How To Avoid Getting Banned On Etsy ๐ฑ (Especially For New Sellers)
TLDRThe video provides essential tips to avoid getting banned on Etsy, particularly for new sellers. It covers six practical steps, including avoiding intellectual property infringement, ensuring listings are clear and honest, updating personal information regularly, adding new listings to show activity, engaging in Etsy's community, and providing excellent customer support. The video also addresses concerns for sellers outside the US, the process for appealing bans or suspensions, and suggests alternatives like Amazon or setting up a personal website if banned from Etsy.
Takeaways
- ๐ซ Avoid intellectual property infringement: Ensure all listings are unique and you have rights to sell them, avoiding trademarked names, logos, slogans, and copyrighted material.
- ๐ Be clear and honest in listings: Provide accurate product titles, descriptions, and tags to prevent customer confusion and potential issues with Etsy.
- ๐ Update personal information regularly: Keep your personal details, bank info, and tax IDs up-to-date to maintain a good standing with Etsy.
- ๐๏ธ Add listings consistently: Regularly update your shop with new products to show activity and avoid being flagged for inactivity.
- ๐ค Engage with the Etsy community: Participate in forums and community discussions to show your commitment and active involvement.
- โฐ Provide excellent customer support: Respond quickly to customer interactions to improve your seller rating and account health.
- ๐ Check international selling eligibility: Ensure your country is allowed to sell on Etsy and understand local selling laws and tax requirements.
- ๐ Research Etsy's terms and policies: Understand what is allowed to prevent account deactivation due to policy violations.
- ๐ Maintain active engagement: Actively manage your shop and listings to show Etsy that you are a legitimate and active seller.
- ๐ง Appeal process for bans: If banned, use the appeal process and provide documentation to support your case.
- ๐๏ธ Explore alternatives if banned: Consider platforms like Amazon or setting up your own website to continue selling if you cannot resolve the ban with Etsy.
Q & A
What are the six practical steps discussed in the video to avoid getting banned on Etsy?
-The six practical steps are: 1) Avoid intellectual property infringement, 2) Ensure listings are extremely clear and honest, 3) Update personal information monthly or as needed, 4) Regularly add listings to your shop, 5) Participate in Etsy's community, and 6) Provide excellent and fast customer support.
Why is it important to avoid intellectual property infringement when selling on Etsy?
-Avoiding intellectual property infringement is crucial because using trademarked names, logos, slogans, images, or copyrighted material without permission can lead to your listings being flagged and potentially result in your account being banned.
How can sellers outside the US reduce the risk of being banned on Etsy?
-Sellers outside the US should ensure their country is on the list of those allowed to sign up for Etsy, understand local and national selling laws, including tax permits and business licenses, and keep their payment methods in line with Etsy's preferred methods.
What should a seller do if they receive a temporary ban on Etsy?
-In the case of a temporary ban, the seller should check their email and dashboard for notices explaining the issue. They should then address the problem as indicated and may reach out to Etsy support for further clarification or assistance.
What is the appeal process for a permanent ban on Etsy?
-The appeal process for a permanent ban involves submitting an appeal to Etsy, which should include any relevant documents or screenshots that support the seller's case. It's also beneficial to regularly follow up with Etsy support and provide evidence that the issues have been resolved.
What are some alternatives to selling on Etsy if a seller has been permanently banned?
-Alternatives include selling through Amazon, which has a merch on demand option and allows for the integration of print on demand suppliers. Another alternative is to create and manage an independent website using platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix, and leveraging social media shops to drive traffic.
Why is it recommended 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. It also helps to maintain trust with Etsy and customers by being upfront about how and where the products are produced.
How can using mockups in your Etsy listings lead to issues with your shop?
-Using mockups can lead to issues if they do not accurately represent the final product. Customers may purchase items based on misleading mockups and then leave negative reviews or report the shop, which can result in the shop being flagged or banned.
What is the significance of engaging with Etsy's community forums?
-Engaging with Etsy's community forums shows Etsy that the seller is actively participating and committed to the platform. It also helps the seller stay informed, get support, and troubleshoot common issues, which can contribute to a healthier and more successful Etsy account.
Why is it advised to update personal information on Etsy regularly?
