The importance of Avatars in Attracting Views

[#1]

I have noticed that very often a team member's avatar alone will lead me to click on their shop and want to see their products. This has led to a few sales for other shop owners from me. How important do you find Avatars (the little side photo next to our names) in your own shop and others? How often do you notice that they give you the impetus to click on the seller's shop? Also, what elements in an avatar pic make you notice?

For me, I love if the person has an interesting piece of their work in the photo. If it is something I find appealing, I will definitely check out their stuff. Or if it is a self portrait, I will click if it is artsy and interesting and fun. I am sure everyone is different, but I would love to hear input.

[Former_Member]

oh cool! :) Thanks Silver Lily <3

[itslauracrow]

After reading this thread, it's made me what to go and design a fabulous avatar :)

[SilverLilyJewelry]

Hey totally getting your location Rivendale Hogwart's etc...... I'm a huge H P and LOTR fan but puttibg your actual location may be better I read domewhere it help's when someone is searching local item's

[SilverLilyJewelry]

meant comment above for Katherine

[Former_Member]

Back in the ole days, one could click on your avi - the image - and you'd travel in time right to their shop! That was perfect.

[byTheArtBug]

Oh yes definitely nice, unique and interesting Avatars attract me, I really want to check what's in the shop!

Due to the same reason I changed mine:)....before I used to change it every other week but now I think I will stick to this one:)

Some of the avatars are so memorable that u recognize the at once!

[Former_Member]

Megha, yours is adorable!

It made me check our your shop...which led me to circling and favouriting you!

[Former_Member]

Should I change my avatar to one of my shop items? I never really thought about this before...

[Former_Member]

Joy, I enjoy your photo. It's personal, abstract (a little) and artsy, and cute. Inviting.

[Former_Member]

Thanks Amanda!

You have a cute shop!
And yes your's attracted me too!

[DeerGirlDesigns]

So many great responses!

I definitely don't think an unappealing avatar would ever make me not buy something from a shop, but avatars that are interesting to me have led many times to me checking out a shop, clicking on items, favoriting items, and occasionally buying. We have to all remember that etsy sellers are buyers too! At least, I know I sure am!

What is interesting in this thread is all the different answers and tastes. Some like product pictures, some like people pictures, etc so I guess you can't really go wrong. I wish I could list all the avatars in this thread that I really adored, but the two from the last pages that really caught my eye were Laura and SilverLily. :) Laura's is an interesting picture of herself (I think) but artistic and fun and Silver Lily's was attractive to me with the bright colors and product..

But for me also, I know certain sellers by their faces now- like Tarren, and that has led me to pay attention to her shop more. So there are lots of great ways to go with this, I think.

[birdmom9726]

Well, so, there you are. All kinds of thoughts on all the different avatars we all have. It seems like we all have good and bad things with each avatar, whether it's artsy, funny, cute, a pic of us, a pic of our kids or dogs, I guess it's all in what you're comfortable with and why you feel that way. To each his/her own! I can relate to the poster who said he or she was really annoyed with clicking on someone's avatar that had a cool item in it, and then finding out it wasn't in the store any more. That's the thing - if I'm going to post one of my items as my avatar, it's goiing to be the hottest item in my shop for sure, but then I can hardly say, No, I can't sell that to you because it's my avatar! Decision, decisions.You know if we all had more sales we wouldn't have all this spare time to sit around and talk about avatars - hopefully the day will come soon that we will all be that busy!

[LittleBitsOFaith]

This is a great thread..definitely some food for thought! Best wishes, no matter what your avatar=)

[HCJewelrybyRose]

I just changed mine. Any thoughts? Is it clear enough to show that it is a bracelet?

[DeerGirlDesigns]

HC, Love it. I thought it was a necklace, but it is definitely noticeably a rad piece of jewelry!

[Former_Member]

I also always recognize yours, davkadeergirl.

[Former_Member]

I always recognise Tarren's from the forums. :)

Although I'm not an Etsy buyer yet, I definitely check out stores for gifts and favourite them.

[JoArtyJo]

I was actually just thinking about my avatar.... And wondering if a picture of me would make my shop more personal?
@Tarren- I like yours as I recognise you instantly and feel I know more about you somehow.... May just be because we are both regulars around here though lol!

Any opinions on my avatar? I think it is easil recognisable, but is it interesting enough to make you click?!

[starlightwoods]

Joanne, I love your avatar, definately made me click the first time, you can easily switch yours up though because your work is all so recognizable as yours. Because your work is so unique I would stick to your work as your avatar, It's awesome, that's my opinion :)

[Former_Member]

I have changed my avatar several times.... to my picture and also to my logo... I think it works for me when people can see my little baby guy and think... oh yeah, that's the shop with kid paintings. I have also started using the baby avatar in my listings:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/91966757/sky-paintings-set-11-x-14-children-decor

I'm trying it out. It sets my listings apart, we'll see if it works :)

Sandra

[Former_Member]

Joanne,

I always recognize your shop by your heart avatar.... I love it!

[FlathersCreations]

WEll I changed our pic to our kitty with a plant , which we do sell plants.
The avatar picture was of my hubby and I thinking it was nice to see the face behind the store. Making it more friendly like...hope I dont confuse any past customers by doing so.
I will try this for awhile and see.
Thanks for all the great feedback
Lynn

[Former_Member]

If it wasn't for a fellow Etsy Success team member, I would have never thought to use a picture of one of my items as my avatar. *slaps forehead* D'oh!

[FlathersCreations]

Well I already changed it again....went with a funky item in the shop might work better =)

[Former_Member]

i often click if i think it's cute- definately helps!!