In the world of online selling, Depop and Etsy have emerged as two of the most popular platforms for creative entrepreneurs. While both provide opportunities to sell unique and handmade goods, they cater to different audiences and require distinct marketing strategies. This article explores the key differences between Depop and Etsy, offering insights on effectively marketing your products on each platform.

Target Audience: Who’s Shopping on Depop vs. Etsy?

When choosing how to sell your products on Depop and Etsy, it is important to have a clear understanding of your target demographic. Every platform has a different target audience, and you may increase sales by adjusting your strategy to fit the tastes and habits of these groups.

Depop’s Audience

Depop’s user base is predominantly comprised of Gen Z and younger Millennials, with the majority of users aged between 16 and 24. This group is highly engaged with social media and strongly associated with fashion, particularly streetwear, vintage, and second-hand clothing. Depop’s interface, which resembles social media platforms like Instagram, appeals to this demographic’s preference for visually driven, fast-paced interactions.

These users are trend-driven and value unique, affordable fashion finds. They often seek items that allow them to express their individuality, align with current fashion trends, or contribute to sustainable fashion practices. Depop shoppers are also more likely to be influenced by peer reviews, social proof, and the popularity of items on the platform.

Etsy’s Audience

Etsy attracts a broader and more diverse audience spanning various age groups and interests. While it includes younger shoppers, Etsy’s primary audience ranges from 25 to 45 years old, including a significant portion of older adults. These shoppers are typically more established and focus on quality, craftsmanship, and unique, often handmade, items.

Etsy users appreciate the platform’s emphasis on creativity and authenticity. They often search for personalized gifts, home decor, artisanal products, and items that reflect a certain level of craftsmanship. Unlike Depop’s trend-driven audience, Etsy buyers are more focused on the story behind the products they purchase, valuing the time and effort that goes into making them. This audience is also more likely to support small businesses and independent creators.

Product Presentation: Visual Strategies for Depop vs. Etsy

How you present your products is critical to attracting and converting customers on Depop and Etsy. However, the best visual strategies on each platform can differ significantly due to their users’ unique expectations and browsing habits.

Depop’s Visual Aesthetic

Depop’s platform is heavily influenced by social media trends, particularly those seen on Instagram. As a result, the visual presentation on Depop needs to be vibrant, trendy, and highly engaging. The key to success on Depop is creating a visually cohesive feed that resonates with its young, fashion-forward audience.

• Lifestyle Shots: Depop users are drawn to lifestyle shots that show the product in real-life situations, such as models wearing the clothing in street-style settings. These shots showcase the product and help buyers imagine how to incorporate it into their lives.
• Casual and Relatable: The aesthetic tends to be casual and relatable rather than overly polished. Natural lighting, candid poses, and a relaxed vibe often work better than studio shots.
• Trend-focused: Highlighting current fashion trends and styling products to reflect popular culture can attract more attention. Depop shoppers are looking for what’s “in” right now, so staying updated with trends is crucial.

Etsy’s Visual Aesthetic

Etsy’s visual approach is more traditional, emphasizing product clarity, detail, and craftsmanship. The platform’s users expect high-quality images that showcase the item’s features, materials, and workmanship.

• Clean and Professional: Photos on Etsy should be clean, well-lit, and professional. A white or neutral background is often preferred to keep the focus on the product itself and eliminate distractions.
• Multiple Angles: Providing multiple images from different angles, including close-ups, helps potential buyers see the item’s intricacies. This is particularly important for handmade, vintage, or one-of-a-kind products where detail is key.
• Storytelling through Imagery: Since Etsy shoppers are interested in the story behind the product, incorporating images that tell a story or show the product in use can be very effective. For example, a picture of a handcrafted mug in a cozy kitchen setting can evoke a sense of warmth and home, aligning with the buyer’s values.

Comparison Table: Visual Strategies for Depop vs. Etsy

Aspect	Depop	Etsy
Aesthetic	Trendy, Instagram-like, casual	Clean, professional, focused on craftsmanship
Photo Style	Lifestyle shots, natural lighting, candid poses	Studio shots, multiple angles, close-ups
Background	Varied, often contextual or urban settings	White or neutral background to focus on the item
Focus	Relatable, current fashion trends	Clarity, detail, and storytelling through images
Target Audience Appeal	Younger, trend-conscious shoppers	Quality-focused, diverse audience looking for uniqueness and craftsmanship

Pricing Strategies: Differentiating Your Products on Etsy and Depop

Pricing your products appropriately is critical to running a successful online shop, especially on platforms like Depop and Etsy, where customer expectations and competitive landscapes differ. Gaining insight into the distinct pricing patterns of each platform will enable you to optimize your earnings while maintaining your competitiveness.

