Etsy doing away with categories all together ?

[LUSCIOUSLEATHERNYC]

Check out this Eccomerce bytes news flash

Etsy's Marc Hedlund said the company would eventually remove category pages as it continues to focus on the browse experience on the Etsy marketplace. The revelation about the fate of categories came in a weekly question-and-answer session on the Etsy discussion boards where administrators answers questions from community members.

Hedlund is the Senior Vice President of Product Development at Etsy. His answer was in response to a question from a seller who asked, "Is there any chance that "Categories" could be given an equal position as the "Browse" link?"

Hedlund responded, "Sorry, but no, we're not going to do that. Overall the Browse pages are much more in line with what we want the Etsy experience to be. While I agree there are things we can and will improve about them, we won't be continuing work on Categories and we no longer consider them to be a core feature. They'll remain on the site for now but over time we expect those pages to be removed. I know this isn't what you wanted to hear, but those are our plans based on how we see the different pages on the site used."

Etsy sellers were probably not surprised that Browse took priority over Categories given that the marketplace had redesigned its homepage last year, but it did appear to be a surprise that Etsy would do away with categories altogether. "I am shocked they are getting rid of categories," wrote one seller. "I don't know how a site can be serious about being a commerce site and not have categories for the shoppers,...Search ads don't work for many people."

In October, there was a hue and cry from sellers when Etsy redesigned its home page to de-emphasize categories and place new Browse buttons prominently on the page. At the time, Etsy said only 6% of visits that included a purchase had viewed a category.

So what are these "browse" pages introduced in October that will eventually replace categories? Art, Home & Living, Jewelry, Women, Men, Kids, Vintage, Weddings and Craft Supplies. Clicking on each one allows shoppers to drill into more specific areas with a focus on visual representations of those areas.

For now, shoppers who prefer to browse using categories can still find them in a link under More Ways to Shop, located at the bottom of the left nav bar underneath the fold. Shoppers who click on the Category hyperlink are taken to a textual page containing categories and subcategories.

Many sellers feel their items don't fit under top level Browse pages and want the categories to remain. "Tags and Title is all we would have," wrote one seller. "Browse is certainly not a high volume view option."

Another seller told EcommerceBytes that Etsy Browse feature favors large shops that have multiple quantities of similar items. "By default that favors less unique work and also things made in factories," according to the seller.

Etsy introduced a new Browse page called Fine Jewelry in January but retired the browse page in late March, writing, "We've observed that Fine Jewelry is less popular as an individual browse section, and shoppers who visit it are less likely to purchase than those who visit other browse sections."

[LUSCIOUSLEATHERNYC]

This is the source link
http://www.ecommercebytes.com/

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the headsup......I am not sure how that will work for what I even shop for on Etsy, let alone all of the magnificent specialty shops.

[LUSCIOUSLEATHERNYC]

Does anyone have any thoughts on this ?

[fabriquefantastique]

browse has been disastrous for this shop.

[Former_Member]

I think Browse *could* work if they'd fix the problems and expand the options. I don't know who picked what categories to put in, but they are definitely not user-friendly.

Also, if they're doing away with categories, then they need to change the options for what categories to list items under. There's too much confusion there. For example, I sell pincushions. I list my pincushions under 'Needlecraft> Pincushions." Apparently there's another way to list pincushions though, because I have NEVER shown up in the Browse sections for "Pincushions." Not once.

[Former_Member]

Aixa,
You have put a lot of thought and effort into this post to share what you learned, and thank you for that. I think the rest of us just need time to think about how this is going to play out.

[heartsabustin]

The Wedding Browse category killed my wedding business in my purse shop - to the point that I think I may have to close that shop down. I think it's ridiculous to continue to hurt the sellers by closing features down and allowing resellers to get an even bigger foothold here than they have already.

WTG Etsy.

[Former_Member]

Scary. Thanks for share this with us. Wish they understood this hurts us, the sellers. We ill go where we can market and sell our products best. This may cost Etsy sellers, IMHO.

Kim Pandina
www.pandawear.net

[Former_Member]

If they look at the layout in regards to function, it is obvious why browse is more utilized. I had to look close to find categories. Browse is right there on the home page in front of you. Categories is a scroll down and tucked away. I agree with all of you on the fact that small shops that offer unique, one of a kind or handmade items will be pushed to the back due to volume.

[PiecesOfMePaperCraft]

Most of my views come from search, then from within my shop. Lately one item in particular has been getting steady views from the wedding browse section. I rarely see views from categories. However, I agree that it's a stupid move to remove them. I agree 100% with this statement: "I don't know how a site can be serious about being a commerce site and not have categories for the shoppers." I've never, ever seen a retail website that doesn't have categories. It could be disastrous for all Etsy sellers if new buyers leave without bothering to look around.

[CarolinaQuiltCraft]

Thanks for the news - I think categories are important and assist the customer who may have a shopping need or interest but not have the luxury of time to browse the millions of listings on Etsy.

