✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

Please consider this thread as a discussion based on research of what we should review to be part of our shop's best practices; thank you.

It will replace the following and previous threads related to this discussion:

✔ Perfecting Refund Policies AND ✔ Encouraging 5 Star Buyer Reviews

www.etsy.com/teams/7818/whats-new/discuss/18624097/page/1?ref=team_...

What we will not be presenting here for our team's discussion:

✔ What we do not control . . . such as, Search Function which is and will remain what our selling venue(s) control.

What we will be presenting here for our team's discussion:

✔ What we can control or have some control over.

What we will do our best not to discuss here is what should only be up to the shop owners to decide for themselves.

[please do not use this thread to promote your listings; thank you . . . and please do use our team's other threads as much as you can to promote your listings and those listings of other team members too . . . ]

Thank you!

www.etsy.com/teams/7818/whats-new/discuss/18624097/page/1?ref=team_...

✔ One website that is popular and a good source for business information as well as for information that is not so good for business is YouTube videos . . .

Since we do not have either the time nor the money to experiment on what works and what does not work we are of the opinion it is wise to learn from others who have been successful in start up businesses.

✔ Published on Nov 14, 2017 --- In this first-of-its-kind conversation, the Bezos brothers discuss their early influences, habits for success, and predictions for the future. ✔ Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos and brother Mark give a rare interview about growing up and secrets to success . . .

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hq89wYzOjfs&t=198s

✔ Jeff Bezos's Top 10 Rules For Success (@JeffBezos) . . .

www.youtube.com/watch?v=pAdjNuE6EZQ&t=78s

He left a high paying job to bet on himself and start a .com business when everyone thought he was crazy. He built it to become the largest retailer in the world and prove his doubters wrong. He's now worth over $30 billion and is one of the top 15 richest people in the world. He's Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon.com, and here are his Top 10 Rules for Success.

1. Have no regrets
2. Follow your heart not your head
3. Invest more in the product than marketing
4. Pick a good name
5. Stand for something
6. Focus on the customer
7. Focus on your passion
8 Build a culture
9. Premium products at non-premium prices
10. Take a risk

✔ "6. Focus on the customer" in our opinion should be goal #1 and this includes:

Customers
Are
Really
Everything

In other words CARE for buyers, customers, and clients should be part of every single decision we make as a business.

Our TWO Guiding Questions are:

(1) "Who Are Your Customers?"
and,
(2) "What Are They Looking to Buy?"

Offering buyers/shoppers what they are looking to buy always seems to be in the best interests of sellers!

✔ "See You at the Top Zig Ziglar"

www.youtube.com/watch?v=gywIFS0QRwc

✔ 7 Zig Ziglar Quotes to Help You Rethink Sales

1. “Stop selling. Start helping.”
2. “You will get all you want in life if you help enough other people get what they want.”
(when we take the time to listen to the prospect’s needs, those prospects will be much more willing to hear about a potential solution.)
3. “Lack of direction, not lack of time, is the problem. We all have 24-hour days.”
(You know that salesperson who’s always busy, but doesn’t seem to get anything done? That’s lack of direction.)
4. “A goal properly set is halfway reached.”
(Studies show that simply the act of setting goals influences performance. It keeps people focused on those goals, motivates them to invest more effort to achieve them and increases people’s persistence in reaching those goals.)
5. “You don’t have to be great to start, but you have to start to be great.”
(just get started)
6. “Statistics suggest that when customers complain, business owners and managers ought to get excited about it. The complaining customer represents a huge opportunity for more business.”
(research from Gartner Group reveals that 80% of your company’s future revenue will come from 20% of your existing customers.)
7. “People often say motivation doesn’t last. Neither does bathing — that’s why we recommend it daily.”
(Naturally, rewards are a great form of motivation, but there are different types of sales incentives --- put in place what motivates you.)

Perhaps consider some of these . . . "76 Zig Ziglar Motivational Quotes To Increase Your Sales"

www.motivateamazebegreat.com/2016/08/76-zig-ziglar-motivational-quo...

Thank you for considering these points and please share what you have found to help you . . .
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

From the editor of EcommerceBytes: "Trying to get exposure in search results can feel like trying to win the lottery as marketplace selling gets ever more competitive. eBay will make it even tougher to get seen by its shoppers as it moves the platform from a listings based marketplace to a product based marketplace. Why? In order to reduce the complexity of search - you'll can read about it in today's issue. And let us know what you think by posting a comment in the EcommerceBytes Blog.

and, . . .

eBay to Change Search to Collapse Complexity

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2018/2/1519091217.html

eBay will move to a new "product based" shopping experience on a large scale this year to replace the current listings based experience - and it will become the only way to shop on eBay, according to the company's CEO Devin Wenig.

