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Story by
ehax,
Vanessa
Published on June 24, 2009 in How-To |
Photo by |
As part of our Handmade Code series, we're bringing you news and how-to's about the innovations emerging from the Etsy Developer Community. Located at developer.etsy.com, the Etsy Developer Community serves as a hub for third-party software developers who are making neat and helpful programs for Etsy shoppers and sellers. In this edition, Ian of EtsyHacks tells us all about his most popular application, Copy Listing.
There are many aspects of having your own Etsy shop that are fun, exciting and rewarding. Managing your shop is not one of them. When my wife, Sara, started her shop twolittlewrens on Etsy, she found this out quite quickly. Once she found it out, I also found it out, because she started making me manage her shop so she could get on with actually making things.
I realized that Etsy's engineers probably had a to-do list of epic proportions, and any changes I might want would probably take time to appear. So, since my day job is in software engineering, I started building tools to help me avoid some of the drudgery until the features I wanted appeared on the site. (This backfired somewhat, since Sara announced that I could start packing orders in my newly-acquired spare time. Such is the life of the spouses of Etsy addicts.)
I started sharing my work on etsyhacks.com so that other Etsy sellers (and their long-suffering family members) could benefit too. There are now over thirty "Etsyhacks," varying from the simple to the complex, but one of the most popular is "Copy Listing."
Here I am with my daughter Evie, hard at work.
What's the basic idea of the application? What need does it fill?
Lots of Etsy sellers sell variations on a theme. The majority of their listings are the same, with only a few tweaks here and there to account for different colors, patterns, and options. Currently, if you want to make a new listing based on an existing listing, you have to find a similar sold item, re-list it, and edit it to suit. This isn't particularly useful if you're starting a new product line, or if you don't want to have to search back through your sold items to find the right item to re-list. What you need is a way to copy an existing, for-sale listing. The "Copy Listing" Etsyhack does that.
Where do we go to find it? What's the URL, etc.?
You can download it at http://www.etsyhacks.com/greasemonkey/copy_listing/
Who is it for?
It's for sellers who want to quickly list a number of similar items. Unfortunately, it's only for people who use the Firefox web browser at the moment, because it uses the Greasemonkey add-on for Firefox. But the good news is that you can run Firefox as well as Internet Explorer, Safari, or any other web browser, and just use Firefox when you want to use "Copy Listing." (I love Firefox. It's a great web browser. You should try it even if you don't want to use Etsyhacks.)
How do you use it?
First, you need to have Firefox installed. Then, install the Greasemonkey add-on. (Greasemonkey allows you to run programs — like the Etsyhacks — that modify web pages when you view them, adding extra useful features.) Installation instructions for those are at http://www.etsyhacks.com/greasemonkey/installing_greasemonkey.html
Before:
Then, in Firefox, go to the Copy Listing page and click on the orange "install" button. 
Greasemonkey will pop up a box asking you to confirm that you want to install the software. Once you've said "yes" to that, you can go to a listing in your shop and there will be a "Copy this item" link in the "Page tools" section of the listing page (in the right-hand column). Just click on that link and you'll be taken to a "Create new listing" page with all of that listing's information already filled in. Make your changes as you go through the listing process, and then click "Finished" and you're all set.
After:
The one thing it doesn't do is copy your photos, because that is rather hard to do. Hopefully you're going to be uploading different photos anyway!
Are there any costs or further opportunities/ways to get involved?
Firefox and Greasemonkey are both free, provided by a community of developers for the benefit of all. The hacks are free, too — I'm of the opinion that people should be able to use these tools, even if their shops aren't generating revenue yet.
Etsyhacks is supported by donations — people pay what they think is right, or what they can afford, if they want to, when they want to. Sellers can also "sponsor" a hack — paying a fee to have their shop featured on the hack's page.
You can also contact me and suggest a hack you'd like to see. Not everything is possible, but I'll do my best! Send me a message (just convo me at ehax).
