How To Avoid Getting Banned On Etsy π± (Especially For New Sellers)
TLDRIn this video, Drew discusses strategies to avoid getting banned on Etsy, particularly for new sellers. He outlines six practical tips, including avoiding intellectual property infringement, ensuring listings are clear and honest, updating personal information regularly, adding new listings to maintain activity, participating in Etsy's community, and providing excellent customer support. Drew also addresses issues faced by sellers outside the US, emphasizing the importance of understanding local selling laws and Etsy's terms and policies. He provides advice on what to do if an account gets banned or suspended, including the appeal process and potential alternatives like Amazon or setting up an independent website. The video is a valuable resource for Etsy sellers looking to prevent account issues and for those seeking solutions if they've already encountered them.
Takeaways
- π« Avoid intellectual property infringement: Ensure all listings are unique and you have the rights to sell them.
- π Be extremely clear and honest in your listings: Titles, descriptions, and tags should accurately represent your product to avoid confusion.
- π Update your personal information regularly: Keep your name, address, and banking information accurate to maintain account integrity.
- ποΈ Add new listings consistently: Inactivity can trigger suspicion, so keep your shop updated and active.
- π€ Engage in Etsy's community: Participation in forums shows commitment and can help avoid suspicion of being a bot.
- π¬ Provide excellent and fast customer support: Quick responses to customer interactions can improve your seller rating.
- π For non-US sellers, verify your country's eligibility and payment methods: Ensure you comply with local laws and Etsy's policies.
- π Research thoroughly: Understand your local tax laws and how they apply to selling on Etsy.
- π Maintain a professional approach: Create a business entity and acquire an EIN if necessary for your region.
- βοΈ If banned or suspended, use the appeal process: Provide documentation and be persistent in communication with Etsy support.
- ποΈ Consider alternatives if permanently banned: Platforms like Amazon or setting up your own website can offer wider reach and more control.
Q & A
What are the six practical steps to avoid getting banned on Etsy?
-The six practical steps are: 1) Avoid intellectual property infringement, ensuring all listings are unique and you have the rights to sell them. 2) Be extremely clear and honest in your listings. 3) Update your personal information monthly or as needed. 4) Regularly add listings to your shop to show activity. 5) Participate in Etsy's community forums. 6) Provide excellent and fast customer support.
Why is it important to customize templates from KD?
-Customizing templates is important to create a unique design that fits your niche, brand, or business style, which helps to cater to your audience on Etsy. Using the same template as downloaded by many others can lead to flagged listings and is not the intended use of the template.
What should you do if your shop gets temporarily banned on Etsy?
-You should check your email and dashboard for a notice explaining the issue. Usually, it will tell you what the problem is and how to fix it. You can also reach out to Etsy support for more information on the specific issue during the suspension period.
How can international sellers avoid issues with their Etsy accounts?
-International sellers should ensure their country is allowed to sign up for Etsy, understand local and national selling laws, and ensure they have the necessary business licenses and tax identification numbers. They should also regularly update their personal and banking information and follow Etsy's terms and policies.
What are some alternatives to selling on Etsy if you get permanently banned?
-Alternatives include selling through Amazon, which has its own merch on demand option and allows for creating an Amazon Seller Central account. Another option is to use your own website, such as a Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix store, and utilize social media shops to drive traffic to your personal store.
Why is it crucial to disclose the print on demand process in your Etsy listings?
-Disclosing the print on demand process is important for transparency and to avoid customer confusion or dissatisfaction. Etsy also requires this information in the backend data of the listing to ensure compliance with their policies.
How can using mockups in your listings lead to issues with your Etsy shop?
-Using mockups can lead to issues if they do not accurately depict the product, brand style, color, and design. This can result in bad reviews or flags on your shop if customers purchase a product based on a misleading mockup.
What is the appeal process for a permanently banned Etsy account?
-The appeal process involves submitting a request to Etsy with any relevant documents or screenshots that support your case. Before submitting the appeal, it's recommended to check Etsy's guidelines and ensure all required information is in order to increase the chances of getting the suspension lifted.
Why is it advised to respond quickly to customer interactions on Etsy?
-Quick responses to customer interactions, such as messages or order updates, lead to better ratings and a healthier Etsy account. It also contributes to achieving a star seller status, which can happen faster if all the required boxes are checked, including excellent customer support.
What is the significance of regularly updating personal information on Etsy?
-Regularly updating personal information, including name, address, banking, and tax identification numbers, is crucial for Etsy to verify your account's legitimacy. Inaccurate or outdated information can lead to account suspension or other issues.
How can engaging in Etsy's community forums benefit a seller?
