Constructive Critisim

[AmandasHomemadeGifts]

I am sure I spelled that wrong but i think it would be kind of beneficial to check out others stores and post suggestions. I very new at cardmaking but love it. I think maybe we could visit the last person who has posted on this thread and then post what you thing about their card.....

[Former_Member]

Hi, Amanda. Your cards are very cute.

[JewelsGreetingsmore]

Hi Vaida! I l LOVE your fabric flowers they are so delicate and would make wonderful embellishments on so many things. I am so envious of your quilling techniques, they are so perfect! :)

[Former_Member]

Hi Samantha. I just checked your shop. You got some cute stuff. The things that caught my attention right away were the cards with jewelry. Do the jewelry come with the cards? That's a very unique way for promotion. It's like the bundling thing.

And I notice that you didn't mention about the dimensions on some of your cards. I think it will be helpful for buyers if they have ideas on how big or small the cards are. It might work for the jewelry that comes with the card too.

Will anyone critique my shop? Help me with tags? I would like to get views as it's always been slow to me. Any help will be appreciated. Thank you :)

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

Dhienna, your photos are good and clear. You've got a wide range of occasions for your cards and some innovative ideas for wording. Also I personally have an easier time making cards for women but I see some of your cards would be appropriate for either gender. Good stuff:)
Are you on any teams that you could use a tag for? I'm on a few teams that do that. For example, I trade on the trade-a-holics team, so also tag 'trade' or 'barter'. Or another of my teams does a bit of promotion and they search by a different tag, so I always include that.

One thing that stood out to me was your shipping cost to Canada. Being a Canadian, I'm always aware of this. I think your prices are a little high for shipping- please don't be upset! I realize that there's time in packaging, money spent on envelopes, etc. Just thought I'd mention it for whatever it's worth:)

Your cards are very nice- keep it up:)

Someone please critique me now!

[Former_Member]

really like the book marks

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

I don't have bookmarks, Beverly;)

[Former_Member]

Hi Julia
You cards are very delicate. I like them very much. But some of your photos bit too dark so the cards look bit dim. And I missed a refund policy.

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

Thanks Vaida. I'm working on the photos. It's my least favourite part of the process.
THanks for your help! :)

[Former_Member]

Julia,

I loved you banner (that's what I look at first when visiting an Etsy shop). The photograph of the paper flower is wonderful! very realistic! I noticed some of your listings only have one photo. I like seeing the card from different angles, so it's not just shot head-on. And even ones up-close to show the detail or dimensions of the card. Dimensions should probably be added as I like to know how big things are, and even get my ruler out to see the actual size when I'm thinking of ordering something. And maybe put the cards in the cello sleeve when it's sold (noticed one card was still in sleeve in the photo).
Wow, sorry, I didn't mean to write so much...I have a lot of time on my hands.. I guess. Anyway, I hope none of the above rubs you the wrong way. I'm always interested in hearing what others have to say about my shop.

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

Thanks for the critique, Jill. I have been slowly working on taking better photos and will remember to take more at different angles in the future. I thought I had the dimensions of the cards added, although perhaps some of the older ones didn't have that in the listing and I hadn't updated it.
Thanks so much!

[Former_Member]

Julia, would you mind critiquing my shop?

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

Hi Jill,
Ok, I'll give it a shot. You seem to have had a good amount of sales for being a new shop, so you're doing well already.
I like your profile. It makes you seem like the kind of person that I'd like to buy from. You seem real. Your photos look good and I know you are aware of your photos and how they look to potential buyers... so good stuff:)
For suggestions, divide up your sections so you make full use of them. Don't combine a variety of cards in the same section if you can help it. I think that often people are looking for cards ready to go. That has been my experience. They don't always read the listing to see that the card can have a sentiment added and they assume that it comes exactly the way that it looks. My thought would be to choose what sentiment will go on to your card and add a comment in the listing (for those who actually read them), that you can make a similar card with a different sentiment if they'd like to make a custom request.
I checked through some of your tags and tags that are generic like 'cute' won't be as helpful to you like a phrase like 'handmade card' or 'stamped card', etc. I'm still learning about this SEO stuff myself and trying to improve as I go.
Also, if you feel comfortable, expand your potential buyers beyond the United States. I know some people just search by who will actually ship to them, so that would mean that they wouldn't even have the chance to find your card and ask you to add shipping to their location... because you wouldn't even show up.
Your cards look good. You've had sales already. Keep going:)
Hope this is helpful. Enjoy the Easter weekend!

