Free Seller Tools
100+ Ecommerce Terms to Know
A
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A/B testing
A method of testing different versions of a shop or listing to determine which performs better with customers.
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Abandoned cart
When a buyer adds items to their cart but does not complete the checkout process.
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Abusive buyer
A buyer who exhibits rude or threatening behavior towards the seller.
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Alchemy
A service offered by Etsy in the past that allowed buyers to request custom items and connect with sellers who could fulfill their requests.
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Analytics
Data and statistics that provide insights into a shop’s performance.
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Batch processing
The process of completing multiple orders at once, typically using tools or software to streamline the process.
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Brand identity
The overall image and personality of a brand, including its visual elements, messaging, and values.
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Brand voice
The tone, style, and personality used by a brand in its messaging and communications.
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Branding
The visual and messaging elements that define a seller’s shop and distinguish it from others.
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Buyer persona
A fictional representation of the ideal buyer for a shop, based on demographic and psychographic data.
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Cart abandonment rate
The percentage of buyers who add items to their cart but do not complete the checkout process.
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Category
A grouping of similar items on Etsy, such as “jewelry,” “home decor,” or “vintage clothing.”
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Conversion funnel
The path that a buyer takes from the initial visit to a shop to completing a purchase.
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Conversion optimization
The process of making changes to a shop or listing to increase the likelihood of visitors making a purchase.
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Conversion rate optimization (CRO)
The process of making changes to a shop or listing to increase the likelihood of visitors making a purchase.
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Conversion rate
The percentage of visitors to a shop who make a purchase.
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Coupon code
A code given to buyers for a discount on their purchase.
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Craft fair
An in-person event where artisans and makers sell their handmade goods directly to customers.
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Cross-selling
Suggesting additional items to a buyer to complement or enhance their purchase.
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Custom listing
A listing created specifically for a buyer’s custom order request.
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Custom order
A unique item created specifically for a buyer’s request.
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Customer retention
The process of keeping customers engaged and coming back for repeat purchases.
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Customer service
The support provided by a seller to their customers, including answering questions, resolving issues, and addressing concerns.
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Description
A detailed explanation of a listing that provides buyers with important information about the product.
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Digital downloads
Products that are delivered electronically, such as digital art, patterns, or music.
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Dropshipping
A fulfillment method where a seller lists and sells products that are fulfilled and shipped by a third-party supplier.
E
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Eco-friendly
A term used to describe products that are made using environmentally sustainable materials or processes.
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Email marketing
Using email campaigns to promote a shop or product and keep customers engaged.
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Etsy Ads
A paid advertising service offered by Etsy that promotes a seller’s listings on and off Etsy.
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Etsy Teams
Groups of Etsy sellers with similar interests or locations who come together to support and promote each other’s shops.
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Etsy
An online marketplace where handmade, vintage, and unique items are sold.
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Featured listings
A paid service offered by Etsy that highlights a seller’s listings in specific areas of the Etsy website.
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Feedback
A review or rating given by a buyer to a seller after a transaction is complete.
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Free shipping
A promotional offer where the seller covers the cost of shipping for the buyer.
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Fulfillment
The process of packing and shipping orders to buyers.
G
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Gift wrapping
An optional service provided by the seller to wrap and present a sold item as a gift.
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Gross sales
The total amount of money earned from sales before any fees, taxes, or expenses are deducted.
H
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Handmade
Items that are made by hand, rather than mass-produced by a machine.
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Hashtags
Keywords or phrases preceded by the pound symbol (#) used to categorize and search for content on social media.
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Holiday shopping
The period of increased shopping activity during holidays such as Christmas, Valentine’s Day, or Mother’s Day.
I
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Intellectual property infringement
The unauthorized use of someone else’s intellectual property, such as trademarks, patents, or copyrights.
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Intellectual property rights
The legal rights that protect a seller’s intellectual property, including trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
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Intellectual property
The legal ownership and rights to creative works, such as trademarks, patents, and copyrights.
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International shipping
The process of shipping items to countries outside of the seller’s own country.
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Inventory
The total number of items a seller has available for sale in their shop.
K
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Keyword research
The process of researching and identifying relevant keywords to use in a shop’s tags, titles, and descriptions to improve visibility in search results.
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Keyword stuffing
The practice of using excessive or irrelevant keywords in a shop’s tags, titles, or descriptions to manipulate search rankings.
L
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Listing
A product or item that is listed for sale in an Etsy shop.
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Local pickup
An option for buyers to pick up their purchased items directly from the seller’s location.
M
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Marketplace fees
The fees charged by Etsy for selling on the platform, including listing fees, transaction fees, and subscription fees.
