How To Avoid Getting Banned On Etsy π± (Especially For New Sellers)
TLDRIn this video, Drew offers practical advice to Etsy sellers on how to avoid getting banned from the platform. He discusses the importance of avoiding intellectual property infringement, ensuring listings are clear and honest, updating personal information regularly, maintaining shop activity by adding new listings, engaging with Etsy's community, and providing excellent customer support. Drew also addresses issues faced by sellers outside the US, such as local selling laws and payment methods. He outlines steps to take if a seller's account is temporarily or permanently banned, including the appeal process and tips for successful reinstatement. Finally, he suggests alternatives to Etsy, like Amazon and creating a personal website, for those who have been permanently banned.
Takeaways
- π« Avoid intellectual property infringement: Ensure all listings are unique and you have the rights to sell them, avoiding trademarked names, logos, slogans, and copyrighted material.
- π Be extremely clear and honest in listings: Provide accurate product titles, descriptions, and tags to prevent customer confusion and potential issues with Etsy.
- π Update personal information regularly: Keep your personal details, bank info, and tax IDs up-to-date to maintain a good standing with Etsy.
- ποΈ Add listings consistently: Regularly update your shop to show activity and avoid being flagged as inactive or suspicious by Etsy's algorithm.
- π€ Participate in Etsy's community: Engage with the community forums to show your commitment and stay informed about common issues.
- β° Provide excellent and fast customer support: Quick responses to customer interactions can improve your rating and account health.
- π Check international selling laws: For non-US sellers, ensure compliance with local and national selling laws, including tax permits and business licenses.
- π Review Etsy's terms and policies: Understand what is allowed to avoid issues and potential deactivation of your account.
- π Appeal process for bans: If banned or suspended, follow the appeal process and provide documentation to support your case.
- π Alternatives to Etsy: If banned, consider platforms like Amazon or setting up your own website to continue selling your products.
- π Focus on building your own audience: Use social media and your own website to collect an audience and have more control over your business.
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 avoid intellectual property infringement 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 your shop being banned.
How can sellers outside the US reduce the risk of getting banned on Etsy?
-Sellers outside the US should ensure their country is on Etsy's list of allowed countries, understand local and national selling laws, and make sure they have the necessary tax identification numbers and business licenses.
What should a seller do if they receive a temporary ban or suspension on Etsy?
-The seller should check their email and dashboard for a notice explaining the issue. They should then fix the problem as indicated and may reach out to Etsy support for further questions or assistance.
What are some steps to take if you get permanently banned from Etsy?
-For a permanent ban, there is an appeal process. Sellers should gather any relevant documents or screenshots, fill out the appeal form correctly, and possibly provide evidence that the issue has been resolved.
What are some alternatives to selling on Etsy if a seller has been permanently banned?
-Alternatives include selling through Amazon's Merch On Demand or setting up an Amazon Seller Central account, or creating their own online store using platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix, and integrating social media shops.
Why is it advised to disclose the print-on-demand process in your Etsy listings?
-Disclosing the print-on-demand process is important for transparency and to manage customer expectations. Failure to do so may result in negative reviews or flags on your shop if customers feel misled.
How can using mockups in your Etsy listings lead to potential issues?
-Using mockups can lead to issues if they do not accurately represent the product. Customers may purchase an item based on a mockup that looks different from the actual item, leading to bad reviews or flags on the shop.
What is the significance of regularly updating personal information on Etsy?
-Regularly updating personal information ensures Etsy that you are a legitimate seller. Inaccurate or outdated information can lead to account suspension or banning.
Why is it recommended to engage in Etsy's community forums?
-Engaging in community forums shows Etsy that you are an active and serious seller. It also helps you stay informed, get support, and troubleshoot common issues with other sellers.
How can providing fast customer support influence your seller status on Etsy?
-Fast and excellent customer support can improve your rating and contribute to achieving a 'Star Seller' status, which can happen quickly if all the required boxes are checked.
