Does Vacation Mode Affect Etsy?

By Robert Palmer

Are you an Etsy seller planning to take a vacation? You might be wondering whether putting your shop in vacation mode will have any impact on your store’s visibility, search rankings, or sales. In this article, we’ll explore what happens when you enable vacation mode on Etsy.

What is Vacation Mode on Etsy?

Vacation mode is a feature offered by Etsy that allows sellers to temporarily close their shop without having to permanently deactivate their account. When you activate vacation mode, your listings will be hidden from search results and buyers won’t be able to purchase from your shop.

How Does Vacation Mode Affect Your Shop?

Enabling vacation mode can affect various aspects of your shop, including:

  • Visibility: When you activate vacation mode, your items won’t appear in search results or categories. However, they will still appear in shoppers’ Favorites and in Google search results.
  • Sales: Since buyers can’t purchase from your shop while it’s in vacation mode, you won’t receive any new orders during that time.

    However, any open orders will not be affected and should still be fulfilled as usual.

  • Listings: Your listings won’t be visible while your shop is in vacation mode. However, they’ll remain in your shop and you can edit them if needed.

How to Enable Vacation Mode on Etsy?

To put your Etsy shop in vacation mode:

  1. Login to your Etsy account and go to Shop Manager
  2. Select “Settings” from the left-hand menu
  3. Select “Options”
  4. Select “Vacation Mode”
  5. Edit the message for customers who view the store while in vacation mode and choose whether to hide or display your items during this period
  6. Click “Save”

Should You Use Vacation Mode?

While vacation mode can be a useful tool for sellers who need to temporarily close their shops, it’s important to be aware of its potential impact on visibility and sales. If you’re planning a short break, you might consider simply extending your processing times instead of using vacation mode. This way, buyers can still purchase from your shop and your search rankings won’t be affected.

However, if you’re going to be away for an extended period or won’t be able to fulfill orders during that time, vacation mode may be the best option for you. Just be sure to communicate clearly with your customers about when you’ll return and what changes they can expect in the meantime.

The Bottom Line

Enabling vacation mode on Etsy can have an impact on your shop’s visibility and sales. While it’s a useful tool for sellers who need to temporarily close their shops, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making this decision. By understanding what happens when you enable vacation mode, you can make an informed choice that works best for your business.