Does your shop need a Relevancy Critique??

[#1]

Hi Etsy Success Friends,

All of us have been like little sponges, soaking up the tips for success this week. Sometimes we just need a fresh pair of eyes to look at our shop and say - "Hey, you forgot to use this tag!" or "You might try this title!"

The rules:
1. You are at least moderately up-to-date with the suggestions for Relevancy and
good tagging < http://www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/8822575/>

2. If you pop into this thread and want to be critiqued yourself, you can join by critiquing the last shop that commented. The next person to pop in will critique you.

3. You don't have to look at every listing and every tag. . . but try to come up with a few suggestions . . .Words or Synonyms that you think would help with relevancy search.

Who wants to go first?

[Former_Member]

Hemp,

It seems like you've got the title relevancy down, but my critique is that your titles do seem a little convoluted. Try seperating clusters of words with commas, otherwise it seems like a really long stream of words. For instance try changing this: Quartz Crystal Pendant Clear Polished Wire Wrapped with silver metal wire by my hands Pendant only Unique one of a kind OOAK HHM

to this: Quartz Crystal Pendant, Clear Polished Wire Hand Wrapped, Pendant Only, Necklace Charm, Unique One of a Kind OOAK HHM

I took out "wrapped by my hands" because I do not think anyone will search that in the search box. Got to Your Account> Shop Stats and scroll down to your top keywords. See what keywords are bringing people to your shop and try to use those as often as you can if you're not already doing so.

For your tags, you seem to be doing well, exept with terms like "healer," I wonder if you are getting hits for this (again, check your shop stats to see if healer is showing up in your search results). Try also adding words like bohemian, shabby chic, rustic, woodland, outdoors, etc. if you have an extra tag or two.

As for photos, I think you can really work on them. Your individual photos are crisp and clear, and you do a good job of using all 5 photo spots. However, from listing to listing, there isn't a lot of cohesion with your photo styling. I mean, I can tell you have an outdoor-sy, natural theme, but your backgrounds vary a lot and when I look at your shop thumbnails all on one page, it isn't particularly clear if there is one style tying them all together. Work on branding and shop cohesion through imagery. A buyer can really "get your message" with one glance at a visually cohesive shop.

As for your descriptions, it's great that you include so much information, but it's a bit of a turn-off. Just to see the shipping info at the bottom, I have to scroll way down. Try keeping the bulk of shipping info and info about the types of material you use in your policies. I don't want to have to read a whole page just to find out one thing. Try summarizing and keeping it short and sweet. It's a hard balance to include all important info as well as keeping it concise for readers, but it's important to not turn off your buyers as well.

Lengthy information about your process can be great for a blog, but I don't necessarily need step-by-step instructions on how I can basically copy your piece for myself. Remain just a bit mysterious!

You have a unique style and message and have obviously been reading up on SEO. I just think there are a few things you can clean up and organize to make your shop more viewer-friendly.

Good luck to you. Your shop looks way better than most after only one month!

Aman

[Former_Member]

OMG! Thank you soo much, this is exactly what I need to hear. I read so many different "you should do this" posts/blogs that it gets hard to know what I really should be doing. Your tips have been very helpful! I have gone through a couple of listings already to re work titles and shorten my descriptions lol. Thank you for the tag ideas, I never would have thought of some of those! Also your words on branding- I never thought that branding was needed as it is just me selling a few things, but now I see what it means, and why it does concern me.
Thank you so much your critiques are invaluable to me!
Also- your cards look really well made! I will pass your shop around so people can be a little more creative than just buying hallmark- I would sooo rather receive one of your cards! Thanks again!!!!

[Former_Member]

I'm glad you found my tips helpful! I've just been reading up on a lot of blogs, taking notes, etc.

Is it possible for you to take a look at my shop and give me a constructive critique? I'm always trying to improve!

Thanks.

[Former_Member]

I would like a critique, I need all the help I can get!

[Former_Member]

AlmondCrafts- of course, I will do it tomorrow( or i guess later today since it is tomorrow already :)

[Former_Member]

Quientejuna-

First of all it is really important to use all of your tags! So I think just adding more would help significantly. So i'll start at the top. Your title is okay, lets me know quickly what the item is. However you could add something more descriptive to make people looking for a specific type of item find it. Like jersey necklace- bright red coral /casual or formal. Just adding more words to tell us when we would wear it and what we would wear it with.

