I'm in desperate need of a critique!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Former_Member]

I just don't know what I'm doing wrong. I've created treasuries, I've commented on other people's items, I've done all that I can to "get my shop out there" and bring in customers. And yet, NO sales for a month!!

Can someone please critique my shop and let me know if I'm doing something wrong? Should I rearrange things? Maybe my prices are too high? Help!!

Thanks!
Pam

[pasqueflower]

I'm too new to be of much help, but I love your floral prints! I hearted your yellow tulip. Nice photos. Tags look fine -- maybe ad "garden" since that's one of the featured terms for merchandising in May - June?.

[efinegifts]

SEO suggestion for your shop.

Getting more views is key to getting more sales and with that in mind, the
thing we noticed was your shop announcement (found right under your banner in the public view of your shop):

Search engines look in the first sentence for key words. That's how people who are looking for what YOU sell will find your shop.

Don't waste that precious space with words that folks will NOT type in a google search box when looking for prints and original art. Words and phrases like "Hi and welcome to my shop!!, all my designs are offered as, although I will be offering very soon."

Write a first sentence that includes the words " prints, fine art, original, oil, gouache, ink, cut paper."

Don't use words like "Welcome to my shop, thanks for checking out my shop, come again" in your first sentence.

Save those other words for your third sentence in your announcement (sometimes the search engines will also pick up words in the second sentence, but not always.)

You have to think of the words a buyer would type in a google or Etsy search box when looking for WHAT you sell.

One of the best things about changing your shop announcement, is that it only a few minutes and will result in more views.

Hope this helps. You have a great shop and wonderful photos.

PS Try Sassy Critiques for an indepth critique of your shop and lots of great SEO suggestions.

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7702/sassy-critiques

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much!!! These are great suggestions and really helpful!!! And I never would've thought of them on my own!

Thanks again!

[efinegifts]

You're very welcome. Your shop announcement is much improved already. You might want to substitute Fathers Day instead of Mother's Day and be sure to add Fathers Day to the tags on items you think would be appropriate. Maybe housewarming or houseguest gift, instead of Easter and Valentine's, since those have already passed.

[Former_Member]

Just changed my shop announcement from a "welcome" to a more search friendly one! Thank you for the advice, Sara

[Former_Member]

i join the sassy critique team too

[Former_Member]

Ah - I had already changed the Mother's Day tag and added Father's Day on appropriate prints!! But you're right about the holidays that have already passed - I hadn't thought of that one! Housewarming would be a particularly great one, since the summer is the biggest time of the year for moving!!!

Thanks again! I'm already feeling so much more hopeful!

[BrideinBloomWeddings]

Great advice, thanks :)

[Go2Girl]

I know it takes time to build up but I think you need more of a selection. At least two pages of artwork...keep adding:) Looks lovely.

[PineBranchDesigns]

Efinegifts...thanks for your input! Taken to heart!

[SimonesRoseBoutique]

Hi Pam! Just thought I'd jump in with a tip as well! ;)

Your shop looks lovely - great photos, etc! The one thing I did notice is that the descriptions for your items are very sort of technically descriptive but there's no story. ie) What inspired you for each work of art? How did you get the idea to do it? How was the original done, etc.

There is a post somewhere on 'writing your story' I'm going to try and find it for you! Telling a story about your product helps the buyer feel a connection to the product and the artist behind it. I'll see what I can find on that post!
Michelle :)

[SimonesRoseBoutique]

Found it!! Here it is:

http://www.etsy.com/storque/seller-handbook/how-to-sell-your-story-with-johnny-b-truant-10899/

Good luck!!

[Former_Member]

the way I got my shop going was joining trading teams. when doing the trade you go through the purchase process but use "other" as the payment method. This will show up as a sale and the other shops are usually great at leaving feedback. Seeing that a shop has other sales and feedback makes a big difference, at least it did for me. Click on my name and see the teams i'm on

[ParadiseChicJewelry]

I actually never thought of my first sentence. I am one of those that say, "Welcome to my shop!" I am going to change that and see what happens. Good thought. :)

[Former_Member]

Wow - I love the idea of telling a story behind each piece of artwork!! Now that I go back and look at my listing with that in mind, I see how technical it sounds!!I Thanks for the tip!

Also - I do know that I need more listings. I've been told that shops with 2 or more pages of listings tend to attract more buyers. I'm working on that one...

[Former_Member]

Well, I fixed all my descriptions of each piece. I hope it sounds more like something people would want!! Now I need to get working on more designs so I can add more listings!!!

Thanks everyone!