Shop Critique

[#1]

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

[DoorCountyVintage]

Sorry Guys just noticed these! I'll get to these later tonight or early tomorrow! Sorry for the delay.

[Former_Member]

Hey!
My shop is brand new so any critique and help would be amaaazing.

Thanks :)

[Former_Member]

Hi Chris!
Thanks for the invite! Started my etsy shop and feel that I need some serious feedback and suggestions. From photos, descriptions, about page, pricing, tags, you name it. But what it comes down to is, "What would make you want to buy from my shop"? I guess that's pretty cut and dry. Thanks in advance.
M :-)

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Angz,

I like your titles and tags.

Photos: You would do well to brighten your photos and use a lighter background so your beautiful bags pop.

Banner: Your banner is your calling card. Imagine Etsy as a boardwalk of shops,
people browse them visually first so if you are lacking a banner alot of people wont even look in your shop. I suggest searching Etsy for custom shop banners and buy one from someone here on Etsy.

Shop Announcement: You really want to stuff your shop announcements with keywords because Google crawls that area when giving you a placement in search. You want to add as much about you, your background but most importantly keywords about what you sell. You need a large paragraph or two to really get your shop out there.

Shipping: Why not get a worldwide price?..You are severely limiting your options as you have it now!

Inventory: 100 is where the money is. You may get 1 or two sales prior to filling up your shop but until you get to 100 items it will be slow...after 100 look out :)

I hope that helps!

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Samantha!

I love your product shots,banner and the fact you ship worldwide!

Critique,

Inventory: People tend to make decisions on what to buy, especially on Etsy with silly guidelines. One of the secret rules that you learn along the way is everything good starts at 100 items. Buyers are more confident or perhaps repay hard working shop owners once they reach that 100 item plateau.


Shop Announcement: You really want to stuff your shop announcements with keywords because Google crawls that area when giving you a placement in search. You want to add as much about you, your background but most importantly keywords about what you sell. You need a large paragraph or two to really get your shop out there.

Shop Policies: You MUST fill out your policies because you are costing yourself sales by not having them posted. Some people will be interested in your item then check your return policies and shipping and see that it wasnt filled out and will move on right at that moment.

Tags: Google is hungry for compound tags. Think like a customer looking for your item. What would they search for to find you?

Slinky 8.5x11" Print

Art Print Digital slinky handmade digital colorful love art decor wall print fsb

digital,colorful,love,wall these really dont scream your item to me..

art print, digital art, toy art, slinky print,print art, mixed media art,mixed media,iconic toy,slinky,red white blue,handmade art,handmade,old toy


Titles: Use as much info as you can using the most important info first

Slinky 8.5x11" Print

Mixed Media Print, Slinky Art Print, Red White and Blue, Old Toy, Slinky,8.5 x11"

The more info you enter the more hits you will get on the etsy search and google engines.

I hope that helps!

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Malyssa,


I like your banner, Your shipping and policies

Photos your product photos need work. A lot of people on Etsy buy on photo alone. If you can see your house in the background you must retake them. Get yourself a nice white background. I use a tag board. Also you live in Australia and I am under the impression you get ALOT of sun down there so I would take advantage of that and take your photos outdoors in natural light.

Shop Announcement: You really want to stuff your shop announcements with keywords because google crawls that area when giving you a placement in search. You want to add as much about you, your background but most importantly keywords about what you sell. You need a large paragraph or two to really get your shop out there.

Titles: You are close, use less linking words and be more to the point.

Hollow Book Safe with Gold Detailing on the Front - Flower cut-outs and map detailing on the inside

Hollow Book Safe, Gold Detailed Cover, Flower Cut Outs, Detailed Map Interior

Tags: You want your tags to consist of as many compound tags as possible.


Art Book Handmade Vintage Art Repurposed Book Safe Carved Secret Book Jewellery Box Flowers Gold Map Patterns

Art book, handmade art, custom art,repurposed,repurposed book,book safe,hidden section,map patterns, flower cut outs,jewelry box,jewellery box,trinket box,gifts for girls..

I hope that helps

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Martha!

Your shop banner and announcements are on point. Your titles,shipping and tags seem in order.Your policies are clear.

Critique:

Inventory: Everything good on Etsy starts at 100 items. You can make sales at 50 you can make a living at 100 is how it was explained to me when a was starting out. In my experience it has been true.

Photos: Your photos are very artistic. In some cases they distract from your item, I look and cant really figure out or make out what you are selling. They are also pretty dark you could brighten them up a bit and really make your items pop!

Overall excellent!

[Former_Member]

Wow, I'm learning a ton from other peoples critiques! I'm hesitant to ask, but I haven't had a critique since my first week on Etsy...In the last week my average views doubled, so I must be doing something right ;) But less sales, so I'm failing somewhere too. I'm hoping to hit 115 items by the end of this month. Any suggestions? No rush, if you get a chance to take a peak! THANK YOU! :)

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Ariana,

As far as sales falling off this time of year is typically slow.

I like your banner and tags. Product shots naturally are good.Shipping is perfect.

Inventory..Well you already know 100 is the number

Shop Announcement: You really want to stuff your shop announcements with keywords because google crawls that area when giving you a placement in search. You want to add as much about you, your background but most importantly keywords about what you sell. You need a large paragraph or two to really get your shop out there.

Titles: Not bad but I think you could condense the info like so...

Yellow Baby Shower Printable Party Kit - Mellow Yellow Party Package 20 pieces

Baby Shower Party Kit, Mellow Yellow Package, 20 Pieces, Digital Downloadable Art



I hope that helps!