Next, descriptions. The first sentence of you description is vital. Your want to get the buyer interested in the item before you tell them all the technical stuff. Just throw in a a sentence or 2 about why you like it, what you think they will like about it, or how you made it. Something that makes it unique. Other than that, you are providing all the details we need to know.

Your photos are bright and eye catching. I like that you show a variety of angles and use all 5 images. However some of them seem out of focus when you are viewing the item, and as small thumbnails it can be hard to tell what they are before you click on them.

Now for tags, the more times you use the word "necklace" in any way you think applies to the item, the better.

I would tag: necklace, casual necklace, coral necklace, red necklace, upcycled necklace, textile necklace, jersey necklace, ooak, ooak necklace, botton closure, etc

It sounds redundant, but the more times you use necklace the more likely people are to see it. Also people probably won't just search "elastic" or "red" under the necklace category and see it just because you tagged it that way. And even if they do, a lot of other shops with the specific search words tagged will be seen way ahead of you. You can also look under shop stats and the bottom search box will tell you what people type in and find you items under.

Good luck to you, I hope this helped!

Melanie

[ScrapsofLuv]

@ MelanieCaskeyPhotography

First I would update your shop title and shop announcement. Both areas are critical for SEO and searches. These areas should contain keyword rich brief descriptions of what you make. IE Fine Art Digital Photography for your shop title and the same words in your first sentence of your shop announcement

Item title- Relevancy is about stating the obvious your potential customers are not going to search for a "8 x 12 cork" but they will search for a "wine cork photograph, 8x12"

Description- again your first sentence, specifically the first three words, are critical to search and SEO. Therefore you should repeat the words of your title in that first sentence. IE: Wine cork photograph that evokes memories of a romantic dinner with a loved one, etc.....

Tags: The new thought on tags is to use phrases and not just single word tags as in the past. And contrary to your advice to the previous person, repeated use of the same word more that twice, can actually lower search results and SEO ranking as the bots consider it spam. So for your tags: wine cork photo, fine art photo, digital art, wine corks, etc. Also your tags should be pertinent to your item. You have included winter, poe and holiday festivities, words that are totally unrelated to your item and will bring you up in unrelated searches. That could possibly be considered tag stuffing.

Hope you found this helpful

-pat

[Former_Member]

nevermind

[Vintagedreams29]

I would like a someone to look at my shop and let me know if there is anything I need to take away or add to it...Thanks :-) http://www.etsy.com/people/Jraylene25

[Former_Member]

i could use some help -- i tend to think about my items in my own countercultural viewpoint and would be interested in what more mainstream shoppers may be looking for

[Former_Member]

I would love a critique! Thanks so much :)

[OwlandWillows]

Ok I am headed your way little happy bluebird!

I would LOVE a Critique !!! I am in much need since I have had no sales ...

Thanks!!!!

[OwlandWillows]

Little Happy Bluebird .... the first thing I notices was the names on the Item listings. The first part of the title of your items is not what the item is ... such as "Handstamped Personalized .... I think it might be more relevent to put Necklace, hand stamped, personalized etc...

I also noticed that on at least one you had the word necklace used twice in your tags. Maybe not choose to place them in a category such as women ..

Also in the description make sure you also state what the item is, for example "Beautiful golden eggplant-shaped crystals are accented by a natural antiqued brass flower bead cap and brass earwires. They are simple, elegant and beautiful!" The description really doesn't state that these are earrings. THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL by the way!!!

I did a stumble on your earrings ... and added to the stumbleupon list so maybe this will give you a little traffic as well.

I think your store is nice and I need to take some of my own advice :) I have been reading up on descriptions and notice that it is best to always begin your description and title with the actual name of the item.

I hope this helps. We are all in this together and need to do all we can to support each other. Good Luck !!! God Bless.

[KthysKreations]

Mandalarain - Just finished looking at your shop. I love the banner and pics, very pretty. I'm fairly new here and you've had a lot of sales, so these are just my opinions.

Shop Announcement: It's very important that your first sentence say something about your items. Also, I don't feel there should be any negativety in your announcement with regards to your personal health issues. This would just put people off either by sympathy and not wanting to burden you or being worried that your issues might interfere in the quality of your work.

