The Dreaded SEO

[Former_Member]

I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around this SEO. I understand the concept, I've reworked items to see if it places my item any higher in the rankings and been failing. Been back and forth on google and Etsy to see if rewording, re keywording items places it any higher and .... notta! Now if I were to do a specific search for the maker of my items, there I am on first page or top ten, but general searches such as .... teacups and saucers, I'm way back on page 20. So, then I look at my pictures. Are they standing out? Or is it a distraction and not as well displayed as competitors. I'm at a standstill. I need outside eyes looking in. Then it's onto, how exactly does Etsy rank your item among the others. Is sales a factor in placement? Is favoriting items? Word says hearting items does play a role, so I've been going full tilt at that lately and honestly, I have not seen a change in the ranking. "Inside links" on listings, place items high, but if its considered as a spam link it ranks item lower. What if we were to link our items to another members page would that be considered a good "inside link". Also naming the images you use instead of IMG001, I've gone back in on a few and tried renaming images, no difference. What am I missing?
So, time to use outside eyes. For the ones of us that are having issues getting those search engines to work on our benefit, ways to improve our listings, shops, constructive critism to help each other succeed. Who's In?

[Former_Member]

I'm in! I have another Etsy Shop which features Vintage Jewelry and Stuff. Dustythings. I bought into the Search Engines about a month ago, and like you said, "Nada". What's up with that?

[Former_Member]

While posting this, I had my partner in crime, in the states help me out. Low and behold, after pulling an all nighter, promoting my items, a general basic search produced a few of my items within the first few pages. It was during last night I learned that simply hearting a person's item on a thread is not as valuable as if we left clicked and pulled each item in the thread up in a new tab window and remained on the page for at least 15 seconds for the SEO to rank it higher. I'd like to suggest we do that for our team members, as I LOVE THIS TEAM!! Just a simply way to increase our ranking and possibly success. I am what would be considered a "Newbie" but usually a quick learner. I will visit your Dustythings shop and see if my "outside eyes" can see anything that may help.

[TheWhatNaught]

I've heard that about the 15 seconds too. I guess that is how long it would take to read a description or look at several photos.

Michelle, personally I love your photos. I think they are beautiful and inspiring. But when I look at things that make it to the front page, plain! Stark even. So I have struggled with this myself for months.

I have even asked several members to be our photo discussion leader.
Anyone interested?

(-.-)

[Former_Member]

Michelle, I am very impressed with the depth of your topic. Thank you for breaking down all you've been doing. I will add here as I go along. Thank you, Daveda, for your wonderful input.

These are things I've learned along the way:

The 15 seconds is best in Ts. If your pc can handle this, open up 16 tabs as you fave each item. Then go back to the first one you faved and close the tab. Do so with each one. This is the 15 second method. You don't have to shuffle pics or read the description......just fave and run through all of them.

Another thing I learned re: Ts.....click all > go through and re-click. This is called "double clicking". There's a window of time one can double click a T. I don't remember if it's several within 7 hours, or wait 7 hours and double-click. I'll have to check into it. Does anyone know?

There's been something on my mind for a very long time. I feel, Michelle, you've opened the door with your thread. First off, I want to say, my photos are not at all up to par. The gray cast is very disappointing for me. I really don't have natural lighting as a resource, etc. At some point when I move in the near future, perhaps I will.

Having said that, I feel badly when I come across sellers (no matter where found) who have distractions and cluttered backgrounds. Ex: household items, odds & ends, furniture, etc.

The same goes for a background color (black, red, etc.) and background that's not a blanket, obvious counter top, floor, furniture, etc. A white background is best and good natural lighting. Props don't work well with most items. They are distracting and the item is lost. Showcasing the item with a simple background works well. Cropping is an important factor, also. Etsy has a given size for their pics. With some of mine and those of others, only a portion of an item is seen until the listing is opened and the 5 pics are viewed. What I do like is Etsy's listing photo preview. The preview is found on the right side of a listing before publishing.

