Seller Handbook

When buyers are shopping online for the perfect gift, they often have multiple considerations in mind: Will it be the perfect fit for their recipient’s interests? Will it arrive on time? Will it stand out and feel special when it arrives in the mail?

Throughout 2024, we’re spreading the word about all the great gifts shoppers can find on Etsy, along with improvements to ensure it’s a shopping experience they love, making it easier for sellers to connect with potential buyers and create lasting customer relationships.

Some of the ways we’re investing in bringing more buyers to Etsy and making gift giving joyful and easy include:

• Streamlining the discovery process in search and marketing: Whether in tools like Gift Mode, our SEO-optimized gifting pages, or standalone search results, connecting gifting-minded shoppers with the perfect products is now easier than ever. We’re also investing in marketing to share the Etsy brand with millions of people around the world through ads on television, podcasts, billboards, and more.
• Making every milestone meaningful: Etsy Registry (including wedding, baby, and gift!) helps even more buyers discover something special from your shops. Buyers can easily create registries and share them with their loved ones, attracting more shoppers and creating big opportunities for your businesses.
• Ensuring a gifting-friendly purchase experience: We’ve made it easier for buyers to know what they can expect when buying on Etsy, including some key features important to gifting shoppers. As part of Etsy’s Purchase Protection programme, shoppers will get their gifts by their estimated delivery dates or get a refund for qualifying orders. Plus, Etsy’s new gift teaser feature makes it easy for buyers to send recipients a special message, tracking info, and the option to share a sneak peek of the gift that’s on its way.

Our latest ad aired during the big game on 11 February, and showcases how Etsy’s the destination for great gifts, which will also help us stay top of mind for shoppers.

With all of these exciting improvements, now is a great time to amp up your marketing efforts to make the most of all those gift-seeking shoppers. Here’s how.

1. Add delivery details to show shoppers an estimated delivery date

Add a post code, delivery service, and processing time to each of your delivery profiles or listings (or review the details you’ve already added to be sure they’re up to date) – we use these details to give shoppers an estimated delivery date so they feel confident knowing when their order will arrive. Review your delivery details.

2. Enable buyers to add a gift message

With Etsy’s new gift teaser, buyers can now send a special message, tracking info, and the option to share a sneak peek of the gift that’s on its way. No action is needed on your end to give buyers the option to send a gift teaser with a personalised message. Additionally, if you enable gift messages for your shop, the buyer can add a gift message to be included on the gift packing slip – all you need to do is print it out and include it in your package! Turn on gift messages.

3. Turn on gift wrap

Having gifts arrive already wrapped goes a long way (especially when it means they can deliver them straight to recipients). Once enabled, shoppers will be able to see that you offer gift wrap on each listing in your shop and get a visual preview of what their gifts will look like. Turn on gift wrap in your shop.

4. Strive for 5-star reviews

Glowing reviews let any buyer who visits your shop know that tons of happy customers have come before them – and inspire confidence when they’re deciding whether to make a purchase. Read our article How to Get 5-Star Reviews for tips on boosting your star power.

5. Incorporate lifestyle photos

Striking photographs are a direct way to catch someone’s eye. Keep it clean – take crisp, in-focus photos and avoid using watermarks in your images. Placing your products in context can also be a great way to help shoppers visualise how the item might fit into their own life, and help registry shoppers imagine the impact your product will have in the recipient’s daily life. Read 7 Essential Types of Product Photos to learn more.

6. Make your shop easy to find

Use search-friendly titles, tags, and descriptions to make it easy to find your shop and items in Etsy search. Choose straightforward, descriptive titles that contain the most important words at the beginning. Use all available tags, selecting relevant words and phrases that people are likely to search for when looking for your item. Check out Keywords 101 for more tips.

7. Add relevant attributes

The attributes you add to your listings also act like tags and can help your item match with a shopper’s search. Attributes describe specific characteristics of your item including primary colour, secondary colour, celebration, occasion, height and width. Review your listing’s attributes.

Note: Attributes should describe what a product is, not how it’s used. For example, the Father’s Day “Celebration” attribute is appropriate for a Father’s Day card, but shouldn’t be used on a wallet that might make a good Father’s Day gift. Adding irrelevant attributes to your listings can lead to a disappointing experience for shoppers, so skip the ones that don’t apply.

8. Appeal to local shoppers

Last minute shoppers may be looking for options within the region. If you haven’t already, adding a location helps your shop and listings appear in local searches. Learn how.

9. Spread the word on social

Are you promoting your giftable listings using your Share & Save link on social media? When you share a trackable link to your shop or listings and make a sale, you’ll save on your Etsy fees! Find everything you need to get started saved under the “Templates” highlight on the Etsy Success Instagram.

Ready to learn even more? For an in-depth guide to optimising your shop for gifting shoppers, check out the Listing Optimisation Checklist.