Since this evolution away from categories, my sales when compared to same months in past years have notably decreased. I'm hoping to see that turnaround and regain my edge as I restructure titles, keywords and descriptions. Too bad that's time away from creating in the studio.

[AuraRosesTreasures]

As a buyer, I punch in search words.
Sometimes I see something in the browse pages that open before me that I want to click on.
I generally do not use categories.
thanks for the info
The only way to get found in Browse is ....?
how to deal with this strategically is the question! Any answers?

[GoldhawkPotteryEtc]

Frustrating to hear this... So I agree, my question is what are the best strategies for getting seen in Browse? Does it mean you should use the appropriate browse section in your tags? Or is there another SEO formula out there that they have not yet shared with us?

[Squintphotography]

hmm, not sure how I feel about this. I do notice that I have rare views thru categories, and more thru browse, but not that many. most views for me come thru "search"

[Former_Member]

Honestly this is part of owning and operating a business. Things change and you HAVE to be able to adapt--not just on Etsy but throughout the "real world." If you're not willing to adapt, maybe owning a business isn't the job for you.

A huge part of being successful on Etsy is learning and growing along WITH Etsy. Etsy makes changes constantly; it's our job, as shop owners seeking success, to keep up with those changes. Study the things Etsy changes, get to know them, and change your shop accordingly.

[NeedlesnPinsStichery]

I get a few views from the Browse section, but not very many so my questions also is how to we adjust to be seen in the Browse more often. Hopefully Etsy helps the seller with this. :(

[Former_Member]

https://www.etsy.com/teams/7716/announcements/discuss/11054015/

[Former_Member]

How to get found in browse: https://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/how-to-get-found-in-browse/

Seller FAQs: https://www.etsy.com/help/article/3323

All the information you need is out there; Etsy isn't the bad guy here and they're not just throwing us out there to "figure it out." They've already given us the tools we need to be successful with Browse sections. Hope these links help.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the links, Amy

[RivendellRocksSedona]

First, I agree with the statement above that we need to adapt to change. But I do have a few problems with both the browse and the category options.

A good example is to enter "statement necklace" into the search box, or to "browse" statement necklaces. Either way, you will find most of the listings on the early pages come from very large shops offering extremely inexpensive items that are duplicated both in that shop and in many others. I do not want to accuse anyone of mass production, but the quantity and quality, not to mention the price, all bring that concept to mind.

It would be acceptable for these items to be highlighted and receive prime feature spots on the first hundred or so pages, if Etsy was advertised and represented itself as a mass production market, but it does not. Instead, Etsy represents itself as a marketplace for small, independent artists and craftspeople - those working on an individual or very small shop basis, with original designs and handcrafted items.

Again, I am not making accusations, but I would strongly suggest that Etsy incorporate code language into its programing that would limit the number of items a particular shop can have within the first 50 or so pages and also limit the number of duplicate pieces represented within those prime pages. That might give those who offer unique, one of a kind, handcrafted items a slightly better chance to be viewed.

That might also go a long way toward solving some of the problems listed in this and other threads regarding views and sales.

[Plektra]

Thanks Aixa for posting this - interesting topic.

I barely get any views from Categories or Browse sections. Within Etsy, most of my views are from search words and then moving to other pages in my shop. It'll be interesting to see how it goes...

[Former_Member]

How will these changes effect how we already list an item? If we scroll down to select "everything else", click then next....why isn't that word or phrase part of the browse now?

And when the changes come about does that mean everything we already make and sell has to be changed to fall into the new browse category's to the left of the opening screen?????????????

Jeez, I'm befuddled already......I'm too old for this.

[heartsabustin]

I have no problem with calling those people exactly what they are, Suzanne ( or Tony :D). They're resellers - I've reported and reported them to the MIT people, with links to the wholesale suppliers. Etsy simply doesn't care - I have true handmade Statement pieces that get totally lost inthat ugly mess of a browse cat. Truly, that's what upsets me more than anything - the lack of real policing of resellers and how badly they clog up ALL the categories.

[RivendellRocksSedona]

Erin, just "browsed" your shop. You have some wonderful pieces and I love your use of vases and handmade jars for photo props. (It's Suzanne, by the way right now). Your shop is an excellent example of the type of handcraft merchandise that Etsy was built upon.

I have tried reporting, also. I think I would be less disturbed and disappointed if there was only one or two representations of those particular designs. (I think anyone who looks at the first 15 or 20 pages will know to which designs I am referring.) It is the overwhelming number, particularly when it appears that a page from a printed catalogue is used as the primary listing photograph. That is quite flagrant.

I can understand that the staff at Etsy has many items and many teams to monitor - and probably many reports - some legitimate and some just spite - to process, but I am surprised that so much gets by them. Surprised and most disappointed. I would have thought that those who work for Etsy would care about the reputation of Etsy as a reliable marketplace for handcrafted, unique art and crafts from individual crafts persons and artists.