisy had plenty of enthusiasm but didn’t understand the finer points of graphic design.

“I’d only dealt with advertising and marketing for big brands, so I had no idea what kinds of products would sell well on a platform like Etsy,” Brett admitted before adding, “My design experience was also limited to making online ads, rather than creating physical items like t-shirts.”

Daisy also admitted to not knowing much about product design and having to research and find her best designs through trial and error.

Despite those significant obstacles, Brett and Daisy enthusiastically got to work creating an Etsy shop. However, the pair didn’t sell products in substantial volumes until they rethought their strategy.

A change of strategy makes over $200,000

Although Brett and Daisy made a couple of early sales, the pair’s fortunes really began to change after they shifted their mindset. 

“I watched several YouTube videos about product research,” says Daisy. “The best one was by a content creator called Simply Shawna. Eventually, we had set in motion a step-by-step process that involved niche research, finding out what products were selling well, and that kind of thing.”

According to Brett, everything changed after implementing the techniques they’d seen on YouTube.

“In the beginning, we were simply listing whatever design ideas came into our heads. Of course, we didn’t make any real sales with that approach. Once everything fell into place, we made $400 in April, $800 in May, and around $2,000 in June.”

For print-on-demand newcomers, those are some solid sales figures. However, Brett and Daisy continued to make enormous gains, eventually reaching an impressive $205,000 in revenue in a single month.

The secret recipe for success

“The first big profit jumps came from choosing very specific niches and audiences with low competition and no saturation,” Brett noted. “We’d modify our bestselling designs for completely different audiences or add value to what was already out there. Tools like Sales Samurai and Insight Factory were also a huge help during the SEO and niche selection process.”

Meanwhile, Daisy began listing as many products on Etsy as humanly possible.

“We ensured we had a lot of volume to give us the best chance of making sales. Some stores only have a few listings, but we added around 2,000 in just eight months. At one point, I was uploading 50 listings per day. There was zero work/life balance. I basically spent six months to a year permanently uploading to Etsy.”

Experimenting with mockups

Although that sounds like a staggering amount of design work, Brett and Daisy took a unique approach to product mockups that boosted the number of listings they could add to their Etsy shop.

“For each new design, we’d list two or three identical versions but change the mockup style. Sometimes a mockup with certain colors would sell really well, whereas the same product in a different setting, with different background colors, didn’t sell at all,” said Brett.

Brett’s experience running online ad campaigns clearly inspired this split testing system. After some time, Daisy had a better idea of which mockup styles would work best and could cut back to a single listing for each product. 

“For beginners with no data, adding multiple listings of the same product can work well,” Daisy noted. 

We fully agree, and it can’t be overstated that one of the keys to print-on-demand success is mastering the art of split testing and interpreting the data that results.

Making $18,000 in a single day!

As Brett and Daisy threw around some incredible sales numbers, we were keen to hear about the pair’s experience of their first holiday season. Q4 is typically a period where experienced POD sellers make their biggest financial gains, and sure enough, according to Brett, it was a struggle to keep up with demand.

“It was pretty crazy. We were underprepared for sure. We do a lot of custom products, and managing the orders needs to be done manually and can’t be automated. One day, we received 253 orders, and 200 of those were for custom items.”

Daisy was equally shocked by the holiday rush, especially regarding fulfillment.

“We had to have all of those items designed to be ready to ship the next day. It was crazy. We have a virtual assistant, but we still had to ask a few friends to help us get the orders out. I suppose I just didn’t realize how big the business would grow. I didn’t for a moment think our sales would double, and then all of a sudden, they doubled again.”

Brett and Daisy say they were astounded by the results of a successful Q4, which is unsurprising, given that at one point, they made $18,000 in a single day!

“We were both still working at our full-time jobs. It was tough, but in the end, it worked out great. We made a huge amount of profit. However, I know I’m hiring more people when we do another holiday season.”

Overcoming self-doubt and embracing challenges

As much as we love hearing about those incredible 5-figure sales days, we must point out that it takes an incredible work ethic to get there. Brett and Daisy have worked incredibly hard on their business and faced plenty of difficulties in the early days.

“I think the greatest challenge was getting consistent daily sales. All of a sudden, it just began to happen, and after that, we just did more and more. It also took me a while to overcome the mindset that suddenly, it might just stop working,” admits Brett.

