Shop Critique

[#1]

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

[BrimmerBoys]

Hi Brittany,
Thanks so much for your feedback, I appreciate it! Can you tell I have a son and no daughter??? Ha. I am working on some girl styles so those should get posted soon! I'm still trying to figure out if that "occasion" helps or hurts the listings. Thanks again!

[Former_Member]

I honestly have no clue, Jaclyn. It was just a thought I had. It's so funny how we use the people in our lives for creating, isn't it? I actually have 5 brothers, a nephew, and 2 stepsons so I love when I actually get to do girly things. Doesn't happen much. :)

Rachael- Like I said, cute stuff!
Try to get your backgrounds on your photos consistent. Personally, I like the burlap you have in some of them. If you're really wanting to be on the front page, go for white. I love your mention that big box cards are just as expensive (doesn't it drive you nuts when people say handmade cards are too expensive? You can't get out of Hallmark for less than handmade cards!).
Fill in your policies ASAP. Especially for newer shops, it's very important that customers see well filled out, clear policies.
Try to bring a little more cohesion to your shop. You've got a lot of very different items with very different styles.
Shipping rates look good. You've got a pretty nice amount of items now, but work toward that 100 item mark.

[papercraftersnook]

Great feedback! Thanks, Brittany. This gives me a lot to go off of. I like the burlap background, too. But, you're right that I'll have to ditch it if I want to try to make front page. I struggle a lot with cohesion in my shop because I do love so many different styles and techniques. I've even considered changing my shop name to something less restrictive. What are your thoughts on that? I do see some sellers have multiple Etsy shops for this purpose.

[CJWHandmade]

Hello

We just hit over 100 listings, I have worked hard on tags and pictures over the last few weeks. I created one treasury so far and have been clicking hearts like crazy. Our stats have increase as have our sales. With that said, anything jump out at first glance of our store, that I may have missed. (a few photos need replacing)

Thanks in advance,
Christine

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Christine,

Looking good only thing I think you are missing is opening up your options and ship worldwide! over 1/3 of sales come from overseas so not doing it is severely limiting your potential!

[CJWHandmade]

Thanks, we have talked about it, so I guess its time to take the plung. Any place (forums) that can help calm my fears?

I have one other question about "tagging" for holidays and the like...THERE has to be a better way then opening all 100 or so listings and changing them. It is so time consuming!
:)

[CJWHandmade]

Off to bed,got an ice storm coming our way. It will be a rough ride to work in the morning. Catch you tomorrow night.
Thanks!

Nighty Night!

[Former_Member]

We would like a shop critique as well. I know we don't have many items in our shop as of now, but we are working hard to add more items. Any thoughts are welcomed. Don't sugar coat anything :-).

[Former_Member]

Hi J and Leigh, gorgeous clothes, and your pictures are great too.

There was a thread somewhere about what to put in your shop announcement, it's worth a read, as yours is not so informative :) Hopefully someone can provide a link?

Filling in your about page would be good too - if someone claims to have made something but can't tell me exactly how or provide a picture of their workspace I'm always a little suspicious that they're a reseller. There are also plenty of people here who have 'made' something by modifying it, which is fine, but if you've designed patterns and cut fabric for your clothes then make a big deal of it :)

I wasn't sure until I read the listing if your dresses were handmade or vintage, and for handmade they are so reasonably priced. I also couldn't find any information about what to do if I would like a dress made in a different size.

[Former_Member]

Rachael Caskey from papercraftersnook says

Great feedback! Thanks, Brittany. This gives me a lot to go off of. I like the burlap background, too. But, you're right that I'll have to ditch it if I want to try to make front page. I struggle a lot with cohesion in my shop because I do love so many different styles and techniques. I've even considered changing my shop name to something less restrictive. What are your thoughts on that? I do see some sellers have multiple Etsy shops for this purpose.

I have 3 shops. ;) If you can fill multiple shops and you don't mind the fun of managing them, it's a great way to be able to spread your focus without confusing shoppers. Etsy does require you to mention that you have multiple shops, so just make sure you have that in your profile info or somewhere pretty obvious. I have links to the others just about everywhere. You'll either need to log in & out of the shops all the time or manage each in a different browser. Kind of a pain. Oh, and you'll need different emails for each. I don't know that changing your name would do a lot, as you'd still have such a wide variety of items. From what I've read, shops do better if they have a tighter focus rather than a wider one.

[Former_Member]

In reply to
Jill KnotekfromOliveAndPiper says

Ooh ooh, critique my shop! I'm sure I'm struggling everywhere.. lol

Eejee said: It's not natural for everyone. I too got troubles in this arena. Lots!
I don't know if I will ever get the hang of it. I read about tag in these replies and just reading it gave me a headache and nausea.

Kevin.

I visited your shop.

I am thrilled. Yes, if you do follow the comment we had so far, it will really improve it. Especially the background with the pictures. I read somewhere, and I do not know if it is good advise, so let other chim in, that another good thing, lets say you do not want to have a white or black background, is to do (I do not know how to call it in English other than a) scene.

For example, if you sell flower pot, put the flowers in and show how great the flower look into your unique vase... like doing anture morte.

I sincerily hope I can be of some help at some points.

Oh, I am reading something else that say one good way to describe a product is to begin with the WHY of it. I will try it in my own place. I just thought to pass it along.It is just a really hard exercice...

The Best!

[Former_Member]

Hi

I would love a shop critique as well

What I am doing wrong or what needs to be changed and how. I am working on that magic 50 number…. and suddenly I read here that it's not 50, but 100...