Speaking at a Wall Street conference last week, he talked about initiatives such as structured data and product pages (they are "evolutionary" and ongoing) along with his priorities for the year, which include customer features built on structured data:

- eBay's Guaranteed Delivery program will expand quite dramatically this year, not just in the US, but around the world.

- eBay will implement a significant simplification of C2C (consumer to consumer) selling.

- eBay will expand the Authentication program for high end goods into new categories this year.

But Wenig described the biggest change coming to the site as a move from a listings based marketplace to a product based marketplace.

He described the challenge for shoppers looking on eBay for a particular smartphone - there may be 10,000 iPhones, and now it's the shopper's job to find the right one, he said. eBay is looking to change that through its catalog (structured data) approach.

"In a catalog world, all of that is coming together and being compressed, and we're showing you the best (iPhone) for each of the unique aspects that represents eBay. Rather than just have a Buy Box - because that's not really eBay - you might have four."

Wenig said in that example, eBay might show four iPhones rather than 10,000: the best price for a new iPhone, the best price for a used iPhone, the best price for a refurbished iPhone, and "the best analog for the iPhone, which is an Android phone at a different price."

"It's that breadth - what we internally call "spectrum of value" - that is so unique to our marketplace, better than anywhere else."

He talked about collapsing the complexity. "Nobody wants to go through 10,000 iPhones. Show me the four best options."

"I think this is the year you'll really gonna feel us on that efficient frontier of choice versus simplicity. That's to me when it really starts to get unlocked. You're going to see us move wholesale categories into that in 2018, and that will be the only way you shop on eBay. So it's really exciting this year." (In this context, Wenig was speaking about moving a large number of categories, not categories in which wholesalers sell.)

It's a big gamble for the company, given Wenig's revelation that the new experience would become the only way to shop on eBay. And he failed to address what would happen to the 9,996 sellers of iPhones that don't make it into one of the 4 Buy Box positions and their counterparts in all of the categories where the new experience rolls out.

Shared here for information purposes . . . likely Etsy management will be following what happens here . . .

and, Should eBay Be Restricting Search Results?

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/blog/blog.pl?/pl/2018/2/1519051927.html

and, New eBay Commercial Prompts Questions from Sellers

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/abblog/blog.pl?/pl/2018/2/1519011669.html

and, How Often Does eBay Advertise Your Listings to You?

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/abblog/blog.pl?/pl/2018/2/1518833727.html

and, Seller Seeks Answers after eBay Sales Plummet

https://www.ecommercebytes.com/C/letters/blog.pl?/pl/2018/2/1518921073.html


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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

✔ Seller Service Level Standards

The Etsy community relies on its sellers to provide consistently excellent customer service. To protect the integrity of the marketplace and ensure that buyers can purchase on Etsy with confidence, we created Service Level Standards.

✔ Expectations of sellers:

When reviewing accounts, we investigate various factors that most commonly result in poor buyer experiences. This includes, but is not limited to:

Non-delivery cases. A buyer may file this type of case if the order was not shipped within the listed processing time. The buyer may also file a non-delivery case if they contacted a seller about their order but didn't receive a sufficient response.

Not-as-described cases. This type of case may include—but isn’t limited to—items received that are materially different from the listing description and photos, partial non-delivery of an order, or non-delivery of a replacement item.

Low reviews (1 or 2 stars). A low review may be an indicator that a buyer had a disappointing experience, or that there may still be an outstanding issue with their order. Low reviews can ultimately hurt a shop’s reputation.

Orders canceled without buyer communication or consent. We may find a cancellation cause for concern if it occurs without communication from the seller, or after the scheduled "ship by" date has passed.

Chargebacks. When a buyer disputes a purchase charged to their bank account or credit card company, we conduct a thorough investigation. We may require additional information from the seller to resolve a chargeback dispute to determine whether the seller or Etsy will absorb the liability for the chargeback.

Non-delivery cases. Not-as-described cases. Low reviews (1 or 2 stars). Orders canceled without buyer communication or consent. Chargebacks.

For our shop we have chosen to offer our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee and our 100% Safe Delivery Guarantee! This does mean that we can and should expect some refunds based on some "not-honest" buyers . . . we consider this a cost of doing business expense.

