Only US?

[Former_Member]

Hi,
I am quite new here on Etsy so I am looking at specific details to other shops what they are doing good and what not , to understand why they have a lot of sales or do not have at all. In other words I am trying to learn a good practices and avoid the bad ones.

So at least my observations shows that sometimes there is a total crap in a shop and a lot of sales. Pictures are bad, items are something terrible but still so many sales.

I tried to analyze ... why?
1) Weather all popular shops are from US.... I think a most of the shops come from US... so maybe people do not like higher shipments from other countries... or it is something else.
2) Maybe people from US have a very specific taste and do not like items from other countries? Thus they are making sales only at US shops.
3) Or this person have so many friends who are shopping at their shop.

What do you think?
Am I wrong or am I searching reasons in totally wrong place?
What are your observations?

[Former_Member]

Could be all of the above. Also could be that there are just more shops based in the US on Etsy... so the data is getting skewed. Don't know what the breakdown of nationalities with etsy shops is thought.

[Former_Member]

I am located in Canada, however I do offer shipping worldwide.

I personally think that it is a good idea to offer worldwide shipping. I would say that 98% of my sales have been from the US and overseas. I think that International buyers are aware that there is a higher cost associated to shipping to them, however I dislike when the International shipping price is quite obviously inflated!

To offer International shipping it does take a bit of research in order to price the weight, size and package accordingly, but I think that in the end it has been worth it for me.

Good luck

[Former_Member]

"Shopping local" is a popular phrase amongst Etsians. I even had someone tell me they chose to buy from me because all the other cases she liked were from other countries.


Also, there is that whole "American Pride" thing.

"Made in America means you are supporting OUR country. Go America GO!"


That being said, AT LEAST 50% of my sales are international. Also, I personally wouldn't let the fact that the item was made in another country be a deciding factor in an item that I buy. (Unless, of course, the shipping was outrageously high).

[Former_Member]

Fantastic thread, thank you for the info. I am going to research how to charge correctly for international shipping.

[Former_Member]

@DayoftheThread this is exactly what i feel that people support local country.

Thank you for your opinion!

[PorcelainJazz]

I don't think it is just shipping price points that may make or break a sale. My sales both on and off Etsy have been uniformly low in price points. I think the current economic climate is making people very price conscious overall. So its a good practice in one's store to have a broad range of prices as well as merchandise for people to pick from.

[LaurasLastDitch]

Sometimes people will be afraid to buy from Eastern Europe or China because it's perceived (rightfully or not), that there's more internet fraud coming from there.

I do think, being from Latvia, that could affect you, unfortunately. You'll have to try on your profile to look very human and very honest. Personally, I'd post a photo of the real you as your avatar. I certainly don't think that would hurt. I think it's good that you post a personal story on your profile.