Please help me!

[Former_Member]

I think I have done everything that I can think of and read in the forums to make my shop found. Getting found but have not had a sale in 3 monthes. Please don't suggest joining a critique team since I joined 2 a couple of weeks ago and one did not accept me-crushed- and the other seems to be dead. Just left it. Would love some help. Thanks in advance

Steph

[Former_Member]

I think you are in pretty good shape. The pictures are clear and close enough to get my attention. You do not have the usual problems that most have that are wondering why stuff is not selling. ( blury, dark, tiny, etc)

I did not spend hours in your shop. So, I am sure I did not get all the "things".

So,......I think your issues must be in your SEO. I would try this app that etsy has... www.etsy.com/apps/1259669497/etsy-shoptimizer-beta

It is at least worth a look. I wish you luck.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Ewe for looking! Anyone else?

[Former_Member]

Hi Stephanie!

Some of your pictures are blurry and out of focus like this one http://www.etsy.com/listing/84641520/peyote-stitch-white-beaded-necklace

there are more like this...
I will be back with more ideas (hopefully I will get some :) )

[Former_Member]

Everything looks fine. I don't think you need to cut out your pictures. Having some other elements in the photo can make a difference. Modeling would be huge for me as a shopper. It shows a size reference and allows me to see how the jewelry will look on someone.

Jewelry is hard. It's SOOOOO saturated. It's hard to stand out. We've actually just recently changed our photos from the blown out white background (which EVERYONE seems to be doing) to something softer and more organic looking. Something to stand out from the crowd!

Get a facebook and twitter page going and start networking. :)

As Ewe suggested, Shoptimizer is a great starting point!

[Former_Member]

Your pictures are nice, but they look as though you took them under harsh lighting conditions. If your are using natural daylight and white cardstock/foamcoreboard to take your pictures, you should try to get your pictures in the early morning, before about 10 AM, when the sun is less harsh. Also, try using a white china plate under your pendents, the china helps reflect some light, cutting back on shadows. Lastly, if you do not have a macro lense on your camera, try backing off from subject a little when trying to get upclose and personal (I saw a few of your close-up shots are blurry) inorder to keep the picture in focus. After you get the picture you can blow the image up and crop it so it looks like it's a closeup, even if it isn't :-) Other than that, I think your shop is quite nice, I peeked at your tags and it looks like you have some decent tags, too.

[Former_Member]

Thank you everyone for your opinions, it is most appreciated I use fotofuzre because they room I am in has no light. Some are very blurry and do need fixed

[CharleneSevier]

Stephanie,

I'm no expert, but I am happy to share what I know. I think your pictures need work. They look over exposed, the angles in some of the necklace shots look odd, and I think you could stand to crop them in closer or focus on a closeup.

In my opinion, you are writing titles and tags more like a jewelry maker than a jewelry customer. This bracelet for example:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102146611/fluorite-amethyst-memory-wire-bracelet

The customer may not know what flourite is, they just know they want a pretty green and purple bracelet to match an outfit.

I would call it Green and Purple Gemstone Bracelet Beaded Memory Wire Adjustable Pastel Stacking Bangle

This one, again the customer is not going to know a bead weaving stitch:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/93544259/necklace-black-spiral-weave

I would call it Black Beaded Necklace Long Silver Gray Crystal Beadwork Pendant Jewelry

I think you will find a lot of help by reading this thread. I know it helped me - http://www.etsy.com/teams/12647/ask-angela-friends/discuss/10382129/

Take care and I hope the best for your shop!

[ArtifactsEtCetera]

Your jewelry is really lovely, so definitely don't worry about that end of things!

I would say that the photos and SEO could use some work. The photos look great in the shop view, but when you see them bigger in the listing, a lot of them are out of focus, have too much glare, or appear to be oddly edited. The macro setting on your camera is your best friend (trust me, I do jewelry, too!) It takes a lot of practice, but it's easy once you get your system figured out. Editing should be just to polish up an already great photo... if a photo LOOKS too edited, it probably makes customers a little comfortable.

As for SEO... use words and phrases that a customer would type into the search box if they were looking for that particular piece of jewelry. Things like "gemstone necklace," "amethyst necklace," "costume jewelry," or "orange necklace" seem to work well.

Your work is really, really nice... I'm sure you'll do great once you get the other aspects in order!

[Former_Member]

Ok, Stephanie, here are my two cents:

1. Photos. Most of your jewelry is shot in direct sunlight and it shows even after you have tried to erase the shadow effect. Doing so much editing and post-production with your images actually hurts them. Try to take many photos in different conditions and if you do not really like the picture right there on the spot, then retake, then tweak and retake, and repeat, until your find something you can work with. Post production will only smooth the minor errors. Dark shadows and harsh lighting makes the pictures difficult to look at for a long period of time and so whoever is looking at it will walk away sooner.

2. Tags & Titles. Read about SEO and vary your tags. Use all of the spots available and perhaps do not use your shop name (tag space is limited) unless you have a strong following and this is the only way your customers find you. Your Title could use some of the tag keywords in them.

3. Descriptions. Work on your descriptions. Pull some of the tag words into your titles and your description, so that you repeat essential info in more than one place. Read your description away from the picture or title and see if you can picture what it is you are describing. If you find something missing -- add it to your description. Spelling. Check it. This will have an impact on whether you come across professional or not.