Depop Pricing Strategies

Depop’s marketplace is driven by a younger audience that is often more price-sensitive. The platform is popular for its trendy, vintage, and second-hand items, where shoppers seek bargains and unique fashion finds. As a result, pricing on Depop tends to be more competitive, and sellers must balance affordability with perceived value.

• Competitive Pricing: Due to the younger demographic, competitive pricing is crucial for Depop. Users often compare prices across similar items, so setting too high could deter potential buyers. It’s important to research similar products on Depop to see what others are charging and position your pricing accordingly.
• Psychological Pricing: Strategies like pricing just below a round number (e.g., $19.99 instead of $20) can effectively appeal to Depop’s cost-conscious audience. This small difference can make an item seem more affordable and increase its attractiveness.
• Bundle Discounts: Offering discounts for purchasing multiple items together (e.g., “Buy 2, get 10% off”) can encourage larger purchases. This strategy is particularly effective in Depop, where shoppers are often looking to build their wardrobes with trendy pieces.
• Sales and Promotions: Regularly running sales, flash discounts, or promotional offers can help attract attention and increase sales volume. Depop’s younger audience responds well to limited-time offers, which can create a sense of urgency.

Etsy Pricing Strategies

Etsy shoppers generally are more willing to pay for quality, uniqueness, and craftsmanship. The platform’s audience values the time, effort, and materials that go into handmade or vintage items, allowing sellers more flexibility to set higher prices.

• Value-Based Pricing: On Etsy, it’s essential to price your products based on their value, considering factors like the time invested in creating the item, the quality of materials, and the uniqueness of the design. Etsy buyers often pay a premium for handmade, personalized, or one-of-a-kind items.
• Cost Calculation: Pricing on Etsy should cover all associated costs, including materials, time, labor, and platform fees. Ensuring your pricing covers these costs and leaves room for profit is important. Unlike Depop, where price competition is fierce, Etsy allows for more generous profit margins.
• Perceived Value: Since Etsy buyers appreciate craftsmanship, emphasizing your product’s unique qualities and story can justify higher prices. Detailed descriptions and high-quality images highlighting the product’s features can help enhance its perceived value.
• Offering Customization: Many Etsy sellers find success by offering customization options at an additional cost. Personalized items can command higher prices, as customers are often willing to pay more for something unique.

Pricing Strategies for Depop vs. Etsy

Aspect	Depop	Etsy
Audience Price Sensitivity	High; price-sensitive, looking for bargains	Lower; willing to pay for quality and uniqueness
Pricing Strategy	Competitive, lower pricing	Value-based, higher pricing
Promotions	Frequent sales, bundle discounts	Occasional discounts, emphasis on value
Customization	Less common, rarely commands a premium	Common, can justify higher prices
Cost Consideration	Focus on affordability, lower profit margins	Covers costs, allows for higher profit margins
Psychological Pricing	Effective (e.g., $19.99 vs. $20)	Less emphasis, focus on the total value proposition

SEO and Keywords: Optimizing Listings for Maximum Visibility

Effective keyword use and optimization strategies can significantly increase the visibility of your listings, helping you attract more potential buyers. However, the SEO dynamics on Depop and Etsy differ, requiring tailored approaches to achieve the best results.

SEO on Depop

Depop’s search function is relatively straightforward but heavily relies on keywords and hashtags. Since Depop’s interface is designed to mimic social media platforms, the SEO strategy is similar to what you might use on Instagram or Twitter, where hashtags are crucial in enhancing visibility.

• Keyword Placement: On Depop, keywords should be strategically placed in the product title and description. The title should be concise and include the most relevant keywords to describe the item accurately. For example, if you’re selling a vintage denim jacket, your title might be “Vintage Denim Jacket – 90s Retro Blue Jean Jacket.”
• Hashtag Strategy: On Depop, hashtags are an effective tactic. They function similarly to social media hashtags, allowing users to find your products based on specific search terms. It’s important to use a mix of broad and niche hashtags. For example, if you’re selling the same vintage denim jacket, you might use hashtags like #Vintage, #DenimJacket, #90sFashion, and #RetroStyle. Including trending hashtags can boost visibility, but make sure they are relevant to your product.
• Updating Listings: Depop’s search algorithm favors active listings. Regularly updating your product descriptions, titles, and hashtags can help keep your listings relevant and higher in search results. This is especially important for items that haven’t sold quickly—refreshing the listing can give it new life in search results.
• Engagement Matters: Depop’s algorithm also considers engagement metrics, such as likes and follows, in its search rankings. Encouraging your followers to like your listings and actively engaging with the Depop community can improve your visibility on the platform.