7 Strategies for Exceptional Customer Service
https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/7-strategies-for-exceptional-customer/25540177187

Dos and Don'ts of Communicating With Customers
https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/dos-and-donts-of-communicating-with/26590492608

Your Customer Service Guide
https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/your-customer-service-guide/22716492664


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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

We are considering using our About Section and Photos as . . .

. . . Our Customer Service Guide . . .

What customers can expect from us when they buy from us . . . and, . . . what shoppers/customers can expect from us when they use our "Ask Us a Question?" button . . .

What would we like to tell our shoppers about us . . . and what we do?

5 photos - 5 key points

(1) How and why to use "Ask Us a Question?" button . . .
(2) How to use "Custom Request" button . . .
(3) Our 100% Satisfaction Guarantee or Your 100% Refund of Your Payment including original shipping.
(4) Our 100% Safe Delivery Guarantee that is better than Free Shipping Insurance . . .
(5) Free Shipping on orders of $25 or more . . . and, Free Shipping on all additional items added to first items (in other words, only pay shipping on 1st item order and shipping is free on all additional items order and when total is $25 or more shipping is free and includes USPS tracking and our safe delivery guarantee too.)

Additionally include a paragraph about the top quality of our products.

What do you think?
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

While as we previously stated "search" is not an area we can control here is an article about SEO for 2018; enjoy . . .

The Game-Changing SEO Guide for 2018

http://www.sitepronews.com/2018/01/22/game-changing-seo-guide-2018/
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

One more link on SEO about RankBrain . . .

A Complete Guide to the Google RankBrain Algorithm

(December 2017)

https://www.searchenginejournal.com/google-algorithm-history/rankbrain/
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

ETSY --- Our House Rules / Privacy Policy

Important to know and comply with this information . . .

www.etsy.com/legal/privacy
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

--- What can we learn from Amazon? ---

Amazing Amazon Story - Jeff Bezos Full Speech

www.youtube.com/watch?v=YlgkfOr_GLY

Amazons Jeff Bezos looks to the future

www.youtube.com/watch?v=JROFIBGh1lI

Amazon employee work-life balance | Jeff Bezos, CEO Amazon

www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTYFEgXaRbU
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

. . . "Continuous Learning leads to Continuous Improvement in Knowledge" . . . then . . . "Continuous Improved Knowledge" . . . leads to implication of this knowledge to enhance a seller's shop and listings . . .

And, just a little daily work at this leads to great yearly results . . .

"2% improvement per week equals 104% improvement in a year"
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

--- Find up-to-date information about tests in Etsy’s Help Center ---

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/18603910/
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

From Etsy: "What's Coming Up In 2018" - More buyers, better tools, real talk.
By Kruti Patel Goyal Feb 28, 2018

https://www.etsy.com/seller-handbook/article/whats-coming-up-in-2018/275108938082?invest2018_feb28_a...
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

- ARTICLE - 40 Ways to Develop New Habits After 40

(actually after any age worthwhile considering)

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/40-ways-to-develop-new-habits-after-40/ss-BBJ9dCT?ocid=spa...

When BEST PRACTICES become good habits we tend to implement them automatically and with the greatest of ease . . .
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

Consider . . .

- Etsy Seller & Buyer Character Pride - not conceit, disdain, or arrogant pride - but a Pride of being the Best online seller's venue for all things vintage, handmade, and craft supplies!

Everyone doing business on Etsy doing whatever they can to make Etsy a name associated with the Best in Customer Service and Human-to-Human relationships!

Etsy will truly make the most of "technology" and yet be the best at human relationships too . . . caring on both the seller side and the buyer side . . . so that both seller and buyer work to sincerely trust each other.

Buyers and Sellers will be best when respect is shown each other!

The 3 important questions and answers . . .

"Where is the best place to buy vintage online?"

Etsy!

"Where is the best place to buy handmade online?"

Etsy!

"Where is the best place to buy craft supplies and tools?"

Etsy!

In other words . . . Etsy will be the first place to shop for Vintage, Handmade, and Craft Supplies and Tools!

E = Excellence
T = Trust
S = Satisfaction
Y - Yes We Can!

"Making Etsy Better Each and Every Day through Continuous Enhancement!"
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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

Components and their value of the Etsy shop . . .

. . . Cover Photo . . . Banner . . . or, None . . .

Suggestion is to keep it simple, clear, and to the point of benefiting the shopper.

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Re: ✔ BEST PRACTICES - Discussion Solely Thread ✔

✔ Setting up Shop Policies ✔

Etsy Help . . .
https://www.etsy.com/help/article/38745785811

The big 3 are . . .

Shipping
Payment options
Returns & exchanges
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