Another question

Since I have various kinds of items in my shop, I would like to know how you recommend ordering them? As it is - or any group of products separately?

Thanks

Lyne♥

[Former_Member]

Hi, Lyne! Fun stuff!
This is a teeny thing, but it's the kind of stuff I notice. On your shop sections, fix them so the capitalization is consistent. One is all in caps, some are capitalized, some are not.
Some of the photos need to be brightened up. This is one that looks great already:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/89318879/iphone-case-cell-phone-casecover-smart
You mention that international shipping is $2.95. What about domestic within Israel?
As far as how to arrange them, I'm not sure. Someone else might have ideas.
And yes, the number is 100. ;)
I think maybe you mean "tone on tone?"
www.etsy.com/listing/99769346/green-ton-on-ton-fabric-wall-hanging
Overall, everything looks pretty good. Just a few small things. :)

[Former_Member]

Yes, it's tone on tone. The only problem is English. :)
Thanks for your comments.

Lyne

[ClaybyStacia]

There are several good ways to arrange your shop. I have mine arranged by color at the moment, which gives it a nice visual "pop". You can also arrange it by item popularity, so people see your best things right away. Or you can organize it by sections.

[Former_Member]

Lyne- Let me know if you ever want the English proofed. :) Overall, it's great. Definitely better than I'd ever do in another language. Lol.

[EtnaLavaRock]

Hello, this is my shop, put upside down thanks!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Pietralavica

[WindsongGlassStudio]

Time to jump in and get my shop going! I've been reading comments and suggestions and have made notes so when my son visits this week-end, he can help me. I, too, would appreciate your critique of my shop when you have time.

I've been making more pieces and have just listed 4 with 5 more to go. I'm having a time with photography as these are stained glass items and our weather and my garden are both suffering from winter 'blahs'.

[DoorCountyVintage]

Been a bad day guys I will get to you the moment things calm down

[Former_Member]

Hope your day is going better Chris. Some great advice here, I picked up a pointer or two, time to re-tweak my shop a bit again. Have a great day all

[WindsongGlassStudio]

Chris, so sorry you had a rough day yesterday. I just said a prayer for you...

[Former_Member]

Pat;
My two cents worth (in long format!!!):
Your stuff is lovely. Etsy gives you 120 characters for titles. USE THEM!!!!! Etsy indexes the title and the tags, not the description, so make sure that everything people might search to find you is in the title and tags. For example on titles:
Your title: FRILLY BUTTERFLY SUNCATCHER. Home Decor. OK, but not enough. Add what you like, but add things: Custom made, purple, lavender, glittery, 8.5 x 8 inches, stained glass, etc.
Tags: Tags are things people would type in to search to find your item. Think of the top 13 things that people might type to find yours!!!! Since you are selling items that are similar, type groups of tags into a document. Use different groups on each item. Track your stats and find out which phrases get the most views, and edit your tags from there, Each item will have item specific tags, like color or shape, but the basics will stay the same. Things like:custom stained glass, glass suncatcher, custom glass art, stained glass art, will be on every item. Then item specifics such as: purple glass butterfly, custom glass butterfly, purple glass insect, insect art, irridescent butterfly, etc. Just sit down and think of the top 13 things people would type to find your item, and USE THEM ALL!!!! I do not think many people would choose to type "Anniversary" or "Birthday" to find your butterfly. Those are occasions, not anything to do with the butterfly, does that make sense?
You have a store, you are an independent shop owner. It is now your job to market your store and your items so people can find you. If you opened a store in your town, and put a sign outside that said "Birthday", how many people would come in who were looking for gorgeous, hand made stained glass? It is your job to think like a buyer. If you spend 20% of the time you spend on your art to do your marketing, you would certainly be successful, because your items are beautiful.
You are allowed 5 pictures. Use them! I know it is a royal pain in the patooties to take the pics, put them through editing software, and than upload them, but you are asking people to spend over 50.00 an item, give them pictures that make their mouths water!!!!! Different angles, use a flashlight if you have to to capture the translucence and brilliance. These are gorgeous things.
Your descriptions are wonderful, you capture the essence. I like the way you use words. People keep telling me that you do not need to put anything about yourself or your process in the description, since it is already in your profile. I disagree. Your profile is not indexed, either by Etsy nor the other search engines as part of a specific item. Give them a little bit right there in the description. "I work in stained glass, and have been doing so for x years. It brings me pleasure to translate my vision into these fabulous works of intricate wire and shimmering glass," or whatever. It can be in a document also, and cut pasted into each item.
Etsy allows you to edit for free, so do it early and often to hone your marketing skills.
Have fun, and sell lots of stuff! If you have any specific questions, feel free to convo me.
Veesha

[WindsongGlassStudio]

Wow...Thanks, Veesha! I truly appreciate the time you spent critiquing my shop and all your suggestions. It is fantastic getting such helpful comments.
I immediately went to your shop...it's lovely... and saw exactly what you were talking about. I'll definitely incorporate your suggestions!

[Former_Member]

I would love a shop critique too, if you could add me to the list , I have been open for a year.
Thank you
Helen ,

[Former_Member]

Hey Chris,

Great critique, can I be next? I've tried several things and still sales are very slow, or maybe sporatic is the word I want.

I would like to repeat one of you suggestions. I see beautiful items in some shops but the photos are so busy the item gets lost. Simple backgrounds, mine are solid colored, let your creation shine. If I can't see an item well, I go to another shop. There's my 2 cents worth.

Essie
ElmsRealm