Are you worrying because your Etsy shop closed? Did you know what was the reason for its termination? Were you selling products related to Disney? Or did you use an image that you found on Google?
If you have never mulled over the questions above. Then, count yourself as a fortunate one. Because in the recent past, a lot of makers had to part with their online handmade business. Most of the Etsy beginners commit mistakes as a rookie. Thus, they need to know what not to do as per Etsy’s regulations. This will help them optimize their shops so that they do not jeopardize their income source.
Know Why Etsy Shop Closed?
There could be many reasons because of which Etsy could shut down your shop. In their Seller Handbook, they get into the details of those reasons.
I could summarize them as follows:
- Non-compliant GDPR
- Legal/ Copyright issues due to external help. (Includes photographers, creative writers, designer, store helper)
- Violating mature content policy through profanity/ nudity.
- Intellectual Property Infringement.
- Violating the European Union’s New Online Selling Regulations.
- Not adhering to Distance Selling Regulations for EU and UK customers.
But please note that the Seller Handbook keeps evolving. That means the reasons that could kick you out of the Etsy platform can also change. The above list is as per the time I wrote the article. You can come back to this article for updates.
How Do I Close My Etsy Shop?
Not all Etsy businesses get closed by Etsy. As an Etsy seller, you can also close Etsy shop by going to the Shop Manager.
Once your Seller account closes, you can only use Etsy as a buyer.
In case you are wondering how to close Etsy shop after several unsuccessful attempts. Then, that means you got some unresolved cases and unpaid Etsy fees. Once you resolve both, you will find the option to close the shop.
Can You Reopen a Closed Etsy Shop?
Either you as a Seller or the Etsy can close your shop. But in case you wish to reopen a closed Etsy shop. Then, different rules apply as per who closed the shop.
If you closed your Etsy shop. Then, you can reopen it by going to Account Settings through a desktop browser. As of now reopening a closed Etsy shop is not possible through a mobile browser or the Etsy app.
But if your Etsy shop suspended or got closed by Etsy itself, then the situation is tricky.
Etsy mails such shop owners stating the issues for closure/ suspension. You can send a direct response to that mail letting them know that you resolved those issues.
In case, you cannot get to your shop even after resolving those issues. Then, you should contact their Support.
Etsy Shop Closed: How to Make Sales Now?
An Etsy shop can close for a lot of reasons. But the reason to reopen it is to get sales.
Etsy is a significant tool for artists to make money. Hence, it is in the interest of creative makers to have their Etsy shop up and running.
But in case Etsy does not reopen your shop. Then, instead of mulling over your loss. It is better to not incur losses of the opportunity cost of alternative options.
Some of the options you can try are:
Open a Second Etsy Shop
Yes, that is an option. If you had a busy Etsy business before your shop got closed. Then, you can open a second Etsy shop to replicate the same numbers as your previous one.
But do not use the same email address as that of the previous shop. In an ideal scenario, you should even try not to use the same IP address as your previous shop.
Sell on Amazon Handmade
Amazon came up with a store for Handmade items in the year 2015. Since then it is gaining popularity among the creative makers.
Simple listing fees and the Amazon brand name benefit a handmade seller. Opening a handmade store on Amazon should be on your radar irrespective of your success on Etsy.
Sell Digital Printables/Downloads
Digital art, calculators, worksheets, and planners are a boon to handmade sellers. They do not require much work after being created. Plus, they do not accrue packaging headaches.
Creating your first digital product does require a lot of mental stress. But once you get a hang of it. You will find yourself on a creation spree.
My digital products keep the bucks rolling amidst lockdown and other unforeseen calamities.
Sell Through Your Own Store
Setting up, marketing and scaling your online store is for the experienced ones. But an independent store must be in the long term game plan of a handmade artist.
You can control and navigate your store the way you wish to. Thus, you can relax your fears about your shop vanishing all of a sudden. Though you must adhere to the general principles of not infringing copyright laws.
Open Your Own Brick-and-mortar Store
Most of the handmade artists dream of opening their boutique. The brick-and-mortar store would showcase their unique handcrafted products.
The customers could see, touch and appreciate the crafts in person. But such luxury comes with a cost.
Real estate rent, employees, and the upkeep of a physical store can eat up your profits. Before opening a physical store, please make appropriate adjustments to your business plan.
You can select one or more of the options above as per your skills and preferences. In addition, you can start a blog to market your store. The blog will jumpstart your marketing efforts. That way you will increase the probability of making sales. A blog serves as a single marketing channel for all the shop options above.
Conclusion
Etsy is the most popular marketplace for creative handmade makers. The platform has a huge flux of buyers and sellers. That means Etsy is essential for selling handmade products.
But in case your Etsy shop closed for some unfortunate reason. Then, do not fret. Though Etsy is important, it is not the only means to thrive as an independent artist.
This article lists the viable alternative options that you can consider. After reading this article, you should head to the Etsy Seller Handbook. The handbook is the principal resource to know the rules and regulations of Etsy. Complying with the Seller handbook prevents the occurrence of Etsy shutting down shops.
Header Image Source: Pixabay
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