eassolutions

[eassolutions]

FREE Etsy Branding Webinar!

The live webinar has ended but you can register for the replay presented by Starla Moore, Head of Marketing at eRank.com.

https://handmadealphaacademy.lpages.co/brand-planet-webinar-2021/

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Forbes Interview with Etsy CEO Josh Silverman

The article ‘How Etsy Is Giving AI To Its Army Of 5 Million Artisan-Entrepreneurs To Build The Anti-Amazon‘ does not require subscription to read. Here are some key highlights.

Since Covid’s March 2020 lows, Etsy shares are up some 600%, torching the Nasdaq (up 115%), eBay (175%), Walmart (35%) and Amazon (100%). 

The 16-year-old company is worth just shy of $30 billion. Active buyers and sellers on Etsy have doubled to 90 million and 5 million, respectively. 

Growth has slowed in the second half of 2021 as the economy has reopened, but analysts are betting Etsy will hit a 30% sales increase in 2021.

“One challenge: enabling customers to find a one-of-a-kind product on Etsy as easily as they can a commodity on Amazon. To improve search and product recommendations, it’s building AI-powered computer vision tools to identify, tag and create structured data for its millions of unique items.

“Notorious for slow deliveries, Etsy is also raising expectations for sellers. Crafters are being pushed to provide transparent timelines and improve customer communication. A new dashboard will show vendors how they rate for customer service and satisfaction. Overachievers will get higher visibility on the site. “We need to do what our sellers need, not want,�� Silverman says. “To serve the sellers, you need to obsess over the buyer experience.””

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

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Etsy Star Seller Badge Removed?

That is the dilemma facing a growing number of sellers on Etsy as they crack down on non-compliance to its policies.

Etsy reserves the right to remove the badge if a seller no longer meets the requirements for the program.

Here are 7 common (but not exhaustive) issues that can could see your Star Seller badge removed.

1.  Failure to comply with Etsy’s House Rules, which include policies related to shipping, communication, and customer service.

2.  Failure to complete orders on time and/or marking them as shipped before you have shipped the item.

3. Engaging in extortion by, for example offering a buyer additional goods, services, or compensation in exchange for a positive review. 

4. Engaging in shilling which is prohibited on Etsy, as outlined in the Seller Policy.

5.  Attempting to falsely inflate Star Seller stats (for example, by using a false delivery tracking number)

6.  Violation of Etsy’s Terms of Use

7.  Overdue bill on your account

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Have your items featured in the Etsy and Airbnb Hosting Essentials

Show millions of hosting hopefuls your unique vision. Apply to be part of our curated collection of delightful finds that make an Airbnb stay a 5-star experience. Have a couple of home goods, hosting elements or personalized touches that would be a good fit? 

So what is the eligibility criteria?

You must have an active Etsy shop with at least 6 active listings 

Your shop must NOT be on holiday mode between January 1, 2022–January 31, 2022. 

You must be in good standing with Etsy, as determined by Etsy, in its sole discretion, and be in compliance with Etsy’s House Rules

Applications will open at 12:00AM on September 24, 2021 and close at 11:59PM EST on October 4, 2021.

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Etsy’s 2021 Christmas Checklist is here!

“This Christmas season, buyers want to feel good about who they support when they buy special gifts and festive items. And they’ll be turning to Etsy sellers like you to make it happen.” 

Here is a summary of the checklist:

1. Update your inventory and photos for the season.

2. Share important delivery details with shoppers.

3. Streamline your delivery process.

4. Connect quickly with customers via Messages.

5. Stand out in search results with Etsy Ads.

6. Add your own extra special touch.

7. Join our upcoming global sale to start reaching Christmas shoppers now.

8. Bring customers back throughout the season.

How are you getting Christmas ready? Read the full guide here.

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

FREE SEO Tool for Etsy Sellers!

Disclaimer: ALL THINGS ETSY is a blog which provides online selling, Search Engine Optimisation, e-commerce marketing and business tips for Etsy sellers by EAS Solutions. There is no affiliation with EtsyCheck and do not earn commission for referrals.

Etsycheck.com is an application that uses the Etsy API but is not endorsed or certified by Etsy. 

Earlier this year, its creator operating under the username ‘yesno-bot’ on Reddit had this to say about the tool.

“I released a new tool on EtsyCheck that you may find useful. You enter a keyword or phrase like you would on the Etsy search engine. The tool then spits out the top-performing tags, categories, and materials, along with the average views and favorites [sic].

“The tool can help you find keywords that you may not have thought of using but are performing well. It can show you how much attention each keyword is attracting and what your competitors are using to rank high on Etsy.”

In June 2021, this powerful tool was further enhanced to include a feature that allows Etsy sellers to leave reviews on buyers.

