Shop Critique

[#1]

If you would like some advice don't be afraid to ask!

[Former_Member]

I thought about that and 1 solution I came up with (might not work for all items, but it will for mine until I can have a lot of materials at my disposal), make mock-ups but don't affix everything until its ordered. That way people can see what the item will look like but you dont waste your supplies on the ones that dont sell when you need them for the ones that do sell.

[Former_Member]

As far as titles as I said you want the broadest terms to bring in your customers.
If you write gold and black throw pillow, what google sees is gold and black..if you are lucky throw might get in there. But then not many are looking for gold and black throws. In your tags be sure to have gold and black in the tags to draw in the specific customers you are looking for.

[Former_Member]

Ok Carolyn here goes...

I love your products and banner,your titles look good,your tags are ok I'd use more compound words like handmade necklace,purple necklace etc.

Now for the Critique...

Obvious stuff first..Get your butt in gear and start creating and listing.

Photos..Have Vito brighten the ones up he hasnt yet touched and turn up your exposure on your camera when taking photos and before you ever post one make sure it pops. Nice and bright..The Windows Live Photo Gallery works great on the edit function..The Auto Adjust button has been a life saver for me.

First line of your description...Work your title in as close to word for word as you can it helps you get found in search. Do not just copy n paste get creative.

International shipping..Get yourself a shipping scale and weigh your items with packaging and go to USPS.com and search "calculate a price"..I normally use Canada,Mexico and everywhere else (Australia or China is a good price to look up to get as close as possible to the highest possible price) Use those rates and you are set.

I hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

What is the safest way to pack them by the way to ship? Just a padded envelope or should I add extra bubble wrap?

[Former_Member]

bubble wrap them then bubble envelope

[KamaraLarryStudio]

Hi I just opened my shop and I would appreciate a critique to make sure I am moving in the right direction. Thank you!

[Former_Member]

Hi Kamara I have had alot going on today I will get to your critique early tomorrow.

[KamaraLarryStudio]

Thank you I really appreciate that!

[TheMomandPopWoodshop]

We would love critique of our shop. We are coming to a year on Etsy and need to make it work. We did just join some teams but that just showed us that we are REALLY out of touch. Just so overwhelmed with it all, please, any and all help would be greatly appreciated.

[Former_Member]

I'm dealing with frozen pipes so once I get time I promise you two will get your critiques sorry for the delay!

[TheMomandPopWoodshop]

No worries Chris! We had a septic backup in the basement Christmas Eve. Hope you get things running soon!

[Former_Member]

Hey Chris and all other team members! I just opened my shop. First online store. I am working on getting better photos. But please take a look at my shop, tags, policies etc.. and help.. I've been reading the advice you've given to others as well. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

SuNn this is my fav from your shop

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118953659/deep-rooted-oil-painting

I do agree the pics are a bit dull. Are you taking photos or are you trying to scan them somehow?

[Former_Member]

Also, I've made art before... I think you are under-priced personally. Oil pain cost a lot and so do canvases, add in your time and I think you need to charge more.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Carolyn. I was using a digital camera. It may be the lighting. I have a photographer that is going to take better photos for me. Thanks!

[Former_Member]

Carolyn, I just saw your messages about cost. Thank you, I am learning as I go feel free to make more suggestions.. I love to create but I am need of learning about the business. Thanks again!

[Former_Member]

When you take pictures of pictures (lol), make sure your flash is off because it will cause glare. Also, make sure the lighting it not too harsh, or else it will also cause glaring and reflections. There are plenty of tutorials online about taking pictures of pictures (that sounds so funny to me!). But since you are getting a professional photographer, he or she will know exactly what to do to get the perfect results ;)

[DoorCountyVintage]

Ok I'm going to try and squeeze a couple critiques in here while I am home (see pipes problem) and I apologize for not getting to this sooner!

Kamara here goes..


I loooove your banner,your titles are good as is the fact you ship worldwide!
And your tags seem to be on point

Now for the critique..

Photos are ok but dark..I would ask Vito to lighten them up for you. don't worry he likes it.

