Is it my prices or something else?

[Former_Member]

Hi there,

I have been selling on etsy for about 6 months now. I have optimized my pictures and my tags, I am promoting on Facebook, Etsy and in teams, handing out cards and so on. I do get about 400 views a week, so i guess that is not too bad...and althoug I know that vies and sales have nothing to do with each other, I am starting to think that something must be wrong since i don't have sales. Are my prices too high??? Are my products just not good enough...I am desperate, I am willing to take any advice and hope that I can improve something...

Please help!!! Thanks in advance!

[Former_Member]

Your jewelry is very nice, but I think pricing is your problem.

[Former_Member]

At first glance, your prices were too high for me (but I'm sure a lower income person is not your target market either). Stand behind your prices and pay yourself a fair wage. As a customer, I want to know WHY a piece of jewelery comes with the high price. It would be nice if, in your descriptions, you would almost tell the story of the particular piece so people know they are paying for a unique piece of art. Explain the quality of the materials and even write a little story about why it's unique and why someone should want to own it.

I'm no expert, but I hope this helps. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

I actually don't think that the prices are outrageous. You've got a wide variety of prices and I feel like your prices are in line with other jewelry I've seen. The price wouldn't send me away, especially if I were buying a gift for someone. Not sure what the problem is then. Good luck!

[ChristianaOdum]

For me personally, if I were looking for jewelry, I'd look for sterling silver rather than steel. Your pricing is about what I would expect for silver, but then I notice you're using steel, and that's enough to send me to the next shop since it's not my preference. Not to say you don't have a market for it, you just may need some time and creative marketing to make sure the right type of customers are finding your shop. Good Luck! :)

[TheNorthWayStudio]

At first glance, the photographs were a smidgen too bright on my screen--it made it difficult to really focus in on the item. Try working with different angles and backgrounds that are not just stark white.

As for the prices, they do seem a little high. Although if you were working with Sterling Silver as Christina mentioned, the prices would then seem decent. But please, pay yourself and don't think that we're trying to steal away that wage! Just think as a customer--at the least, you might try offering cheaper styles or variations of your lovely items.

[ChristianaOdum]

I will add that some of your statement necklaces are really cool and the price is right for steel. I honestly think they will sell well, but you still need some time to generate more exposure. For example, I LOVE this one and would gladly pay the current price, but it's a bit out of my budget at this time.

http://www.etsy.com/listing/109643227/collier-made-from-handwoven-triangle?

[Former_Member]

Pricing is really hard to determine. For example, in this listing, my first reaction was that the price was too high for steel. For the price I might have expected sterling. Except that chainmaille takes longer to make, so you need to price it so that you are paid for the work. http://www.etsy.com/listing/109005381/chainmaille-necklace-full-persian

I find the same issues with pricing my jewelry because, like chainmaille, viking knit is a longer process and you can't make 3 bracelets an hour.

I think your items are pretty. The things I would suggest would be to take more photos - maybe on a model or a photo with the pendant attached to show what it would look like? And be patient - jewelry is the most saturated market on etsy, so it takes longer to be seen.

[SweetCarolineConfect]

Prices are perfect. Never unvalue your time and work.

[Former_Member]

Thank you all for helping out..... If I recap your comments you are saying that my prices might just be too high for some of my items but not for others?

So i guess something like this you would see at a cheaper price range?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/110169902/charm-glass-bead-bracelet-stainless

and honestly just put of curiosity, what would you pay? I may have to consider just discontinuing some styles if the work/price ration does not fit

What about my handmade lampwork beads?

[Former_Member]

I agree with Andrea. If you have priced according to the value of your materials, expenses and time it takes to make each item then don't undervalue yourself.

What are the stats for your views? Are people finding you through search or through external promoting? That will tell you where to focus more of your efforts.

That being said, since your views per day are decent, it is probably the descriptions, titles, pictures and maybe pricing that is throwing people off. For example; In the title you say the bracelet is "cultured pearl" which implies real pearls, and in the description you say "Swarovski pearl". Are they real or glass? Either way, truth in advertising is very important, especially when buying online. The description of your materials needs to be consistent all the way through your listing.

Some of your pictures are pretty good, but you need to make sure you have a consistent look and feel when displaying your items. That is what will attract people to want to buy your items. Minimal distractions in the background, fully displayed in the thumbnail, maximum saturation for color.

How do you come up with your pricing formula? If you think it might be pricing, experiment with a clearance section or reduction in prices and see if that entices people to want to buy.... that will tell you for sure one way or the other.

[NatashasDesignz]

I think your shop is absolutely gorgeous, don't lower your prices as there will be those out there that can afford to pay your prices. I can see that lots of detailed work has gone into each everyone of your peices.

It took me a year before I got a sale, so hang in there. Just join lots of Teams that relate to what you do and take constructive feedback that may be able to help you.

I think in time you will succeed, lots of good luck with your shop x

[Former_Member]

Just to clarify about the swarovski pearls.

Swarovski Pearls are in fact simulated pearls (i did get rid of the word cultured, I did not get the difference before so thanks for telling me)

They are made by taking a round swarovski crystal which is the coated with mulitple coats of mother of pearl. I have added the full description to the item for anyone who is interested to read it.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/122428946/almond-coloured-pearl-bracelet-copper

[Former_Member]

No Azurika, your prices are fair. This is a fair price for your item. You have a beautiful shop. Move forward. Go with your guts. Don't second guess yourself.

Best,
Maryam

[Former_Member]

Try having a sale and lower some prices and mark them as on sale because personally when I see the word "sale" it grabs my attention.

[Former_Member]

Thank you all so much for your advise, I guess this means the answer is that it depends! Oh my how I dread this answer, soooo right but yet so difficult to deal with....