Invisible or what!

[Former_Member]

I don't understand it, it looks like I'm invisible

I asked for critique for my shop and was told that I don't have a banner???

When I create a topic in a team, I don't get any reply!!

And my shop has hardly any visitors:(

In real life they tell me that I'm a nice person, and everybody loves my real life shop in Amsterdam, so what am I doing wrong in this virtual world?????????????

Greetz,
Evelien

[Former_Member]

Hey Evelien,
Sorry that you feel so invisible :(
I had a quick look at your shop and I'm sure others will help too. Not sure why someone told you you have no banner because you obviously do!
There were two things I noticed from looking at your shop for a minute or so.

First thing I would suggest is to brighten up your photos. They are a little dark and its a really easy thing to be able to do. There are a few free photo editors available on the internet you can use to adjust the brightness and contrast of your photographs.

The other thing was, the first thing I clicked was this:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/78105521/crochet-puff-from-recycled-material
I clicked it because I think it is lovely! But the listing says it is a powder pink but it looks like a blue grey. This would put me off buying because I would be confused so make sure all your listings are right, and if it is powder pink, make sure it looks the right colour :)

Hope this helps a little. I'm no expert though!
Oh and to get more visits, make sure you promote new listings in promotion teams and other teams where you can link your newest stuff, join twitter and tweet everything and join facebook. Maybe even blog. Trust me, you end up spending more time talking about your items than actually making them :D

Good Luck!

Kelly x

[Former_Member]

Hello Evelien!
I am sure that there is absolutely nothing that you are doing wrong in this virtual world! I'm new to all this and have not made 100 sales or even 3 so I'm not sure what my opinion counts for. I'm going over to take a peek at your shop and I'll be right back!

You are not invisible! :)

Kate

[Former_Member]

I feel the same. I opened my store in November 2010 (I wasn't very active until March this year) and I still don't have any sales. People favour my store, items, put me in treasury lists but no one wants to buy anything from me. Why?

[EviesToolEmporium]

Evelien-

In some ways you are invisible in the virtual world! Here is a great 22 minute video that will help you with your shop title, shop announcement, sections, titles and tags! If you want to be seen in the virtual world think like your customers sitting at their desks looking at their computer! What would they key into google to find your lovely shop? Your great personality comes out in your shop we just need to get customers there! Best of luck!
http://www.everythingetsy.com/2011/02/etsy-shop-seo-video-tutorial/
Michelle-

[Former_Member]

Tnx everybody!!

[Former_Member]

I excist !!!

[Former_Member]

Hi Evelin!
First of all - you have lovely shop and great items! :) Surely you're doing nothing wrong! :)
If I were you I would brighten up my photos a little bit and surely you just need to work on exposure as your items are great and prices are ok. So just let everybody know about your lovely shop! Use every channel possible - Facebook, Twitter, Pintrest etc. There was a great thread on SEO as well some while ago by TangledMetal http://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/8705393/page/1/

Hope that helps :)

Elina

[Former_Member]

I'm back!
The first thing I noticed was your banner is a bit unfocused I would recommended making it sharper (like Kydel said it's there!).

I also agree with Kydel that your pictures could use some brightening and contrast. Picknik is a great FREE online tool I use. http://www.picnik.com/app#/home/welcome

Also, there are some English spelling errors, for example under your banner..."If you would ask a kid in Holland to wright kids and design..." Wright should be write. I found a couple of these small mistakes around your shop.

The ribbon with waves is called ric rac in America, so maybe adding different names in the item title or under tags will help people find your items better. Same thing with the crochet dummy cord, I think adding crochet pacifier cord would help.

I hope that helps. Your shop is fun and lovely! :) Best of luck!!