4. I see you posted over 20 listings in one day. When you are listing your inventory, try to space out the listings so that you are not listing many items the same day. It is better to list an item a day (depending on how many things you have) than to list all at once – this way your items will show up in more recent searches.


Sorry, I feel like this may be too harsh of a feedback, but I hope it helps in a long run.

[Former_Member]

I think by spelling Creation with a K, it makes people think you sell kid items. But once clicking on your shop, it's gorgeous. Your photos are nice, titles seem good. I didn't dig into individual listings, but on the surface, it seems good.

I didn't read many other posts, so I don't know if anyone suggested off-Etsy promoting? Like ads on Facebook and Google? Or just wearing your pieces out and about, and when someone comments on it give them your business card.

You're doing great! Hang in there!

[Former_Member]

I see a lot of this type of listing title on Etsy (and only on Etsy) and this is not a good way to phrase or group keywords:
Necklace Amethyst pendant with gold and purple glass beads

Shoppers do not type "necklace amethyst pendant" - they are more likely to type "amethyst pendant necklace": when searching for an item like this. Using keywords the way you find them in your keyword research ( adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal?forceLegacy=true ) works much better on Etsy and on Google.

I also don't understand why so many sellers list the materials in the listing title. Unless a shopper is looking for gold or platinum or silver or gemstone jewelry, jewelry materials are not usually uppermost in any shoppers mind. Those of us who do not work with jewelry are also not familiar with most of the materials and techniques that are used and don't really care. We usually look for styles and colors.

Your listings really are not getting that many views by Internet standards. It usually takes a few hundred views per item to make a sale on the Internet, much more than in person.

It has become so important l to SEO for both Etsy Relevancy and for Google to get more views. There are differences between between Google and Etsy but it is possible to SEO for both.

Add SEO to every part of your shop, such as the shop title, section names as well as listings and tags, so that your shop and listings can be found on Etsy's Relevancy search and on Google.

Don't guess on the wording for keyword phrases. Start with using keyword phrases that are often used on Google to search for similar products. The keyword phrases popular on Google are also popular on Etsy.

There are web sites that keep track of keywords and how often they are used. One of these databases is from Google and is free. I suggest using Google's keyword research tool to find the best possible keyword phrases for your listings: adwords.google.com/select/KeywordToolExternal?forceLegacy=true

SEO for Google is a lot more than adding keyword phrases but this is the best place to start.

[hurdyburdyvintage]

Hi Steph

I think everyone's covered stuff like seo/tags/pinterest/blogs etc.

So, my immediate impression was, 'hmm I'm not sure about the banner, oh this is jewellery for plus size ladies only' but mainly that you have some really *stunning jewellery*.

Having looked properly I see you make all sizes so it may be good to make it obvious that you cater for all sizes, in particularly... women who require slightly larger sizes.

The main thing for me was that you're not selling up your skills enough. You are very talented, there's a lot of hard work going into your items and the materials are high quality.

May be worth spacing out your listings' text so people can see immediately:

Materials / sizes / tech details & skills engaged / that you offer gift wrapping / whether it's a limited edition or part of an exclusive collection etc.

- If you create a listings template in Word then all your listings will be more coordinated (something I'm working on at the mo).

Another selling point is that you offer a range of priced goods to suit various budgets.

And use evocative language (featuring SEO tag wds) to build that desire to make buyers really want your designer jewellery.

And brand everything from your gift wrapping to your site etc - which you maybe do already - to encourage repeat customers.

Hope some of this feedback is useful. You have lovely items.

[Former_Member]

I agree that some of your pics need work. For example this one is blurry: http://www.etsy.com/listing/102143588/gold-pearl-memory-wire-bracelet <---the 4th picture on that listing

Also...kind of minor but not my favorite....any chance you can change your shop's name from "Kreation" to "creation"? Anytime I see a "k" spelling instead of a "c" I just cringe a little and think "tacky". That may be just me though!

Your jewelry is lovely though. I do agree with others that some of the pics are a little harsh and the image is too contrasted and not "soft" looking. Good luck :)

[CurlicueCreations]

I just tried the Shoptimizer & it gave me an F because it said I don't have any listings - not true! I have 83 items in my shop.

[CurlicueCreations]

Sorry, that was a little "off-topic".

[WhatCandySays]

More than 200 items....it's good....

Photos are with white background....some photos quality can be improved if you have time.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/91850170/peyote-stitch-bracelet-cuff-bracelet?ref=v1_other_2

Descriptions...I don;t have much idea about jewelry's descriptions...since you alreday includes the size, I think it is good...

Feedback...100% positive..

Banner...good....

Policy...looks good....( I mean the part of shipping...)

[Former_Member]

Jennifer,
Shoptimizer has a bug these days
Try again later?

[Former_Member]

Thank you to everyone who has been so kind to help me in this endeavor. I have used Shoptimizer and the only thing it was unhappy about were that my titles were too long. I, like many others, thought that helped on Etsy search. I am going to tweak some of the photos but I am resigned to one room for about 16 hrs a day and fotofuze is the best I can manage. My writing style is atrocious so I try to keep it to a minimum. But again all the honesty has been greatly appreciated!