Concerned

[Former_Member]

Hello everyone!! I am a somewhat new seller, I opened my shop a little over a month ago, and still no sales. People seem to like my products, I have lowered the prices in the store, I have a facebook page with almost 200 fans, my blog has over 100 followers, I am advertising in blogs, I am being as active as possible here on Etsy.
I desperately need some constructive criticism please! Any input will be appreciated! Thank you all!

[Former_Member]

Wow! You have adorable and gorgeous bags! I love the unique features of them. I have a couple of suggestions from one newbie to another. . .

I have asked for a lot of shop feedback and I have many responses like these:

A rule of thumb is to have at least 100 items for sale in your shop. It gives you a much better chance of being found during searches that customers make.

Add your team names to your tags. For example, I belong to Promoting Creative Friends. They suggested putting pcfteam in my tags, that way everyone on the team can find my items :) I am still in the process of adding all tags and redoing many of mine. Since titles are weighted more, start with the word purse or handbag in your titles :)

Hope this helps a bit!

Kristin

P.S. Great photos!!!

[Former_Member]

Also:

In your tags, I would add: handcrafted, accessory, coin purse, etc.

This will help people find your items :)
Kristin

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76996898/teal-denim-wristlet-the-itsy-bitsy

[Former_Member]

Patience my friend!! It can take more than a month for sales to start rolling in. It took me 6 weeks before my first sale and then it was 2 more weeks before my next sale! It takes time.

I think your shop is adorable - love the avatar and banner. Make sure you are using all of your tags and work on your SEO. This is very helpful:
http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2009/etsy-guide-to-seo/

Good luck!!

[andiestevensdesigns]

Cute stuff! I've been on here (actively) since this past spring and I've only gotten 2 orders, only one of them from Etsy (the other was someone that liked my facebook page). My sales right now are coming from promoting on facebook and also doing in person events, women's shows, art fairs, craft fairs. You might just need to hit the pavement and market yourself some more. You have cute items and they are priced affordably too! Good luck!

[IslandPicnic]

I think many people believe in the theory, "Open a shop, sales will come!" But it's not that simple. You haven't been open that long, although it may seem like it to you. ;)

I agree with Oceans about changing the wording in your titles. I learned this not too long ago - Colors and cute names should be at the end of the title, with the most important keywords up front, "Wristlet, Teal and Denim, The Itsy Bitsy," to use the example posted above.

I think your products are great!!! And your photos are very well done. Very impressive for a new shop!!! :)

Sometimes people don't make that first sale, well... because you haven't had a sale yet. ARGH!!! How frustrating!!! If you know anyone off Etsy, like a friend or family member, who is interested in purchasing one of your bags, it wouldn't hurt to direct them to Etsy. That way you could build up your sales and feedback. Or you could try one of the BNS or BNR treasury teams. I don't have much experience with them, but I've heard a lot of people say that's how they got their first few sales.

Good luck!!!

[HouseOfMoss]

I really really like your shop! You've already branded it quite well, and your items look amazing!

Make sure that you're using all your tags, so that people can find you in the saturated section that "Bags and Purses" is.

Also, you might consider having some real people modeling your bags, for a sense of scale and an extension of your brand style.

[Untwistedsister]

I'm a newbie too. I opened in April but didn't start listing until the end of June. I really like the little clutches but I don't think everyone will think to search for 'clutch', and in nearly every tag you have the word 'clutch' eg: "yellow clutch". knock it down to just "yellow". the search engine will automatically put the 2 words together as long as you have each of them in your tags.

If I was searching for something like you make - I'd try to tag it with every possible word you could call it - "bag" "purse" "clutch" and then with each thing someone might use it for "coins" "make up". You have to think how you'd search for an item.

Can you theme some of them with fabric to get more attention?

Just my opinions and lord knows I'm no expert.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for all your input!!! I really appreciate it! I will definitely start tweaking the store!
Oh! and keep it coming!!
Thank you! Your encouragement just made my day!

[Former_Member]

LOVE THIS:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79162801/striped-orange-clutch-the-obnoxious-one

[Former_Member]

Raise your prices. You're not doing yourself any favors by lowering them. Look at it this way:

I've had my clutches at $40 for the last year or so. When I raised my prices to over $50, it put me in a new price bracket. Say Suzie comes to Etsy looking for clutches and she is willing to spend between $50 and $75 on a clutch. If my prices were at $40, I'd be left out of her search. Now that my prices are higher, I'm not only in her search, but I'm making more of a profit off my item.

Never, ever cave in and do yourself the disservice of lowering your prices. This isn't Wal-mart - people who buy handmade understand (usually) the amount of time that goes into what you're making, and are willing to pay for it.

[Former_Member]

I am in a similar situation as you - my jewellery gets complimented when I'm out and about and on facebook but so far the sales have been pretty slow. Great tips above about tagging - I will try that myself :) In the meantime I'll favourite your lovely purses in the hope that people in my circle/teams see them - us newbies have to stick together! :)
good luck with your shop!

[Former_Member]

1mADwoman- I really didn't want to lower my prices. I decided to do it after the lack of sales hoping it would drive some business in, but it obviously didn't work. I definitely don't want to undersell myself. I am a perfectionist, and take great pride in my work. I have hosted giveaways, and I am quick to redo an item even if one stitch does not look right. Thank you for your advise!

[TouchOfSilver]

Just made your shop one of my faves. It's very nice and your banner is superb. I agree with adding your teams to your tags, so they can find you for treasuries. Also, you might consider tags like evening wear, or casual wear if the definition fits:)

I'm convinced your sales will come...you just have to get out there and get noticed - not always an easy thing but your purses are so cute, you can't help but draw people in.

Best,
Barbara

[TouchOfSilver]

I agree....don't lower prices...they are worth it and more! It's all about perceived value. If you price it low, people will perceive it's value as low (and we know that's not true). Pricing it higher puts people in a different mindset when when they value your work.

[heartsabustin]

Good for you, sweetie (1madwoman in her alternate purse-onality - har har har). It takes a while to get that first sale. It took me about three weeks for my shops, but that was three years and two years ago, respectively. Just keep doing what you're doing, and you'll get there.

Work on your photos, too - trust me when I say there's ALWAYS room for improvement on the photos. Good luck!

[MVDesignInk]

I love your shop and agree with the comments and suggestions. My sales are slow and it took me 4 months to make my first sale. I know tags are important and title. So just patience, your sales will come in :)
Marilu

[Former_Member]

Thank you again everyone!! There's no point on selling myself short. And feel free to keep the comments coming! You guys are awesome!