Are Etsy Ads worth it for a brand-new handmade shop selling potholders?

Hi! Etsy Ads can be worth it for a brand-new potholder/oven mitt shop, but they work best as a “traffic amplifier” for listings that already look ready to convert—so I’d get your photos, titles/keywords (Etsy SEO), pricing, and shipping/processing time in a solid place first, then run a small, controlled test.

If you’re truly starting from zero, here’s the practical approach that usually wastes the least money:

1) Do a quick “listing-ready” check first (before spending on clicks)
Ads bring more visitors, but they don’t fix low conversion. Make sure you have:

• Bright, clear main photos (close-up texture + size/context photos help a lot for potholders/mitts)
• A strong first image and a title that leads with the main phrase buyers search (e.g., “quilted potholder set,” “heat resistant oven mitt,” etc.)
• Shipping price/processing time that won’t scare people off, and clear sizing/materials/care info
• Enough inventory so you don’t run ads on something that sells out immediately

2) If you test Etsy Ads, test small and long enough to be meaningful
A reasonable “don’t overspend” test is:

• Set a small daily budget (Etsy itself generally recommends at least a few dollars/day to gather data)
• Run it for about 30 days without changing a bunch of things every day (Etsy Ads needs time to learn and you need enough clicks to see patterns)
• Start by advertising either all active listings (good when you have only a few items), or only your best 3–8 listings (best photos, best pricing, strongest keywords) if you’re worried your budget will get spread too thin

3) What to watch so you know if it’s “worth it”
Don’t judge ads by views alone—judge by whether you can afford the clicks.

• If you’re getting clicks but no favorites/carts/orders, your listing offer likely needs work (photos, price, shipping, or keyword mismatch).
• If you’re getting some orders, compare ad spend vs. profit per order (after Etsy fees + materials + shipping/packaging). If the ads are eating all your profit, pause and adjust.

4) A simple, safe testing rule
Only keep ads on listings that show signs of converting. After the test period, pause the listings that get clicks but don’t lead to favorites/carts/sales, and keep budget focused on the ones that do.

One more thing to consider: Etsy also has Offsite Ads (different from Etsy Ads). New/smaller shops can usually opt out if they want, and you’re only charged when an Offsite Ad leads to a sale—so just make sure you’re looking at the right ad program when you decide.

If you tell me your approximate price range (like $12 vs $35 sets) and whether you offer free shipping or paid shipping, I can suggest a tighter test budget and which potholder/mitt variations to advertise first.