Are you an Etsy seller looking to elevate your shop and boost your sales? You’ve likely come across Etsy Plus, a subscription service promising just that. But is Etsy Plus truly worth the cost, or is it just another expense for your growing business? This in-depth review will dissect the features, benefits, and drawbacks of Etsy Plus, helping you determine if it aligns with your shop’s needs and goals.
Table of Contents
- What is Etsy Plus?
- What Etsy Plus isn’t
- How Much Does Etsy Plus Cost?
- Benefits of Etsy Plus
- Drawbacks of Etsy Plus
- Conclusion
What is Etsy Plus?
Etsy Plus is a monthly subscription service designed specifically for Etsy sellers. It offers a suite of extra features and benefits aimed at enhancing your shop’s branding, potentially driving more sales, and offering some cost-saving opportunities. Think of it as a toolbox filled with resources to help your Etsy shop stand out in a crowded marketplace.
What are the Etsy Plus Features?
Etsy Plus provides a range of features intended to boost your shop’s visibility and appeal. Here’s a closer look:
Advanced Shop Customization: A Visually Appealing Shop
With Etsy Plus, you gain access to tools that let you elevate your shop’s visual identity. You can move beyond the standard static banner image and implement a dynamic carousel or collage banner. Imagine showcasing multiple product photos or brand messages that rotate automatically, instantly capturing your visitors’ attention. Additionally, you can customize your shop layout by highlighting specific shop sections in a mixed grid format. These features create a more professional and engaging storefront, making your shop feel like a unique brand rather than just another Etsy listing.
Restock Requests: Never Miss a Potential Sale
Ever had a popular product sell out, leaving interested customers empty-handed? Etsy Plus introduces the power of “Restock Requests.” When an item is sold out, customers can click a button to sign up for email notifications when it’s back in stock. This feature effectively builds an email list of highly engaged customers who have already demonstrated interest in your products. When you restock the item, a notification email goes out, bringing them back to your shop with a higher likelihood of making a purchase. This is a fantastic way to leverage email marketing to drive repeat sales and build customer loyalty.
Listing & Advertising Credits: Reducing Your Expenses
One of the most appealing aspects of Etsy Plus is the monthly credits it provides. You receive 15 free listing credits each month, which translates to $3 in savings on listing fees. This is especially beneficial if you regularly add new products or have a high turnover of listings.
Moreover, you get a $5 credit towards Etsy Ads each month. This can be a great way to dip your toes into Etsy’s advertising platform or supplement your existing ad budget, helping you reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your shop.
Custom Domain Discount: A Professional Touch
Etsy Plus offers a 50% discount for the first year on custom domains through Hover, a third-party domain provider. Owning a custom domain, like yourshopname.com instead of yourshopname.etsy.com, adds a level of professionalism and strengthens your brand identity. It also makes it easier to market your shop across various platforms.
Discounts on Marketing Materials: Packaging and Promotion Made Easier
Etsy Plus partners with companies like Moo and Box.com to provide discounts on marketing materials. You can get deals on business cards, postcards, packaging boxes, and other promotional items. While these discounts are often relatively small, they can help reduce your overall marketing expenses.
What Etsy Plus isn’t
It’s crucial to understand what Etsy Plus doesn’t do. There are common misconceptions surrounding the subscription, and it’s essential to separate fact from fiction:
No SEO or Search Ranking Boost
Etsy Plus does not directly improve your shop’s ranking in Etsy search results. There’s no magical algorithm boost or preferential treatment. All sellers, whether they subscribe to Etsy Plus or not, are subject to the same ranking factors based on Etsy’s search algorithm.
No Additional Customer Support
Subscribing to Etsy Plus doesn’t grant you special access to customer support. You’ll receive the same level of assistance from Etsy’s support team as any other seller.
Not Platform-Specific
Etsy Plus is accessible across all devices. You can utilize its features and manage your subscription regardless of whether you use a computer, phone, or tablet.
How Much Does Etsy Plus Cost?
The monthly “etsy plus cost” is $10. This may seem steep, especially for new sellers or those with limited budgets. However, it’s crucial to analyze whether the features and benefits align with your shop’s specific needs and could potentially generate a return on that investment.
Benefits of Etsy Plus: Is It Right For You?
Enhanced Branding: A Cohesive & Professional Image
Etsy Plus empowers you to create a more polished and branded shop experience. The advanced customization options, along with the custom domain discount, help you present a cohesive brand identity that sets you apart from the competition. A professional appearance builds trust with customers and can increase the perceived value of your products.
Restock Request Power: Capitalizing on High Demand
Restock requests act as a powerful email marketing tool. They capture the interest of customers who were ready to buy but missed out due to a sold-out item. Sending a targeted notification when the item is back in stock significantly increases the likelihood of a purchase, driving additional revenue and fostering customer loyalty.
Cost Savings: Potentially Offsetting the Subscription Fee
The listing and advertising credits offered by Etsy Plus can effectively offset a significant portion of the subscription cost, especially if you regularly use these features. If you consistently list new products and actively run Etsy Ads, you’re already spending at least $8 each month on those services. In such cases, the true cost of Etsy Plus boils down to the remaining $2 for the additional features and partner discounts.
Partner Discounts: Accessing Marketing Resources
While the discounts provided by Etsy’s partners are relatively small, they can still contribute to reducing your marketing and packaging expenses. Access to business cards, postcards, and custom boxes from reputable providers can help streamline your branding and shipping processes.
Drawbacks of Etsy Plus: Points to Ponder
Additional Cost: Is It Worth the Investment?
The $10 monthly fee for Etsy Plus is a significant consideration, especially for new sellers or those with limited resources. It’s essential to evaluate your shop’s current performance, sales volume, and budget to determine if this recurring expense is justifiable.
Limited Partner Availability: Not for Everyone
The discounts on packaging and marketing materials may not be accessible to all sellers. Etsy’s partners are concentrated in certain regions, and sellers from other countries may not benefit from these offers.
Uncertainty About Long-Term Value: The Ever-Changing Etsy Landscape
Etsy Plus is constantly evolving. Etsy could add new features or remove existing ones, making it difficult to predict the long-term value of the subscription. It’s important to stay informed about updates and analyze whether the current benefits align with your shop’s future goals.
Conclusion: Making the Right Call
Etsy Plus is a powerful tool with the potential to enhance your Etsy shop’s visibility and profitability. However, it’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. The decision to subscribe ultimately depends on your individual circumstances, shop goals, and budget. After reading this “etsy plus review,” you should be able to decide if it’s right for you or not.
When “Etsy Plus” Makes Sense:
- You regularly utilize listing credits and Etsy Ads.
- You frequently sell out of products and want to leverage restock requests for email marketing.
- Building a strong brand and a professional shop appearance is a priority for you.
When Etsy Plus Might Not Be Worth It:
- You’re a new seller with a limited budget and a small product catalog.
- You don’t frequently use listing credits or Etsy Ads.
- You’re located in a country where partner discounts aren’t applicable.
Before making a decision, carefully analyze your shop’s current practices, future plans, and financial resources. A trial run of Etsy Plus could provide valuable insights into whether the service aligns with your needs and generates a positive return on investment. To fully understand the “benefits of etsy plus,” you should read their terms of service.