SEO on Etsy

Etsy’s SEO is more complex and sophisticated than Depop’s. The platform uses the Etsy Search algorithm, which considers various factors, including keywords, listing quality, customer reviews, and shop activity. To succeed on Etsy, sellers need to adopt a more detailed and strategic approach to SEO

• Title Optimization: Etsy allows longer titles, so use this space wisely. Include the most important keywords at the beginning of the title, as this is where they carry the most weight in Etsy’s algorithm. Ensure the title is still readable and makes sense to human buyers while rich with relevant keywords.
• Tags and Attributes: Etsy allows you to add up to 13 tags per listing. These tags should include all relevant keywords, including variations of the primary keywords and any potential search terms a buyer might use. Additionally, use Etsy’s attributes feature to classify your product further. These attributes help Etsy categorize your item correctly, improving its chances of being shown in relevant searches.
• Descriptions Matter: While Etsy’s algorithm doesn’t directly index the description for keywords, the description still plays a vital role in converting clicks to sales. Use the description to provide detailed information about the product, including its benefits, materials, and uses. Well-written descriptions can also improve your ranking by increasing the likelihood of positive reviews and high conversion rates.
• Listing Quality Score: The quality score of your items is taken into account by Etsy’s algorithm, which is impacted by a number of variables like the click-through rate (CTR), conversion rate, and user reviews. High-quality photos, clear descriptions, and competitive pricing can all contribute to a higher listing quality score, improving your search ranking.
• Regularly Refresh Listings: Like Depop, Etsy rewards active listings. Regularly renewing your listings or tweaking titles and tags can help maintain or improve your position in search results. However, be mindful of Etsy’s listing fees when doing this.

SEO and Keyword Strategies for Depop vs. Etsy

Aspect	Depop	Etsy
Keyword Focus	Titles, descriptions, hashtags	Titles, tags, attributes, long-tail keywords
Search Algorithm	Simple, relies heavily on hashtags	Complex, considers multiple factors, including listing quality
Hashtags	Essential for visibility, use trending and niche hashtags	Not applicable (no hashtag usage)
Title Strategy	Short, concise, includes relevant keywords	Longer, detailed, keyword-rich, with main keywords at the start
Description Importance	Second, it supports keywords in titles and hashtags	Important for conversions, detailed descriptions can improve sales and reviews
Engagement Impact	Likes and follows impact search ranking	Customer reviews, CTR, and conversion rates impact search ranking
Listing Refresh	Regular updates and engagement boost visibility	Regularly renewing or updating listings can improve ranking

Community and Social Media Integration: Building Your Brand Beyond the Platforms

Building a strong community and integrating social media into your marketing strategy is essential for expanding your brand’s reach beyond Depop and Etsy. While there are distinct advantages to connecting with your audience on both platforms, the strategies and resources for doing so are different. A comprehensive strategy that incorporates social media and makes the most of each platform’s advantages can greatly increase sales, client loyalty, and brand exposure.

Community Engagement on Depop

Depop’s platform is inherently social, mimicking features of popular social media apps like Instagram. This social aspect is deeply embedded in the user experience, making community engagement a key component of success.

• In-App Engagement: Depop’s interface encourages direct interaction between sellers and buyers. Features such as following, liking, and commenting on listings create a sense of community and engagement similar to social media platforms. Sellers can build a loyal following by regularly interacting with users, responding to comments, and engaging with other sellers.
• Influencer Collaborations: Collaborations with influencers or other sellers on Depop can greatly enhance your visibility. This might include shout-outs, co-hosted live streams, or curated collections that feature your products.
• Depop Stories: Depop allows sellers to use Stories to showcase new products, behind-the-scenes content, or promotions. Like Instagram Stories, Depop Stories are temporary, creating a sense of urgency and encouraging quick interactions.

Community Engagement on Etsy

Etsy’s approach to community engagement is less about social media-like interactions and more about fostering a sense of connection and trust between sellers and buyers.

