Is free shipping or percent-off discount better for Etsy sales during slow season?

Hi! In most Etsy shops, a percent-off sale usually converts better in a slow season simply because shoppers instantly see the sale badge and the crossed‑out price in search results and on the listing—so it creates a clearer “deal” moment than free shipping does. Free shipping tends to win when shipping cost is a big pain point (heavier items, higher shipping rates, or lots of “shipping shock” at checkout), but it’s often less noticeable unless the buyer is already on your listing or in the cart.

A practical way to choose (without guessing) is to look at your own numbers:

• If a lot of shoppers add to cart but don’t buy, and your shipping is on the higher side, test free shipping (or cheaper shipping) first.
• If you’re mainly struggling to get clicks and initial interest, test a percentage-off discount first (because it improves click appeal and “I should buy now” urgency).

How to make shoppers actually notice it (works for both options)

• Use Etsy’s “Sales and Discounts” tool (not just changing prices manually). That’s what triggers Etsy’s sale/free-shipping messaging and badges most reliably.
• Make the offer visually obvious in your photos: add a simple text overlay on image #2 (or #1 if it still looks clean), like “15% OFF THIS WEEK” or “FREE SHIPPING”.
• Spell it out in the first 1–2 lines of your description (many buyers skim): “This week: 15% off + ships in 1–2 business days,” or “Free shipping—no surprises at checkout.”
• Keep it simple: one clear offer beats a bunch of small rules. Shoppers tune out fast if it feels complicated.

If you want the “best of both” for slow season, a really common combo is: run a small percent-off sale (so it’s obvious) and keep shipping feeling fair (either free shipping on items where you can afford it, or a low/flat shipping price). That way you get the visibility of a sale and remove checkout sticker shock.

If you tell me your average item price and your typical shipping cost (rough ranges are fine), I can suggest which option is more likely to outperform for your specific product type and what discount level usually makes sense without wrecking your margins.