Descriptions: I chose two items under Crystals, Gems, Minerals -
SS Crystal Gem Wire Wrapped Necklace Pendant with Golden... The first couple of words should describe your items - they should be words people would use to search for them, i.e. like Wire Wraped Pendant, Sterling Silver..., or Wire Wrapped Necklace, ss..., or SS Gem Necklace..., etc. Tags: Should also be words that someone would use to search, such as - jewelry, pendants, gem necklace, wire-wrapped pendants, silver wire-wrapped pendants, wire-wrapped necklaces, silver wire-wrapped necklaces, OOAK gem pendants, OOAK gem necklaces, mens jewelry, womens pendants, unisex jewelry, yellow gem pendant, etc.

Chrysocolla Stone Pendant... - should be Pendant, Silver Wire Wrapped Chrysocolla Stone on SS Plated Curb Chain.... Tags: jewelry, pendants, wire-wrapped pendants, stone pendants, blue/green pendants, stone necklace, stone wire-wrapped pendants, blue/green necklace, OOAK stone pendants, etc.

Policies: I don't think there should be any negatively here either, this scares people away. The 1st two sentences are fine. You could add to the "I do not accept refunds or refunds... however I want you to be completely satisfied with your purchase. Then continue with... If you're unsure about your purchase...

Hope this helps. Take care, Kathy

[KthysKreations]

Mandalarain - I thing I forgot. I felt some of your prices seemed to be too low.

[OwlandWillows]

Still need a Critique ???? anybody ?

[Former_Member]

I need a critique. I need help! :)

[Former_Member]

You have to critique someone before you first, then you wait. (I'm still waiting, too.)

[Former_Member]

Purely Simple,

I would work on titles and photos. I think your titles are good for the most part, but avoid using symbols such as "/" in phrases such as "Sewing Kit/Emergency Kit." From what I understand, I don't think that "Kit/Emergency" is something someone will type into the search box. The slash might be interfering with searches (someone correct me if I'm wrong."

Check your Shop Stats (Your Account > Shop Stats on the far left). Choose this year, scroll down and see what your most common keywords are. See what types of words are leading people to your shop.

As for your photos, they don't have a common theme tying them together. Some backgrounds are dark, and some backgrounds are distracting. For example, the blue/white pincushion background is very dark. Just look around on Etsy, bright, light-filled photos sell items. I'm not saying dark photos are inherently "bad," it just seems like they're harder to pull off. Your sewing kit with the lace background gets lost in the lacy detail. I like that you have the little sewing set-up, as it creates a nice scene, but it's a hard balance to include different elements without taking attention away from your actual sale item.

You only have 19 items so far, and all of them have views, which is great after only one month! If you standardize your photo set-up, try out different camera settings and fiddle around with some simple photo-editing (Flickr on the easy end, or Photoshop or GIMP on the more advanced end), you can really transform your shop! I re-did each of my photos multiple times before they started to look a bit more decent. Good luck to you!

This helped me: http://etsymentors.blogspot.com/p/critique-your-own-shop.html

Aman

[Former_Member]

I am heading over to AlmondCrafts ;)

[Former_Member]

OK, I will do my best here.
Your shop is lovely and your items are wonderful. They are very eye appealing and you have had traffic to view each one. This is good.
In your tags maybe more specific. The first one defaults to Paper Goods so no need to repeat paper. Pastel, square, 3D, scallops, etc. seem to be very vague and general that doesn't tell me anything about what I will be looking at.
Maybe embossed paper, 3D sculpture, office decoration...
This is where I am lacking also, but I see a need here ;)

[Former_Member]

I would like a critique, I need all the help I can get, please. Thanks :)

[HildesJewelry]

JewelryDesignsForYou,

http://www.etsy.com/listing/79529001/purple-bracelet-and-matching-ring

This lovely bracelet can have a title like this: purple bracelet, stretch bracelet, set, purple jewelry, lightweight, glass, acryl, bright colors

Tags can be: purple bracelet, purple jewelry, violet glass beads, purple acrylic beads, stretch cord, adjustable, lilac bracelet, brigth colors, stretch bracelet

[Former_Member]

Hildes:
First off, your photos are just beautiful. I wish alot of my photos were that good. You can really see the detail in your pieces. However, in the description I would add some variety instead of just focusing on the specific stone. Like with this piece:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80553423/swarovski-earrings-crystal-golden

I'd tag the item as "romantic evening handmade earrings----swarovski crystal, golden, etc" or even as "sparkly earrings, autumn colors, swarovski crystal, etc"
Also, I'd love some advice on my shop!

I'd tag the item as

[HildesJewelry]

GlamRagsRule,
Thank you :-)
I`m using Google key word finder, and see what phrases people use when search for jewelry. But I`ve never thought of phrases like "romantic evening" I will try that and see how it goes.