What should one do if there's a bug or a problem? Who should one contact?
Not Etsy! Because of the way the hacks work, it can look like a bug with a hack is a bug with Etsy. If you're using any Etsyhacks, the first thing to do when you find a bug is to disable Greasemonkey (click on the monkey icon at the bottom right of your Firefox window — the monkey will go grey) and then reload the page. If the problem goes away, then it's a problem with a hack, and you should send me a message (just convo me at ehax).
What's one surprising/fun/amazing story you've heard about someone using your app? Or what is your favorite part about the app?
I often see forum posts and tweets from people who've saved themselves time and effort with the "Copy Listing" hack, or who had been putting off listing a new product line because it was going to take them hours. I like knowing I've helped people.
Are you using EtsyHacks? Post in the comments below!
140 comments Login to add your own!
OliveSomeday
haha that's a great photo of you and your daughter!! Start em young!
dennisanderson
very nice. Its always great to put a face to a name. Also, if you arent using Ehax with firefox, you are missing out.
FlanneryCrane
I have heard about Ehax, but now I plan to dig a little deeper. That daughter of yours is too cute! Thank you.
thehouseofhemp
this is a cool article. thank you. also... the shirt?! alright, where'd you get it, i want one.
Ciaffi
Wonderful work Ehax! We started to use these tools some month ago and we have to say it is a great help for us.
Thank you very much!!!
missindie
beautifulbridget
SundraSandrusi
bylynnkrestel
vintagehomerecycled
Cool article, super cute dad and daughter picture, and the tools, oh the tools, etsyhacks is the best. Thank you for your brilliant creation.
AliBaliJewellery
brilliant work!! I can see you have a very able assistant too!! Such a cute photo...
staceyrebecca
kaylah7
thelostfound
Love etsyhacks! Thanks so much for your time and effort!
LOVE THE PHOTO by the way!
redyellowandblueink
aaaaarg, this sounds great. I've got lots of those relist but with a slight tweak type listings lately. And I do the old open up extra tabs and copy paste drudge drudge type thing. So I am gonna check this out. Thanks.
To Thehouseofhemp shirt inquiry-you mean the above grey Etsy one? I think etsy's own shop sells those...can anyone out there be more specifically helpful than I.
aimeesarmoire
hmmm... I think I'll have to try this out. How have I missed out on this???
rawfish
KahiliCreations
I loooooove ehax. My glazed over-eyed husband thanks you profusely...
swanmountainsoaps
Thank you, thank you, thank you!
And your daughter is absolutely adorable! ♥
abitabite
Ian... you are friggen awesome!
(I had to go w/o my hacks for a couple of weeks while my laptop was broken, and i could barely use etsy without them)
BlueShoeStudio
workingforpeanuts
cbartist
dadadreams
ElegantSnobbery
BeadsInTheBelfry
Ehax has saved my sanity on more than one occasion. Thank you Ian and great to put a face to your name. And what a cutie your daughter is!
zigzagstitches
I love etsyhacks. I use the Copy Listing constantly, and the Sold Items Plus saves SO much time when you need to search a sold item.
RaeGun
TheBrassHussy
I adore EtsyHacks too! Thanks for including my Lime Green earrings with this writeup!
embellishedlife
smellyrhino
EJPcreations
That man is a God send to to Etsy sellers everwhere. Hi wife is a lucky woman :)
HAREandDRUM
metalicious
aBreathofFrenchair
I can not imagine Etsy without Etsyhacks! Thank you, Ian!
nakedpeggies
AWESOME! AWESOME! I have wanted an app like this for so long!
Thanks for all your work!
Brilliant!
raisinlike
5gardenias
super etsyhacks!!! thanks ian and sara for bringing these bright ideas together!!
InuInspirations
pattihaskins
sleepypillow
CutieDynamite
Not a day goes by that I don't use one of these hacks!
