Need Help and advise

[Former_Member]

Hello all,

I am a newbie to etsy. I have opened my shop recently a couple of weeks ago. I have set up the shop and followed all the instructions from all the articles I read from etsy regarding setting up and promotion.

I have even tried etsy promotion listings and google promotions. No views or orders from their either.
Hasn't been any sales yet nor views. How do I promote and make the sales happen? Is there something I need to change about the shop? or anything at all regarding the shop.

All your suggestions and advice will be appreciated so much! Thanks for your help :)

[Former_Member]

Welcome to Etsy! Since you've only been open a couple of weeks, you probably haven't built up much of a following yet on your social medial channels.

I would suggest that you complete your 'about the artist' page in the shop setup. I've found that many customers enjoy reading those pages.

You may also want to finish adding items to your shop since most of your sections don't even have a full page. If you were to walk into a shop and only see 10 items, would you consider even looking?

You may also want to take a good look at your shipping costs. They are great for the potential customer but you may end up spending your entire profit to cover the costs. Shipping a small parcel within the USA is $2.60 at least. Priority mail to places outside the USA is rather expensive. To Canada for example you are looking at a minimum of $25 while 1st class is only $9.50. And when you get to other countries such as Australia, the Priority international rate is $34.95 while you are only charging $12.00. So on a sale of a $20 item you are actually spending $22.95 in order to sell it (and that doesn't include the packaging costs). 1ST class international will cost you $13.75 so you'll only be out of pocket by $1.75.

This is NOT a sustainable business model at all.

Personally I wouldn't even consider purchasing from you since you don't accept returns, exchanges or cancellations so the only thing that I could possibly do if I'm not satisfied is to leave the appropriate feedback. To me, that is a huge turnoff.

When I read your descriptions I don't see any dimensions for any that I looked at, which really doesn't help in the decision process.

I don't understand your reason for not accepting returns or cancellations at all. You state """Since the items are Handmade and I strive NOT to replicate them, All Sales Are FINAL. This encourages me to keep the uniqueness of the product and give you varied choices every time you visit. """

If I return the item or cancel the sale, there is still only one of the item around so you aren't replicating it at all. And if the customer decides that they don't want it they can simply mark the package as 'return to sender' and claim a NSAD through their payment processor to get their money back.

In over 15,000 sales I've only had about a dozen returns and a couple of dozen cancellations over the past 8 1/2 years. And many of those cancellations were for non-payment (before Etsy had a fully integrated payment system) or because the buyer sent me a note and we managed to find something that would work better for their project. As long as the customer lets me know before the item is shipped I have no problem cancelling the order. And even if it had shipped they simply have to return it to me (they pay the shipping for the return) and I'll gladly refund the price of the item.

[MetalArtSpace]

Crochetgal:
You do good business and the give us very useful advice.

[LeedsRadio]

You have typos and grammatical errors everywhere.
Here's a string problems:
"Reduce-Recuse-Recycle-Upcycle are very needed today!"

Hyphens are not commas.
Words following the first in a sentence that are not proper nouns are not capitalized.
The word is reuse not recuse.
Use exclamation points sparingly.

And I agree with crochetgal. You need to consider accepting returns. And for several reasons
1) Most people won't buy from places that don't accept returns. I won't
2) PayPal and CC policies lean in the direction of the buyer. You can say you won't accept returns but they'll simply remove the funds from your account. Then what?
3) Accepting returns shows you stand behind your product.

[Former_Member]

crochetgal : Thank so very much for your analysis in detail. I will do the necessary changes and implement your advice.

Regarding shipping: I thought until the shop picks up, I shall pay a little from my pocket for shipping, since that may draw the customers to spending less on the shipping.

Return policy: Yes, I guess I will change it. It makes sense to give the customers the opportunity to return/cancel.

About descriptions: hmm, I really didn't get that part. could you elaborate on it please?

Stocking up: well yes, I thought I shall wait until some sales to happen before I made more products. Else I just might end up having all the products at home with out any sales. Since I am new on Etsy, I was just testing the waters. But if like you had mentioned, that's what customers would feel about the shop being almost empty, then sure I must fill up the shop. I shall get started on it.

Thank so much for your valuable time, detailed analysis and advice. I appreciate it so much.

[HildaLea]

1) I agree with Richard about random capitalization and spelling errors. I know that not being great at grammar doesn't mean a person can't knit/make jewelry/etc very well, but as far as overall presentation, it's good to look organized and put together. Look over your product descriptions and edit -- or have someone else help you out!

2) Add a personal photo. It makes you look more legit.

3) You aren't using ANY tags! Tags are what help Etsy know what searches to pull your items into. For example, my items have the tag "map wall art" so that if someone searches for "wall art" or for a "map", Etsy will know to pull my item into the search results as a potential item for the customer to buy! You get 13 tags for each item -- USE THEM ALL! :)

4) Put dimensions in your item descriptions -- like how many inches or centimeters across / from top-to-bottom are your items?