“Print on demand can definitely be stressful in the beginning. You work eight hours daily creating products and listing them, but after several months, you still don’t see results. It can be difficult to stay positive, and it’s so tempting to quit,” adds Daisy.

Brett and Daisy joked that in the beginning, they would set their phone notifications at full volume so they could listen out for the reassuring cha-ching sound that signifies a new sale. 

“When it happened, we would do a little celebration dance and try to stay motivated. Luckily, we’re now making so many sales that we have to keep our notifications muted,” laughs Brett.

Perfecting the business model

After hearing about Brett and Daisy’s incredible first year in business, we couldn’t help but ask about their experience with Printify and how it helped them grow an online business.

“Without Printify, we wouldn’t even have a business. Using Printify means we don’t have to buy or store any stock, and we never have to stress about ordering items ahead of time. Just paying for what you sell makes it so easy to get started, and integrating everything into Etsy is also really straightforward,” said Brett.

Pricing strategies and the importance of tracking

Brett and Daisy found their feet and created a template for success after watching as many tutorial videos on YouTube as possible. However, the pair want to stress that it’s essential not to just watch POD content passively but to take action and never give up.

In addition, Brett’s background in online advertising meant that from day one, he was keenly aware of maximizing profit.

“I think it’s vital for Etsy store owners to understand their finances. I see so many businesses that have no idea whether they’re profitable or not and how to correctly set prices. Understanding profit and loss is pretty boring, but it’s a really important skill.”

From day one, Brett tracked all of the profits and losses daily. It helped show the seasoned marketer whether his Etsy ads were efficient and when to pull back so that he and Daisy could divert money into different strategies.

“I have marketing experience due to my background in eCommerce advertising, and I hate the idea of running ourselves into the ground because we’re setting prices too low or not budgeting for ads correctly. I can’t stress how important that concept is to master.” 

Cheers to a brighter future

2023 has been a whirlwind of a year for Brett and Daisy, who have built a highly successful POD business while still working full-time. Now that the holiday season is over, and they’ve entered 2024, the pair have had time to reflect on what comes next. 

“Daisy would like to quit her job fairly soon. We may try working in the Philippines when we travel there. Our print-on-demand business will allow us to stay longer than we normally would, as we then can both work from anywhere on our laptops. We may also go to Thailand. We’ll have so much more freedom when we can work while we travel,” says Daisy.

Brett has plenty of ideas about growing their online business even further.

“I want to expand the Shopify side of things and get onto TikTok Shop using my existing skill set. I want to automate as much of the business as possible so that I can concentrate on marketing. I think a lot about early retirement and building wealth. You can’t really do that as a traditional employee, so I’m very focused on growing the business over the next three years.”

Let’s introduce our merchants

Hello! My name is Hoa. I’m the leader of the team responsible for the order fulfillment system. Our company was established three years ago, and we have a commercial business model. Linh here is also a part of the team.

Hi, I’m Linh, and I work for a subsection of the organization. Our side of the business was established two years ago, and our business model is eCommerce with print-on-demand items like apparel and stickers on various eCommerce platforms like Etsy, Amazon, and TikTok Shop.

Fantastic.
What products do you sell?

Hoa: We’re currently selling in the US market, and our products are clothing pieces as well as some home decor items, like ornaments, which are essential products for the holiday season. We sell these on various eCommerce platforms like Amazon, eBay, and TikTok Shop.

How has Printify Express Delivery positively impacted your business?

Hoa: We’ve been using Printify Express Delivery for a long time and have seen how much it has changed how the public sees us. We’re very satisfied with the quality and the speed of Printify. Recently, we’ve integrated two additional variants that we use, specifically the Express program, because it has helped with the delivery time and scope. 

Printify Express Delivery is a fulfillment option that offers more for no additional cost. So, for $7.99 and faster fulfillment, it beats standard shipping. Quotes from other platforms consistently range from $15 to $20, and the fulfillment time is still long. Meanwhile, with Printify Express Delivery, the print and delivery are within just two to three days, which I think is amazing.

Any customer feedback on Printify Express Delivery?

