5 Reasons Your Print on Demand and Etsy Shop Isn’t Making Sales (And How to Fix It!)

Jun 18

Well, you finally did it. You went all in and launched your Print on Demand and Etsy shop, you created your designs, made your listings, and now you’re eagerly waiting for those first few sales to roll in. But instead of hearing the sweet sounds of the Etsy “cha-ching” notification, there’s just….. crickets.

First of all, breathe! This happens to so many new sellers, and I promise, it’s not because you haven’t done the research or that your designs and products aren’t awesome! It is probably because like many new sellers, you have fallen into common seller pitfalls. The good news? There are clear reasons why your shop isn’t getting sales. And even better news… there are clear ways to fix these issues!

I’ve helped thousands of students inside my course, The Print on Demand Playbook, go from struggling to thriving, and I’ve seen these five mistakes pop up over and over. But don’t worry, I’m spilling all the tea on how to turn things around! Because guess what, the sellers who recognize these mistakes and make the right adjustments start going from zero sales to consistent orders. The key here is knowing what’s holding you back so you can take adjust and take action.

So, let’s break down the top five reasons why your POD and Etsy shop is struggling to make sales—and exactly what you can do about it.

1. Your Etsy SEO (Search Engine Optimization) Is Weak

Etsy isn’t just an e-commerce platform. Etsy, at its core, is a search engine for products. This means if your listings aren’t optimized with the right keywords, they won’t show up in search results. And if people can’t find your products well guess what, then gues what, THEY CAN’T FIND THEM!

How to Fix It:

Research high-performing keywords using tools like Everbee or Sales Samurai. These tools show you what people are actually searching for, so you’re not just guessing. You can always look at best sellers in your niche of choice to see if they are consistely all using the same keywords in their titles.
Place your strongest keyword at the beginning of your product title and naturally incorporate other relevant keywords throughout your listing. BE SURE TO USE ALL 140 SPACES THAT ARE AVAILABLE!
Use all 13 Etsy tags and make sure they match the keywords buyers are searching for.
Write detailed, keyword-rich descriptions that clearly explain what your product is, who it’s for, and why it’s the perfect choice. This is your pitch to your potential customer Be sure to focus on the first 150 spaces of this section! That is where you should say what your product is and be sure to write it as a complete sentence. Underneath you can put information for your shop, return policies, etc.

If you’re struggling with SEO, you can totally checkout The Print on Demand Playbook! I have an entire module dedicated to just SEO!

2. Your Listing Photos Aren’t High-Quality or Eye-Catching

Etsy is a visual based platform. When shoppers browse, you have 1-3 seconds to get them to stop scrolling and make them say, “YES, I NEED THAT!!” Buyers are naturally drawn to products that look clean, professional, and eye-catching. If your mockups don’t stand out right away, they’ll keep scrolling without a second thought.

How to Fix It:

Invest in high-quality, professional mockups that make your products look appealing. If you’re using basic, flat images, or stock photos, you’re missing an opportunity to create a real connection with your buyers.
Be sure to use a blend of flatlay and lifestyle mockups that show your product in action. Customers want to visualize how your design will look in real life before they purchase.
Test different images. Sometimes, updating your main product photo with a better mockup or in a different color or style can significantly increase clicks and conversions.

Your product photos are your first impression. If they don’t immediately catch a buyer’s attention, they’ll never even click on your listing—let alone buy.

3. Your Product Descriptions Are Vague or Uninspiring

A poorly written product description can cost you sales. If your listing leaves potential buyers with questions or doubts, they’ll hesitate to complete their purchase—or worse, leave your shop entirely.

How to Fix It:

Be clear and detailed about what you’re selling in the first 150 spaces. This is the most important part of your description.
Next, be sure to include product dimensions, material details, and any special features.
Be sure to really “sell” your product. Highlight the benefits of your product, not just the features. Instead of simply saying “cotton t-shirt,” describe how soft, comfortable, and durable it is. Remember, this is your sales pitch to the customer
Format your descriptions for easy readability. Use short paragraphs, bullet points, and bold text to make key details stand out.
Lastly, include any key information about your shop like if you provide gift messaging, different colors, return policy.

Your description should do more than just provide information about you or your shop—it should convince the customer that this is exactly what they need and your the person they should be buying from.

4. You Are Not Consistently Listing Products

One of the biggest mistakes new Etsy sellers make? They launch with a handful of listings, go hard for a week, and then... disappear. Maybe they take a week (or two) off, come back to add one random listing, then vanish again. Sound familiar?

The truth is, Etsy rewards consistency. Their algorithm favors active shops that are regularly uploading new, high-quality listings. When you continue to add products, you're not just increasing your chances of being discovered—you’re signaling to Etsy that you’re a serious seller, and they take that into account. The more listings you have, the more search visibility you gain. It’s not about dumping 100 listings on day one and ghosting the platform. It’s about showing up consistently, because that’s what Etsy loves. And more importantly, that’s what makes you a better business owner, Etsy shop owner, designer, and entrepreneur. You can’t master something if you are just dabbling. So treat this as a business.

How to Fix It:

Aim to have at 50+ listings in your shop as quickly as possible without burning out.
Set a goal to upload 3-5 new listings per day so Etsy sees you as an active seller.
Expand your product catalog by repurposing designs across multiple items—a t-shirt design can also work on mugs, tote bags, sweatshirts, and phone cases.

If you only have a few listings, you’re limiting your potential reach. More listings mean more chances to be found by the right customers.

5. You’re Expecting Instant Results & Giving Up Too Soon

This right here is the most common mistake new Etsy sellers make. You launch your shop, you’re riding the high… and then reality hits. No sales. Cue the spiral. But here’s the truth: Etsy is a business, not a magic button. And like any legit business, it takes time to gain traction.

Some sellers get lucky with a sale on day one within the first HOUR. Others grind for weeks—or even months—before seeing results. You cannot, I repeat YOU CAN NOT, waste your time comparing yourself to someone else’s business. That’s energy you could be using to create your next bestseller.

Let’s be real—some sellers show up with a graphic design degree and a background in ecommerce. Others are out here googling “how to open a new tab on a Mac.” It doesn’t matter where you start. Everyone’s path is different. But if you’re spending your time stalking other shops and stressing over why you’re not “there” yet, you’re slowing yourself down. Stay in your lane, get to work, and prove to yourself what you’re really capable of.

How to Fix It:

Understand that success doesn’t happen overnight. Most Etsy shops take weeks or even months to gain momentum.
Stay consistent with adding new products, improving your SEO, and engaging with your audience.
Track your progress and make data-driven adjustments. If a listing isn’t getting views after 60 days, tweak the title, tags, or mockup images and test again. I guarantee in 60 days, you will be able to see flaws in your original work if you have consistently been putting in the work.
Invest in learning from those who have already built successful Etsy shops. Instead of wasting months trying to figure it out alone, take a structured approach.

Ready to Finally Start Making Sales on Etsy? Here’s Your Next Step!

If your Etsy shop isn’t getting sales, don’t give up—make adjustments and keep going. Small tweaks can lead to huge results. Running a Business is all about keeping your head on a constant swivel and pivoting to learn how to make successful moves.

If you’re ready to:

Rank higher in Etsy search and get your products in front of more buyers
Create listings that actually convert into sales
Build a shop that generates consistent, long-term revenue

Then check out The Print on Demand Playbook!

It’s got 9 hours and over 40 videos of POD content to help you start your business from scratch, help you create winning POD products, Content Calendars, Font Guides, and so much more! Click the image below to take a peek!