Front Page Website?

[MythOfTheWild]

I had no idea how to title this thread...

But to my point, I'm wondering how many of you see the value in creating a front page website - essentially a website with a custom domain name (which a .co.uk costs like £3 a year, £6 for the first to years which is nothing as far as I'm concerned) with a nice graphic that, once clicked, leads directly to your etsy shop.

I'm not looking for "should I shouldn't I" opinions, I'm just wondering what people think of it.
Case in point, I'd never seen it before, but I bought some chocolate from RawChocolate on Etsy, and I received a business card, and on it was a web address. Curious, as I always am when it comes to Etsy sellers, I had a look, and it was a simple page with a pleasant little graphic that included the word "Enter". I clicked and was sent right to her shop.
I thought it was a little odd to begin with, but after a few moments I thought it was actually quite a nice touch.

I applied a domain name to my blog before it really got anywhere so that I could set myself and its name in stone before anyone really saw me, but as soon as I attached the domain name, views started to increase, particularly here in the UK. I'm hoping that the same sort of thing might happen again with the shop I want the page to lead to.

From what I saw, it just added a little extra to the shop, made it seem slightly more professional at first glance, but then beneath the surface you find that it is still a friendly one-person handmade shop, but makes it apparent that they've gone the extra mile.


What do you all think about such a thing? The website has stuck with me for months since after just one visit to that front page in particular, and I remember the shop well - though whether that's because of the original idea of a front website, or for the product itself, I don't know.

[Former_Member]

I have a dot net that just redirects to my Etsy shop. I'd debated the front page idea, but nixed it, deciding that I loathed extra clicking and others probably do too.

On the flip side of that, part of me wants to showcase my items, give a chance to like my page on FB and Twitter, and etc. Since my dot net is barely used, feasibly I could do it, but I have to decide how annoying I think a jump page would be to my customers.

[MythOfTheWild]

See I can understand what you're saying about the extra click, but at the same time, it's hardly like the shop is ONLY accessible through a page like that. Etsy searches will still bring the products up, the Etsy URL people usually type in will still work, and as for just having to click "enter", would be just as much trouble as clicking "store" on a website.

[Former_Member]

" it's hardly like the shop is ONLY accessible through a page like that."

Which I totally agree with. If I use my dot net to redirect to a jump page, chances are only a small number of people will even see it. It's a place holder and wouldn't even be noticed by Google really because it still backs onto the Etsy shop.

It's all worth thinking over, the jump page could be a place to offer a coupon, or anything really, it'd be a place to really stretch the imagination and promotion, that's for sure.

[Former_Member]

Stupid glitchy thing, boy, Etsy does not want to work with me today at all.

[Former_Member]

I have my own website (www.toosdetectiveagency.com) and, even though it is woefully neglected, I love having it. I like having a place to showcase all of my works, not just the ones sold or for sale on Etsy. It also gives people who aren't familiar with Etsy a place to contact me. I'm not to point where I'm doing business though my site (probably never will be), but I can always redirect people to Etsy if I need to.

[Former_Member]

I have my own website like that ... I definitely like having it, because then on my business cards/social media sites/other places I promote, I don't have to link separately to my blog and my shop, I have them both on my website. I think a landing page website is a nice opportunity to give a branded entrance to your little online world ... nice and simple, but branded. Here is mine: www.FlourishCafe.com

[MythOfTheWild]

A branded entrance is exactly what I'm going for. With this jewellery shop I just jumped right in, no planning or anything, and after a year there's still not really any branding. But I've been working on a new shop for the past 2 months which I'm set to open in October, and I've got my brand firmly in hand. A landing page would set it further in stone, and it would also look a little nicer when it comes to adding the web address to the business cards.

[Former_Member]

Having a simple landing page or brochure site is a good idea for several reasons:

• central hub for your online presence
• professional email address
• complete control over SEO
• not 100% reliant on Etsy and their policy/fee changes

Additionally, it will start building 'link juice' which you don't get by only redirecting your domain to your Etsy shop.

This article goes more in-depth on the subject: http://www.pixelfrau.com/5-reasons-etsy-sellers-need-their-own-website/

[PIXELGRINphotography]

I have a domain that I've been using for years. I think its much easier for print and word of mouth, and branding to have a .com or respective domain. Trying to explain to someone how to get to Etsy.com and then find you is a nightmare. People want simplicity and ease of use. If it gets to confusing I find, people just give up. It's great to have one central location. My domain, doesn't just redirect to my etsy shop, it's more for my photography, but you can purchase my items there (via etsy)

At least here in the USA, where some of us are lazy, expect everything to be done for us, and are super used to convenience. (I'm not attacking us by any means, I simply work in a field where I deal with this on a day to day basis)