Ad free and user friendly, I think this web based tool is great for SEO newbies and you can explore this great tool here.

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

USPS rates for certain services are increasing!

USPS rates are increasing on August 29 2021 for First-Class Letters. The retail rates of postage for First-Class Letters is increasing from $0.55 to $0.58 - a small difference which can add up if you use this service frequently.

USPS is increasing a few other rates and you can view the new upcoming rates here.

You can save money and pay less than you would at the post office for retail rates when you purchase postage on Etsy. For example, the First-Class Letters postage rate on Etsy is $0.53.

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Buyer Loyalty - A Case Study from Etsy

With a renewed focus on Etsy sellers providing excellent customer experience, Etsy released a case study late last month (July 2021) based on an experienced seller who successfully revamped her customer service strategy. The study focuses on building buyer loyalty, encouraging 5-star reviews and, organising your shop intuitively based on customer feedback.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/seller-handbook/article/case-study-how-to-bring-buyers-back/1011841581546

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Etsy, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2021 Results

This week Etsy published its Q2 2021 and the news overall is good! There has been a 13% increase in Consolidated Year-Over-Year GMS Growth and 23% Year-Over-Year Revenue Growth. With the exclusion of face mask sales, second quarter GMS for the Etsy marketplace increased 31%.

This quarter has also seen the acquisition of Depop and Elo7 which will be integrate into Etsy’s 'House of Brands'.

For the full key highlights and commentary from CEO Josh Silverman, click here.

Etsy will host a video webcast conference call to discuss these results via their Investor Relations website (investors.etsy.com) under the Events section. A copy of the earnings call presentation will also available on the website for at least three months thereafter.

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Etsy Star Seller Program - A Summary

Star Seller is a way for Etsy to recognise and reward sellers who consistently provide an excellent customer experience. Starting in September 2021, Etsy will be rewarding sellers with a Star Seller badge, which will help buyers more easily identify and shop from these sellers.

Image source: Etsy

What is the benefit for sellers?

Star Sellers will receive a special badge, letting buyers know your shop provides great customer experience

Etsy will promote/feature some Star Sellers to buyers (excludes off-site ads)

Opportunity for increased sales -  a Star Seller badge could influence purchase behaviour.

What is the criteria for the Star Seller badge and how is it determined?

Respond to initial/first message from customers within 24 hours (includes weekends and Bank Holidays). Target 95% or more

5-star ratings - target 95% or more

Dispatch orders on time and include tracking. Target 95% or more

A minimum 10 orders (excluding cancellations) over the review period

A minimum order value of £200 (or currency equivalent) over the review period

Performance against the criteria is determined using data over a three month period. So the rating from 1st September 2021 (go live) is based on the review period 1st June - 31st August 2021. Percentages will be rounded to the nearest percentage point so a 94.8% response target will be rounded to 95%.

Does becoming a Star Seller impact search ranking?

At the time of writing (August 2021), Star Seller will not directly impact your search ranking.

Where will the Star Seller Badge appear, once it launches to buyers?

Etsy plan to  experiment with a few placements for the Star Seller badge, including testing into showing the badge in search results, on a seller’s listing page, shop home, and in buyer marketing (like email) as a few examples.

Will buyer adjusted reviews (changing a review from a 3 to 5 star for example) count?

Yes, it will count positively towards your 5-star rating score.

Will setting up an auto response count towards the response rate?

Yes setting up an auto response counts towards response rate.

Why are positive four star review not included in the Star Seller criteria?

Research from Etsy shows that the overwhelming majority of buyers who have a great experience leave a 5 star review (if they leave a review).

Can a seller go back and add tracking to an order marked ‘complete’?

No, going back to add tracking to orders that are past their ship by dates will not have an impact on your score. Sellers should ensure tracking information is added on the day you dispatch the item as part of your shipping process.

What happens if my dispatch date falls on a Bank Holiday?

To avoid a ‘late’ order negatively impacting your on time shipping & tracking, you can extend the ship-by date for that order (up to 21 days) before the original ship-by date has passed.  Keep in mind that the ship-by date can only be updated once, before the original ship-by date has passed.

I hope this summary helps answer some of your questions. If you want to read more about this major change from Etsy, here are some useful links to get started!

Star Seller Terms and Conditions

Seller Handbook - Your Star Seller Checklist

Etsy Help Center - How to Become a Star Seller

Seller Handbook - Introducing: Star Seller

Star Seller Dashboard

Star Seller info page

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

FREE Resource: Etsy Success Podcast

The Etsy Success podcast is your source for tips on improving your creative business and inspiration from the Etsy community.

Launched in May 2017 this often overlooked podcast is your source for advice and inspiration from your fellow sellers and Etsy experts. Available on multiple platforms there are a series of podcasts available and you do not need to spend a dime to access this wealth of knowledge.

