Etsy Suspended Seller's Shocking Decline, While Shopify Soars!
Table of Contents:
- Introduction
- The Suspended Etsy Account: Losing Six Months of Sales
- The Impact on Sales and Traffic
- Focusing on Shopify: Doubling Sales in 2021
- Preserving the Storefront: Why the Channel Doesn't Share Store Name
- Learning from Mistakes: Understanding Etsy's Policies
- Dealing with Illegal Keywords: Lack of Clarity in Etsy's Policies
- Hiring Help: The Costly Mistake of Using Illegal Keywords
- The Glitch and Account Reinstatement: A Temporary Relief
- Deactivating Listings Again: A Second Suspension and its Consequences
- The Journey to Shopify: Building a Better Business
- Learning from the Experience: Embracing Growth and New Opportunities
The Suspended Etsy Account: Losing Six Months of Sales
Running an online business is not always smooth sailing. Even the most successful entrepreneurs face setbacks and challenges along the way. In this article, we will dive into the experience of having an Etsy account suspended and the consequences it had on sales and traffic.
Introduction
As an e-commerce business owner, the goal is always to share the journey of success and growth. However, it is equally important to shed light on the less glamorous aspects of the business. This article aims to provide valuable insight into the suspension of an Etsy account and the subsequent impact on sales and traffic.
The Suspended Etsy Account: Losing Six Months of Sales
In 2021, our Etsy store faced a major setback when it got suspended, resulting in a significant loss of sales. This suspension lasted for approximately six months, during which we experienced a decline in revenue from $945,000 in the previous year to around $424,000.
The Impact on Sales and Traffic
The suspension had a devastating effect on our sales and traffic. As shown in the data, our sales dropped significantly starting in April when the suspension occurred. It took until September to regain our account and resume sales, but growth was slow compared to the previous year. The suspension forced us to focus more on our Shopify store, where we doubled our sales by implementing strategies such as paid traffic, email campaigns, and SMS campaigns.
Pros:
- Forced us to diversify our sales channels and focus on other platforms.
- Encouraged us to explore new marketing strategies, resulting in increased sales on Shopify.
- Focused our attention on building a stronger online presence outside of Etsy.
Cons:
- Lost six months of sales and traffic, impacting revenue and growth.
- Had to rebuild and regain customer trust after the suspension.
- Missed out on the potential growth and sales opportunities during the suspension period.
Focusing on Shopify: Doubling Sales in 2021
While the suspension on Etsy was a setback, it pushed us to prioritize our Shopify store and invest more resources into driving traffic and increasing sales. By implementing paid traffic strategies, email campaigns, and SMS campaigns, we were able to double our sales in 2021 compared to the previous year. This experience highlighted the importance of diversifying sales channels and the potential for growth beyond third-party platforms.
Pros:
- Enhanced our marketing and sales skills by focusing on Shopify.
- Gained more control over our sales data and customer list.
- Explored new avenues for driving traffic and growing our business.
Cons:
- Required additional resources and investment to optimize Shopify and run paid traffic campaigns.
- Needed to adapt to the different dynamics and competition on Shopify compared to Etsy.
Preserving the Storefront: Why the Channel Doesn't Share Store Name
As a business owner, it is crucial to protect your store's identity and brand. While some content creators freely share their store names on YouTube, we choose not to disclose ours due to the risk of intellectual property theft and copycats. Preserving our brand and hard work is a priority, and we appreciate the understanding of those who value this approach.
Pros:
- Protects the brand and preserves the uniqueness of our store.
- Avoids potential issues with intellectual property theft and copycat sellers.
- Allows us to freely share valuable information without compromising the store's identity.
Cons:
- Limits the visibility and exposure of our store to viewers who prefer transparency.
- Some viewers may find it less relatable compared to channels that disclose their store name.
Learning from Mistakes: Understanding Etsy's Policies
Mistakes are an inevitable part of any business journey. In the early days of our Etsy store, we unintentionally violated some of the platform's policies by using keywords that were considered illegal. While Etsy's policies on illegal keywords are vague and not explicitly outlined, we learned the importance of thoroughly understanding and adhering to the platform's guidelines.
Pros:
- Raised awareness about the significance of comprehending platform policies.
- Provided us with a valuable lesson about the potential consequences of policy violations.
- Encouraged us to be more meticulous with our listings and avoid potential hazards.
Cons:
- The lack of specific guidelines on illegal keywords made it challenging to avoid violations.
- Incurred a temporary suspension and loss of sales due to the unintentional policy violation.
Dealing with Illegal Keywords: Lack of Clarity in Etsy's Policies
Although Etsy has rules against using illegal keywords, the platform's policies do not clearly define what is considered illegal. As a result, sellers like us unknowingly used keywords that were forbidden, leading to listing deactivation and suspension. The lack of clarity in Etsy's policies leaves sellers in a vulnerable position and raises concerns about understanding and complying with the platform's guidelines.
Pros:
- Raises awareness about the ambiguity in Etsy's policies regarding illegal keywords.
- Highlights the need for clearer guidelines to prevent unintentional policy violations.
- Encourages sellers to exercise caution and carry out thorough research on allowed keywords.
Cons:
- Sellers may unknowingly violate policies due to the absence of explicit guidelines.
- Etsy's lack of clarity on illegal keywords can result in suspensions and loss of sales.
Hiring Help: The Costly Mistake of Using Illegal Keywords
To support our Etsy store's growth, we hired assistance in the form of a young marketer. Unfortunately, due to a lack of proper training, the newly hired individual used illegal keywords while conducting keyword research. Their actions led to the reactivation of listings containing these keywords, ultimately resulting in another suspension. This costly mistake reinforced the significance of comprehensive training and awareness of Etsy's policy guidelines.