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Mobile optimization
The process of optimizing a shop or listing for mobile devices, such as smartphones or tablets.
O
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Order fulfillment time
The amount of time it takes a seller to complete and ship an order to the buyer.
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Out of stock
A status indicating that a listing is temporarily unavailable for purchase.
P
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Packaging
The materials and design used to package and present a sold item to the buyer.
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Payment processing
The system used to accept payment from buyers, such as Etsy Payments or PayPal.
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Photography
The visual representation of a listing, including product images and lifestyle or styled photos.
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Product liability
The legal responsibility of a seller for any harm or injury caused by their product to a buyer or third party.
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Promoted listings
A paid advertising service offered by Etsy to promote a seller’s listings in search results.
R
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Referral program
A program where sellers can earn rewards or discounts for referring new customers to Etsy.
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Return policy
The rules and procedures for returning an item for a refund or exchange.
S
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Sales tax
A tax levied by the government on the sale of goods and services.
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Seller dashboard
A customizable dashboard that displays key performance metrics and insights for an Etsy shop.
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SEO title
The title of a listing that is optimized for search engines and contains relevant keywords.
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SEO
Search Engine Optimization, the process of optimizing a shop or listing to appear higher in search results.
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Shipping
The process of sending a sold item to the buyer, including packaging, labeling, and delivery.
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Shop announcement sale
A promotional sale that a seller offers to their customers through a shop announcement.
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Shop announcement
A message displayed prominently on a shop’s homepage, often used to share important information with customers.
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Shop banner
A graphic banner at the top of a shop’s homepage that displays the shop’s branding or information.
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Shop critique
A review or analysis of a shop’s performance and areas for improvement, typically provided by an outside expert or consultant.
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Shop local
A feature on Etsy that allows buyers to search for sellers in their local area.
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Shop manager
The backend of an Etsy shop where sellers can manage their listings, orders, and shop settings.
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Shop owner
The person or people who own and operate an Etsy shop.
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Shop policies
The rules and guidelines a seller establishes for their shop regarding payment, shipping, and returns.
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Shop rating system
A system where buyers can rate and leave feedback on their experience with a seller, typically using a star rating or similar.
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Shop rating
A score or rating provided by customers to reflect their overall satisfaction with the shop and its products.
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Shop sections
A way for sellers to organize their listings into different categories or themes.
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Shop showcase
A curated collection of featured shops or products, typically promoted by Etsy.
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Shop stats
Data and analytics that provide information on a shop’s performance, including views, favorites, and sales.
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Shop suspension
A temporary or permanent closure of an Etsy shop due to policy violations or other issues.
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Shop updates
A feature that allows sellers to post new content, such as photos, videos, or announcements, to their shop’s homepage.
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Shop vacation
A temporary closure of an Etsy shop, typically used when a seller is unable to fulfill orders for a period of time.
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Shop
The online store of an Etsy seller.
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SKU
Stock Keeping Unit, a unique identifier used by sellers to keep track of their inventory.
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Social media marketing
Using social media platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter to promote a shop or listing.
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Social proof
The concept that people are more likely to trust and follow the actions of others, such as positive reviews or recommendations.
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Sponsored ads
A paid advertising service offered by Etsy that promotes a seller’s listings in search results or on other parts of the Etsy website.
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SSL certificate
A security certificate that encrypts data and protects sensitive information, such as payment details, during online transactions.
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Supply chain
The process of sourcing, manufacturing, and delivering products, including the various intermediaries involved in the process.
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Tags
Keywords or phrases that are used to describe a listing and help it appear in relevant searches.
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Taxes and fees
Additional costs associated with selling on Etsy, such as transaction fees and income taxes.
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Terms of service
The legal terms and conditions that govern the use of Etsy and the relationship between sellers and buyers.
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Time management
The process of efficiently managing and prioritizing tasks to maximize productivity and minimize stress.
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Tracking
A code that allows the buyer to track the status of their order during shipping.
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Treasuries
A feature on Etsy that allows users to curate and share collections of their favorite items from other shops.
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Upselling
Suggesting higher-priced or additional items to a buyer to increase the overall value of their purchase.
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Value proposition
The unique benefit or advantage that a seller offers to its customers compared to its competitors.
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Variations
Different options available for a listing, such as color, size, or material.
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Vintage
Items that are at least 20 years old and are considered to have value or interest because of their age or rarity.
W
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Wholesale order
A large order placed by a retailer or distributor for resale in their own store or online shop.
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Wholesale
The sale of goods in large quantities at a discounted price for resale by another party.