Hidden Etsy Settings to Elevate Your Shop

Quick answer: Three overlooked Etsy settings can help: the Share and Save link, shop Sections, and Etsy Plus. Using the Share and Save link when you promote off Etsy (social media, Facebook groups, friends and family) tells Etsy you brought the customer, and Etsy saves you 4% of the sale as long as the buyer purchases within 30 days. Organizing your listings into clear Sections (at least four listings each) keeps buyers browsing longer. And once you have around 30 listings and some sales, Etsy Plus at $10 a month gives back $5 in ad credits plus 15 listing credits, effectively costing about $5.

If you are an Etsy seller, you are likely always on the lookout for ways to increase your views and sales so you can make more money from your craft-based business. What if I told you there are hidden settings inside your Etsy shop that can help increase your viewers and ultimately boost your sales? In this guide, we’re going to break down some of these overlooked settings so you can maximize your shop’s potential.

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Hidden Etsy Settings to Elevate Your Shop

Share and Save Link

When promoting your products, are you using the Share and Save link? This feature signals to Etsy that you are actively bringing in customers yourself. Many sellers misunderstand Etsy’s algorithm and fail to leverage this tool. When you use Share and Save links to promote your products on social media, Facebook groups, or among friends and family, Etsy rewards you by saving 4% of the sale.

In other words, if you, as a seller, share your link and bring a customer to complete a purchase, Etsy recognizes your effort and lets you keep more of your profits. To use this feature, go to your Shop Manager, navigate to Marketing, and find the Share and Save section. Copy the link or share a listing directly by clicking the gear icon at the bottom of a listing.

A few key things to remember: You cannot use this link within the Etsy platform itself, and the customer must make a purchase within 30 days of clicking the link. Regularly refreshing your links and updating your listings will help you maximize your savings. If you’re promoting your shop on social media, this is a simple way to keep more money in your pocket.

Organizing Your Shop with Sections

Many Etsy sellers believe they need multiple shops, but that’s a myth. Instead of spreading your efforts across multiple shops, focus on organizing your existing one effectively.

Sections in your shop function like virtual aisles in a boutique. Imagine walking into a well-organized store—you see different categories neatly arranged. If the store were messy and disorganized, you’d likely leave feeling overwhelmed. The same applies to your Etsy shop. A well-structured shop encourages customers to browse longer and purchase more.

To create effective sections, go to the left-side panel of your shop. Make sure to:

• Keep sections well-organized, with clear categories (e.g., seasonal items, bestsellers, or themed collections).
• Highlight bestsellers at the top while placing less popular categories further down.
• Have at least four listings per section to make it worthwhile.
• Avoid overwhelming buyers by keeping sections concise—three or four pages of listings per section is too much.

Custom sorting is also essential. Prioritize high-profit items rather than just high-priced ones. If you have products you want to move quickly, consider a “Warehouse Sale” or “Closeout” section.

Additionally, reset your shop regularly to reflect upcoming seasons and events. For example, after Christmas, shift your focus to themes like winter, New Year’s resolutions, or Valentine’s Day promotions. This keeps your shop fresh and relevant to buyers.

Etsy Plus: A Valuable Upgrade

If you have at least 30 listings and some sales under your belt, consider enabling Etsy Plus. For $10 a month, Etsy gives you $5 back in advertising credits and 15 listing credits, effectively reducing the cost to just $5 per month.

Etsy Plus provides benefits such as:

• Renewing or creating listings with the provided credits.
• Boosting visibility through additional advertising.
• Enabling restock requests, allowing customers to sign up for notifications when an item is back in stock—perfect for sellers with limited inventory.
• Access to a custom web address through Etsy’s partner, Hover.
• A more professional storefront, with larger banners, multiple images, and a featured listings section that makes your shop look more like a website.

While Etsy Plus isn’t necessary for beginners, it becomes incredibly valuable once your shop gains traction. If a product is already performing well, Etsy Plus can accelerate its success.

Take Your Etsy Shop to the Next Level

Running an Etsy shop allows you to earn money while maintaining flexibility in your lifestyle. By utilizing Share and Save links, organizing your shop effectively, and upgrading to Etsy Plus when appropriate, you can optimize your shop for better visibility and higher sales.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Etsy Share and Save link work?

When you share your listing link on social media, in Facebook groups, or with friends and family and the customer buys within 30 days, Etsy saves you 4% of the sale for bringing in the customer yourself. You cannot use the link inside Etsy itself. Find it in Shop Manager under Marketing, or share a listing directly using the gear icon at the bottom of a listing.

How should I organize my Etsy shop sections?

Treat sections like virtual aisles in a boutique. Keep them clearly categorized (seasonal items, bestsellers, themed collections), put bestsellers at the top, include at least four listings per section, and avoid cramming too many pages into one section. Sort to prioritize your high-profit items, and refresh seasonally.

Is Etsy Plus worth it?

Etsy Plus is not necessary for beginners, but it becomes valuable once your shop gains traction. For $10 a month you get $5 back in advertising credits and 15 listing credits, plus perks like restock requests, a custom web address through Hover, and a more professional storefront.