On Etsy, the Star Seller badge is a way to highlight sellers who consistently deliver for their customers. The criteria for the program—responding to messages quickly, shipping on time, and 5-star ratings—are the things we know matter most to customers. Since launching Star Seller in 2021, we’ve continued to make improvements based on seller feedback about what matters most to you. You can learn more about the most recent improvements here.
To learn more about how having a Star Seller badge has impacted shops on Etsy, we asked sellers who’ve earned the badge for at least six consecutive months to share their experience. Read on to hear what Star Seller means for their business, how the Star Seller badge influences their potential buyers, and how they’re consistently delivering excellent customer service.
1. Greta Dzy of Kaunas, Lithuania based jewelry shop Dzy Dzy Design | On Etsy since 2013
“For me, great customer service is key for a successful business. The Star Seller program lets me see how I'm doing in important areas, like responding to messages and shipping on time, along with any elements where I can improve,” says Greta. “Plus, I think shoppers feel more confident buying from shops with a Star Seller badge.”
Her best advice for other sellers interested in the program? “Don’t focus too much on the badge itself,” says Greta. “Look at how you can improve your customer service and provide the best experience for your customers.” Responding to messages using the Etsy Seller app and auto-replies helps her keep response times prompt. If shipping on time is a challenge, Greta suggests adjusting to more realistic processing times to eliminate some of the stress.
2. Karen Mattson of Michigan-based pottery shop Drowsy Wolf Studio | On Etsy since 2021
“As a new business, the Star Seller badge is another great way to lend credibility to the work I'm doing,” says Karen. “I got a great response on social media when I shared about being part of the program.”
“I'm still learning how sales ebb and flow over the course of the calendar year,” Karen explains. “During slower months, the Star Seller badge gives me another metric by which to measure success: customer service.” Using lower-sales periods to streamline your approach to customer service elements, from refining your processing times to clearly defining return policies, is a smart way to set your shop up for success in busier seasons.
3. Carly Steward of Los Angeles-based shop Objects for Plant Display | On Etsy since 2010
“I’ve noticed more traffic and views with the Star Seller badge,” says Carly. “And I feel good knowing that I’m creating a positive experience.” The program motivates Carly to get back to customers in a timely manner. “I think customers appreciate being heard and seeing that you’re a reliable seller,” she explains.
“It’s also helped me understand some of the guidelines for being a ‘good’ seller,” Carly says. Our Star Seller Checklist covers key steps for setting your shop up for customer service success.
4. Daria Staciwa of London-based prints and gift shop Polka Prints | On Etsy since 2020
For graphic designer Daria Staciwa, earning the Star Seller badge instills confidence as she continues to grow her shop. “It's a great incentive for me to improve as a seller and beat my own results every month,” she explains. “It gives me a confidence boost and I feel like I appear more reliable to customers, too.”
As she continues to develop her business while prioritizing customer service, her advice for other sellers is to set realistic goals and prioritize consistency. Using saved replies can be a helpful way to respond to frequently asked questions from buyers.
5. Andrea Hill of Saranac Lake, New York-based pottery shop Andrea Hill Pottery | On Etsy since 2013
“Meeting specific Star Seller criteria can feel like additional hoops to jump through,” says Andrea. “But I realize that it’s pushed me to improve some areas of my business, like message response time, which needed some work!” She’s proud of offering her customers a good experience and hopes that the Star Seller badge gives buyers a little extra confidence when they make a purchase.
For other sellers who are running their shops solo, Andrea recommends using a temporary auto-reply during periods when it will be tough to respond to new buyer messages within 24 hours. “I don't use it every weekend,” says Andrea. “But when I know I need to unplug it’s helpful to prevent burnout.”
Related resources:
- Updating your processing times
- Creating saved replies
- Setting up an auto-reply
- Your Star Seller Checklist
- How to Get 5-Star Reviews
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Words by Katy Svehaug
Katy Svehaug is a Senior Content Strategist at Etsy.
