Table of Contents

How to Put an Etsy Item on Sale: A Seller’s Definitive Guide

Want to boost your Etsy shop’s visibility and sales? Putting items on sale is a tried-and-true strategy. Here’s the breakdown: To put an item on sale on Etsy, you need to either create a sale event or edit individual listings and apply a sale price. Both methods are straightforward and can be done through your Shop Manager.

Creating a Sale Event: The Big Picture Approach

Think of a sale event as a shop-wide promotion, a fanfare announcing discounts across a range of your products. It’s fantastic for clearing out inventory, celebrating milestones, or participating in Etsy-wide sale periods.

Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Sale Event:

Access the Sales and Coupons Section: In your Etsy Shop Manager, navigate to the Marketing section, then click on Sales and coupons.
Create a New Sale: Click the “New special offer” button. This will open up the sale creation interface.
Choose Your Sale Type: Select “Run a sale.” Etsy offers different types of promotions, but we’re focusing on the traditional sale.
Set Sale Details:
- Sale Name: Give your sale a descriptive name (e.g., “Summer Blowout Sale” or “Anniversary Discount”). This is for your internal reference.
- Discount Type: Choose between a percentage discount (e.g., 20% off) or fixed amount discount (e.g., $5 off). Select the option that aligns best with your profit margins and perceived value.
- Discount Amount: Enter the percentage or dollar amount you wish to discount. Be mindful of your profit margins!
- Minimum Order Value (Optional): You can set a minimum order value to qualify for the sale. This encourages customers to purchase more items. For instance, “Spend $25 or more to get 20% off.”
- Free Shipping (Optional): You can offer free shipping as part of your sale. This is a powerful incentive, as shipping costs are often a barrier for online shoppers. Consider your shipping costs when offering this.
Select Items: This is where you choose which listings to include in your sale. You can select:
- All Items: Apply the discount to your entire shop inventory.
- Specific Sections: Select specific shop sections (categories) to put on sale. This is useful for targeting particular product lines.
- Individual Listings: Hand-pick the individual listings you want to include. This gives you the most control.
Schedule Your Sale: Define the start and end dates for your sale. Consider seasonality, holidays, and current market trends when setting your schedule. Etsy also has pre-set sale events that you can opt-in for, for example Black Friday.
Review and Launch: Double-check all the details you’ve entered to ensure accuracy. Click the “Review and confirm” button, and then “Save and continue” button to finalize your sale.

Advantages of Using a Sale Event:

Shop-Wide Impact: Quickly apply discounts across multiple items.
Visibility Boost: Etsy often promotes sale events, increasing your shop’s visibility.
Ease of Use: Relatively simple to set up and manage.

Editing Individual Listings: Precision Discounting

Sometimes you want to offer a discount on just a few select items. Maybe you have overstock, want to test the market, or are running a specific promotion on a single product. In these cases, editing individual listings is the way to go.

Step-by-Step Guide to Editing Individual Listings:

Access Your Listings: In your Etsy Shop Manager, go to the Listings section.
Select the Listing: Find the listing you want to put on sale and click the “Edit” icon (usually a pencil).
Find the Pricing Section: Scroll down to the “Inventory and pricing” section.
Set a Sale Price:
- Click on the “On sale” toggle. This will reveal the “Sale price” field.
- Enter the discounted price in the “Sale price” field. The original price will be displayed alongside the sale price, showcasing the discount to buyers.
Save Your Changes: Scroll to the bottom of the page and click “Publish” to save your changes.

Advantages of Editing Individual Listings:

Targeted Discounts: Apply discounts only to specific items.
Flexibility: Ideal for testing pricing strategies or managing inventory for individual products.
Granular Control: Allows for precise price adjustments on a per-item basis.

Essential Tips for Successful Sales:

Calculate Your Margins: Before offering any discount, carefully calculate your profit margins to ensure you’re still making a profit. Don’t offer discounts that will ultimately hurt your bottom line.
Promote Your Sale: Don’t just set it and forget it! Use social media, email marketing, and Etsy Ads to promote your sale and drive traffic to your shop.
High-Quality Photography: Ensure your product photos are appealing and accurately represent your items. Visuals are crucial for online sales.
Optimize Your Listings: Use relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions to improve search visibility.
Excellent Customer Service: Respond promptly to inquiries and provide exceptional customer service to encourage repeat business.
Monitor Your Results: Track your sales data to see which sales strategies are working and which ones aren’t. Adjust your approach accordingly.
Consider Free Shipping: Offer free shipping where possible, as it can significantly increase conversions.
Create Urgency: Use language that creates a sense of urgency, such as “Limited Time Offer” or “Sale Ends Soon.”
Bundle Products: Consider bundling products together and offering a discount on the bundle.
Use Etsy’s Marketing Tools: Take advantage of Etsy’s built-in marketing tools, such as Etsy Ads and email marketing campaigns.

FAQs About Putting Items on Sale on Etsy:

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the process of putting items on sale on Etsy:

1. How long should my Etsy sale last?

The ideal length depends on your goals and products. A weekend sale can create urgency, while a week-long sale offers more exposure. Analyze your data to determine the optimal duration for your shop.

2. Can I run multiple sales simultaneously?

No, you can only run one sale event at a time. However, you can manually edit individual listings to have sale prices in addition to running a shop-wide sale event.

3. Will my listing be automatically relisted at the original price after the sale ends?

Yes, once the sale ends, the listing will automatically revert to its original price. Double-check the end date of your sale to avoid any unintended pricing changes.

4. Can I edit a sale once it has started?

Yes, you can edit an ongoing sale event. You can modify the end date, add or remove listings, or change the discount amount. Be mindful of making drastic changes mid-sale, as this can confuse customers.

5. Does Etsy charge extra fees for running sales?

No, Etsy does not charge additional fees specifically for running sales. You will still pay the standard listing and transaction fees. However, keep in mind that increased sales volume can lead to higher overall fees.

6. How do I promote my Etsy sale on social media?

Create engaging visuals and use relevant hashtags. Highlight the discounted prices and any unique features of your products. Run targeted ads to reach a wider audience.

7. What are some common mistakes to avoid when running an Etsy sale?

Forgetting to calculate your margins, failing to promote the sale, and providing poor customer service are common mistakes. Careful planning and execution are essential.

8. How do I track the performance of my Etsy sale?

Use Etsy’s stats dashboard to track sales, traffic, and conversion rates. Analyze the data to identify what worked well and what could be improved for future sales. Regular monitoring is crucial for optimizing your sales strategy.

9. Can I offer a coupon code instead of a sale?

Yes, Etsy allows you to create coupon codes. These can be distributed through email, social media, or other marketing channels. Coupon codes can be a great way to target specific customers or offer exclusive discounts.

10. How do I ensure my sale complies with Etsy’s policies?

Review Etsy’s Seller Handbook for information on pricing and promotional policies. Ensure your sales comply with all applicable laws and regulations. Staying informed about Etsy’s policies is essential for avoiding penalties.

11. What is the difference between a sale event and a targeted offer?

A sale event is a broader promotion that applies to multiple items, while a targeted offer allows you to create personalized discounts for specific customers based on their past purchases or browsing history.

12. Does Etsy show strike-through pricing when an item is on sale?

Yes, Etsy will automatically display the original price with a strike-through and show the discounted sale price, clearly indicating the savings to potential buyers. This visual cue is highly effective in attracting attention and driving sales. Take advantage of this feature to highlight the value of your sale.

By following these steps and tips, you can effectively put your Etsy items on sale and boost your shop’s success! Good luck and happy selling!