"The best customer service is if the customer doesn't need to call you, doesn't need to talk to you. It just works."—Jeff Bezos
On the Etsy forums a few weeks ago, a new shop owner asked what she should do to prepare for her first holiday season. I said that the one thing that I wish I'd done was to learn about printing postage at home, including international postage. Standing in line at the post office (especially at this time of year) takes take an enormous amount of time.
Here are three more quick tips that may save you time (and your customer's time, too):
- I'd always worried about forgetting to sign a customs shipping form and somehow delaying international shipments. Did you know that there is a box you can check that will automatically print your name and date in that space? Log into your account and choose "Shipping Labels" on the left side of the page. Then choose the "Options" tab. Select the option that says "." Be sure to press "Save."
- I love the custom order button that customers can use to request custom items. Not only can you copy the specific listing that triggered the conversation (and save yourself from retyping it), but it sets up a special, secret link for the customer to purchase. You are only charged the listing fee if the customer purchases the item and since no one else can see the link, you don't have to worry about someone else purchasing it. (I also like that you can disable the custom order button on individual listings such as one-of-a-kind items that can't be modified or made again if they sell out.) Under Shop Settings (on the left), click on "Options." Mark the option "Enabled" next to "Request Custom Order."
- I've started experimenting with listing variations as a way to offer some additional options for certain items. One example is offering earrings with ear wires in sterling silver, silver-filled, or silver-plated. I also use variations to list paper for cards in different colors or different weights. Different variations can be different prices. I'm hoping this will cut down on having to create custom listings for items that just have a minor variation. It should also save the customer time since they can order the variation without emailing me and having to wait for a response.
What are your favorite tips on Etsy or other online shops?