As an Etsy seller, there are times when you need to take a break from your store. Whether you’re going on holiday, dealing with an emergency, or just need some time off, Etsy’s Vacation Mode feature is an excellent tool to help you manage your shop during these periods.

Activating Vacation Mode: A Step-by-Step Guide

To activate Vacation Mode on Etsy.com, follow these steps:

1. Log into your Etsy account and navigate to your Shop Manager.
2. Click on Settings.
3. From the drop-down menu, select Options.
4. Go to the Vacation Mode tab.
5. Switch the setting to On.
6. Compose a temporary shop announcement and an auto-reply message.
7. Click Save to apply changes.

You can also activate Vacation Mode using the Etsy Seller app:

1. Log into your account on the app.
2. Click on More.
3. Open the Shop settings dropdown menu.
4. Select Vacation mode.
5. Toggle the button to turn Vacation mode on or off.
6. Write a temporary shop announcement and an auto-reply message.
7. Hit Save to apply changes.

What Happens When Your Shop is in Vacation Mode?

While your shop is in Vacation Mode, several changes occur:

• A notice shows up at the top of your shop page, indicating that you’re on a short break.
• Your shop remains searchable if someone types in your exact shop name, but it won’t appear as an auto-suggestion in Search or other shopping tools.
• Your listings become invisible to visitors.
• Visitors can opt to receive an email notification of your return.
• You maintain access to orders, cases, and Messages.
• You can issue refunds, cancel orders, and print Etsy shipping labels.

Please note, even while on vacation, you must still fulfill your obligations to your buyers, such as completing orders or participating in open cases.

Understanding How Vacation Mode Affects Your Listings and Fees

While in Vacation Mode, you can edit current listings or list new items and save them as drafts. However, fees apply:

• If you have auto-renew turned on for listings, these listings will continue to incur a renewal fee when they expire.
• Etsy Ads fees from any active campaigns will not accumulate while your shop is in Vacation Mode.
• Etsy Plus subscription fees and Pattern site billing continue as usual, even during Vacation Mode.

Turning Vacation Mode Off

To deactivate Vacation Mode:

1. Log into Etsy.com and go to your Shop Manager.
2. Click on Settings.
3. Select Options.
4. Go to Vacation Mode.
5. Switch the option to Off.
6. Click Save.

Please note that it can take up to ten minutes for all of your listings to become visible again once you’ve turned off Vacation Mode.

Crafting the Perfect Vacation Mode Message

Communicating effectively with your customers is crucial even when you’re away. Here are a couple of examples of vacation mode messages:

1. “Hello, I am currently taking some time off and my shop is in Vacation Mode. Don’t worry, I’ll be back soon. In the meantime, feel free to browse my products and add your favorites to your wishlist. Thank you for understanding.”
2. “Dear valued customers, my shop is temporarily on pause as I am taking a short break. I look forward to serving you again when I return. If you have any questions, please leave a message and I will respond as soon as I can. Thank you for your patience.”

Remember, a well-crafted message can leave a positive impression on your customers, even when you’re not available.

By following these steps, you can easily manage your Etsy shop during periods of absence. Remember, it’s your responsibility as a seller to uphold your commitments to your buyers, even while on vacation. Happy selling!

‍