I LOVE YOU!!
tartx
TipsyTimeMachine
Wow, it's great to hear about etsy hacks. One of us is a programmer, so we'll be sure to check it out!
schOOLLOcker
iLuvKOSHi
Oh cool... I am getting ready to post my first items next week & am LOViNG all the info on The Storque. Super helpful. Rock & Roll!
-jo
Starrbeads
I'm drooling.... no Firefox. Some days between my 2 stores I don't make much OOAK anymore. It's always: photos, hopeing for sun, HA!!!resizing, editing, writing listing, tags, Yikes!!! I even hate to type.
WHY DON"T I have Firefox!!!!I'm finally jealous!!!!!!
-Rachelle Starr
shirly
Morado
dogties
We love Etsy Hacks...
They make life so much easier!
Thanks a million.
odiliafu
visionquest
KOALACaddie
This is fabulous! It's going to save me a great deal of time.
Many,
many,
many,
many thanks!!!
phydeaux
Yay Etsy Hacks!!! This is the single most invaluable seller tool existing right now - the copy hack alone is worth its weight in gold! Go check it out immediately! Love the photo of Ian and his little one hard at work. :)
jessicaschuler
PuzzleBoBuzzles
So great! It's as if you were writing directly to me. This is exactly what I have been needing. Thanks!
KisforCalligraphy
lovelygifts
NatashaDesigns
FluteTeacher
TrilbyMade
midnightcoiler
SalvageNation
Take some time and give this man a donation through paypal.. he works for us.. for free !
GoblinsMarket
Ian has saved me countless hours and maybe even carpal tunnel syndrome with his many, many useful hacks! Thank you, thank you! I hope everyone does take some time to show appreciation with a buck or two now and then. I know that I am able to be much more productive and profitable as a result of his volunteer labor.
sean11
Ian's a machine. He creates some really useful tools. (And his daughter's no slouch either.)
gretchenmist
so great!! thanks for the article ~ am very happy to find these tools :)
VintageScraps
tjtunraveled
I can't believe I have been living without it for this long! Thanks for the informative article.
PipocaHandmade
ArtMadeByTammy
PAINTINGSBYSAM
JoDyer
HazelMay
MyGrandmasAttic
Enuwbe
Etsy hack saves me SO much time! Thanks for sharing it with others, that I am sure will benefit from it!
steinschmuckdesign
flapperdoodle
omg! This code has been a lifesaver for me, a LIFESAVER!! I list similar items almost every single day (and I am in charge of listing earrings in my mom's shop, also very similar) and now I don't dread having to list new items. YAY for etsyhacks!!!!!
chocolateandsteel
I've been using many etsyhacks for a while but was not aware of this one. How cool!
evihan
Bunnys
BelleMereBelleFille
This has answered a question that's been in my mind for a while now. 'How do I copy an existing item?' I'm trying this out for sure. Thanx hax!
sadiesez
Thanx for the info-- I had a real roundabout way of doing this before-- will def try it out!
:)
mksupplies
Good article. We're huge fans of etsyhacks, and Ian is a really nice guy
BeadinBabe
MinceCo
michon
tldgrainwear
HoneysuckleLane
Haven't tried etsyhacks yet, but I'll be sure to check it out now. Great article!
novadesigns
ETSYHACKS makes my life so much easier.
from the bottom of my heart.
THANK YOU!!!
selflesh
stitchesbyjulie
Karmacrochet
Oh yes, You are helping more that you can imagine!
Thank you thank you thank you.
BeadworkGallery
26olivestreet
chiyi
LuttrellStudio
Awwe!! Love the shot of your daughter and you! I added this software the other day and just copied a listing for the first time! I love that you can do that and then edit for a similar item!
Thanks for the fabulous tools!!
megalunostudio
Thank you so much! I'm just getting myself started on Etsy, but I'm blown away by the generosity and kindness of the whole community!
