Etsy is always doing updates and coming up with new things for both sellers and customers. And I sometimes am not sure, as you probably aren’t – what affects my shop and what doesn’t. It wasn’t too long ago that I switched my party decorations to printables and realized that certain things pertain to me differently than when I was selling printed and shipped items. And being a star seller was a bit of a conundrum for a while. But now that it’s been around a while, let’s answer the question, Does Being A Star Seller Impact Printable Sales on Etsy?
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When the “Star Seller” program came out on Etsy, it wasn’t super clear to sellers how it impacted us. Sure, I always strived to have great reviews and stellar customer service in my Etsy shop! But, if I got that star seller badge on Etsy, did it make a difference for the algorithm or anything else? Until now, it hasn’t been too clear. No one really knew if the star seller program impacted you as a seller on Etsy. However, with a recent announcement from Etsy about the star seller program, it’s clear that they plan to roll out new features for those who have been lucky enough to earn the star seller badge.
How to Become a Star Seller
First, let’s talk about what makes you a star seller on Etsy. On the first of every month, Etsy determines your eligibility for the program. They look back at the past three months of your shop. Here’s what’s considered when determining your star seller badge:
They want to make sure that you:
- Replied to all your messages within 24 hours
- Responded to messages quickly to create a great experience for shoppers
- Achieved a review average of 4.8 or higher
- Shipped orders on time with tracking or a label from Etsy
- Sold at least 5 sales worth $300
What You Get With The Star Seller Badge
At first, these criteria felt like no big thing because – let’s face it -we all want to have great reviews and give excellent customer service, right? In addition, however, Etsy says that this coveted badge helps you stand out from the crowd. It also says that by having the star seller badge, you’ll have more chances to be featured, even though there is (allegedly!) no difference in the way the algorithm lists your products.
But in the recent announcement from Etsy, they did announce an extra perk for star sellers. And that was the ability to have access to live chat support customer service – something that wasn’t available before to Etsy sellers. I’ve actually already used this feature, and really did appreciate it!
Does Being A Star Seller Impact Printable Sales on Etsy?
As a star seller myself, I don’t know that I feel the difference between what it was like before I had the badge and after. However, what I can tell you is that by looking around on the platform, Etsy sellers with the star sellers badge do seem to have more sales than others. However, this raises the “chicken or the egg” question. After all, did the badge help them get more sales, or were they already doing well before the badge and so they have more sales? It’s hard to say!
What I can say is that, as a printables seller (and a handmade party decorations seller previously), I’ve always valued the things that the Star Seller program promotes. Customer Service? Of course! Star ratings? Absolutely! And shipping? Well, as printables designers, that’s something you and I don’t have to worry about so, yay!
The truth is that all of these things that the star seller promotes should already be of high priority to you as an Etsy seller. We want happy customers. And the Star Seller program is all about happy customers.
Final Thoughts on The Star Seller Program on Etsy
So, Does Being A Star Seller Impact Printable Sales on Etsy? I say yes. Although, again, I’m not sure if its the program itself or the principles it promotes. What do you think? I would love to hear your thoughts in the comments!
Related Articles
You might also be interested in the following articles:
Should You Invest in A Course to Start Your Printables Business
Is Selling Printables Too Competitive?
Lastly, thank you so much for taking the time to read, Does Being A Star Seller Impact Printable Sales on Etsy?! I hope this gives you some ideas about what the star seller program means for your printables business. I love to help you celebrate life through party decorations and personal development! But above all, I’d love to connect with you. Reach out to me on Instagram and let’s chat.
xox
Lindsay
