Boosting Etsy Sales with Discounts & Promotions

Learn how to set up sales, create promo codes and send targeted offers on Etsy. Increase your visibility and reach more customers with our step-by-step guide.

Creating a buzz around your Etsy shop during peak seasons can elevate your store’s visibility and attract more buyers. Etsy offers three unique ways to discount products in your store: Sales, promo codes, and targeted offers. This article breaks down each type of discount method and how best to utilize them. For further insights into effective promotional strategies using sales and discounts, refer to our insightful Seller Handbook. Also, you can engage with other sellers on marketing tips in the Community Forums.

To help, we’ve put together this comprehensive guide on how to set up sales and discounts for your shop. For an even more detailed preparation, check out our Holiday Success Guide.

Creating a Promo Code

Promo codes are an excellent way for your customers to enjoy a discount at checkout. You can share these codes through various channels such as Etsy’s messaging platform, social media, or any other place where you connect with customers.

Create a Promo Code on Etsy Shop Manager’s Sales and Discounts Settings

Here’s how you create a promo code:

  1. Visit your Etsy shop at Etsy.com and go to the Shop Manager
  2. Click on the Marketing tab and select Sales and Discounts.
  3. Opt for Create a promo code
  4. Set up the specifics for your discount.
  5. Choose which individual items will be eligible for this promo code, or simply select Add all active listings.
  6. Verify your promo code’s details and click on Confirm and create code.

Types of Discounts Available

While setting up a promo code, you have three options to choose from:

  • Percentage Off: This allows you to offer any percentage off the list price of items in your shop.
  • Fixed Amount Off: Provide a fixed amount off the list price of items in your shop.
  • Free Standard Shipping: Shoppers won’t pay any shipping fees with this option — you can even limit it to only domestic orders or certain regions. Here’s how you can offer free shipping.

Remember, if you decide to offer a percentage-off discount on specific listings only, new listings will need to be added manually to existing promo codes; however, these can also be included later by editing the sale or discount.

Running a Sale

Setting up a sale on Etsy allows you to offer discounted prices for your products for a specific duration and audience.

Run a Sale on Etsy Shop Manager’s Sales and Discounts Settings

Here’s the step-by-step process to set up a sale or discount:

  1. Visit Etsy.com and navigate to your Shop Manager.
  2. Click on the Marketing tab, then select Sales and Discounts.
  3. Choose Run a sale.
  4. Decide between offering a Percentage off or a Free standard shipping sale.
  5. Personalize your sale details like the discount amount, applicable countries, etc.
  6. Click on Review and confirm.

Etsy occasionally conducts site-wide sales events that you can participate in; learn more about Etsy-wide sales.

Can I Run Listing-Specific Sales as well as Shop-Wide Sales?

Yes, you can! If there is no minimum order requirement for qualifying, you can select specific listings to include in the sale. You can later edit the sale to add new listings if required. However, if there is a minimum order requirement for qualifying, your sale will apply across all items in your shop with no exclusions.

Sending Targeted Offers to Interested Shoppers

Targeted offers enable you to send automatic promo codes via email to shoppers who have shown interest in your products - they simply enter this code at checkout.

Send Targeted Offers on Etsy Shop Manager’s Sales and Discounts Settings

Types of Targeted Offers

You can send three types of targeted email offers to opted-in shoppers:

  • Abandoned Cart: If an item from your shop sits in a shopper’s cart for over 24 hours, they receive an email offering a discount on that item after 24 hours of abandonment. A shopper can receive this type of offer email once every two days.
  • Recently Favorited: If a shopper adds one of your items to their favorites, they’ll receive an offer 48 hours later. This type of targeted offer is sent every seven days.
  • Post-Purchase Thank You: After a purchase from your shop, a buyer receives an offer email encouraging them to shop with you again - this is sent after the order completion.

Here’s how you send offers to interested shoppers:

  1. Visit Etsy.com and navigate to your Shop Manager
  2. Click on the Marketing tab, then select Sales and Discounts.
  3. Locate Automatically sends offers to interested shoppers.
  4. Select a targeted offer and click on Set up.
  5. Set the terms for your campaign.
  6. Finalize by clicking on Create Offer.

How Long Will My Targeted Offer Last?

A campaign will run indefinitely until you decide to stop it by selecting Details under the discount on your Sales and Discounts page.

Why Didn’t a Shopper Receive My Promo Code?

