Constructive critique

[Former_Member]

I was hoping I could get a little constructive critiquing.  My store has been open since 5/24/2014, I started out selling handmade pillowcases with crocheted edging.  They didn't sell very well, only sold one when I decided to re-launch my store and sell my hand stitched wall hangings/artwork.  I know I need to add more inventory but I would like to know what you think of my products, photos and store in general.  Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks :)

[Former_Member]

I love your products, Your photography is fine, too.

Have you carefully researched your tags? Also, it's important to use your tags in your title (which you're doing to some degree) and also in your description, especially the beginning.

If you're just guessing on your tags, you absolutely must learn to do the research. Go to the Relevancy & SEO team and learn as much as you can about picking the best keywords.
https://www.etsy.com/teams/11352/relevancy-and-seo-for-all-etsy-shops

Then I also suggest that you read about my method, which goes a little further than they do on the Relevancy team.
https://cleverruthie.wordpress.com/2014/09/08/a-sweet-secret-to-seo-and-etsy-happiness/

I'm a stitcher too, but to me, it's almost too time consuming to create a product that has a price that people are willing to pay. So I appreciate how much time your pieces take you, but I'm not sure that most buyers do, and your prices may seem a bit high to them.

[Former_Member]

Thank you Mary I really appreciate your time and suggestions, I'll be sure and check out the links. :)

[organicmountainwoman]

Oooh. I like your shop!
It immediately drew me in because of the colors and the contrast on the white background.
I didn't immediately know what I was looking at (Wall Hanging)...I saw in your second pictures, you had some framed.
I would, perhaps show some on a colored wall in the first picture so people immediately know what they're looking at.
Any consideration on making them into throw pillow covers? They're sooo popular right now.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for the input, yes as a matter of fact I was thinking of making them into throw pillow covers among other things.

Thank you again! :)

[ObjectApparel]

Nice items, but I didn't understand what they were when I saw them right away. Maybe showing them in a frame or something would help.. otherwise great items!!

[Former_Member]

Vicki, You work is gorgeous. The photos with your work in frames really sets your work off. I'd move your photos around so those are first.

Beautiful work!

[Former_Member]

Lovely shop. Very bright and vibrant and your pictures are all very uniform and clear. Love your descriptions as they are very informative and tell me what inspired the piece and tells me everything I need to know.

I would suggest though that you make sure to use all five photo spaces in each listing to really show off your items. I noticed that most of your listings only have 3 photos. Show them from different angles, up close, in use, show your packaging.

[Former_Member]

Hi Vicki, I agree with some of the other members that I didn't know exactly what they were until I clicked on an item. I think the first photo should be in a frame so it's very clear right away. But beautiful designs!!!

If anyone has some critiques and/or suggestions for my shop as well, I would appreciate it! I haven't sold too many of my pieces in the 4 years I've had my shop open. Looking to get as much info as I can! Thanks!

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

I'm with Mary that you really should work on your tags. She gives good solid advice.

Also, I'm with the others, I didn't know what they were until I clicked on the pictures. They are nice products, and you wouldn't want to have people pass they by because they didn't know what they were. I would have the framed pictures be the first picture.

Also, on this product, the framed picture the lighting is off. Also, you show three differnt frames on the picture. Do you get all three pictures with this purchase? Or just one? I'm a bit confused on that.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/199370845/hand-stitched-geometric-artwork?ref=related-0

[Former_Member]

Everyone,
Wow! Thanks, I really appreciate all the helpful suggestions! I don't have a place in my house that has good natural light so I'm working on getting new framed photos right now. I'll use those as the first photo so then people should be able to tell what they are.

Thank you all so much!!! :)
P.S. They come matted and backed, but not framed

[maydaylabels]

Your art is lovely; the presentation is good; SEO needs rather a lot of work;

the main advice I would have is - you have a very very narrow range of price points. basically all I see is $85-$95. Someone who likes your style but wants to spend $20-$30 is out of luck, and so is someone who wants to spend $300.

I'd suggest developing things that could be offered at different price points. Sets of art (maybe a triptych?) would work okay for the $250-$300 option, and would take no additional work from you except some photo editing.

For a lower price point, if you want to do it, it might be a bit harder - smaller originals (5" x 7"?), possibly prints?

[Former_Member]

Hi Matthew and Sara,
Larger and smaller items are already in the works along with prints and pillows. By showing them in 3's and suggesting in my description that they mix and match several designs I thought people would just buy 3 if they wanted 3. I don't know why I didn't think to offer them as a set, thank you for pointing that out. I've been putting off improving my SEO but I know it needs work. Thank you for the really great suggestions and your time, you've really made me think!
Vicki

[Former_Member]

Hi Vicki, Everyone's right! Your work is vibrant and well done but I too wish you'd show it framed and maybe even hanging in a room so that your buyers can get a better perspective of it's use!