Inventory..You need to get busy creating 100 items is the low point of where you should be.

Shop Announcement ..You did a great job of doing one of the goals of your announcement and that is to draw in customers with keywords. You missed an opportunity to do that while also telling your customers who you are. If you fix these things I think Etsy could be very lucrative for you!

[DoorCountyVintage]

OK Jake your turn...

I like your banner and Birdhouses

Photos I like them and I dont..Now if you want to get featured in treasuries you need to bring them inside and shoot them on a bright white background.

If you dont care about treasuries I like the natural backgrounds! My only suggestion is to try to get a more detailed close up for your first picture.

Titles..Im conflicted here as well. I can see where listing all those team names first will bring views. The problem is those not in the market for birdhouses could react negatively.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/119307251/florida-gators-georgia-bulldogs-ga-tech

You always want the most important info first..

Custom Birdhouses, NCAA Themed, Custom Painted to Order, Reclaimed Wood, OOAK

Tags are also in need of work. try to think of as many compound tags as you can!

Custom Birdhouses,birdhouse,birdhouses,custom paint,NCAA,College Sports,College Football,Reclaimed Wood,Made To Order, etc...Think what you would type in to find your product

Inventory..You Should Have 100 Examples (I Know it's ALOT of time) to be taken serious and take this shop as big time as it should be!

Shipping..You are cutting yourself short only shipping in the USA..Id get a shipping scale and go to USPS.com weigh your items and packaging, then get the shipping costs for Canada,Mexico,and Everywhere Else(Use China or Australia's price to figure that!

Also if you want to expand your business even further offer Hockey for Canadian customers,Soccer like Mansfield United for most of the rest of the world..You could be amazingly huge!

I Hope that helps!

[DoorCountyVintage]

Ok SuNn,

I like your banner and products

Photos you need to brighten them up a bit.

Inventory get busy creating 100 is the number to hit

Titles.. You want what your customers are searching for first...

http://www.etsy.com/listing/118942554/weep-not-willow-oil-painting

Just flip em..oil painting, weep not willow

Tags Again think what your customers will look for using as many compound words as you can.

Custom art,art,unknown artists,fine art,art custom etc

Shipping..You are cutting yourself short only shipping in the USA..Id get a shipping scale and go to USPS.com weigh your items and packaging, then get the shipping costs for Canada,Mexico,and Everywhere Else(Use China or Australia's price to figure that!

Have all 4 highlighted items full..People will skim right past your shop if you dont have them full.

I hope that helps

[TheMomandPopWoodshop]

Thanks Chris! So appreciate your time! So you think its about exposure and not people not liking or pricing? We were thinking that maybe we should stop trying. That our items weren't what folks were looking for. One of our concerns was our prices. I think they should be more and my wife wants to lower them. We battle that with each listing.

You gave us some really good examples for titles and tags. Never even thought about some of them.

We've been lazy about the photo taking lately. Guess taking in different locations would be a good idea. We'll also get some close shots outside. I think Holly has finally figured out how to use the camera. ;)

Treasuries are good exposure, I guess, but it's not a priority for us.

100 items!!! I'm one old guy working with hand tools. And my wife is not quick with a brush so each one takes us a few full days, at least, to make. We hoped for more sales during the holiday to help pay for a Dremel and a planer.

Shipping out of US.,we can't even get sales here, but will do it with your suggestions in case it helps.

Thanks agian for taking your time to help us!!! We will get right on some of your suggestions and will let you know how it goes.

Sincerely,
Jake

[DoorCountyVintage]

Jake Etsy is a hard place to sell and you already have 8 sales of 80 dollars or more. Maybe think of less expensive projects you can crank out to fill the void between the big sales.
And yes exposure and proper SEO are key! I think you could be huge if you expand your business.

[kennedyjanice]

It looks like some really helpful improvement tips here. I would so appreciate your taking the time to critique my shop.

Thanks in advance. Janice

[DoorCountyVintage]

Janice check in tomorrow and it will be waiting for you :)

[TheMomandPopWoodshop]

We appreciate the vote of confidence Chris! We'll be around supporting and promoting!