Continued in next post.

[Former_Member]

What I've been experimenting with and am starting to get it down a wee, is leaving more space around the item so portions are not cut off. When taking pics I don't take a close-up of most of my items. They are sized in my photo editing program. (Picasa) Also, leaving more white space on top when I crop, seems to help. Sometimes for a listing, I will use one of my other pics other than the listing one. For example: My baby fairy nurseries, etc. are zeroed in on a point of interest. This becomes my listing pic.

I'm still learning and practicing. I'm sure there are others of you who have better tips, how-to, etc. than I do. The above are my observations, and experiences. Oh, time for a confession: for me stark white backgrounds hurt my eyes and are difficult to place in a T. I am a visual person. I try to compose treasuries with balance and interest. I mentioned white as a good background. To me, there's a difference between white, or soft-white as opposed to stark.

Short mention about titles: I've done as Michelle, in researching/comparing when tagging titles. I continue trying. I do feel badly, though, when I see titles with 1-3 words, or read like a sentence one might find in a description.

Well, I'm sure I wrote a book!!! I'll know when I post. Then it will be too late to edit. LOL

[MermaidMakena]

thanks guys for all the advice the only thing I can think of to add right now is depending on the items color sometimes a black background (l like for light or pastel colored items) is better than a white one. then again I often go with backgrounds that give my items a sense of place.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the great information and advice, I find tagging one of the hardest parts of listing, it doesn't help that I've just changed my shop name either, because now I'm not coming up at all on google.
Not sure if it helps, but I use the title line on the listing as tags, I think etsy suggests this. I started out calling each item of jewelry a fancy name, but when I looked at successful sellers, they take advantage of the title by tagging. I don't think it looks great but I think it helps.
I don't think I'll ever make the front page with any of my items or with any of the treasuries I make, but I'm not too bothered by that. I was told by one team captain that I couldn't join their team as neither my jewelry or my treasuries had ever been on the front page and that my treasuries while they had fun titles, were a little 'busy' for their asthetics! That was the first team I tried to join, it nearly put me off joining any other teams or ever creating another treasury! LOL Thank heavens for All or Nothing!
If anyone has any ideas or wants to critique my shop, photo's descriptions, tags etc I'd welcome your suggestions, be as candid as you want, I won't be offended I'd really appreciate it.

Thanks too for being great team mates!

[Former_Member]

Definitely not a team I would want to join them, nor would they accept me either! Hahaha.

https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/174001083/crackle-glass-bracelet-multi-colored?ref=shop_home_active_...

I absolutely love all your photography's. So bright and so lively! Nothing I would suggest changing on them whatsoever.
Only thing I can think of is the tags. Add jewelry to more instead of bracelet. Instead of free US shipping maybe something general like free shipping to draw more in. When I have done a search I have never even thought to search for free shipping. First words in title should be exactly what the customer types in that search engine. If I was doing a search, first thing would be jewelry. When I added my very first listing, I couldn't believe I had to come up with 15 different tags. Its a teacups. How many other names can you call it? And then I realized how important those tags were and first few words in title to get the ranking.
I absolutely appreciate suggestions also. Have even went back to some pics and redid them based on what I was being told.

[TheWhatNaught]

I'm throwing in my two cents,

Since Michelle started this thread! I have given it a lot of thought. Jan has given me permission to discuss her TAGS in hopes that others will benefit and rethink theirs.

This listing is similar to the one above except it is a necklace rather than a bracelet. Both are very gorgeous.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/173602632/multi-colored-quartzite-silver?ref=shop_home_active_20

Three TAGS are from your new listing description and Jan didn't repeat any of those categories, :-)
but 12 out of thirteen include the word "necklace" which was already in the first three. Thinking as a shopper, I need a gift for my cat sitter. I might search:
Gift for her
Under 20 or under 30
Mother's Day
Great gift

Given that Jan's necklace and bracelet are colorful, the first word that popped into my head was carnival. There are 26,700 listing under carnival, 2598 under jewelry and only 371 under bracelet.
When I search I look for the biggest umbrella and then start narrowing it down.

