Etsy Store Optimization & Management
Case Study
The objective was to establish a strong Etsy presence for Creative Shapes ETC. by seamlessly integrating their Shopify store with Etsy. Our focus was on ensuring accurate product data transfer, selecting the right categories and tags, and manually pushing each listing to make products active on Etsy. The goal was to simplify store management, maintain consistent product information, and improve visibility for long-term growth on the Etsy marketplace.
Client
Creative Shapes ETC.
Industry/Niche
Craft Supplies / Custom Art & DIY Products
Business Platform
Shopify store integrated with Etsy
Website: Creative Shapes ETC.
Etsy Store: Etsy Store
Client
Creative Shapes ETC.
Industry/Niche
Craft Supplies / Custom Art & DIY Products
Business Platform
Shopify store integrated with Etsy
Website: Creative Shapes ETC.
Etsy Store: Etsy Store
Challenge
Creative Shapes ETC. faced major hurdles when Etsy flagged and removed multiple listings for not meeting its Creativity Standards. This escalated further when the client’s entire Etsy account was permanently suspended, putting their business continuity at serious risk. The challenge was not only to identify the root cause of these removals but also to support the client in navigating Etsy’s strict policy requirements and recovering their account.
Solution
To overcome the challenges, our team worked on two critical aspects — reinstating the account and optimizing product listings.
Account Reinstatement
We carefully reviewed the situation and confirmed that our updates matched Etsy’s existing active listings. To support the client, we:
- Guided them to highlight their in-house production process clearly.
- Suggested providing proof such as workspace images, videos, and production details.
- Helped in drafting an appeal that explained how products like notepads, stickers, and bulletin boards aligned with Etsy’s Creativity Standards.
This resulted in the successful reinstatement of the Etsy store.
Product Listing Activation
Once the account was restored, our focus shifted to the inactive listings. Each product had to be opened manually and updated with:
- Correct categories from Etsy’s catalog.
- Accurate pricing aligned with the Shopify store.
- Shipping and return policies are already set in the app.
- Detailed product specifications, including title, description, dimensions, weight, and materials.
- Relevant tags to improve search visibility.
After completing these details, each product was manually pushed for review. Within a few minutes, the status changed from Inactive to Active.
Through this structured process, we successfully activated 350+ listings, ensuring consistency with Etsy’s policies and significantly improving the client’s overall store presence.
Results
- The suspended Etsy account was successfully reactivated.
- Product listings were restored, and the shop regained full functionality.
- Client gained better clarity on Etsy’s Creativity Standards and compliance requirements.
- Established a more sustainable listing process, reducing the risk of future policy violations.
Implementation
To streamline the Etsy management process, we began by installing the Marketplace Connect app in the client’s Shopify store and integrating it with their Etsy account. This integration provided a centralised dashboard where all listings, policies, and orders could be managed seamlessly between both platforms. By setting up the app correctly from the start, we ensured smooth product syncing and efficient order management without duplication or errors.
Product Listings Management
Once the Etsy account was successfully connected with Shopify and all essential settings (shipping and return policies) were configured, the next step was to move to the Listings section in Marketplace Connect. This is where all products from Shopify appeared, but nearly all were in an Inactive state, with only a very small number already active. Managing these listings was a crucial step to ensure that products became visible to buyers on Etsy.
Editing and Publishing Inactive Listings:
To activate products on Etsy, each inactive listing had to be manually updated. The process included adding key product details, selecting the correct category, ensuring pricing matched the Shopify store, applying shipping profiles and return policies, and filling in product specifications with consistent information. Relevant tags were also added to boost search visibility.
After completing all these details, the listing was then pushed for review. Within a few minutes, Etsy processed the request and the product’s status changed from Inactive to Active, making it officially visible to buyers. Following this process, we worked through each listing one by one, manually updating and pushing them for activation. So far, we have successfully moved 350+ listings from Inactive to Active using this approach.
Listings Visible to Customers After Activation
Once the listings are activated, they appear live on Etsy as shown below. ( Active Listings) Customers can now easily browse, view, and purchase the products directly from the Etsy shop.
Conclusion
Through a systematic approach of account recovery, policy alignment, and manual listing activation, Creative Shapes ETC. now has a fully functional Etsy store. Out of the total 1,174 products on Etsy, we have successfully pushed 350+ listings from inactive to active, and the process is ongoing to make the remaining products live. This ensures consistent product information, compliance with Etsy standards, and a seamless shopping experience for customers, laying the foundation for sustainable growth on the Etsy marketplace.
