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A great way to promote your Etsy shop and draw in customers is to offer coupons. These codes can be created directly on the website and shared with existing and potential shoppers. There are many ways to use this marketing tool, from posting on social media to using the automatic thanks message feature. Let’s examine how to make coupon codes and then how to effectively use them in your Etsy shop!
To create a code go to “Promote” from the third drop down button on the top right of the desktop version of Etsy, then select “Coupon codes.” You can choose from three coupon options- Free Shipping (this can be limited to just your own country), a Fixed Discount (a set amount), or a Percentage Discount (a percentage off of the item total, not including shipping, etc). There’s also a box where you can set a minimum purchase amount, which will only apply the coupon to orders over the threshold you’ve set. You’re able to deactivate, reactivate, and set expiration dates for your coupon codes, but can only use the name one time and can’t change that or the amount once it’s been created.
1. Create Automatic Thank-You Emails
Etsy gives sellers the option to send coupon codes in an automatic email after a shopper purchases from your store. This is only sent to customers who opt-in to these emails (from the Account Settings page). To activate a code for the thank-you emails just check the box when you have a single coupon’s page open. You are allowed only one selected code at a time for this function, and it will show up highlighted in yellow on the main coupon code page. To un-select it just go back to the box on the code’s page.
Extra tip: Never send an unsolicited convo on Etsy with offering a discount because someone favorited your item or shop. This is considered spam and is against Etsy’s Terms of Use.
2. Send it in the Package
Another way to increase repeat business on Etsy is to include a coupon code in each package you mail out. If you click on the “Print Order” button on each order page it will give you the option to print a Packing Slip or an Order Receipt. Under the “Customize options” drop down you’ll find the section to select one of your existing coupon codes. You can also make a new one from the Packing Slip option- a fast way to create a unique deal to send off with your packages. The selected coupon will appear at the bottom of your customer’s printout. I like to circle it so people are more likely to notice it and use it in the future!
Extra tip: Print an Etsy coupon code on a business card or other promotional item that you include with orders. If they happen to throw away the packing slip, they might still keep the card that you sent with the order and can use the code later.
3. Share on Social Media
You can also promote your shop and increase orders by sharing your coupon codes on social media sites like Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. This is especially effective when you’re running a special sale event (like Black Friday or Cyber Monday or a store anniversary). Marketing your discount codes via these platforms will get them in front of a wide audience, especially if you include them in eye-catching promotional images. Just be sure to list all the relevant details in your posts to avoid confusion- from minimum purchase amounts to expiration dates.
What other ways do you use coupons to increase sales in your Etsy store?
Rebecca George
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