Sales Boost

[Former_Member]

Hi everyone! I need a little advice.
My shop receives lots of views, lot of treasuries, lots of favourites... but few sales....
Do i Need to make my shop more inviting? do i need better pictures? Do i need to describe my items better? what is it that makes people like an item but go the extra step to actually purchase it?
Ive recently lost my job and any income is very important to me right now, i spend a lot of time adverstising my store and promoting my items but i need to make some more sales..
Any helpful tips??
Much appreciated and Happy Selling!
-Natalie

[Former_Member]

I just started, so I can't give much advice. However, if I were to buy your items I would want to know the ingredients. I looked at your love scrub (I already forgot the actual name- sorry), and I have no idea what it actually smells like. You said something like spicy, sensually, and girly which are all great descriptive words, but I would like more specifics. I also looked at your spring bath bomb. You said that one is woodsy and floral, but that covers a lot of scents. I don't like all woodsy and floral scents, but I do love some.

Hope that helps! It all Looks great!l

[ArizonaMarmaladeShop]

I think your shop is very pretty and inviting. I also share your similar concerns with my shop, although had a super July, but slow in the last week or two.
However being new too I really can't figure out what makes someone purchase vs just favorite.
Good luck, and hang in there, your stuff is beautiful, and probably just hasn't been discovered by the right people yet?

[Former_Member]

Ok, I'm going to give you my view as a customer for this "constructive" critique...

As a customer, your shop name is a little different than what I expect you will sell-- I don't want to be overly critical, but my first impression by looking at your avatar and reading your shop name was, "dusty feathers?"... not trying to be mean! That's literally the first thing I thought.
Then, I went to your shop-- your banner is just lovely! I knew from the description under your title (good for SEO) it was a bath shop, then I scrolled down for more. Your featured items made me think of gourmet treats for the bath. I saw bright photos for your Featured items, very luxe looking items :)
I browsed even more, and just fell IN LOVE with this bath bomb:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/95745382/bath-bomb-bath-fizzy-baby-powder-sugar
The photo is GORGEOUS, alluring, and I love the mention of a sugar flower! It's definitely avatar-worthy :)

Then I went into the listing... (again, as a customer)...
What does it smell like? Since I receive only one bath bomb, how large is it (or what does it weigh? )
I thought it'd make a great gift, but what does the packaging look like?
Pricing sounds ok if the product is a good size... but the shipping appeal to me, even Canadian customers may think it's a bit high. This is my opinion of course, but only because it doesn't seem like it's a heavy item and should cost so much to ship.

I hope this helps!

[ArtifactsEtCetera]

I'm in the same boat (financially) since I moved from Pittsburgh to El Paso this spring and can't find a job here because I'm not bi-lingual. Utterly frustrating!

Anyway, I've been on Etsy for several years and here are my thoughts (for what they're worth):

1. I'm with Courtney... share your ingredients. Most bath supply makers do and that is something that makes a big difference to me. That sets the "made from scratch" products and shops apart from the "made from a kit" crowd. Also, because I have very sensitive skin (like many people) I want to make sure that the product is gentle and doesn't include any other of the things that irritate my skin.

2. Make your photos work for you! Your photos aren't bad, but I think that they could show off your products a lot better. Personally, I'm not a fan of the silk flowers... in such close-up shots, it is obvious that they are fake and it makes your products look "cheap" to me (even though your items look really nice themselves). If you want a prop for some color, you could try some dried flowers, dried eucalyptus, or a pretty branch instead.

Your shop would also look more professional if there was more consistency between your photos. They can be vary some, but you want them to look like they're part of the same "catalog."

My final note on the photos: diffused natural light works wonders for photos. The "yellowish" cast that many of your pics have doesn't do you any favors. You could also use picmonkey.com (or other photo editing software) to adjust the color balance, sharpness, contrast, etc. Once you get your editing "system" down, it goes super-fast.

You've gotten some great advice from others as well... once you get the hang of it, you'll do great! Best of luck to you!

[Former_Member]

Hey all, wanted to chim in: I agree with much of what's been said. Some of your photos are so marvelous and others are mediocre and have a yellowish hue. Could you use reflectors (aluminum foil) to help cut some of the yellowish hue or take pictures with an adjustment to your white balance (if your camera allows)? And like the others said, be as descriptive as possible. I love the close-ups, but this also makes it hard to understand what you're selling. Have you ever tried taking any staged photographs (with other bath props)?? While I like your banner, it doesn't help me understand what you're selling.

In other news, my shop JUST OPENED a week ago...I'd also love views, to grow my circle and get feedback. We have okay views, but not a ton of sales (but i know it takes time). For instance, I'm constantly critiquing our own photos as being not superb, but not sure how to improve.

Good luck, Dust Designs and happy sales!
-lisa @ threading marigolds