How to make the best Etsy shop policies
Learn how to create the best Etsy shop policies. Stand out from competitors and improve your business' trust, credibility, and professionalism.
Staying connected with your existing customers is a great way to get them to buy from you again. Sharing an exciting shop announcement or interesting industry news keeps you fresh in their mind. An excellent way to do this is through Etsy email marketing.
Marketing emails also give you a direct line to new customers to share promotions and updates, bringing in new business while building a loyal base of Etsy buyers.
Keep reading to find out how to collect emails on Etsy and amplify your store’s success.
Disclaimer
This post may contain affiliate links, which means we may earn a commission if you make a purchase through those links. This comes at no additional cost to you.
What to know before collecting customers’ email addresses
Email marketing is a tried-and-true method for eCommerce businesses to connect with their audience.
Here are some benefits of adding email marketing to your Etsy store’s marketing strategy:
- Direct communication. Unlike social media or other marketing channels where messages may get lost in the void, email provides one-on-one interactions, fostering a closer connection with your audience.
- Personalization. Customize your messages based on individual customer preferences, purchase history, and engagement patterns. This resonates more deeply with recipients, increasing the likelihood of engagement and response.
- Cost-effective. Email marketing is inexpensive compared with other advertising methods and marketing channels – perfect for Etsy sellers who don’t have a giant marketing budget.
- Higher customer retention. Craft catchy emails with valuable information and send them regularly to maintain customer interest and loyalty to your brand.
- Increased sales and ROI. For every $1 invested in email marketing, the average ROI (return on investment) is $42, proving it’s an effective way to increase sales through targeted promotions, new product announcements, or tailored recommendations.
Etsy policies
Before implementing your Etsy email marketing strategy, be sure you understand and comply with Etsy’s rules and policies regarding customer email collection. Violating these policies can lead to shop suspension or a complete ban.
Here are the key points:
- Customer consent. Every Etsy seller must explicitly obtain customer permission before gathering their emails for marketing purposes. This means customers should actively opt-in to your mailing list through a transparent process.
- Etsy-related communication. Any communication with customers, whether via the platform or email, must be related to Etsy. Avoid promoting unrelated content, external websites, or social networks that don’t relate to your Etsy shop or products.
- Do not misuse customer information. Use the data responsibly and ethically, only for the intended purpose for which you gathered it. Do not use Etsy customer emails for unrelated marketing campaigns nor share them with third parties without consent.
- Easy unsubscribe option. Etsy sellers must offer a straightforward and accessible method for recipients to opt out of their mailing lists. Complex or restricted unsubscribe processes do not align with Etsy policies and legal regulations.
- Third-party service compliance. If using third-party services for your email marketing campaigns, ensure their practices comply with Etsy’s policies. Vet these services to confirm that they adhere to ethical data handling and marketing practices.
- Legal standards. Your email marketing activities must comply with regional and international laws and regulations regarding consumer data protection and email marketing. In the United States, for instance, familiarize yourself with the CAN-SPAM Act, which details how customer data can be used for commercial email, establishes requirements for commercial messages, and imposes harsh penalties for violations.
- Privacy policy. Your Etsy shop must have a comprehensive privacy policy outlining how you collect, use, and protect customer data, including emails.
Disclaimer
Printify does not offer legal advice. Consult with certified professionals to ensure you’re compliant and informed about your location’s laws and regulations.
How to collect emails on Etsy in 3 Steps
Collecting emails on Etsy involves three key steps – let’s look over them in detail.
1. Pick an email service provider
There are several great platforms for managing your Etsy email list effectively, such as MailChimp, Constant Contact, or Brevo.
They create and send email campaigns, segment your email list, and automate processes like welcome emails to new subscribers and confirming order details.
Before choosing an email service provider, evaluate its ease of use, pricing, and integration capabilities with Etsy to ensure it fits your needs.
Tip
2. Offer an incentive
Customers are more likely to provide their email addresses if they receive something valuable in return. Offer an incentive to encourage email sign-ups, such as a discount code for their next purchase, a freebie, exclusive access to product launches, or informative content related to your niche.
Your incentive should align with your Etsy store’s offerings and appeal to your target audience. For example, you could offer a 10% discount on the first purchase in exchange for an email list signup.
Important
Don’t let your hard work go to waste. To keep your emails out of the spam folder, be cautious of spam trigger words. Terms like ‘winner,’ ‘free,’ and ‘contest’ can raise red flags for spam filters. For a more extensive list of terms to steer clear of, check the Etsy Seller handbook.
3. Promote and gather
Since Etsy’s platform doesn’t let you collect email addresses directly, you’ll need to gather them externally.
Here are a few ways to get customer email addresses:
- Banner. Use your Etsy shop banner, about section, Etsy profile, or shop announcements to obtain emails. Use engaging language and a captivating call-to-action to an external page to direct customers to an optional sign-up form or link to exclusive offers, early access, or updates.