Linh: Yes, my customers are very satisfied with the Printify Express Delivery service. And they’ve given me a lot of five-star reviews. They’ve generally been very pleased to receive their products early, all thanks to Printify Express.

Have you seen a shift in your brand perception?

Linh: Yes, our customers expect us to maintain high-quality products consistently. With Printify Express Delivery, we’ve been able to deliver high-quality products with a remarkably low rate of errors.

How do you adjust pricing when using Printify Express Delivery?

Linh: The shipping cost with Printify Express Delivery is only $7.99, which is significantly cheaper than other factories. This has proven to be cost-effective for my business. Therefore, Printify Express Delivery has helped us considerably save on business expenses.

Any example of how Printify Express Delivery helped you meet a tight deadline?

Hoa: In my team, I remember that during the last holiday season, many customers bought products as gifts. We got an order, and the customer asked if we could deliver it in just four days. It was risky because this was also during the Christmas season, which is very busy. The customer ordered on the 20th!  But with Printify Express Delivery, we were able to deliver on Christmas Eve, just in time for Christmas.

Linh: Regarding my team, I remember one time we had a returning customer who ordered ten pieces for an upcoming birthday party. However, due to an oversight, she placed the order quite late. She was desperate to have the products delivered before the birthday. Given that priority shipping takes about seven to eight business days, she was certain the items wouldn’t arrive on time. Fortunately, Printify offers Express Delivery service, significantly shortening the order processing time to only three to four business days. So the order arrived just in time for the birthday party.

Conclusion

Linh and Hoa praised Printify ExpressDelivery for its fast delivery, increased customer satisfaction, and cost-effectiveness. They also shared how Printify Express Delivery streamlined shipping processes, saved time, and increased profit margins. 

We hope their experience proves that adding Printify Express Delivery to your business model will be a great move this year.

The transcript of our conversation has been shortened and edited.

A lifelong passion for art

Michael attended art classes from age five and eventually went to art college. While working in an Olive Garden restaurant for 19 years, he was able to use his skills to sell artwork to supplement his income.

“I used to make oil paintings and other commissioned pieces but eventually went digital because reproducing my work made much more sense,” Michael explains.

“I had aspirations to make and sell as many paintings as possible. In the beginning, my plan was to generate an online income to pay the bills so that I could give up working in the restaurant trade altogether.”

A surprise diagnosis with a silver lining

Michael’s side hustle allowed him to cut down to part-time hours. However, an unexpected medical issue became the catalyst that would prompt him to quit regular work entirely.

“One day, I began having issues with my hip and was diagnosed with a form of necrosis, meaning the blood wasn’t flowing as it should. In the end, I had to wait six months for a hip replacement and go through rehab, so I couldn’t do anything other than work on my art every day. Luckily my business took off while waiting for surgery, so I didn’t have to return to the Olive Garden.”

The artist managed to stockpile a huge volume of designs just in time for the eCommerce boom that would take place due to COVID-19.

“I didn’t start selling online in large volumes until the pandemic hit in 2020. I was on Etsy and also had a separate printing company, but I had difficulty responding to all the inquiries.”

A family business is born

After the couple had their second child in 2021, rather than going back to work after maternity leave, Carly opted to help grow the business.

“Michael was working eight to nine hours daily and needed to bring someone on board to help with customer service. We both decided it would be best if I took on that role, working from home together,” says Carly. 

That was two years ago. Now, the couple has created a thriving and lucrative online business, combining Printify and Shopify to sell fine art prints, clothing, and much more. 

However, Carly was certainly thrown into the deep end. “After around a month and a half, I found myself in the middle of the busy Q4 period. It was pretty chaotic and also our most profitable year to date,” she admits.

The big move to Shopify

As their business grew, Michael and Carly started seeking options for long-term stability and a platform that gave them more control over their shop. After experimenting with Squarespace, the couple eventually settled on a Shopify store.

“Shopify has definitely given us more freedom,” says Michael. “I own my site and domain name, but I also know that Shopify’s customer service is fast and friendly when I need support.”

Many POD sellers worry about losing Etsy’s built-in traffic source when they consider migrating to Shopify. However, Michael is remarkably relaxed about the switch.

“Honestly, I probably spend the same on advertising as I did when using Etsy, and sometimes even less. In addition, I also get traffic and make a decent amount of sales through Shop.App.”