Not all shoppers may receive promo codes as some might have opted out from such emails - hence not every shopper who favorites an item or leaves one in their cart will be sent an offer.

Combining Free Shipping with Other Discounts

If you’re running multiple promotions, shoppers can enjoy both a list price discount and free shipping on an order, provided the order qualifies for both. However, if there’s no active free shipping promotion, shoppers won’t have the option to apply more than one discount to an item in your shop. Learn more about strategies for free shipping promotions.

Monitoring Current and Scheduled Sales & Discounts

To ensure your sales and discounts are set up correctly:

  1. Visit Sales and discounts.
  2. Head over to Offer details and stats.

Here, you can view your current offers, promotional duration, and other statistics.

Monitor Sales and Discount Stats on Etsy’s Sales and Discount Dashboard

Evaluating the Performance of Sales & Discounts

You can review the performance of your offers during specific periods in the Sales and discounts section of your shop. This will provide a detailed breakdown of:

  • Orders with a discount
  • Items sold
  • Average Order Value (AOV)
  • Revenue from discounts

Looking for More Marketing Strategies?

Join a free Etsy U workshop! Enroll in Etsy U to get access to more resources that can help boost your Etsy business.

Unique Ways To Use Coupons On Your Shop

One effective way to attract attention and boost sales is by offering unique promotions via coupon codes. Let’s delve into some innovative methods you can adopt:

Running Buy One Get One (BOGO) Sales

To run a BOGO sale using an Etsy coupon you could set a 50% off discount with a minimum order amount of two items assuming all items are priced the same. However, this method cannot exclude certain listings and each additional item after the first two will also be 50% off. Therefore, it’s essential to consider if you can afford such a sale.

Using Coupons for Volume Discounts

One strategy to encourage customers to purchase more items at once is offering volume discounts by creating multiple discount codes and promoting them together. For example, if the maximum discount you can afford is 40%, you could offer four coupons for 10% off two items, 20% off three items, 30% off four items, and 40% off five or more items. Each of these coupons would need to be created individually and promoted in your shop banner, announcement section, and listing photos. However, there are a couple of things to consider:

  • Not all customers may use the coupons even if they qualify for them. It’s up to you whether or not to manually refund the discount.
  • Some customers might use a lower discount amount for a larger number of items.

Despite these potential drawbacks, using volume discount coupons can encourage people to buy multiple products and potentially increase your revenue.

Offering Coupons on New Listings

If you want to promote new products without violating consumer protection laws that prohibit immediate sales on new listings (laws vary by country), offering a coupon code is an effective workaround. You can provide this coupon code to your mailing list or social media followers so that they get a discounted price while your listing still shows the regular price.

Promoting Your Etsy Coupon Codes

Effective promotion of your coupon codes can help drive more traffic to your shop and increase sales. Here are some strategies you can use to promote your Etsy coupon codes:

1. Include the Code in Your Shop Announcement

Your shop announcement is one of the first things visitors see when they land on your page. Including your coupon code in this space makes it instantly visible to shoppers.

2. Add the Code to Your Shop Banner

If you have a standing offer or a long-term discount, consider adding the coupon code directly to your shop banner. Since this spot doesn’t often change, it’s an ideal place for codes that don’t have an expiration date.

3. Create an Infographic with The Code

Visually appealing infographics can be used effectively to promote discounts or special offers. Create an infographic featuring the coupon code and add it to your shop photos. This not only informs customers about the ongoing offer but also enhances visual engagement.

4. Send The Code To Your Mailing List

If you have a mailing list, make sure to send out emails promoting the availability of your coupon code. Regular email updates keep subscribers informed about new offers and encourage them back into your store.

5. Share The Code On Social Media

Leverage social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, etc., by posting about your Etsy coupon codes there. A well-crafted post with visually appealing images can catch followers’ attention and potentially drive them towards making a purchase from your shop.

Remember: Creating visibility for discount offers is crucial as customers won’t utilize them if they’re unaware of their existence. By promoting strategically across various channels, you increase the chances of these coupons being redeemed, ultimately boosting sales in your Etsy shop.

Why Etsy Coupon Codes Are a Must-Have for Boosting Sales

Running a sale on your Etsy shop not only boosts your sales quickly but also offers several other benefits. Here are some advantages to consider:

Etsy Shop Manager’s Sales and Discount Settings

1. Shop Visitor Growth

If you want to drive more traffic to your store, running a sale can be an effective strategy. The more products you put on sale, the higher the chances of attracting potential customers.