Brief aside: are these similar enough that you can ad a link so a shopper may purchase both?

A huge market for shoppers on etsy is WEDDING! I would TAG wedding, bridesmaid or bridesmaid jewelry and then wait for the custom orders to pour in hoping that the bride is not bridezilla. lol

While browsing wedding, the bride will see gorgeous jewelry or a tea cup and her head will be spinning as the door to possibilities opens.

Mother's Day is within reach. 202,472 listing today with that TAG, but then you search jewelry 85,192 and bracelet 13,367.

I also like to jump on the band wagon for TAG used on the front page and even though Jan says she will never get there, my feeling is that she will. Honestly, who really wouldn't be thrilled to be on the front page?

March trends, spring, those kinds of TAGS grab attention of those eager beaver who do want the front page.

That's all for now, my dad is up and I need to go face the music. lol

Aloha (-.-)

Notice I didn't even mention using All or Nothing as a TAG?

[TheWhatNaught]

Hello again,

I also asked permission from Michelle, so I learned plenty today about teacups.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/179792199/teacup-and-saucer-royal-albert-regal?ref=shop_home_active_20

Her shop has so many that it was hard to pick a favorite. This royal Albert listing joins 1078 others with that TAG.
Remember, there are only 13 TAGS, so don't repeat the first three. "S" doesn't matter in the search. I read that in several places. So again, don't need to duplicate, same with spinning it around putting saucer before the cup.

Instead, add broader TAGS: memories 82,113 items listed for "memories", but if I was out shopping for my great Aunt, I might start there. Narrow it down with vintage, or antique, but not both. It is one or the other. Then use "collectible". Lots of collectors. Or collections is a broad tag that can be narrowed.
& I also will include TAGs from materials because it isn't like before when you could click on them now that the etsy folks changed the format. So porcelain, or bone china which Michelle did use. But leave it general like free shipping VS free US shipping. I might want to buy my Aunt something porcelain, but not know than a tea cup is perfect.

I would also play to the bride- to-be like I mentioned to Jan. Wedding accessories, if brides go for driftwood (& one did- bless her heart!) they would go for bone china vintage tea cups. Bridal shower might be a good TAG.

How about tea party? 47,997 listings for that!! Or high Tea. My friend in New Zealand talks about visiting her neighbors for high tea. It was my NZ friend that sent me a gorgeous teacup and saucer years ago.

Gold highlights, rose pattern, floral, floral set, matched set......

I wonder if we should open a critique my shop thread.

Michelle, I love your shop and I think you have really done well. In the short time you have been on etsy.

Happy tagging. Now I need to go look at mine.

Aloha (-.-)

[Former_Member]

There's a saying, you learn something new every day! Tags, is the hardest and most important of your listings.
First time hearing that the plural on a tag made no difference, as I had heard the exact opposite and checked doing my own etsy search on exact phrase of teacup and saucer vs teacups and saucers and also on shop stats of what buyers were entering to reach my shop. Hmmmm ponder and think.
I have thought of entering trending words and such and I am going to try that. Have nothing to lose!
So, I will share with you in the last 30 days what keywords have been typed to reach the store
1. teacup and saucer --- 20
2. teacup ---- 19
3. teacups ---10
4. cup saucer blue --- 10
5. vintage teacup --- 9
6. royal albert --- 9
7. teacups and saucers --- 9
8. tea cups saucers --- 5
9. tea cup and saucer --- 5

