How to Put Etsy Shop on Vacation in 3 Steps (With Photos)

Are you planning to take a break from your Etsy shop? Whether it’s for a vacation, a personal emergency, or a temporary hiatus, putting your shop in Vacation Mode is an effective way to let your customers know you’re not currently available. By turning on Vacation Mode, you can avoid potential sales and shipping issues, and keep your shop organized while you’re away.

In this article, we’ll show you how to put your Etsy shop on vacation, along with some tips on what you should do before enabling Vacation Mode. Taking a break from your store can be a great way to come back refreshed, but only if you do it the right way.

What Is Etsy Vacation Mode?

If you’re an Etsy shop owner, you may need to take a break from managing your shop at some point. This is where Etsy Vacation Mode comes in.

Etsy Vacation Mode is a feature that allows you to temporarily close your Etsy shop while you take a break. When you turn on Vacation Mode, your shop will be hidden from Etsy search and your listings will be unavailable for purchase. However, your shop will still be visible to you, and you will be able to manage your orders, messages, and cases.

Why Use Etsy Vacation Mode?

There are several reasons why you may want to use Etsy Vacation Mode. For example, you may need to take a break due to personal reasons, such as illness or vacation. Alternatively, you may need to take a break to catch up on orders or restock your inventory. Whatever the reason, using Etsy Vacation Mode can help you avoid disappointing your buyers and damaging your shop’s reputation.

How to Turn On Etsy Vacation Mode

Turning on Vacation Mode on Etsy is a simple process. Here are the steps you need to follow:

Step 1. Login to Your Etsy Account

The first thing you need to do is log in to your Etsy account and go to your Shop Manager page. This is your control center for managing your Etsy store.

Step 2. Go to Your Settings

Next, you need to click on “Settings” and then choose “Options.” This brings up all of the configuration options for your store, including Vacation Mode.

Step 3. Set Your Store to Vacation Mode

Now, click on the tab that says “Vacation Mode”.

Simply click the “On” button and your shop will now be set to Vacation Mode. Make sure you click “Save”, so your changes are live.

Once you turn on Vacation Mode, your shop will be hidden from Etsy search and your listings will be unavailable for purchase. When you are ready to turn off Vacation Mode, simply follow the same steps and change the setting to “Off”.

It’s important to note that when you turn on Vacation Mode, your Etsy ads campaigns will be paused. So, you may want to turn off your ads manually if you don’t want them to keep running while your shop is in Vacation Mode.

Tips for Managing Your Shop While in Vacation Mode

Managing your shop while on vacation mode can be a bit tricky. Here are some tips on how to do it effectively.

Managing Existing Orders

If you have open orders when the shop is put in Vacation Mode, you need to manage them carefully. You can either fulfill them before you go on vacation or cancel your orders and issue refunds. If you choose to fulfill them, make sure you set a realistic processing time and communicate with your customers about the delay. If you cancel them, make sure you explain why and apologize for any inconvenience. Remember that canceling orders can affect your shop’s reputation, so try to avoid it if possible.

Setting Up an Auto-Reply Message

When you put your shop in Vacation Mode, you can set up an auto-reply message to let your customers know when you’ll be back. This message should be friendly, informative, and professional. You can include details about your return date, processing time, and any other relevant information. You can also thank your customers for their understanding and support.

When you’re on the same “Vacation Mode” tab as above, you can set an auto-reply message for visitors. Simply add the message you want in the “Temporary Shop Announcement” box, and then click “Save.”

Watch YouTuber Handmade Bosses put her Etsy shop into Vacation Mode to see how easy it is.

Important Considerations Before Using Etsy Vacation Mode

Before you decide to go all in on Vacation Mode, there are a few important points worth mentioning. There’s still a lot of debate about whether or not putting your store on vacation will impact your sales and store ranking in the future. 

In summary, using Etsy Vacation Mode can be a risky move for some sellers. If you decide to put your shop in vacation mode, make sure that you have a clear message explaining why your shop is in vacation mode and when you will be back. This can help to prevent negative feedback and ensure that you don’t miss out on any opportunities.

Your Search Rankings Could Drop

Vacation mode may cause your store to lose its search rankings. When you put your shop in vacation mode, your listings will not appear in search results. This means that your shop will not be visible to potential customers, and your search rankings may drop as a result.

Any Sales Momentum Will Slow

Putting your store in Vacation Mode can cause you to lose your sales momentum. When you put your shop in vacation mode, you are essentially telling your customers that you are not available to take orders. This can lead to a drop in sales, and it may take some time to regain your sales momentum when you return from vacation mode.

You Could Upset Your Customers

Putting your Etsy shop in Vacation Mode can also upset your customers. If you do not provide a clear message explaining why your shop is in Vacation Mode and when you will be back, your customers may become frustrated and leave negative feedback. This can damage your reputation and make it harder to attract new customers in the future.

You Could Miss Out On Potential Opportunities

Finally, using Etsy Vacation Mode can cause you to miss out on opportunities. If you are not available to take orders, you may miss out on potential sales or collaborations. This can be especially frustrating if you are trying to grow your business and need to take advantage of every opportunity that comes your way.

If you’re unsure whether you should put your Etsy shop into Vacation Mode, check out Kara Buntin’s video, which weighs the pros and cons based on her experience.

In Closing: How to Put Etsy Shop on Vacation in 3 Steps

Hopefully, you have a better understanding of why you may want to put your Etsy store on vacation and the steps you can take to do so easily. Keep in mind that you should think through the reasons why you want to put your store in Vacation Mode. Usually, you can step away from your store for up to a few weeks by simply extending your shipping timeline for new orders. However, if you’re stepping away for 3 months or more, and don’t want to receive customer messages, then putting your store on vacation can be a good idea.

The image featured at the top of this post is ©Sergei Elagin/Shutterstock.com.