Be clear about the purpose and adhere to the Etsy policy regarding privacy laws. - Create a landing page. Set up a dedicated page on your own website with platforms like WordPress or Wix to collect email addresses. Link this page in your Etsy store description and guide customers there to join your emailing list.
Pro tip
Website builders are great for creating blogs about products and niches, giving you more ownership and editing possibilities than on Etsy. Take things a step further by listing products on your website and Etsy shop simultaneously, multiplying your chances of reaching more customers.
- Email marketing providers. Use your chosen platform to create sign-up forms and pop-ups. Embedded in your Etsy store’s description or share them on your social profiles.
- Optimized order confirmations. Add an option to subscribe in your order confirmation messages. Since these customers have already purchased with your Etsy business, they might be more inclined to stay connected for future updates and offers.
- Social media campaigns. Promote your email sign-up incentive through your social networks. Encourage your followers to visit your landing page or sign up directly through your email marketing service form.
- Contests or giveaways. Host contests or giveaways that require participants to join your Etsy email list for a chance to win. This can be an effective way to gather emails from people genuinely interested in your products.
- Physical mailing list. Include a sign-up sheet at in-person events like craft fairs or pop-up shops. Encourage visitors to subscribe by offering a special discount, sales events, or sneak peeks at new products. Make sure to clearly state the purpose of the mailing list, ensuring customers understand they’re signing up for your Etsy store updates and promotions.
- Content marketing. Write blog posts, guides, or eBooks related to your niche and share them with your Etsy customers on your website and social media. Include email sign-up forms in your content to capture interested readers.
Important: Be transparent about how you intend to use the collected emails and respect your customers’ privacy preferences.
Pro tip
Want to learn more about email marketing? Check our blog for content on Shopify and Wix email marketing strategies.
Sell on Etsy with Printify
Printify offers the perfect opportunity to enhance your Etsy store’s product line. Easily create and sell custom-printed products, from clothing to home decor, branded with your unique designs to attract more Etsy customers.
Follow these steps to get started with Printify on Etsy:
- Sign up. Create a free Printify account to access our Catalog of over 1,000 high-demand products.
- Design your products. Use our beginner-friendly Product Creator to add your designs to a product or create a new design from scratch.
- Sync with Etsy. Integrate your Etsy store with Printify to streamline the listing and order fulfillment process.
- List your products. Publish your products to your Etsy store and optimize your listings with engaging titles, descriptions, and images.
- Manage orders. When customers place an order, Printify’s network of Print Providers handles printing, packing, and shipping.
- Marketing. Use your email list to promote your Printify products. Make shop announcements and offer discount codes or other incentives to entice your subscribers to purchase.
Combining Printify with your Etsy store and email marketing strategy is the ultimate formula for success.
Pro tip
Check our ultimate guide on how to start an Etsy shop and discover how to optimize your listings and store fully.
Partner with Printify for seamless order fulfillment and watch your business soar
FAQ
Etsy’s policies allow you to collect customer emails, but you must get explicit consent from your customers. Unsolicited commercial messages are forbidden. Always follow Etsy’s guidelines and have a transparent privacy policy in place.
Here’s how to gather customer email addresses on Etsy:
- Pick a reliable email marketing platform.
- Offer an enticing incentive for Etsy customers to provide their emails, such as promotions and discounts, and get clear consent.
- Promote your email sign-up through a shop header banner, a landing page on your own website, email marketing forms, social media campaigns, or content marketing.
- Never automatically sign customers up for emails.
Before exporting their emails, you must contact your Etsy customers and ask for consent. Otherwise, you’ll violate the platform policies and data protection laws.
Once you have permission, log in to your Etsy account and follow these steps:
- Log in to your Etsy Seller Dashboard (also known as Etsy Shop Manager).
- Go to Orders and Shipping.
- Click Download Data.
- Choose the data range you want to export, including Etsy customer emails.
- Click Download CSV.
Remember to use this data responsibly and in compliance with Etsy’s policies.
You must follow Etsy’s terms and policies and get customers’ permission before adding them to your mailing list or sending marketing emails. If you don’t, you’ll be in violation and face potential penalties.
To summarize
Now you know how to collect emails on Etsy! We’ve covered the importance of email marketing, Etsy’s policies on data collection, and how to collect email addresses effectively.
With dedication and a well-executed strategy, you’ll successfully collect emails on Etsy and unlock the full potential of your eCommerce business in 2025.
Start today, add more subscribers to your Etsy email list, and watch your store thrive. And remember – Printify is here to help you on your eCommerce journey!
Disclaimer
The content presented is for informational purposes only and should not be considered professional advice. While we strive to provide accurate and up-to-date information, the dynamic nature of the topic may result in changes or updates. Readers are encouraged to conduct further research or seek advice from qualified professionals for specific situations.
Any actions taken based on the information presented are at your own risk. Printify and its representatives are not liable for any losses, injuries, or damages arising from using the information provided.
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