Avatar vs real picture

[#1]

Hi, I'm pretty new to online selling. I started my Etsy shop using an avatar and nickname in my profile; but recently I thought that maybe is more atractive and trustable to potential customers to see a real face and name associated to the shop.

Does anyone have experiences to share about what works best?

[LaLatoneria]

I started with an avatar that was not reflecting at all what I sell, and didn't match well with the banner. I think that I was struggling to give my shop some sort of identity. I then changed to my picture. After reading all the great comments in the thread, I dedicated the Saturday to work on it. Finally decided to put a picture of one of my articles. Also changed the banner and used the same article and I think it now does a good match and represent what my shop is about. I think that I will stick to it now, following the advice of BeaG, unless people tell me that it looks horrible. I was also working in pictures to get a more harmonized look in the shop. I really struggle with pictures, I'm not any good at it and need a lot of time to get something "decent".

[LaLatoneria]

This was a bussy Saturday!!!!