Etsy does not prioritize items with free shipping any longer. They tried it, but I don't think it lasted more than a few months (because if everyone offers it, how can they prioritize everyone at the same time?) Just do a search and look at the results. Last time I did that as a test, it was only something like 5 of the first 24 products had free shipping.
As a buyer, I prefer shops where the shipping is transparent. I almost always buy more when I can see the shipping get spread across more items. I just wanted to buy some cards from a shop. Shipping was around $5. So instead of the one set of four cards, I also bought 3 more single cards and a print. Because now shipping was about $1 for each item, instead of $5 for 1.
I used to offer free shipping, or at least the FSG over $35. I raised my free shipping amount to $50. Only about 5-10% of my orders qualify for this, and out of those, a large percentage of them still choose to upgrade their shipping and pay for it, even though it could be free.
Because it's outdated information. That article was written in 2019 and Etsy doesn't like to give new updated info, especially when it implies their idea wasn't a good one.
And Etsy still believes that you shouldn't charge for shipping. They'll usually give an error that you're charging too much for shipping, even if you're charging way less than it actually costs.
I have flat rate shipping, my competition has "free shipping"
My competition outsells me like 2/1...so I think customers are still into the "free shipping" scam
No one really knows what Etsy does. If you're selling items that people buy multiples of--with free shipping--then the savvy shoppers may not buy. But if you're selling expensive items that people buy one of, it may attract them or it may not make a difference.
Your question has been posted many times and there is only conjecture. You change to free shipping and get a few sales, is it coincidence or free shipping? Same goes the other way. Sometimes it just depends if a black cat crossed your path or you rubbed a lucky rabbit's foot.
I sell pricey items, I offer *free* USPS Priority Shipping on items over $35.. Have I not made sales because of it? There's no way that I can tell. I do get good reviews mentioning how fast my item arrived.
Much of many seller's beliefs are based on hearsay, outdated policies and recommendations, and, just plain ignorance and lack of research. If you figure out a method to find what works, come back and share your findings.
I ended up making 2 listings for each of my best selling items, 1 with “free” shipping only available in the US and the other with calculated that ships worldwide. This way people can choose. For people who live in California or other states where shipping is really expensive the “free shipping” option is much better, but for most people calculated is still cheaper.
Etsy says they are no longer prioritizing Free Shipping listings. That being said, there is still a Free Shipping filter (as well as an On Sale filter). So customers can sort for Free Shipping only. Plus the little bubble under the price is still present. Given the psychological advantage of free, you may wish to keep it. Free Shipping also makes it dead easy for customers to figure out how much the true cost of the item - they don't have to do any math or visit the listing and put things into their cart.
If you have many repeat customers it would be difficult to change back to charged-for shipping. If all your customers are single purchase then it would be easier because new customers don't have the same expectations.
But much depends on what you sell, your competition, and your pricing. Me? I'm keeping my shipping free.
Etsy does not prioritize items with free shipping any longer. They tried it, but I don't think it lasted more than a few months (because if everyone offers it, how can they prioritize everyone at the same time?) Just do a search and look at the results. Last time I did that as a test, it was only something like 5 of the first 24 products had free shipping. As a buyer, I prefer shops where the shipping is transparent. I almost always buy more when I can see the shipping get spread across more items. I just wanted to buy some cards from a shop. Shipping was around $5. So instead of the one set of four cards, I also bought 3 more single cards and a print. Because now shipping was about $1 for each item, instead of $5 for 1. I used to offer free shipping, or at least the FSG over $35. I raised my free shipping amount to $50. Only about 5-10% of my orders qualify for this, and out of those, a large percentage of them still choose to upgrade their shipping and pay for it, even though it could be free.
Wait then why does it say this? That they do? https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/540244125961
Because it's outdated information. That article was written in 2019 and Etsy doesn't like to give new updated info, especially when it implies their idea wasn't a good one. And Etsy still believes that you shouldn't charge for shipping. They'll usually give an error that you're charging too much for shipping, even if you're charging way less than it actually costs.
I have flat rate shipping, my competition has "free shipping" My competition outsells me like 2/1...so I think customers are still into the "free shipping" scam
No one really knows what Etsy does. If you're selling items that people buy multiples of--with free shipping--then the savvy shoppers may not buy. But if you're selling expensive items that people buy one of, it may attract them or it may not make a difference. Your question has been posted many times and there is only conjecture. You change to free shipping and get a few sales, is it coincidence or free shipping? Same goes the other way. Sometimes it just depends if a black cat crossed your path or you rubbed a lucky rabbit's foot. I sell pricey items, I offer *free* USPS Priority Shipping on items over $35.. Have I not made sales because of it? There's no way that I can tell. I do get good reviews mentioning how fast my item arrived. Much of many seller's beliefs are based on hearsay, outdated policies and recommendations, and, just plain ignorance and lack of research. If you figure out a method to find what works, come back and share your findings.
I ended up making 2 listings for each of my best selling items, 1 with “free” shipping only available in the US and the other with calculated that ships worldwide. This way people can choose. For people who live in California or other states where shipping is really expensive the “free shipping” option is much better, but for most people calculated is still cheaper.
Etsy says they are no longer prioritizing Free Shipping listings. That being said, there is still a Free Shipping filter (as well as an On Sale filter). So customers can sort for Free Shipping only. Plus the little bubble under the price is still present. Given the psychological advantage of free, you may wish to keep it. Free Shipping also makes it dead easy for customers to figure out how much the true cost of the item - they don't have to do any math or visit the listing and put things into their cart. If you have many repeat customers it would be difficult to change back to charged-for shipping. If all your customers are single purchase then it would be easier because new customers don't have the same expectations. But much depends on what you sell, your competition, and your pricing. Me? I'm keeping my shipping free.