Am I over thinking this?

[BellairApothecary]

I joined Etsy way back on 2006, and opened a shop only to let it sit idle for years while I had two kids and raised them up to school age. Now that they are in school, I have time to do my thing again and re-opened my shop about a year ago. My question is this: is it a turn off for a customer to see that I have technically been open since 2006 (even though I've only been active for about a year) yet only have about 90 sales? If it is a problem, is there anything I can do about it? Other advice is welcome too :)

[weekendjewelry1]

I can only go by things I've heard people talking about - and I don't think mots people pay any attention at all to that. Get going, get a few new sales under your belt, and that'll be what people see and care about. And don't stress about the 2006 thing.

[BellairApothecary]

Thanks Jen!

[ChickWithChainsaw]

Hello Nicole! I'm only an Etsy newbie who opened a shop this month so I'm not going to try and give you any advice, only my view from a buyer point of view.

Which is, it certainly wouldn't put me off buying from you. 90 sales would be enough to reassure me that you're not a fly-by-night sort and an 8 year history is definitely a positive too.

[Former_Member]

I sold only a few items my first year back in 2011 and closed shop until mid 2012 and hoped no one would mind that I only had about 10 sales in 2011!

Honestly, I do like to look at shops who are struggling and help them out. But only as an Etsy seller myself and because I have been there in the beginning! But regular customers who come to Etsy to purchase really do not pay attention to those types of things! I wouldn't stress it at all

[ArteOfTheBooke]

I had a similar situation, letting the shop idle for two years. Starting it up again was a slow process, but the momentum builds and then you are off and running. Don't stress about it.

[Former_Member]

I am using an old buyer account from 2008. I opened this shop 3 1/2 months ago and relying mostly on really good SEO, I have almost 90 sales. Shoppers either do not notice or do not care how long ago a shop was opened.

The products you are selling are in a popular category on Etsy and on Google. You just need better SEO throughout your shop.

You can can really good SEO help on this SEO Team: https://www.etsy.com/teams/11352/relevancy-and-seo-for-all-etsy-shops

Just 2 tips from me:
The descriptions of your listings are very long, too long for most shoppers to take the time to read. You give a lot of good information but the details would work best on the shop policy page with just a brief summary on the listing page.

The container or bottle size is important but very hard to find in the listing description.

[BellairApothecary]

Thank you so much, this is very helpful info!
I can see how the descriptions could be overwhelmingly long :) I will need to do some reading up on SEO to familiarize myself with the concept a bit better...

[Former_Member]

I don't think the customers will mind and you are not over thinking it. :) Good luck with your shop.

[BellairApothecary]

Thanks Amanda! I'm hoping that over thinking the *right* things will be the key to success :)