How to make the shop successful

[Former_Member]

Hi, this is my first real x-mas season and I'm still waiting for the views AND sales to increase. I'm still working on the "grass photos", the others are new and hopefully better. I make treasuries, I use facebook and twitter, I favorite other people's items, and I create more items to be put into my store. Now, what can I do to further improve my shop? I'm really hungry for a huge workload that makes it hard to look for x-mas presents myself!

Please give me comments, the good the bad and the ugly (though I hope the latter are wiped out already).

Love to you
Nicole

[WilliamsGiftshop]

http://www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/the-four-keys-to-success-for-new-sellers/

[Former_Member]

Hi BeaG, is there something in particular in my shop that needs refinement? I can go through all the lists in the world but only have my pair of eyes to see my mistakes.

[LoopsAndLines]

Seems to me "getting found" increases chances of getting sales.

BeaG's link is good.

1. Good product.

2. Increased listings = more items in the mix.

3. Good photos.

If you think you have done all that, then move on to #4. and SEO. One thing I checked is your title+tags+description optimization. When thinking like a buyer, I would not use "calorimetry" to search for your item. I have no idea what that is. I would use hand knit headhand or hand knit earwarmer or any other similar combination.

You don't like lists but here is one that helped me and was very specific about fine tuning SEO:

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

Good luck and happy knitting.

[Former_Member]

you can try advertising through blogs and do giveaway

[WithLoveFromLucille]

This is my first holiday season as well...

-Make sure to add holiday tags to your items.

-Have a stock pile. My beards are made to order, and I fell behind when I got a small rush last week, now I work on my inventory in my down time, time saver.

It'd be interesting what other tips people have.

Good luck and happy sales to all!

[Babiease]

LisaT, Thanks for the link. I've already found it helpful!

etsymentors.blogspot.com/p/critique-your-own-shop.html

[LoopsAndLines]

Meredith,
I am so glad you found it helpful. Cindy is the co-author and a well respected seller and SEO expert on here. Whenever she posts in a thread, I listen.

A huge eye opener for me was the importance of title + tags + description connection. Also the importance of shop announcement and even sections. It's always a work in progress.

Now I have to slap my hands from making changes with the new Browse on the FP. I am nowhere to be found, but will try to refrain from tweaking until the dust settles and more is known.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Sorry Lucile, but we are not allowed to add holiday tags to our items unless our items are specific holiday items. Like Christmas decorations, etc.
We can only use tags that describe our specific item. NOT what it can be used for.

[Former_Member]

Thanks for the links guys! It's not that I do not like lists, it was more a question of having a fresh pair of eyes (or several for that matter). Shame about the holiday tags, but kind of understandable.
If it is "only" the getting found part that messes with my views - thank god! If it is something else though, I don't want to miss out on the season's sales because I made some stupid mistake I just didn't notice. I hope that makes it a bit clearer.
And again, thanks for the links, one of them was new to me. :)