Online sales can give significant advantages to anyone running a packaged food company. Because Amazon and Etsy are both strong platforms, your food business can achieve fast growth. Many people trust these sites when shopping. Amazon is famous for covering many places and making deliveries very quickly. Etsy allows the sale of unique and handmade goods, which often cover small-batch foods.

As a packaged food entrepreneur who has sold on both platforms, I’ve learned what works. In this guide, you will find clear steps and tips to start and grow your food business on Amazon and Etsy.

Let’s get started!

Understanding the Platforms

These two companies have customers with different preferences. Amazon gives everyday ease to its shoppers. Mainly, people look for healthy foods, snacks, and things they can keep in their pantries. People visit Etsy when they’re searching for items to gift and things that are handmade. Try getting exotic products like cookies, blends of spices, teas, and special artisan chocolates.

When you use Amazon’s shipping, you must pay referral fees and FBA fees. A seller must pay a listing fee as well as a fee per sale on Etsy. The ad prices decrease, but the number of targeted audience is higher. A brand selling organic trail mix can do successful on Amazon. A shop that sells cookies on Etsy and offers them in custom take out boxes, may get more recognition.

It is possible to gain knowledge from others as well. A cookie business based in New York increased its sales on Etsy by making package changes and updating images in the listings. With FBA on Amazon, the granola brand was able to send orders nationwide in two days. They were able to do well because they knew their customers well.

Regulations & Compliance

Packaged food is regulated. You must follow all food safety rules. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) controls labeling. Local health departments have packaging and kitchen rules.

Your food must be shelf-stable or approved for shipping. Include clear labels with:

• Nutrition facts

• Ingredients

• Allergen info

• Expiration dates

• Manufacturer contact details

Make sure your kitchen is licensed. Some states allow home kitchens under Cottage Food Laws. Others may need a commercial kitchen.

Here’s a quick checklist:

• Register your food business with your state

• Get a business license and sales tax ID

• Follow FDA labeling guidelines

• Use tamper-proof and food-safe packaging

You can read the FDA’s Food Labeling Guide for more details. If you skip compliance, Amazon or Etsy may suspend your account.

Setting Up Your Storefront

To start, you need to create a seller account. Visit Amazon Seller Central and Etsy’s Seller Hub. Fill out your business details. Add payment methods and set your shop name.

Your product listings should include:

• A clear and simple title (include flavor, quantity, and product type)

• Bright, high-resolution photos from multiple angles

• A short but detailed description

• Ingredients and storage info

Replace common terms you hear with the most popular terms to appear on search results. A sample is “12-Pack of Gluten-Free Chocolate Chip Cookies – Baked onsite.”

Let everyone understand how quickly you deliver shipments and your return policies. Since orders on Amazon usually need a quick delivery, plan out how you will ship ahead of time.

In successful stores, online listings are organized in a certain way. Write your listings in language and forms others would normally use.

Packaging & Fulfillment

Your packaging matters. It must keep food fresh and safe during shipping. Use food-grade bags or containers. Add branded labels. Include custom printed food packaging boxes for a polished look.

Amazon lets you use FBA as an option. Your products go to the company’s warehouse. They take care of the shipping process. You save time but you also have to spend more. Usually, Etsy sellers are responsible for sending out their orders. Consequently, the price for services or items is less and you have more control over how things are done.

Here are a few tips for smart shipping:

• Use flat-rate boxes for heavy items

• Add insulation or ice packs for heat-sensitive items

• Choose eco-friendly materials when possible

You can test different packaging setups. I found that double-layer bubble wrap inside branded boxes keeps cookies safe. I also work with a reliable supplier for printed boxes that match my branding.

Marketing & Reviews

Once the listings have been put up, it is important to attract people to buy. Through Amazon ads, you can rank higher in the search results. Etsy gives you opportunities to promote your product to extra buyers.

It is very important to gather good reviews. Ask buyers to tell you how they liked the product. Include a thank-you card with what you buy. Give incentives to customers who visit you again in the form of coupons.

You can choose to advertise your items on Instagram and TikTok as well. Take pictures or share ways to cook the recipes from the show. Take your followers to the relevant places where they can buy your products or services.

I found that using this marketing strategy was very helpful for me. I sent a number of samples to five food bloggers on Instagram. The event was talked about by three of them. The number of items I sold through Etsy went up by twice that week. You can achieve this by looking for bloggers who write about your type of products.

Managing Growth & Scaling

When your business expands, you can expect to get more orders. Be ready. Get as many ingredients as you can in large quantities. Get all your needed shipping components ready early on. Make use of inventory tracking software so you do not run empty.

If you have customers who buy from you many times, give them the option to buy in bulk. Offer holiday bundles, too. Take fresh pictures of your attractions and post them to the website when special occasions take place.

When things are going well for your business, you can try new platforms. A lot of businesses decide to sell their products on Faire or Walmart Marketplace. They make it possible to find customers in different parts of the world.

You should also pay attention to whether your prices are right as you grow. Review the money you put in and gain. If changes are necessary, go for small ones first. It’s important not to save money by choosing something of poor quality.

Concluding

You can sell packaged food on Amazon and Etsy by using the proper strategy. Try to get familiar with how the platform works before using it. Stick to food safety measures when you cook. Ensure the text on your listings is well written. Pick functional packaging that will be effective. Make sure to promote your business. Check how you are advancing over time.

Move cautiously with every activity. Concentrate on providing good quality, keeping trust, and excellent customer service. When your food brand is well-established online, it will gain people’s trust.