Vacation

[JoArtyJo]

Hi :-)

I am going on holiday next week to Egypt for 1 week (excited!!!!) and I can't decide whether to put my shop in vacation mode or to deactivate my listings....

I daren't leave the shop open, as whatever you do some customers will just NOT READ even the item description let alone a shop announcement! And as a lot of my work ships by email, customers will expect it the same day, which will be impossible as I will be by the pool lol :-)

Would anyone care to share their experiences with going away? I have heard people say that SEO can be negatively affected by vacation mode, and it can take ages to build momentum and views back up... But it seems the easier option so I am torn!

Any advice or words of wisdom greatly appreciated!

[Former_Member]

Vacation mode

[Former_Member]

I don't know which one is which but I have a friend that had a loss in the family and had to go out of the country and now her store doesnt have pictures or anything just her profile... I think leaving the pictures will be ok.. but I don't know how that works.

[JoArtyJo]

Thanks guys- any more opinions? =)

[JoArtyJo]

Has anyone else heard that vacation is somehow damaging to views and SEO afterwards??

[Former_Member]

Have a fun and safe trip!!

[Former_Member]

I mean, vacation mode will hide your items, but you won't risk getting any angry, ignored buyers.

You can also set up an automatic reply message that alerts a buyer that you are on vacay, but that assumes they check their email...

If you don't plan on still checking your shop every day and replying to any/all convos, etc., then vacation mode is the way to go.

[Former_Member]

go for vacation that ways the best & easiest. also Jennifer is correct you can select the option for people to be notified when you return....

hey your on vacation enjoy it & don't worry about your shop just close it for the week that's what you would do if it were in a store front if you were the only one running it.... right... :)

[WintergreenDesign]

I think you should put your shop in vacation mode and enjoy your vacation. I don't think being away for a week would cause any harm. There is a notice that you can fill out when you go on vacation that will be posted under your banner... just in case a previous buyer has a question or concern... it doesn't look like you've jumped ship ; ) And a new customer can still potentially ask you a question but not be able to purchase something... HAVE FUN IN EGYPT!!!!! I've always wanted to go there...

[JoArtyJo]

Thanks Jennifer- does that mean that if you're in vacation mode people can't convo you, or get some sort of message if they try? Would be good to know I won't be leaving any convos unanswered!

[WintergreenDesign]

here are a few answers...

http://www.etsy.com/help?ref=si_help#/vacation/mode/1

[BeachFleaMarket]

It took me about 6 weeks to recover from vacation mode. When I heard that it effects views and sales that much I thought it was silly until I did it.
You have a different problem with the expectations of immediate gratification.
Can you just deactivate the email-able items and keep a few things to mail with the expected ship date in the listing? I think a few items may keep you shop on life support.

[JoArtyJo]

Hmm Anne thanks for that- although it's not what I want to hear lol! I kind of want to know that no convos will go unanswered, no questions will be asked in message to seller etc that I won't know about.... I don't want to be even thinking about checking my shop while I'm away! (oh my gosh I'll find it so hard but I think the break will do me good- and it will be good to have quality family time coming first!)
I think I will be brave and just go for vacation mode.... :-S I hope I am over thinking this like I tend to do :-)

[LittleShopofElleSee]

I've never put my shop in vacation mode -- haven't actually had a reason to -- but I know lots of people that do, and they don't regret it. My advice: put your shop in vacation mode, forget about it all, and have fun!

[Nbeads]

In my opinion,just leave the shop open.One week is not long,what you need do is to change your shop banner and announcement to let customers know that you are on vacation and will be back in X days.

[ScytheAndStemFarm]

Here's a reason not to put a shop in vacation mode:

I have a treasury that's fairly hot, and I've been actively promoting. Today, though, one of the shop owners put their shop on vacation, and so one listing isn't visible to others. I had to take it out and replace it with an active item so I wasn't promoting an incomplete treasury!

[WildflowerSalvage]

I just went to St. Croix for over a week and left my shop open. I changed the message on the front page of my shop. "I will be on vacation from the 17th - 28th of Feb. All orders placed in this window will be mailed out the 29th." I also changed the message on their invoice to read the same thing. I also checked my sold orders before bed each night and messaged purchasers...making sure they read my note:) I had a lot of orders when I got home and not one problem. It was wonderful to return with sales:) Have a great vacation.

[Former_Member]

Well, last May I went on vacation, and I decided to put my shop in vacation mode. I only was gone for about a week and a half, and the day after I got back, when I reopened my shop, I had a sale for two items! :D So, I would say it's up to you.

[Former_Member]

I'd say go to vacation mode. You can select to notify convo people that you're gone (I believe). I think it's nice to know it's all shut down and you don't have to think about it while you're gone. Enjoy the vacation and only think about that!

[Former_Member]

I know your back because we've chatted so how did the vacation mode go. Share with us any results good or bad you had from it please!