Posting Non-Etsy Content and Items on my Pattern Site

[SapphireXDesigns]

I created a Pattern site not long ago and I mostly sell digital items now on Etsy (design sets, clipart and things like that). I only list some of them on Etsy because the file sizes are too large to upload. Another way I make money using my registered business is by creating pre-made (and custom) book covers and logos. I know some people sell pre-made covers on Etsy, but it doesn't seem the most natural approach to that.

I'm wondering if I'm allowed to list them for sale in my blog and invoice people who are interested through Paypal directly. Etsy wouldn't get paid for the sales if that's the case, but I normally just invoice people on Paypal and they pay me that way. Does that go against their terms at all or is it something I'm allowed to do?

I looked on the Etsy site for someone I could ask, but I couldn't find details to contact anyone. I'm also an affiliate and sell design resources on a number of graphic design sites. I couldn't see a way to set up sidebars with links, but I'm wondering if it's possible to advertise the other sites I'm on in my blog and about me page, so I can drive some traffic in that direction as well.

Thanks 🙂

Tamara

[ForeverWindingWool]

You can certainly advertise on any medium you choose (blog, social media, etc.) and you can direct them wherever you choose to make the transaction.  Where the customer's initial contact is made and then ultimately the sale happens, that's what matters.
How does a sale happen on your blog?  If someone contacts you (email?) because of you advertising your widgets on your blog, do you just invoice them through Paypal and that is it?   Then Etsy has no claim to that $$. 
If you are contacted on Etsy (convo) and you say, "Go to my blog, and I'll help you there," THEN that would be fee avoidance.  It all matters where the customer originated.

I hope that has answered part of your question.
Kelly

[SapphireXDesigns]

Thanks 🙂 I don't have my book covers listed up on my Pattern site yet. I just have my Etsy resources on there right now. I've just been meaning to create a site for my covers too, and I have the Pattern site (which is under my same business name) so I'd like to list the covers on there too. I have over 60 pre-made covers (that aren't sold yet), which I advertise on writing forums, so it makes sense to add them in some way if I can.

I haven't created a blog yet on my Pattern site. I couldn't see a way to create a separate page for book covers, unless it's an Etsy category, but I thought I could create a blog and devote it to the purpose of advertising book covers there (on my Pattern site). The way people typically buy covers off me is through writing forums. I list up the details of the covers there and they message me on those sites when they're interested. I invoice them on Paypal and alter the covers to match their requested details. Sometimes they pay first, sometimes we agree the final designs before they pay.

I don't think a blog on Pattern can have widgets, but it could certainly have links. I have a contact form on my Pattern page so they're likely contact me through it, which I suppose would go through the Etsy system. I'm in the process of creating a Facebook group to sell my book covers as well, so maybe it would be safer to just put a link to Facebook in my blog on Pattern (when I have one). I would like to have a way to list them on my Pattern site though as well. I could try and list them as Etsy/Pattern listings, but there tends to be a lot of back and forth conversation and adjustment of images before the final designs are agreed.

[funkydreamsmosaics]

I looked through Help and couldn't find anything, either.  On the one hand, your Pattern site is technically separate from Etsy and so you should be able to do what you want.  On the other hand, it is also Etsy's Pattern and your blog on a Pattern site.  You could always ask Etsy directly and see what they say.  Since they don't say anything about it in Help, I'm leaning towards you should be alright.  But only Etsy can tell you for sure.

If you need another section, yes, do that through Etsy.  If you have no Etsy items in it (only Pattern items), then it won't show on Etsy.  It seems like it might be easier to set up custom listings there.  Custom digital items don't have to be uploaded to Etsy, as far as I know.

I think this link will allow you to request a call back from Etsy, or at the very least, as your question that way:

https://help.etsy.com/hc/en-us/requests/new?flash_digest=e9f61fdc8a8626f8277493ad1d7b9e97fce5fbfa&ti...

Keep in mind that this group was created because Etsy's Pattern help is lacking, and that holds true for the live support, too.  😞
If you get an answer, please feel free to come back and share it! 

[AzVintageVariety]

I am thinking of resurrecting my Pattern shop but haven't made the final decision. However, when it was activated I had 2 blogs in which I had photos of listings that pertained to that blog, and at the bottom I said something like "these listings can be purchased at my Etsy Pattern shop here" and then gave the link for them to click on. I would rather have my listings go through Etsy payments than invoicing buyers via Paypal. But this is just my opinion. Good luck with your Pattern shop.