Hi guys, my name is Sarah-- I'm Glenn Greene's Etsy shop manager/advertising & marketing gal. I just wanted to post some tips and answer questions if you have any about Search Engine Optimization for Etsy. Also, if you have any tips, feel free to share!

So what is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
"The process of maximizing the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine."

You're maximizing the number of visitors by tagging and using keywords that are specific to the product you're trying to sell. Etsy makes this process relatively easy by incorporating fields within each listing to enter tags. But you can do more!

1. TAGGING:
Tags can be created in specific areas by separating words or phrases by commas. Example: handmade jewelry, statement necklace, amethyst gemstone... etc. It's best to use tags that are commonly used, but not SO commonly used that your listing would get lost within the search results. So try typing the tags you'd like to use into Etsy search beforehand, and see what pops up. Use that information to guide you on which tags work for your purposes. If there are 10,000 listings utilizing that tag, and 5,000 listings utilizing a different tag-- go with the tag that generates 5,000 search results, it means there's a larger chance you'll be found.

NOTE: Studies show that people browsing the web will click through up to 10 pages within one search. This means that if your listing is not showing up within the first 10 pages of that search term, it's likely your listing is not getting views. It's BEST to show up within the first 3 pages of a search. How can you get your listing to show up? Follow these SEO tips AND post new listings frequently-- at least one every other day.

2. SHOP TITLE:
Make sure your shop's "Title" under "Info & Appearance" utilizes tagging by stating who you are and what you're trying to sell separated by commas. For instance if you're a well known potter in your area and you've established a name for yourself you'll want to incorporate your name into your shop's title and what you sell in a way that your CURRENT AND POTENTIAL customers would search for you using a search engine-- example:

Linda Brown's Pottery, Ceramic Home Decor, Custom Ceramics

3. SHOP ANNOUNCEMENT:
Make sure that the first two sentences of your "Shop Announcement" really sell your shop and make it clear to potential customers what your product is. That's what people see when they come across your Etsy shop on google search. Example:

Welcome to Linda Brown's Pottery! We specialize in handmade ceramic home decor and gifts. Use this coupon code to receive free shipping for a limited time: FREE22

So you've stated who you are, what you sell and given the reader a good reason to click the link to YOUR shop... free shipping coupon!

4. PRODUCT TITLES:
It's extremely important to incorporate tagging into your titles. The best way to come up with tags for your titles is to think about what your potential customers are searching for. Here's an example title that is utilizing tags for a ceramic bowl:

Large Ceramic Bowl, Geometric Decor, Hand Painted Bowl, Royal Blue Decor, Pale Pink Decor, White Home Decor, Handmade Ceramic Decor, Handmade Gifts, Linda Brown Pottery

Just put yourself into your potential customer's shoes and think about what they're typing into a search engine to find products within your genre.

5. LISTING TAGS:
Within your product listing Etsy has a specific section for tags, simply titled "Tags" you are able to use 13 tags to describe your product and 13 tags that state the "Materials" used. You can actually copy and paste your title into the "Tags" area. After you do that you'll most likely have several more tags available to add, and it's important to try and use up all of the tags you have available.

6. RESEARCH:
It's a good idea to stay on top of trends both in general and within your own genre. So research what others doing for SEO frequently and continue to work on improving your listings.

I hope that's all helpful and relatively easy to read through/understand! Of course there are many other things you can do to improve your listings and your shop. Here are a few resources that have helped me:

http://www.handmadeology.com/

http://thinkingforward.tumblr.com/post/37798053532/how-to-optimize-your-etsy-shop-and-improve-sales#...