No-Fluff Tips To Nail Your Etsy Descriptions + The Only Listing Template You’ll Ever Need
Look…Your Etsy descriptions might be sabotaging you.
Yeah, I said it.
I’ve been there. I used to slap up listings, thinking my clever wording would do the heavy lifting, but no one even as much as said hello to my shop.
Zero sales…. Nada!
So if your Etsy shop is giving you serious ghost-town vibes, you’re in the right place.
We’re about to dive deep into how to fix those product descriptions and turn them into sales machines.
And, because I love you, I’m even giving you my ultimate Etsy listing template that’ll make this process as smooth as butter.
STOP Writing Novels… Less is More, Babe!
Okay, first things first, stop writing a dang novel for your product descriptions.
I know, I know.
You’re excited about your product, and you want to tell potential buyers ALL the things.
But listen up: No one has time for that.
Your buyers are busy.
They’re scrolling through Etsy, probably from their phones, while multitasking.
The last thing they want is to scroll through a wall of text just to figure out what your product actually is.
Tip: Keep it simple. Your product description should answer three main questions:
- What is it?
- What does it do?
- Why do I need it?
Boom. Done.
Example of a bloated description:
“This delightful, one-of-a-kind planner was lovingly handcrafted over the course of several months by a team of dedicated professionals who take pride in their work…”
Girl, no.
Better version:
“Stay organized and stress-free with this minimalist, undated planner. Perfect for anyone who loves a clutter-free, simple planning system.”
See the difference?
One gets to the point, the other sounds like it was written for a 19th-century novel.
Buzzwords Are Boring, Spice it Up!
Alright, now that we’ve got the length under control, let’s talk about those buzzwords.
You know the ones—“high-quality,” “handmade with love,” “unique.” Yawn. 😴
These phrases are so overused that they’ve become totally meaningless.
They tell your customers nothing about your product.
Instead, spice it up by injecting some personality.
Talk about your product the way you’d talk to your bestie.
Tip: Write like you talk. If you wouldn’t say “crafted with premium materials” in real life, don’t put it in your description.
Example of a boring description:
“Handmade with love, this mug is of the highest quality and perfect for any occasion.”
Better version:
“This sassy mug is your new go-to for that Monday morning coffee. It’s dishwasher safe, microwave friendly, and will definitely get you a few laughs on your next Zoom call.”
See? Same product, but with way more spark.
Your Title Needs a Makeover (Because ‘Cute Mug’ Isn’t Cutting It)
Next up—let’s talk titles.
Your product title is the first thing people see when they search on Etsy, so it needs to be clear and to the point.
Sorry, but “Cute Mug” isn’t doing you any favors.
Here’s the thing: To sell, you first need to be found.
And to be found, your product title has to be written in the same way your ideal customer would type it into Google.
Forget about being clever or funny, just be clear.
Example: Instead of “Sunshine Mug,” try “Funny Coffee Mug with Sun Design, Dishwasher Safe Gift for Coffee Lovers.”
Why?
Because it’s packed with searchable keywords that people might actually type into Etsy’s search bar.
How to Discover Popular Keywords
Want to know what keywords your audience is using to search for products like yours?
The easiest way to start is by using Etsy’s own search bar.
When you start typing, Etsy will show you a list of suggested search terms, use those!
But if you want to take your keyword game to the next level, you need a tool like EverBee.
This gem gives you the inside scoop on what’s trending, which keywords are getting searched, and what your competitors are doing.
Seriously, if you’re not using it, you’re missing out on sales and you can use the free version.
Don’t guess, let EverBee do the heavy lifting.
Your Listing Photos Aren’t Doing the Heavy Lifting for You
Let’s get one thing straight, your photos are important, but they can’t do all the work. If you’re leaning on your photos to sell your product without a killer description to back them up, you’re setting yourself up for disappointment.
Your product description and photos need to work together like peanut butter and jelly. 🍞+🍇
Photos give a visual, but your words provide the details that photos just can’t.
Things like dimensions, materials, and specific uses your customer needs to know these things before they buy.
So don’t rely on photos alone, because even the best-looking photo can’t tell me why I need this product.
What I do is i incorporate my product descriptions in my mock-up photos, this way the buyer can see both the products they are buying and converting descriptions that sell the product.
Ps. You can grab my free mock up templates for digital products here.
Don’t Forget: You’re Solving a Problem, Not Just Selling Stuff
Listen, people aren’t just shopping for stuff, they’re shopping for solutions.
So when you write your product description, keep that in mind.
Sure, that cute calendar is adorable, but what’s the real reason your customer wants it?
Maybe it’s because they feel overwhelmed and need something to keep them organized.
Maybe they’re a busy mom who needs to plan meals for the week.
Whatever it is, your product solves a problem.
So make sure your description tells them exactly what that problem is and how you’re about to solve it.
Example:
Instead of “This calendar is great for organizing your days,” say, “Tired of juggling a million things and constantly feeling behind? This calendar will help you take control of your schedule and finally feel on top of things again.”
Boom. Now they need it.
Your Call to Action Sucks, Let’s Fix That
Okay, let’s talk about your call to action (CTA), because if it’s weak, you’re leaving money on the table.