• Etsy Community Forums: Etsy offers a vibrant community forum where merchants may interact, exchange stories, and ask for guidance. By taking part in these forums, you can make connections with other sellers, discover best practices, and obtain ideas for enhancing your store. It’s also a fantastic method to keep up with the most recent changes and trends on the site.
• Customer Communication: Direct and personalized communication with customers is crucial on Etsy. Responding promptly to inquiries, sending thank-you messages after purchase, and providing updates on order status can help build trust and encourage repeat business. Etsy also allows sellers to send custom discount codes to repeat buyers, further fostering customer loyalty.
• Etsy Teams: Etsy Teams are groups of sellers who come together based on location, interests, or product categories. Joining or forming a team can help you connect with other sellers, participate in collaborative marketing efforts, and get support from like-minded entrepreneurs. Teams can also organize events or promotions that boost visibility for all members.

Social Media Integration for Both Platforms

Including social media in your marketing plan is essential for expanding your reach and increasing traffic to your store, whether you sell on Etsy or Depop. Each platform offers different tools and strategies for social media integration.

• Instagram and Pinterest: Depop and Etsy sellers can benefit from visual platforms like Instagram and Pinterest to showcase their products. Instagram is especially effective for Depop sellers, who can mirror their Depop feed and create a cohesive brand image. With its search-friendly format, Pinterest is particularly useful for Etsy sellers to drive long-term traffic to their listings.
• Facebook and TikTok: Facebook offers a wide reach and is particularly useful for Etsy sellers targeting older demographics. With its viral potential and younger audience, TikTok aligns well with Depop’s demographic, allowing sellers to create engaging, trend-driven content that can quickly attract attention.
• Social Media Advertising: Running targeted ads on platforms like Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest can help drive traffic directly to your Depop or Etsy store. The people who are most likely to purchase your products will see these ads since they may be tailored to target specific demographics, interests, and lifestyle choices.

Community and Social Media Integration for Depop vs. Etsy

Aspect	Depop	Etsy
In-App Engagement	Social media-like interaction (likes, follows, comments)	Less social, more focused on personalized customer communication
Influencer Collaborations	Common and highly effective for visibility	Less common, focus on customer trust and word-of-mouth marketing
Stories and Updates	Depop Stories for real-time updates and promotions	No equivalent feature; use of newsletters and direct messages instead
Community Forums	Not available, community built through interactions	Active forums and Etsy Teams for seller collaboration and support
Customer Loyalty Tools	Engaging followers, offering bundle discounts	Custom discount codes, personalized thank-you messages
Social Media Platforms	Instagram, TikTok (youth-oriented platforms)	Pinterest, Facebook (broad and search-friendly platforms)
Advertising Integration	Instagram TikTok ads for trendy, fast-paced sales	Pinterest and Facebook ads for targeted, long-term campaigns

Conclusion: Which Platform is Right for Your Business?

Choosing between Depop and Etsy depends largely on your product and target audience. Depop is ideal for sellers who thrive in a fast-paced, trend-driven environment. At the same time, Etsy is better suited for those offering handmade, vintage, or unique items focusing on craftsmanship. Knowing how these platforms differ from one another will help you customize your marketing tactics and increase your chances of success.

FAQs

Can I sell on both Depop and Etsy?

Yes, many sellers use both platforms to reach different audiences. However, it’s important to tailor your listings and marketing strategies to each platform’s unique audience and features.

Which platform charges more in fees, Depop or Etsy?

Etsy generally has higher fees, including listing, transaction, and payment processing fees. Depop’s fees are simpler, typically taking a percentage of the sale price, but it’s important to factor in shipping and payment fees.

What types of products sell best on Depop?

Depop is particularly popular for vintage clothing, streetwear, and second-hand items. Trend-driven fashion items also perform well on the platform.

How can I improve my search ranking on Etsy?

Optimizing your titles, tags, and descriptions with relevant keywords, regularly updating your listings, and maintaining a high customer satisfaction rate can improve your Etsy search ranking.

Do I need to be active on social media to succeed on Depop?

While not mandatory, being active on social media can significantly boost your visibility on Depop. Engaging with followers and sharing your listings can help drive sales.

Additional Resources

• Depop Seller Handbook
• Etsy Seller Handbook
• Marketing Tips for Online Sellers
• SEO for Etsy: A Complete Guide