What is the role of unique design in avoiding flagged listings on Etsy?
-Having a unique design prevents your listings from being flagged because Etsy's algorithm may flag shops that use the same design as potentially suspicious or as bots, especially if many other shops are using the same design.
Outlines
π« Avoiding Bans on Etsy: Practical Tips
The video begins by addressing the issue of getting banned on Etsy, particularly for those using Knockout Design (KD) for their products. It emphasizes the importance of avoiding intellectual property infringement by ensuring all listings are unique and have the necessary rights and licenses. The video also suggests avoiding trademarked names, logos, slogans, and copyrighted material. It advises using personal photographs or copyright-free images and customizing templates to be unique. The first practical tip is to avoid intellectual property infringement, and the second is to ensure listings are clear and honest, with accurate product titles, descriptions, and tags.
π Etsy Listings and International Seller Concerns
The second paragraph focuses on the challenges faced by international sellers on Etsy, where bans seem to be more prevalent. It provides practical tips for non-US sellers, emphasizing the need to update personal information regularly, including name, address, banking, and tax identification numbers. The video also discusses the importance of disclosing print-on-demand processes in listings and avoiding the use of mockups that inaccurately represent products. It touches on the mockup debacle that led to shop closures and stresses the need for clear and honest communication with customers, including prompt responses to reviews and messages.
π Maintaining Active and Compliant Etsy Shops
The third paragraph outlines additional tips for maintaining an active and compliant Etsy shop. It advises sellers to regularly add new listings to avoid being flagged for inactivity and to participate in Etsy's community forums to demonstrate engagement and commitment. Providing excellent and fast customer support is also highlighted as a key factor in maintaining a healthy Etsy account. For international sellers, the video suggests verifying if their country is allowed to sign up for Etsy and understanding local selling laws, which may include obtaining a sales tax permit or business license with a tax identification number.
π€ Dealing with Bans and Exploring Alternatives
The final paragraph discusses what happens if an Etsy account gets banned or suspended. It differentiates between temporary and permanent bans and outlines the appeal process for the latter. The video encourages sellers to be proactive, providing documentation and screenshots to support their appeal. If a seller is permanently banned, the video suggests considering alternatives such as Amazon or setting up an independent website using platforms like Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix. It also mentions the benefits of building an email list and having more control over promotions and offerings on a personal website.
Mindmap
Keywords
π‘Etsy
π‘KD (Kite Design)
π‘Intellectual Property Infringement
π‘Listing
π‘Print on Demand (POD)
π‘Mockups
π‘Personal Information
π‘Community Forums
π‘Customer Support
π‘Alternative Platforms
π‘Appeal Process
Highlights
Avoid intellectual property infringement by ensuring all listings are unique and you have the rights to sell them.
Be cautious with using trademarked names, logos, slogans, or copyrighted material in your designs.
Customize templates to create a unique design that caters to your niche or brand.
Ensure your listings are clear and honest to avoid customer confusion and potential issues.
Disclose print on demand processes in your listings to maintain transparency with customers.
Avoid using mockups that inaccurately represent your product to prevent negative reviews and flags.
Do not use irrelevant keywords or tags in your listings that could mislead customers.
Update personal information monthly to maintain account verification and avoid suspension.
Regularly add new listings to your shop to show activity and avoid being flagged as inactive.
Participate in Etsy's community forums to engage with other sellers and show your commitment to the platform.
Provide excellent and fast customer support to improve your seller rating and account health.
For non-US sellers, verify if your country is allowed to sign up for Etsy and understand local selling laws.
Invest in understanding Etsy's terms and policies, especially regarding seller fees in different countries.
In case of a temporary ban, address the issue as outlined in the notice and communicate with Etsy support.
For permanent bans, follow the appeal process and provide any necessary documentation to support your case.
If banned or suspended, consider alternatives like Amazon or setting up your own online store.
Building your own audience and email list through a personal website can be beneficial in the long term.
Engage with the Etsy community and share your experiences or solutions regarding account bans.