-Updating personal information regularly ensures that Etsy has the most current data to verify the seller's identity, which is especially crucial for non-US sellers. Outdated or incorrect information can lead to account suspension or other issues.
What is the impact of inactivity on an Etsy shop in terms of the risk of being banned?
-Inactivity, such as not adding new listings or making updates for extended periods, can signal to Etsy that the shop is dormant or suspicious, potentially triggering the Etsy algorithm to flag the shop, which may lead to a ban.
How can providing excellent and fast customer support influence a seller's status on Etsy?
-Providing excellent and fast customer support can lead to better ratings and a healthier Etsy account. It also contributes to the potential of becoming a star seller, which can happen more quickly if all the required boxes are checked, including maintaining strong customer support.
Outlines
๐ซ Avoiding Bans on Etsy: Practical Steps
The first paragraph introduces the video's focus on avoiding bans on Etsy, particularly for those using KD (Kite Design) for their designs and products. Drew, the presenter, outlines six practical steps to avoid bans, discusses the issue of bans being more prevalent outside the US, and provides advice for those situations. He also covers what to do if you get banned or suspended and suggests alternatives to Etsy for those who cannot use the same tax number to open a new shop. Drew also offers a promo code for KD and encourages viewers to engage with the channel.
๐ Listing Clarity and Intellectual Property
This paragraph emphasizes the importance of clear and honest listings to avoid confusion and potential bans. Drew advises against intellectual property infringement and the use of trademarked names, logos, slogans, or copyrighted material without permission. He also recommends using original photographs or copyright-free images and customizing templates to create unique designs. The paragraph highlights the risks of using identical designs to those used by other sellers, which can lead to flagged listings.
๐ Etsy's Global Challenges and Solutions
The third paragraph addresses the challenges faced by non-US sellers on Etsy, including the importance of updating personal information regularly and ensuring all backend details are accurate. Drew shares a personal experience where a billing issue led to a temporary suspension. He stresses the importance of activity within the shop to avoid being flagged as a bot or suspicious account. The paragraph also discusses engaging with Etsy's community forums and the benefits of providing excellent and fast customer support.
๐ Post-Ban Strategies and Alternative Platforms
The final paragraph provides guidance for those who have been banned or suspended from Etsy, explaining the difference between temporary and permanent bans and the appeal process. Drew suggests adding documents or screenshots to the appeal and maintaining communication with Etsy support. He acknowledges that sometimes there may not be a clear reason for a ban. If a seller is unable to return to Etsy, the paragraph explores alternative platforms such as Amazon and setting up a personal website for sales, emphasizing the benefits of building an audience and having more control over the sales process.
Mindmap
Keywords
๐กEtsy
๐กIntellectual Property Infringement
๐กPrint on Demand (POD)
๐กMockups
๐กCustomer Support
๐กCommunity Engagement
๐กPersonal Information Update
๐กInactivity
๐กAppeal Process
๐กAlternative Platforms
๐กListing Clarity
Highlights
Avoiding intellectual property infringement is crucial; ensure all listings are unique and you have the rights to sell them.
Watch out for trademarked names, logos, slogans, and copyrighted material in your designs.
Using photographs? Make sure they are your own or you have the rights to use them.
Customize templates to be unique to avoid flagged listings due to identical designs.
Ensure your listings are extremely clear and honest to avoid customer confusion.
If using print on demand, disclose it in the description and backend data.
Avoid using mockups that inaccurately represent your product to prevent negative reviews and flags.
Don't use irrelevant keywords or tags in your listings that do not pertain to what you're selling.
Update your personal information monthly to maintain account verification.
Inactivity can trigger Etsy's algorithm to flag your shop as suspicious; regularly add new listings.
Participate in Etsy's community forums to show engagement and commitment.
Provide excellent and fast customer support to maintain a healthy Etsy account.
For non-US sellers, verify if your country is allowed to sign up for Etsy and understand local selling laws.
If you get banned or suspended, there's an appeal process you can follow.
If permanently banned, 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.
Having your own website allows for building an audience, collecting email lists, and more control over promotions.
Engaging with the Etsy community and following their terms and policies can prevent account deactivation.
If you receive a suspension notice, daily communication with Etsy support might help resolve the issue.