Shop.App is a standalone Shopify app that lets customers see their orders and shipping notifications across all their favorite Shopify stores. The platform also suggests new shops that customers might like based on previous orders. It’s a system that works a little like Etsy to help sellers gain traffic.

Printify – the final piece of the puzzle

Once Michael settled on Printify as his POD provider, he was able to migrate all of his listings into his Shopify store using the Printify Connect feature. 

“It took a day or two to get everything up and running, but overall, everything was very streamlined. Our previous provider took several days to respond to customer service inquiries, which was one of the main reasons we were keen to switch to Printify,” Michael explains.

Before moving to Printify, Michael and Carly were offering posters and t-shirts. Today, Michael says they have expanded their product range considerably.

“We now offer canvases, framed pictures, phone cases, sweatshirts, and multiple types of t-shirts. I sold stickers for a while, but the huge number of variants meant I hit Shopify’s 50,000 listing limit. Comfort color t-shirts are also very popular right now and are available in a huge variety of options, so it’s easier than you’d imagine to reach the threshold.”

Expanding to a global market

Today, Michael and Carly sell their designs worldwide. So far, they’ve had positive experiences with customers from the United States to the United Kingdom and beyond.

“I think people expect things to take a little longer since the pandemic. Back then, shipping times could be up to 45 business days, so people have realistic expectations about overseas shipping and are generally pretty relaxed about the whole thing,” Carly notes.

The importance of marketing on Shopify

Since discovering POD in 2020, the duo has overcome plenty of challenges, including promoting their business using marketing campaigns.

“We’ve had to learn how to target specific audiences using advertising. We started small and slowly began increasing our campaigns. We’ve also had to become experts at social media marketing,” says Michael. 

“We try to post across TikTok, Instagram, Facebook and even Reddit. I like to have as many eyes on the store as possible.” 

Michael also uses SMS marketing to contact customers who have signed up for alerts and has also embraced email to reach a wider audience. However, with such a broad marketing strategy, the couple risk having their designs stolen. Michael is currently exploring how to trademark his designs.

“I guess it’s always going to happen, and it’s a huge problem, but I’m trying to get a trademarked logo and watermark on all my listings. Without some form of copyright, it’s incredibly difficult to have stolen design listings removed,” he explains.

Success on Shopify after years of hard work

Many creatives worry they’ll end up living the life of a financially-challenged artist. However, Michael proved that it’s possible to overcome that stereotype. Today, the couple’s hard work has resulted in some incredible sales figures. 

“POD helped us go from $85,000 in sales to $500,000 in a single year and $750,000 the year after. I want to see that growth pattern going up and up, but I’d be more than happy if the business continued to tick over like that,” says Michael.

“We’ve managed to buy a bigger family home and go to Mexico, as we never got the chance to have a honeymoon,” Carly adds.

Advice for aspiring entrepreneurs

The couple are keen to point out that running a business is tough, and there will be plenty of challenges to overcome along the way.

“You have to be comfortable putting yourself out there. You’ll hear good and bad comments, but you just have to keep going. When I had my hip replacement surgery, it forced me to keep creating designs. You don’t have to make masterpieces, but I think it’s vital to keep practicing every day and get better at whatever you’re doing,” says Michael.

Michael explained that POD isn’t a get-rich-quick scheme. “You’ll need to put in the hours while still working a regular job. There’s a common misconception about how much work it takes to launch a business yourself.”

“Ask for help when you need it. If you aren’t very good at sugarcoating things, get someone on board to deal with customer service issues,” says Carly.

Boss your business with Shopify and Printify

Overall, Michael and Carly are glad they decided to quit the corporate world and take their artistic side hustle to the next level. 

“I don’t have to ask my boss if what I’ve created is good enough, and I can choose my working hours, which is important as we have a family,” Michael reflects. 

“I think Michael was too intelligent to waste away in a corporate job. It was eating away at his soul,” Carly adds, explaining that she also gets to work on her own terms, trading her office job for an iPad.

Michael and Carly have used the combination of Shopify and Printify to build a thriving eCommerce store. If you’d like to connect with them, check them out on Instagram and TikTok and follow their amazing journey.

We hope they’ve inspired you to check out both Printify and Shopify to create your own POD success story.