[Former_Member]

Eek! Thank you so much!! Off to make changes! SOO appreciated!

[Former_Member]

Thankyou :) You mentioned a few things that hadn't crossed my mind.

[SeagullSmithJewelry]

II have looked at some of my pictures and white backgrounds washed them out. have made changes to my pictures. I need help with tags and titles because I am still not being found by buyers. Any suggestions for tags for my kumihimo and lampwork items would be helpful. Thanks

I would also appreciate suggestions from other team members too. Any constructive criticism is welcomed.

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Ellen,

Honestly it looks like you are doing well. You could add more keywords to your shop announcement (necklaces,earrings,bracelets). I can only suggest more marketing. Treasuries,favoriting etc..

[Former_Member]

I am reading through this awesome thread and going off to apply some of the knowledge to my new shop:) Thanks for sharing!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Chris for the feedback! Awesome thread!!!

[Former_Member]

Hi, Chris..

Thank you for the advice and critique.. It's helps so much :)

[SolanyArts]

Chris,

Can I first tell you how awesome you are to provide these critiques?! Sometimes another set of eyeballs (especially from another seller here on Etsy) could just make all the difference.

I am reading thru these critiques and see the same information coming up. Obviously raising inventory to 100+ is a must (will work on that).

I'm wondering what you think of my shop. I've been open since November of 2012 and have had 5 sales. For some reason though I just get "favorites" activity. On average it's one or two favored items a day.
I think I've done what I'm supposed to (paid promotion, I've watched numerous online labs, played with tags, added international shipping rates, etc.) Perhaps your eyes could see something I'm lacking or need to improve?

Your advice is very much appreciated (as well as any other team members). Thank you very much in advance for your time.

Myrza

[Former_Member]

Hi Chris. Being a newcomer, I'd welcome any advice you might have for me!

[Former_Member]

Hi Chris, I would love it if you could take a look over my shop. Thank you so much

[Former_Member]

I think I am ready for a little critic. Would love some help.

[Former_Member]

Hi Chris,

I would love to have you critique my shop. :)

I need a fresh perspective for sure!

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Myrza,

Thanks for the compliment! This is why I started this team. When I started out I had to search for answers and a lot of time encountered hostility. However through trial and error and befriending the right Etsy vets I learned alot of the info I pass on to you guys!

Your Shop: I like your banner and the fact you filled out your policies. Your photos and shipping policies are good. Your titles seem fine. You have your tags down too!

Inventory..Yup that 100 item mark you need to work on. How about a red, white and blue bow? maybe a green and gold for packer fans? a grey n black batman bow?..lol ok that last ones maybe more for a boy..I havnt seen many boys wear bows so perhaps that wasnt such a good idea..lol

Shop Announcement: Use some of your tags in your shop announcement. the more keywords you can work in the better. Google crawls your announcements,titles,tags and sections the more places it reads your tags the higher in search you are placed!

Promotion of your shop: In my opinion forming relationships and favoriting like a bunny is a great way to market yourself. I have only paid twice for promotions and had the same terrible result. Go to the Etsy front page and scroll to the newly listed items and fav the first 10 pages you will get a significant increase in traffic.

Overall excellent! I hope my suggestions help!

[SolanyArts]

Fantastic! Thank you again for your help!

Thank you for the suggestions on the bows! You actually read my mind. Last night I was trying to figure out how to create bow ties for boys. Great minds think alike!

One quick question, I re-wrote my refund policy not to say "All sales final" which does seem a bit harsh when I think about it. Instead I say "In the unlikely event you are unsatisfied, please contact me". Better or worse in your experience? I want to let customers know that my items are made for them (not just for anyone), so although I discourage returns, I understand that there may be certain circumstances where a return is necessary. A lot of my competition says NO RETURNS! So I kinda don't want to turn customers off, but also discourage returns. Thoughts?

[DoorCountyVintage]

Hi Katie,

I like your banner,your policies are filled out and the fact you ship everywhere.

Inventory: Everything good starts at 100 items! I was once told you will make a sale or two before you reach 100 but you will make a living after.

Shop Announcements: Yours isnt bad but you should expand. tell your story, why are you a shop owner? what does it mean to you when people buy from you? Most importantly sneak keywords in every chance you get!

Avatar: You are costing yourself sales before people even look at your item. You need a clean,clear,bright avatar because Etsy is a very visual customer base. If they can't make out your avatar they will just look at a shop they can. It doesn't even have to be you it can be a product shot,pet or something that screams you!

Photos: Your photos are a bit dark. Go outside and take advantage of that Aussie sun and get yourself a white background. For the foot shots get a white tag board/construction paper and get closer shots if possible. This will make your items pop and be more desirable!

Titles: You want as much info as you can as clear as possible with the most important info first.

Dusky pink and ivory velvet and organza flowers claw clip with bead cascade

Claw Hair Clip, Pink and Ivory Velvet, Organza Flower, Bead Cascade

This way Google breaks up the info instead of reading it as one big run on word.

Tags: You want to feed the Google beast and this beast is more hungry for compound keywords then it is singular.

Accessories Hair Clip Boho Victorian velvet rockabilly vintage Claw clip hair clip Organza gypsy Dusky pink Roses Pearls ivory

You dont want to use "hair clip" because it is already one of your meta tags.

pink and ivory,claw clip,hair accessories, hair tie, organza flower,white organza flower,white flower,velvet,Boho,Gypsy,handmade hair clip,

I hope this helps!

[DoorCountyVintage]

Myrza,

It is always bad form to tell your customer. Well you bought it so now I have your money n could care less if you are satisfied buwahahaha. That is an over exaggerated example but I'm sure my point was made :)