Kate

[Former_Member]

MioTempo
I wish I could answer your question. I'd like to know myself! It seems to me that jewelry sales on etsy is incredibly competitive though. I redid all my pictures and got a sale. I know it seems like a lot of work (in fact I'm thinking of redoing them again) but it seems to pay off. Maybe take a look at this post... http://www.etsy.com/forums_thread.php?thread_id=5806845
You do beautiful work so show it off!! :)

Kate

[Former_Member]

Hi Evelien: I looked at a few pages of your shop and I have a few more comments. Although English is probably not your first language most, if not all, of Etsy is in English. Please correct the spelling of the word "wright" in your shop description. If you are talking about "putting words down on a piece of paper" the spelling is "write". English is hard even for those of us who are born in the US so I know it can be difficult but I would be turned off by the miss-spelling.

Second I am a little confused by your shop because it don't see an overall theme. Is it crochet, is it baby, is it accessories, is it adults. To me it is all over the board and doesn't make me want to stay. I would suggest you pick a theme that really interests you and expand on that theme rather than try to be something for everyone.

Work on your photos. Others have already commented about the photos but I think I would really like to see your items on live models. The aprons are really cute and I would love to see them on a kid in a kitchen. Also show every possible angle for every product. Remember that people cannot touch and feel your items like they could in a regular store. Make your photos and item description so complete that any potential customer has every question answered before she even knows what to ask. Photos of front, back, inside, outside. Written description of the fabric, describe the color, write about your inspiration, the dimensions of the piece, suggested size/age child it would fit.

I also suggest you do a search so you can find your competition within Etsy - see who has been successful and analyze why they have been successful.

I hope you find these comments construction and that they help you decide how to proceed.

All the best, Babs

[Former_Member]

Hi Evelien,

I understand what you're saying. I've been making an effort to get some feedback, joining and posting on teams, adding to my circle, favoriting items I like and making treasuries, and researching posts, but it doesn't seem to be making a difference yet.

I don't know if it's my writing style or my profile pic or just a lack of interest in my shop, but I feel like I'm invisible too. I've had some sales, but they've almost all been from people I know somehow. I wish you all the best and I dig your 'puffs'.

Take care,
K

[Former_Member]

I just found this article/blog on another thread. It has wonderful suggestions.

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

[Former_Member]

I have the same problem! Can y'all give me some advice as well?

[Former_Member]

Read the blog I posted above. Save it and read it every month until you are satisfied with your shop and your sales.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Kate (BunnysBakedGoods), I wish you and all others good luck!

[Former_Member]

There is a great team here on ETSY that does nothing but shop critiques:
http://www.etsy.com/teams/7702/sassy-critiques

They might be able to give you some of the feedback you are looking for.

Good luck

[Former_Member]

Thanks everybody for the input, I made some changes already ( write is now wright:). Good English will always be a little problem because like for instance ric rac I can't find in my dictonary. I will do my best and keep up the good hope

Greeting,
Evelien

[Former_Member]

Hi Evelien,

You have lovely shop and great items! You are not the invisible woman :0)

Keep Doing what you love!!

Fabiola

[Stoffenjunkie]

Hi Evelien,
Almost your neigbour here (live about an hours drive away). Wanted to let you know you are NOT invisible. :) Have seen your around before. Also wanted to let you know that the word "wright" is still misspelled right under your banner. It should be "write".

Also for your banner, it seems off (erg blokkerig), there is a recommended size, if you adjust it that would look alot nicer.

Well you are here a little longer than me and already made some sales so saying welcome feels a bit silly to me. Still nice to see you here. ;-)

Denise

[Former_Member]

Forgot to save it, so now it's write;)
Thanks
And hi Denise, I will try to get my banner sharper, I only have to find out how!?

Greetings
Evelien

[Former_Member]

Sorry your feeling invisible, what great feedback your getting now! A fabulous free, time saving site to brighten those pics is
picasa.google.com

[Stoffenjunkie]

Hi Evelien,

It all depends on what program you use. My laptop came with Photoshop Element pre-installed so that is what I use.

The size of your banner should be 760 pixels wide and 100 high. In my program I take a new canvas this size and add my elements from there, when I'm done I choose save for web and then it's ready to put up on your shop.

[Former_Member]

YEAH, I'm so excited, I got my banner wright ( not write:)

[Stoffenjunkie]

LOL "wright" should be "right" ;-)

Oh and your banner looks totally great now, great improvement...