-Engaging in community forums shows Etsy that you are an active and serious seller. It also allows you to stay updated, informed, ask questions, and get support about common issues, which can help in troubleshooting and avoiding potential account issues.
What should a seller do if they suspect their account has been flagged due to inactivity?
-To avoid being flagged for inactivity, a seller should regularly add new listings, edit existing ones to keep them fresh, and maintain a level of engagement on the platform. This shows Etsy that the shop is active and not a dormant account.
Outlines
π« Avoiding Bans on Etsy: Practical Steps
The video begins by addressing the issue of getting banned on Etsy, particularly for those using Knockout Design (KD) for their products. Drew, the presenter, outlines six practical steps to avoid such bans, discusses the increased risk for non-US sellers, and provides tips for those who have been banned or suspended. He also suggests alternatives to Etsy for those who cannot reopen their shops. The first tip focuses on avoiding intellectual property infringement by ensuring all designs are unique and legally permissible to sell, stressing the importance of not using trademarked material without permission.
π Clear Listings and Accurate Information
The second paragraph emphasizes the necessity of having extremely clear and honest listings to prevent customer confusion and potential bans. Drew advises sellers to be transparent about their production process, especially if they use print on demand. He also warns against using misleading mockups or irrelevant keywords and tags that could harm the shop's algorithmic standing on Etsy. The summary includes a mention of a past issue with mockups leading to shop closures and the importance of accurate depictions of products in listings.
π Updating Information and Engaging with the Etsy Community
The third paragraph covers the importance of updating personal information regularly to maintain a good standing with Etsy, particularly for non-US sellers. Drew shares a personal experience where a minor oversight led to a temporary suspension. He also stresses the importance of activity within the shop, such as adding new listings, to avoid being flagged by Etsy's algorithms. Engaging with Etsy's community forums is encouraged as a way to demonstrate commitment and seriousness as a seller. Providing excellent and fast customer support is also highlighted as a key factor in maintaining a healthy Etsy account.
π Etsy Bans and International Seller Considerations
The fourth paragraph delves into the challenges faced by international sellers on Etsy, including the need to verify whether one's country is supported on the platform. Drew discusses the importance of understanding local and national selling laws, which may require a sales tax permit or business license. He also recommends that sellers familiarize themselves with Etsy's terms and policies, including information on VAT and seller fees for different countries. In the event of a ban or suspension, Drew outlines the appeal process and provides tips on how to increase the chances of a successful appeal.
ποΈ Post-Etsy Options and Building Your Own Brand
The final paragraph offers advice for sellers who have been permanently banned from Etsy, suggesting alternative platforms such as Amazon or setting up a personal website with e-commerce capabilities. Drew explains that while setting up an independent online store requires more initial effort, it can be highly rewarding and provides more control over the business. He encourages viewers to share their experiences and tips regarding Etsy bans in the comments section and to like and subscribe for further updates.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Etsy
π‘Intellectual Property Infringement
π‘Print on Demand (POD)
π‘Mockups
π‘Customer Support
π‘Community Engagement
π‘Personal Information Update
π‘Inactivity
π‘Digital Products
π‘Appeal Process
π‘Alternative Platforms
Highlights
Avoid intellectual property infringement by ensuring all listings are unique and you have the rights to sell them.
Do not use trademarked names, logos, slogans, or copyrighted material without permission.
Customize templates to create unique designs and avoid using the same template as others.
Ensure listings are extremely clear and honest to avoid customer confusion and negative reviews.
Disclose print on demand information in the listing description and backend data.
Avoid using mockups that inaccurately represent the product to prevent negative feedback and shop flags.
Do not use irrelevant keywords or tags that do not pertain to the product being sold.
Update personal information monthly to maintain account verification and avoid suspension.
Regularly add new listings to the shop to show activity and avoid being flagged as inactive.
Participate in Etsy's community forums to demonstrate engagement and commitment to the platform.
Provide excellent and fast customer support to improve your seller rating and account health.
For non-US sellers, verify your country's eligibility to sell on Etsy and understand local selling laws.
Ensure banking and tax identification numbers are accurate and up-to-date to avoid account issues.
If banned or suspended, utilize Etsy's appeal process and provide any necessary documentation.
In the case of a permanent ban, consider alternatives like Amazon or setting up your own online store.
Amazon offers a merch on demand option and the ability to integrate your own print on demand suppliers.
Creating your own website provides more control, allows building an audience, and offers custom promotion opportunities.
Engaging with the Etsy community and following their terms and policies can prevent account deactivation.
If facing a ban, persistence in contacting support and providing evidence of compliance can help resolve the issue.