Pros:
- Highlights the importance of proper training and clear communication with hired assistance.
- Reinforces the value of having a deep understanding of platform policies and guidelines.
- Provides a cautionary example for other businesses hiring individuals to handle their online presence.
Cons:
- The use of illegal keywords by the hired individual resulted in a second account suspension.
- Incurred additional losses and setbacks due to the recurring violation of Etsy's policies.
The Glitch and Account Reinstatement: A Temporary Relief
In a surprising turn of events, after the second suspension, Etsy reinstated our account, citing a glitch in their system as the cause of the previous suspensions. While we were relieved to regain access to our account, the lack of explanation or detailed information about the violations left us uncertain about the exact nature of our past mistakes. Nonetheless, we viewed this reinstatement as an opportunity for growth and a chance to rectify our practices moving forward.
Pros:
- Account reinstatement allowed us to resume business on Etsy and regain access to our sales data and customer base.
- Provided an opportunity to reflect on past mistakes and optimize our strategies.
- Encouraged us to approach our business operations with greater caution and compliance.
Cons:
- The lack of transparency regarding the violations raised concerns about potential future suspensions.
- Not receiving specific details about the policy violations made rectifying mistakes challenging.
Deactivating Listings Again: A Second Suspension and its Consequences
Despite our efforts to align our listings with Etsy's policies, we faced another suspension within 30 days of reopening our store. This suspension lasted for a prolonged period of four months, during which we experienced a halt in sales and a significant drop in traffic. This setback highlighted the importance of diversifying sales channels and prompted us to focus on our Shopify store.
Pros:
- Reinforced the need to diversify sales channels and reduce dependence on a single platform.
- Pushed us to prioritize and enhance our Shopify store, leading to new learning experiences and increased sales.
- Motivated us to explore other avenues for growth beyond Etsy.
Cons:
- A four-month suspension resulted in a considerable loss of sales and hindered business growth.
- Rebuilding sales and regaining customer trust proved to be challenging after such a long hiatus.
- The lack of communication and transparency from Etsy during the suspension period raised frustrations and hindered problem-solving.
The Journey to Shopify: Building a Better Business
The prolonged suspension from Etsy compelled us to focus more on our Shopify store. While initially reluctant, we dedicated time and resources to optimize our Shopify business. Through learning and implementing new marketing strategies, such as running paid traffic campaigns, improving product listings, and refining email and SMS campaigns, we were able to recover and witness a gradual increase in sales. This experience reinforced the importance of adapting to change, exploring new avenues, and taking control of our business operations.
Pros:
- Expanded our knowledge and skills in running a Shopify store and driving traffic to a website.
- Allowed us to explore and test various marketing strategies, resulting in increased sales.
- Provided insights into the benefits of diversifying sales channels and building a sustainable online business.
Cons:
- Required significant effort and investment to optimize the Shopify store and achieve growth.
- Shifting focus from Etsy to Shopify necessitated the rebuilding of an audience and customer base.
Learning from the Experience: Embracing Growth and New Opportunities
While the suspension on Etsy affected our sales and business significantly, it also presented a valuable learning opportunity. It forced us to adapt, learn new skills, and explore avenues that we may not have considered before. The experience taught us the importance of persistence, resilience, and the ability to pivot when faced with challenging circumstances. We are grateful for the growth and knowledge gained from this difficult journey.
Pros:
- The experience prompted personal and professional growth, enhancing skills and knowledge in driving traffic and marketing.
- Encouraged creativity and adaptability in diversifying sales channels and exploring new opportunities.
- Instilled a resilient mindset, enabling us to overcome setbacks and problems in the future.
Cons:
- The loss of sales and traffic during the suspension period had a significant impact on revenue and growth.
- Rebuilding and regaining momentum after the suspension required considerable effort and time.
Conclusion
The journey of running an online business is filled with ups and downs, wins and losses. The suspension of an Etsy account taught us valuable lessons about compliance, policy adherence, and the significance of diversifying sales channels. While the experience brought challenges and setbacks, it also compelled us to evolve, learn new skills, and seize opportunities for growth. By sharing this story, we hope to help other entrepreneurs navigate the complexities of e-commerce and learn from our experiences.
Highlights:
- The suspension of an Etsy account led to a significant loss of sales and forced us to focus on our Shopify store.
- The lack of clarity in Etsy's policies regarding illegal keywords resulted in unintentional policy violations.
- The suspension period provided an opportunity to learn and develop marketing skills on Shopify.
- Preserving our store identity and brand is a priority, which is why we choose not to share our store name.
- The experience taught us the importance of reading and understanding platform policies thoroughly.
FAQ:
Q: Why did the suspension of the Etsy account result in a loss of sales?
A: When an Etsy account gets suspended, it is unable to generate sales or receive traffic, resulting in a significant loss of revenue during the suspension period.
Q: How did the suspension push the focus towards Shopify?
A: As a result of the Etsy suspension, we directed our resources and efforts towards optimizing our Shopify store. This led to an increase in sales and highlighted the importance of diversifying sales channels.
Q: What were the consequences of using illegal keywords?
A: Using illegal keywords violated Etsy's policies and resulted in the suspension of the account. It also led to a decline in rankings and loss of visibility for the affected listings.
Q: How did the experience contribute to personal and professional growth?
A: The suspension served as a learning experience, prompting us to develop new marketing skills, explore alternative sales channels, and foster resilience in the face of setbacks.
