Do I close my site while revamping, or keep it open?

[HoosiermammaV]

My poor site has ADD (just like me) and needs a serious overhaul. I was wondering if I shouldn't just close it down for a little bit and have a grand Re-Opening or just leave it open while I work on it. ANY ideas are welcome. Going to have new branding, No more vintage and a new name (hoosiermamma country crochet)

[Former_Member]

I'm revamping my site as well but I'm keeping mine open due to the fact that I had given out a lot of business cards and may have traffic coming to the store. That does make me think however that I should alert my viewer thought that I am in a renovation process just so they know what is going on.

[allyandb]

I just asked this question and the advice I was given was to keep it open...unless you are really on vacation/away. She said you don't want to lose any traffic that might be coming your way. I just revamped mine (all new pictures) the other night and just did one after the next. Luckily I don't have that many listings so I was able to do it in one sitting. Good luck!! :)

[HoosiermammaV]

Thanks ladies!

[RainnRoseArt]

I always keep my site opened while im revamping, because I dont want people to come to my shop and not be able to look around and such.
I am getting ready to add new items and I am working on getting new ideas for pictures and titles for items etc, it never ends haha

good luck with the revamping

- Devon

[HoosiermammaV]

Thanks, Devon!

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

I re-opened this shop after being closed for almost three years. I added a banner and avatar before opening shop. I didn't have any items so no one was finding me but I kept my shop announcement up to date on what I was doing while I filled in shop policies, etc. When I finally did start adding items I continued to update my shop announcement every few days so buyers understood why my shop looked so stark.

I you choose to keep your shop open while you 'renovate,' just put a note in your shop announcement about what you're doing.

[HoosiermammaV]

Will do!

[Former_Member]

Due to shipping changes, I've had to revamp all my listings.

I've stayed open but used a couple of tools to help with the process.

1. Etsy bulk editing tools ( for pricing and shipping profiles)
2. www.craftopolis.com
Their bulk editing tools are a life saver! Especially for listing text.

It's a great deal of work so I sympathize. However the tools do ease the pain a bit.
Good luck!

[xoxocrocheted]

I suggest keeping it open; that way you can get new potential customers while you're busy :) Good luck!

[LaAntiguaTextiles]

It is better to keep it open, as Google already has your shop in its "brain". If you close it, it will take much longer when you open it again to be noticed by crawlers. And also, who knows, maybe somebody will buy something when you don't expect it.

[HoosiermammaV]

You all make me "Happy, happy, happy".

[Former_Member]

Keep it open and just let your shoppers know that you're "remodeling" with more new and exciting things to come!