If your CTA is something lame like “Buy Now,” it’s not doing enough to get people to actually do something.
You need a CTA that excites people. Make them feel like they’re missing out if they don’t hit “Add to Cart” right now.
Tip: Use strong, emotion-driven CTAs.
Example:
Weak CTA: “Buy Now”
Strong CTA: “Grab Yours Before They’re Gone, Limited Stock!”
You want your CTA to create a sense of urgency and excitement.
Don’t let people scroll past without feeling like they’re missing out on something awesome.
Next Up: The Ultimate Listing Description Template You’ve Been Waiting For!
I know you’re dying to get your hands on the ultimate plug-and-play template to make your Etsy descriptions shine!
Pop your email below and ill send you the ultimate Etsy product description template you can copy, customize, and use for your own listings.
You’re welcome.
Where the Heck Do I Find My Ideal Client’s Struggles?!
Now, how do you figure out what your ideal client is struggling with if you are just starting out?”
The dream scenario would be to sit down and chat with your perfect customer over coffee, but if that’s not possible yet, don’t sweat it.
There are a few killer places to get the inside scoop on what’s going on in your customers’ heads. Here are three of my favorite places to dig up those pain points:
- Blog or Quora Comments
People love to vent and ask questions in the comments section. Find blogs or Quora threads that your ideal client would read, and you’ve got a goldmine of struggles, questions, and real words straight from their mouths (or, you know, keyboards). Take notes and think of how your products can swoop in and save the day. - Facebook Groups
If you’re not lurking in Facebook groups by now, you’re missing out on some serious intel.
Whether it’s a group that your target audience is in, or one focused on your niche, these are the spots where people are asking all the burning questions.
You can even throw out a few questions of your own and watch the responses roll in. - Good Ol’ Google
Yep, Google is still that friend who has all the answers.
Just type in something like “struggles of [your ideal client]” or “pain points of [your audience].”
Trust me, someone’s already written about it. For example, if your ideal customers are college students, try “college student struggles” and instant research.
Easy, right?
Just by using these three methods, you’ll have a ton ideas to kick things off!
Best Image Size for Etsy Listings (Because Blurry Photos wont sell)
Alright, let’s talk images.
your Etsy images matter big time.
Etsy now wants listing photos to be square (1:1), and to avoid that cringe-worthy blur, make sure your images are 2000px x 2000px.
If your photos aren’t crystal clear, it’s time to fix ‘em up!
You can grab my free mock-up templates they’ll make your listings look super proffessional and save you a ton of time!
Extra Etsy Listing Tips to Make Your Descriptions Crush It!
Let’s wrap this up with a few bonus tips to make sure your listings absolutely crush it on Etsy.
Speak Their Language, Literally
Your customer’s words are pure gold. If they call something “cozy,” “sleek,” or “badass,” you better be using that exact same lingo in your description.
Write like you’re chatting with a friend, not a corporate robot, and reflect their needs back at them.
It’s the secret to making your listing feel like it was made just for them.
Ditch the Walls of Text
Long, dense paragraphs? Yikes.
No one’s got time for that.
Keep your descriptions easy to skim.
Use short sentences, bullet points, and throw in subheadings like “What You’ll Get” or “How It Works” to guide them through the deets effortlessly.
People will thank you for making it simple.
Weave in Keywords (Without Sounding Like a Robot)
Keywords are your ticket to being found, but don’t make it obvious.
You want to seamlessly blend them into your description so it reads naturally.
Those keywords you snagged from the Etsy search bar or EverBee, Sprinkle them in without overloading.
Think smooth, not spammy.
Make Them Feel Your Product
Want your customer to actually picture themselves using your product?
Use sensory words that light up their imagination.
Words like “smooth,” “vibrant,” “cozy,” or “refreshing” make your product come alive in their minds.
It’s not just about the features—it’s about how they’ll feel when they have it.
Max Out Your Tags, People!
Etsy gives you 13 tags so use them all!
These tags are little keyword magnets that can help your product show up in searches.
Be smart about it: use a mix of 2-3 word phrases like “organic soap,” “boho decor,” or “custom gift.”
Include key features, materials, who it’s for, and any seasonal or occasion-based keywords to boost your chances of showing up in search results.
Create a Sense of Urgency
Nobody likes missing out, and trust me, FOMO sells!
Add a little urgency to your descriptions by mentioning things like “limited stock” or “special offer.”
A subtle nudge like “Grab yours before it’s gone!” can make all the difference.
People are more likely to buy now if they feel like they could miss out later.
Highlight What Makes You Unique
Etsy is packed with sellers.
So what makes you stand out from the crowd?
Is it the eco-friendly materials?
Handmade craftsmanship?
Or maybe it’s your designs that nobody else has.
Whatever it is, shout it out in your description!
Make sure your customer knows exactly why your product is different and why they can’t find it anywhere else.
Your Descriptions Just Got a Glow-Up, Now Go Sell
Alright, , you officially have with everything you need to write product descriptions that actually sell.
Now get out there, update those listings, and watch your sales increase.
P.S. If you’re looking for more ways to crush your Etsy game, check out popular digital products success toolkit.