Store visits and sales way down

[Etchddreams]

Hi: I am trying to figure out what I am really doing wrong. After opening my Etsy store in July and knowing it would be a slow start. Each month has gotten a little better until January.
My hits have gone down to like 20 to 40 a day. When October through Decmember were in the 100's.
Sales have gone way down. Making only one sale this month.
Anything someone call tell me about my layout, listing headlines or anything else would really help.
Thanks
Jeff
Etched Dreams

[Former_Member]

It can be slow in January because people are receiving their credit card bills from Christmas, they realized more taxes were taken out of their checks, and they're trying to reformulate their budgets due to the rising cost of food, gas, healthcare, etc.

I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just focus on making, listing, and getting yourself out there.

[Etchddreams]

Thanks 1337art

I hope your right. I knew January would be slow. Just did not think this slow.
Guess I will hope it picks up and can get out in the industry better.

Thanks
Jeff
Etched Dreams

[Former_Member]

Get those hearts and roses wine glasses geared for Valentine's Day! Then push them for weddings (Etsy is HUGE for wedding promotions). Change up the descriptions and use 2-3 word tags:

Valentine wine glass
valentine gift
hearts wine glass
roses wine glass
wedding gift
wedding toast
anniversary glasses
toasting glasses
bridal wine glass
bridal shower gift

[Etchddreams]

Janet

Thanks. I did use some of those tags, But not all of them by any means. I will go in and change it. Anything has to help right now. As if nothing else. I would like to get my hits up there. Just for the exposure for later sales seeing what I offer.

Thanks again for the advise.
Jeff
Etched Dreams

[Sparklesme]

I see the same trend in my store. I list something new a least once a week, and or at least renew daily lately but there are sometimes 0 views. Not sure what else to do but be patient and keep trying. Good luck to you!

[Former_Member]

Jeff, the deal is that none of us (okay few of us!) sell anything people "need"...except that people "need" to celebrate life's occasions. They WILL spend on gifts because it is a social necessity, whether it's corporate gifts to boost business, wedding gifts, showers gifts, birthday, anniversary, retirement.

Etsy frowns on using plain "gift" as a tag, since anything can be a gift, but it's okay to target a gift occasion, and I think your items are totally geared towards celebrating life's big moments. Remember graduation gifts in June!

[Etchddreams]

Good information. I did not know Gift was frowned on by etsy. As I have used that in my tags.. I will change those.. And re listing sounds like it might be a good idea..

Does re listing bring those items to the front of peoples searches first? so if they search wedding glasses.. do the new listing show up first?

Thanks to everyone.. it does help
Jeff
Etched Dreams

[Former_Member]

Re-listing only brings things to the front IF people search according to "recent" in the upper right hand side...Etsy defaults to search by "relevancy" which is much more complicated. Relevancy is determined by algorithms searching titles and tags to predict what will match what the customer is looking for.

People usually switch the box from "relevant" to "recent" only if they have been searching for awhile and know what's out there and just want to see what's new. You can also search by high price or low price.

The key to being found is relevancy, which is why Search Engine Optimization is so critically important.

[Etchddreams]

Janet

Thank you. That makes a lot of sense. I will be changing a few things to make it better with this information. Thanks again for helping another etsy member.

Jeff
Etched Dreams

[Former_Member]

Jeff I didn't even notice the vases! I'd suggest rearranging your shop and putting all of the rose vases and glasses on your first page. The horse items are lovely, but have a more limited audience.

Also if you have time, fill in your About page to show your work in progress, your studio, etc. It's what separates you from the mass market and makes customers feel a connection (ie; reason to buy from you).

Best of luck to you!

Janet

[EarthlieTreasures]

I feel your pain, and I am hoping that it is just the January slump people are suggesting!

[PrayerNotes]

Jeff,
Your items are beautiful! This is my second January on etsy and it was slow last year, too. A great deal of money was spent during November and December and people are recovering, as 1337art, relayed.
1. I am using January to search for relevant blogs that allow small business ads from 5.00 to 25.00 a month.
2. I also used the last bit of December and early January to have my blog revamped by Kingdom Advantrix.
3. I leave shop backlinks wherever possible when visiting and commenting on blogs, making sure that my comments are relevant and informative.
4. I have changed many of my titles to include relevant keywords, according to the new etsy shopping guide.
5. I am changing the tags, also to better reflect my product and add relevancy.
6. I'm creating new products and planning to post them throughout the next few weeks.
I hope some of these "to-do's" from my list help you bring in more sales. So far, Has been slow for me, also. I have had 10 sales this month and am using the time to study what I have sold--my shop stats, etc. Blessings to you!

[xoxocrocheted]

Things always tend to be slow after Christmas! Personalizing things for upcoming holidays (like Valentine's Day) always helps. Often you can even make etsy's front page if you have something valentinesy. Hope this helps!

[Etchddreams]

cynthia and jay

Thank you both for the information. cynthia I am spending the day doing what you suggest. Changing tags on my items and making them better. And trying to put my Valentines stuff at the for front. Like janet suggested. I did not even think about my other rose glasses or rose vases.. all good suggestions.. Thank you very much. Any other input you may have I would love to hear. This is the only place I have ever gotten straight forward suggestions to help. And I think they all help.
Jeff
Etched Dreams