Here's where you can listen and/or subscribe:

Spotify

iTunes

Stitcher

TuneIn

SoundCloud

Topics covered range from marketing and advertising to the latest buyer trends and shipping strategies.

Think you'd be a great guest? Fill out the Seller Handbook pitch form. 

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Etsy Free Listing Promo Code 2021

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Guest Checkout on Etsy - A Quick Rundown for Sellers

Fears about data privacy and identity fraud are driving online shoppers to use guest accounts when buying goods from websites according to a recent poll carried out by Empathy.co.

Over 40% of the consumers surveyed were concerned about what happens to their personal data during and after an online sale.

So here is a quick Q&A on guest checkouts for Etsy sellers.

Q: What is a guest checkout?

Guest checkout allows a customer to purchase from Etsy without logging into or registering an account. 

Q: Who can accept orders from guest accounts?

Sellers who offer PayPal and/or Etsy Payments accept guest checkout orders.

Q: Are Etsy sellers charged additional fees for guest orders?

There is no additional fee for a guest checkout. Such orders are fulfilled in the same way as orders from registered Etsy customers?

Q: Can a guest checkout using any payment method? 

No! To protect Etsy (as a ecommerce platform) buyers and sellers, some payment methods, including money orders and cheques are not accepted.

Q: Is there a limit on the order value?

Yes, there is a limit of 250 USD or local currency equivalent

Q: Can an Etsy seller contact a guest buyer?

Yes, sellers can send a Message to a guest buyer and it will be sent to them via email.  And buyers can contact sellers by replying to their receipt emails. These messages will appear in the sellers Messages inbox.

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings worth an estimated USD $7.20 / £8 to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Etsy’s Q1 2021 Financial Results Expected Today!

Etsy’s Q1 2021 Financial Results are expected later today (Wednesday 5th May 2021) when the NASDAQ market closes.

The press release can be accessed at the Etsy investor relations website (investors.etsy.com).

Etsy will also host a video webcast conference call to discuss those results at 5:00 p.m. Eastern Time today via the Company's Investor Relations website (investors.etsy.com) under the events section.

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Etsy Insights: Spring and Summer Trends

From gardening season to dapper floral prints, don’t forget to check out Etsy’s Insights report for great ideas that shoppers will love!

https://etsy.me/32GQusx

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Etsy Shares Take a Tumble Following Outstanding Q4 2020 Results

Today (Monday 26th April 2021) shares of Etsy Inc. ETSY, -4.48% fell 1.9% in premarket trading. 

Following stellar Q4 results in which consolidated GMS and revenue grew by approximately 118% and 129% respectively, KeyBanc analyst Edward Yruma moved away from his long-time bullish call citing valuation and a lower near-term likelihood of positive earnings revisions.

Will stakeholders be surprised by this bearish outlook?

Not really! The COVID-19 pandemic provided opportunities for an agile marketplace like Etsy to meet the need for face masks, hand sanitizers and other self-care products. And with more people shopping online, Etsy sellers were able to adapt quickly to meet these demands.

Fast forward to today and the demand for face masks has fallen with vaccine uptake increasing across the world. Lockdown restrictions are also easing in some parts of the world as many people try to get their lives back to some level of normality.

And so, the forward outlook has been revised downwards to reflect the new post COVID era as expected.

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!

[eassolutions]

Etsy’s Experiments - A quick run down

Who runs these experiments? DATA SCIENTISTS

Why?

To create the best buying experience on Etsy

to develop new ways to bring new shoppers to Etsy 

To bring back former buyers  

To inspire buyers to make purchases

To improve seller tools 

Do they always work? No! For example, Etsy has recent turned off its ‘Rounded Pricing’ experiment which was tested on some sellers who shipped their products internationally.

Under this experiment, prices shown to buyers in currencies different to the seller were rounded up.

In a 2015 study published by Oxford University Press, researchers concluded that because rounded prices are easily and quickly readable and understood, the decision making is more feeling-based whereas charm prices (.99) relies more on cognition:

“This research proposes that because rounded numbers are more fluently processed, rounded prices (e.g., $200.00) encourage reliance on feelings. In contrast, because nonrounded numbers are disfluently processed, nonrounded prices (e.g., $198.76) encourage reliance on cognition. Thus, rounded (nonrounded) prices lead to a subjective experience of “feeling right” when the purchase decision is driven by feelings (cognition).”

Want to learn more about Etsy’s experiments? Click here

Thinking of opening your first Etsy shop? Here’s 40 FREE listings to get you started:

https://etsy.me/3opM41A

If you navigate away from the promo link or switch browsers, your new shop will not be registered as coming directly from the invite. Results? No free listings. So make sure to set up your new shop after you click the promo link!