2. Cross-selling Products

Sales promotions provide an opportunity for cross-selling or bundling products from your inventory. While customers visit for discounted items, they may also end up purchasing full-priced products.

3. Word of Mouth Marketing

Customers love discounts and are likely to share promotional deals with friends and family. This word-of-mouth marketing can further amplify the reach of your sales.

4. Potential Revenue Growth

A well-structured promotion could lead to an increased number of sales, which in turn has the potential to boost revenue figures significantly.

5. More Customer Reviews

Increased sales volume due to promotions often leads to a rise in customer reviews. Ensure exceptional service for positive feedback that can enhance your shop’s reputation and attract future buyers.

FAQs About Sales and Discounts on Etsy Shop:

1. What are Etsy coupons?

Etsy coupons are promotional codes that sellers can create and offer to their customers for discounts, free shipping, or other special deals. These coupons aim to attract and engage customers, boost sales, and build customer loyalty on the Etsy platform.

2. Can I customize my Etsy coupon codes?

Yes, you can customize your Etsy coupon codes according to your marketing objectives and target audience. You can select the type of discount, set specific amounts or percentages off, and even add additional conditions like minimum purchase requirements or specific product exclusions.

3. How can I share my Etsy coupon codes?

There are various ways to share your Etsy coupon codes:

  • Add the code to your shop announcement or product descriptions.
  • Directly message the code to customers who have shown interest in your shop.
  • Include it in email marketing campaigns sent out to your subscribers.
  • Promote it on social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, Twitter etc.

4. Can I track the performance of my Etsy coupons?

Yes, with built-in analytics tools provided by Etsy, you can track how many times a coupon code has been used; which products or listings are most popular with discounts; as well as measure how effective these promotions are at driving sales.

5. Can customers stack multiple Etsy coupons for one purchase?

No, only one coupon code per purchase is allowed on Etsy. However, if a customer has several valid coupon codes they may choose whichever provides them with the best discount for their specific purchase.

Enhancing Promotion Outreach with Alura's Email Sender

Integrating Alura's Email Sender tool into your promotional strategies can be a game-changer.  Email Sender not only gives sellers a direct channel for communication with potential customers but also allows for personalized interaction. It serves as a platform for keeping shoppers updated about ongoing offers and future promotions in real-time.

By integrating this tool into your promotion strategy, you're likely to see an increase in in-store visits, boosted sales numbers, and enhanced brand loyalty among customers due to regular updates on shop offerings.Alura's Email Sender tool allows you to craft personalized messages catering to different segments of your customer base. You can inform them about upcoming sales, share exclusive promo codes, or even follow up on abandoned carts. This adds a personal touch that often resonates well with shoppers and encourages more purchases.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, running successful promotions requires creativity, strategic thinking and monitoring performance for continuous improvement. By implementing these tactics effectively you can not only increase sales but also foster a loyal customer base — thereby ensuring sustainable growth for your Etsy shop.

FAQ

Etsy Seller Guide: How to Boost Sales with Discounts & Promotions
What types of discounts can I offer in my Etsy shop?
Etsy allows sellers to offer three main types of discounts: Sales, promo codes, and targeted offers. You can set up a sale event for your entire shop or specific listings, create unique promo codes that buyers can use at checkout, or send targeted offers to shoppers who have shown an interest in your items.
Can I run both listing-specific sales and shop-wide sales on Etsy?
Yes, you can choose to run listing-specific sales or a shop-wide sale depending on whether you set a minimum order requirement for the sale. If no minimum order is set, you can select specific listings to include in the sale. However, if there is a minimum order requirement, all items in your shop will be included in the sale.
How do free shipping promotions work with other discounts on Etsy?
If multiple promotions are offered at once such as free shipping and list price discount, shoppers can apply both to their order given that their order meets eligibility criteria for both promotions.
Can I track the performance of my sales and discounts on Etsy?
Absolutely! Sellers can monitor how their promotional campaigns perform over specific date ranges through the 'Sales and Discounts' section of their shop. This provides insights into orders with discounts applied, number of items sold, average order value (AOV), and revenue generated from these discounts.
Why might some shoppers not receive my promo code on Etsy?
Not all shoppers may receive your promotional code because some might have opted out of such offers - this means an offer may not be sent to every shopper who favorites an item or leaves it in their cart.