[Former_Member]

Hello all! I just started my shop and this team, and anyone with helpful hints to improve my store would be greatly appreciated! I've read through the previous comments and ya'll seem to provide great feedback. Thanks!

[CardsbyJeweleighaB]

Hi Andrea,
I love your shop. I think that you totally have found a great niche in making your science/nerdy/etc. cards. I love your style. The only thing that I could think of would be to be careful with naming your cards. For example, I think this one would be hard for someone to find when they search because of the title being very specific. Try to think of what someone may type in when they search for a card like this.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/97138689/steam-powered-pi

Once again, your cards are really cool. I've checked out your shop a couple times because it really wants to make me look twice.
All the best!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Julia! I really appreciate the positive feedback and helpful advice. I am really digging this team already!

[LisaVoergDesigns]

Hi! I have posted several times, and I have enjoyed the support that I have received. I would love for a team member to share their thoughts about my shop. Thank you in advance for your advice.

[Former_Member]

Hello Lisa,
Before I critique your shop, I want to thank Julia B for critiquing my shop. I would love to keep my shipping prices down, including to Canada. But from my experience I always end up spending over $ 3.00 shipping to Canada. I might have to work on packaging to keep shipping fee down. Thank you for the thoughts :)

And Lisa, I've checked your shop. You have some cute stuffs. I like the color variety. From what I've been learning on SEO (I'm working on mine as well), I think you might want to work on some of your titles? Like on one of your listings for a set of card (it's my favorite personally :) ):

http://www.etsy.com/listing/89713568/happy-birthday-cards

maybe you could add more information on the title, like set of three or lady bugs or the color combination you have. And I read on site help discussions about tagging, it's best to use more than one word phrase for relevancy.

Other than that, your shop is doing well. :)

[LisaVoergDesigns]

Hi Dhienna,

Thanks so much for your advice. I really appreciate it! I am finding my way with the SEO information. I try to read what I can, when I can. I will work to improve the titles and tags, so hopefully I will be found.

Thank you, as well, for including a picture from the shop. I certainly see how that one could use just a little more information :) Your comments are greatly appreciated.

You have really beautiful, clear pictures. They really catch your eye. You also have a nice variety in your shop. Something for everyone. This card is in the sold section of your shop, but I love the quilling.

http://www.etsy.com/transaction/69524400

I didn't notice any current quilling cards, but if your customer is a fan of quilling maybe they will come back looking for more. Just a thought. I am looking at this for my own shop. What I have sold seems to be less embellished and I like to pile it on! Maybe I need to simplify my designs.

[Former_Member]

Lisa, thank you so much for your critique and advice. I took your advice right away. I made more quilled cards. It's been a while since the last time I made one. I guess I have even more variety now. I hope that can be what some people are looking for. :)

Thanks again and best of luck to you :)

[ArtFromTheCabin]

When I first opened up my shop, I had planned only to have paintings. Then I started adding bookmarks, and later cards (ALL painted with watercolors)

I think my items look okay, but any suggestions, and words of wisdom would be appreciated.

Thanks

[Former_Member]

Hi Donna,
I love watercolors, flowers and bright colors so you had me from the first glance at your shop. I especially love your lace borders. One suggestion I would make is to take advantage of all the photo boxes that are available, maybe a close up showing part of the card, or photograph the card from different angles. Your work is beautiful! I am fairly new to Etsy and am amazed at all the variety and quality of work that I have found so far.

[ArtFromTheCabin]

Joan
Thanks for your suggestions. I will work on using all of those little photo boxes!

[Former_Member]

Joan,
Your cards are beautiful! I especially like the pink and brown cupcake one. I love that color combo and the design is well done! My one suggestion would be to maybe make your descriptions shorter or use bullet points. I read that advice somewhere - I am guilty of writing long descriptions as well! It said to use bullet points to make it easier for the customer to find pieces of information.
-Michele

[LookWhatMumsMade]

Hi Michele,

I love your style of cards, they are so pretty. I feel awful saying anything being new here but the only thing other team members (from my other teams) suggested was that always use the same background for all your photo's. I have spent most of the day retaking all my pictures and using all five slots. Hope this is ok

Best wishes
Denise xx