Craftopolis Experiment

[Former_Member]

From time to time we are all looking for ways to advertise our Etsy Shops so I thought I would share a one week experiment with Craftopolis.

I chose to use one week, the first week of March beginning on the first Sunday. Craft. runs from Sunday to Sunday. It costs a little over $15 per week for the ad spot which doesn't sound like a lot until you multiply that by 4.2, less a small discount so it's net $54 per month.

I regularly check my Google Analytics for Traffic Sources and in the week during my ad I had zero hits from Craftopolis. Should I have increased my experiment to one month? Who knows but one thing I can say is that had I had as many as one (1) hit I would have continued with my advertising on Craft.

[Former_Member]

I have wondered about this. I do sometimes click an ad when I'm there, and it's always for beads, findings, or chain. I'm really surprised you didn't get any hits since you sell cool mosaic supplies. What a bummer! I don't even want to try it for a week now. Thanks for posting this Karen!

[Former_Member]

Hey, maybe it was my button, maybe it was my deodorant, I just wanted to share the information.

[Former_Member]

I'm glad you shared your experience. I wondered how well those ads did over there. I visit the website once a day or once every few days...
I clicked some ads a few times but once I found that most of them who advertise there were supply shops, I stopped looking. (if I don't need supplies, I don't look through those shops... if I need supplies, then i'll come do a search for em).

Maybe try to find a popular DIY blog to pick up some advertising on? It may be a better use of your money.
I'd see about finding one and actually doing a how-to on it. Make a video or take some pictures and write up something on how to make '____' out of mosaic pieces. Then see about sticking an advertisement up with it so people can buy them from you to try themselves.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I love when people post the results of experiments that they have done!

Personally, I am always clicking on Craftopolis ads, though a big part of it is the button and little thumbnail that comes up.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I have always considered doing ad spots but I realized that I myself rarely click on ads so why would I invest?

[Former_Member]

Thanks for sharing your experiment and for experimenting, helping us all to know better.

I love your work!

[MagnoliaSurprise]

I saw your ad there and wondered if it brought you any sales. Thanks for sharing!

[Former_Member]

I've always wondered about Craftopolis and how effective it'd be. I'd thought about it myself a time or two. That being said, only rarely do I click on ads. I get my stats, do my stuff and ditch.

Has anyone experimented with any of the other options? ie: ProjectWonderful, CraftCult, FB

[Former_Member]

I would have thought craftopolis would have done well, though I haven't tried it. I've been doing ok with project wonderful though.

[Former_Member]

I have been considering online advertisement for awhile and have yet to act on it. I have been hesitant about trying craftopolis because I worry that most of the traffic is from Esty sellers vs. Etsy buyers. Not that Etsy sellers don't do a little shopping (I know I do!) but I feel like that might lead to less traffic.

Thanks for sharing your experience.

[Former_Member]

Maybe it was the button you chose? It should be a similar style to the others that are on the site.

Can we see the button?

[Former_Member]

Well, that's very interesting! I find it surprising too, since so many people use the site. Thank you for letting us know!