SomewhatHip
Wow, I had installed the upload multiple pics hack previously, but I just cruised the entire list of hacks... And I probably installed 70% of them! Thank you so much for the awesome tools, many of which I never even realized I wanted. These are going to make life on Etsy so much easier!!
wiccked
I'm a big fan of EtsyHacks, and now so are many of my team - DUST! It's awesome to see what Ian looks like :)
VintageZen
themefragrance
piddix
Love love love etsy hacks. Saving hours and hours and hours of time each week.
BethanyOgle
soapsrus
Is this why everybody has like 300-400 views on their new listings, in one day? Im using explore browser and I'm really ill, that I can't use these hacks. :)
soapsrus
ohh silly me, this is only for relisting...lol! So, what about all of these stores with 400-1000 views on todays listings? How do you all do it? hehe
codesign
Thanks so much for making this happen! I've wondered forever why Etsy never made it easy for seller to just make a template of the listing... I'm still new to my shop, so it hasn't been crazy for me. But to think of those who have multiple similar items in the hundreds...
Thank you again!
msbelle
earthexpressions
blythebydesign
thanks so much for this article! i've already downloaded many hacks and am sooo excited!! yay!
kittybblove
I use etsyhacks and LOVE it. Recently had to move to a new computer and after a day without the hacks I *had* to download them onto the new comp. Once you've experienced etsyhacks, you just can't do etsy any other way! :}
MartaWeaverJewelry
blanketyblankblank
jdbok
dollbabedesigns
shellieartist
yeah, awesome as others have said. I switched to Foxfire so I could use all your cool tools....thanks again we all appreciate it!
usnavyretiredvet
Thank you! I asked Etsy for a tool to copy listings about a year ago. It will save me a lot of time!
PawPawsWorkshop
eternallyoung
thank you! i didn't know this was out there! i love it & will surely benefit from it )
tricia16
Wow. There is a solution to almost every problem. Just takes the time to fint it. Thanks. I *heart* helpful husbands!
TheNightjar
fantastic- thanks to all those programming type people who understand how to help promote us artists!! yeah!
PaperDaisyDesignCo
sakizome
spacejam
CrochetCandi
eveartdesign
upup
this is so great. i just installed about 12 hours ago and am already reaping the benefits. later i get to try the copy listing feature. CAN'T WAIT!
THANKS!!!
Rose442
I will be looking further into this in a couple of weeks!
Added into my favorites to remind myself!
Thank's for this information.
craftymamadesigns
These are AWESOME!!! I was getting giddy installing them- woohoo :)
Thank you so much!
hopeink
I love, love, love this! Thank you soooo much for making all of our Etsy lives easier :)
LastChantsStudio
Talk about reading my mind...since the page of the individual listing IS about the only place to be explanatory or wordy (and doesn't screw up our word counts on home page SEO ratings) it sure makes sense to do nice creative descriptions. And now to be able to reuse them quickly on a new listing....well, WOW! YABADABA! THANKS!
KnitKnit
Wow, thank you SO much! Just installed it, and can't wait to use it - you rock!
santokivintage
urbanheirlooms
So amazing! I finally decided to take the plunge today and install the hacks. Already I can see how convenient these are going to be. Thanks, Ian!
airportlovestory
The last line of your post tells it all - I'm looking to do something new and generic in every way except appearance, so thank you SO much for this! Bravo!! I want to know about everything like this you do. :)
southernladysvintage
craftyfolk
You are amazing, this is the generous gift I've gotten all year:) Danke.
kayceestudios
The hacks are awesome. Firefox is awesome. And I love my new little monkey friend! My favorite (after "copy" listing) is the ability to upload multiple photos at once. Pure drudge to have to do one at a time. You're awesome Ian!
ILoveYoYo
MoniRose
sweet! I'm gonna have my linux hubby check into this for me :)
I am glad that here on etsy crafters and hackers can happily live as one!
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this is great news! I will begin tagging tonight. L
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