5) Maybe show items on a model so people can see how they look on.

[Former_Member]

@Richard- Wow you have butchered me. Well, thank you for pointing out the issues.
May be I was too excited to notice the spelling mistakes. I shall recheck everything.

Regarding capitalization of letters in between sentences: In order to highlight that particular word, I had taken liberty to use that letter in capital. For other grammatical errors, I may need teachers like you to point out. Its out of my capacity. And I am surprised no one has pointed out even after reading. I am just hoping for customers to make their decision of purchasing by liking my products and not considering my grammatical hurdles. :)

Oh the exclamation, it really is an excited exclamation in my head and so its out there. I think I shall let that be.

Yes, I am aware of commas not being hyphens. I used them anyway. I shall mend it.

Regarding returns: Yes, you make sense when you say I should stand by my product. I shall mend my policy.

Thank you so very much for your time and your advice.

[Former_Member]

@Bee Lucas: Thank you very much.

Tags: really? no tags are shown? when I post a new listing I have been adding all the possible tags that relate to my item and they have not been appearing? Urgh! now that's a problem. oh lord, I shall check on it. I am doing something wrong.

Oh dimensions- yes I shall do it. I thought its understood when people see it on a model.

On a model- except for a couple of items, the rest of the items are worn by a model. were you not able to see them? may be I shall make that as a 2nd pic instead of going through to the last.

Grammar: haha yes I shall take yours and Richard's advice on it. I shall have some one go through them.

Thank you for your patience and advice :)

[hooknsaw]

Itwo, I agree with all of the posts above. Crochetgal and Richard both have very sound advice.

I looked at your shop and the first thing that stands out is you need more items! If you are going to have several different types of art, maybe list enough to semi - fill a section first.

Your shipping prices seem too low.

Next, I looked at your mirror which is beautiful and I think the 3rd photo shows the item at its best(and the detailed painting). You need to work on your titles and tags. I would never think to look for a henna mirror. I might search for a colorful framed mirror, framed painted mirror, hallway mirror, or entryway mirror, etc.

Welcome to etsy and best of luck to you!

[PorcelainJewelryArt]

Defiantly not enough pictures... and you have to do something with the place where you making pictures! Its can't be on the floor..

https://www.etsy.com/listing/484803319

When I making new listing I'm always make minimum 20 pictures of each item... so 5 or 6 of photos will be good for the listing.

[LeedsRadio]

Itwo handmade
Descriptions work in tandem with an item's photos to get the complete picture of the item off the screen (or page) and into the customer's head. Descriptions and titles that have spelling or grammatical errors work against you the same way poor quality or out of focus photos do. And no matter what the cause, spelling errors look sloppy and make the viewer think “In what other ways is the seller going to be careless?” It is like a physical shop that is unkempt.

If grammar is difficult you, either have someone edit your descriptions or stick to simple structures. Don't try to be clever but instead be clear and concise.

Visit websites of companies you admire and you'll see simple is what works. Here's a description for a bracelet sold by a company I like:

“Atlas® narrow pierced hinged bangle in 18k gold with diamonds, medium.
$6,500”

Those few words and just ONE killer photo is all they need to get the viewer to imagine that item on someone's wrist, which is major step in getting someone to buy.

I wrote this a few weeks ago. I think it will help you.
https://www.etsy.com/teams/5002/etsy-success/discuss/18084743/

[WilliamsGiftshop]

Richard did not 'butcher' you. He gave you valuable advice.

I've had a shop on Etsy for almost 10 years.
I'm Dutch (and living in Belgium).
Apart from the occasional typo (that might happen to native English speakers too), you could not have told from my listings and communication that my first language isn't English.
Nowadays there is no excuse for not being able to use proper English in your listings. After all, you are already on the internet, where you can get all the spelling help you need (for instance from translating programs like Google Translate and from other people).
Even while typing this reply, my browser's spell checker points out my mistakes, so I can correct them before I post my message.

[Former_Member]

@ Richard- Thank you for your support. I shall read your post. I do understand your concern for description and I tend to agree with you. Simple, direct, clear with no typos is in fact a neat idea. I shall edit my descriptions.

[Former_Member]

@Beag- oh no I did not mean 'butcher' in a negative sense. I meant to say it was a very insightful critical analysis, which of course is very useful.

Not that my entire descriptions are full of spelling errors and that I am looking for excuses to justify. In that case I wouldn't have asked for help and advice in the first place. I am looking for ways to correct myself of course.
There are a few spell checks that I missed noticing before I posted the listings. But I shall be more careful hence forth.
Thanks for your time and help. :)

[Former_Member]

@ Lisa and Don :

Aww thank you so much for your appreciation! Finally some compliments for my work :)

Well, you are right. I should work on my tags. I value your opinion for providing me a new perspective. It had never struck my mind. Thank you very much.

[Former_Member]

@ Porcelain Jewelry Art :

Your advice is duly noted. Thank you very much. I shall make the required changes.