It's both singular and plural exact search's. So, that's where my confusion lays. If I were to type teacup and saucer and teacups and saucers, where my item ranks on pages is completely different.
What also enlightened me is simple things, like the word colour! Here in Canada, we spell it COLOUR. Now, the marketplace is more geared towards the states buyers so have to think like an American and take out that U. What you said Daveda about high tea, I would never even thought of! Every country is different in what they call it and I am missing out not being knowledgeable in worldwide phrases, thinking like a Westerner.
Time to go back in, do some more research, and definitely try out some of the tags mentioned above.
Have already taken some of the advice I have received back on background and need to repost some pics where the props are too distracting! But not so much as when you look at it you go "Ugh, how can I use that in a treasury!" Treasuries are great tools to gain exposure and a great promotion tool!
I'm sure I've written a novel again, but that's okay, as it's made a lot of our heads spin and constructive critism has been outstanding!
Great team! Great advice! Nothing taken to heart as we are all here for each other, wanting each other to succeed.
ALL OR NOTHING!!

[Former_Member]

Oh well isn't that neat? I was able to favourite my own item in this thread! Interesting!

[Former_Member]

Wow, wow, wow.....I am really impressed with your exchanges, Daveda and Michelle! I love the info and it's going to take me back to my shop, also. Thanks so much for the research and efforts, ladies.

I read Etsy blogs off and on. They provide the coolest info towards a successful shop and venture. One article mentioned it is best to not add free shipping in descriptions or titles. It lowers SEO. It does mention to add all info in your shipping policy.

Another help mentioned is to vary the wording in descriptions and not c/p the same exact wording. Mix it up, share what's common but say it differently.

Off-topic: I am a wee concerned that my photography posts could possibly be viewed as "know it all". A lot of info I share is from Etsy's blogs, outside of my experimentation. I just wanted the gang to know.

[TheWhatNaught]

Thank you Jacqueline for sharing info from etsy blogs. I just spent 35 minutes clicking back and forth removing free shipping from my titles.

I thought that would be a selling point, but if it detracts from SEO, out it goes!

Aloha (-.-)

[JustPlainJane]

Thanks for a great discussion!

Jane

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much Michelle and Daveda, that's absolutely wonderful advice and information, I really appreciate it. I've taken all you both said onboard and will see tagging in a new light! I'll be sure to go back to each of my items, when I get a chance and rework those dreaded tags! LOL Front page, if I ever get there, I'll take you all out to celebrate!! LOL LOL
Love that Bridezilla, Daveda that is so funny and just my luck to get her! LOL
As for All or Nothing tag, that's something I will do, because I remember you saying Daveda, that it helped when making treasuries ~ see I was paying attention! LOL

Thanks again, you're super team mates!

[Former_Member]

Jacqueline ~ Thanks for mentioning about the free shipping lowering the SEO, I didn't know that, so I'll take it out of my titles and listings. That's something new I learned! LOL I'm sure nobody thinks you're a know it all either, I'm just so pleased that you impart your knowledge and info, it's great that we have such fab team mates!

[Former_Member]

I just found a wonderful site. www.keywordeye.com
Typed in teacup and saucer and I got information overload. I got over 50 keywords and the search volume associated with each word and the comp score on each word. I'm going back into my listings and going to try it out based on the best search volume and comp scores and also keeping in mind how Etsy ranks it. I took the basic search for free. You can search for 10 keywords a day which is enough for me.
Going to try the listings I already changed with the above suggestions and change a few over to what I just found. Will let you all know how this goes.

[Former_Member]

I find one thing I've done to decide upon tags, as well, is to look at sites with similar items to mine who are selling alot and check out what tags they are using.

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone, I just joined this awesome team and I need HELP, 'cuase I am new to this!!! Well, guys I just opened my shop of handmade jewelry on Etsy a month ago and have made only one sale. I barely get any views daily. There are days when I don't get any views.
I really need your help here, guys. I have tried to fix my tags already, but it seems no to be working. Please, if u have any advise,ideas that I can use to improve my shop, I would really appreciate it :).
My shop on Etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/LSShinyLittleThings

Thanks!!!!

[Former_Member]

Wow--didn't know "free shipping" would lower SEO... am on my way to delete those... and to add "All or Nothing" to my tags.... this is great information on this thread!