The importance of Avatars in Attracting Views

[DeerGirlDesigns]

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.

[littlecherryhill]

If it looks interesting I click lol

[Former_Member]

I always underestimate the importance of avatars. Both you and Emma seem to have great avatars though. The simplicity of Emma's is eye-catching, and yours displays uniqueness.
I haven't "not clicked" on a shop based on an avatar, but sometimes it certainly does help. I suppose it's only more useful in teams in forums, though, as when buyers are browsing and just using a search engine, your avatar does not show up.

[Former_Member]

I think avatars are a huge part of branding and as vital to the whole image of the shop just as the banner, profile and listings are

[Former_Member]

If someone's avatar is just their face, and its an ugly one, I won't click on it. Hahaha.

[Ecobota]

Jennifer makes a good point though, who sees avatars other than other sellers in the forums?

[Former_Member]

I was told they are important. It's the first thing you see. I had a pic of me but I think the bear is cuter. Does it get sales? Well not yet anyway. I did suggest to a shop owner that the avatar pic of him with his hat on backwards drinking a beer wasn't his best choice for an avatar.LOL!

[Former_Member]

Keegan: haha sometimes I click just out of curiosity

[Former_Member]

I VERY often click on a shop because of an avatar. Some of the avatars are funny, some intriguing, and some just beautiful pieces of art themselves. Because a portion of the proceeds from my shop are donated to an animal charity I chose to use a kitty as an avatar. She has become quite famous among animal lovers on Etsy.

[Former_Member]

I often click on shops if their avatar interests me, which leads to me circling an favouriting shops :)

[Former_Member]

I just redid my avatar and shop banner this weekend to better reflect what I sell. I think it does make a difference. I will click on the ones that look interesting to me..I have seen some awesome ones, and ones that leave you wondering "what were they thinking?"...

[Former_Member]

I also click on ones that are interesting, but I sometimes get frustrated if it seems misleading or confusing.

[seemomster]

My shop banner is my work...my avatar is a picture of me. Wondering if I should change it to one of my pieces?

[Former_Member]

I often click on avatars that are to my taste (BRIGHT!!!)

I prefer images of items over images of people :)

[Former_Member]

I agree with Amanda!! =)

[Former_Member]

Claudia Rapp, your rings are gorgeous, but I think a bright close up picture would catch more attention :)

What does everyone think of my avatar? Of course it all comes down to taste, but I'd love opinions.

[Former_Member]

An avatar has sometimes been the nudge to get me to check out a shop.I love inventive avatars as well as very simple ones. Or both! I've seen some crazy fun vintage ones - particularly vintage clothing and housewares, and some beautiful art-based ones too. By the way Amanda - love yours - how adorable!

I'm wondering...do you all change your avatars now and again? I've been thinking about it to reflect a changing inventory and keep it fresh.

[Former_Member]

Well, I love mine but don't know if anyone else does. Trying to show what I do in an unusual (and copyright expired! A Renoir painting, my fave painter) way. So not my face (yuck!) and not my products -- I worry that the tiny pix of anything larger than jewelry is a waste of the space.

[studionubbo]

I think avatars are very important. People have told me they've clicked on mine because they loved it.

I also click on others if they look cool, whether it be a photo of a product or person :)

[CardNotions]

This is something I have been wrestling with lately! Should I change my avatar? I've used my logo, but don't know how others perceive it. I'm open to suggestions!

[Former_Member]

My opinion is that since we post in the teams is better to post something relates to our items so people that are browsing the teams can have an idea of what kind of products we have in our stores and that can be a view...

[Former_Member]

I'm with Susana, it really should be used as part of your branding. We carry our avvie throughout all our Social Media/blog avenues.

[Former_Member]

I think these avatars are only somewhat important they haven't caused me to not click on someone's shop. But it is good to know how much others value them. I am the guy Lisa Schultheis is referring to in her comment on the first page here. And so I did change my pic. Loved my other better, but if it helps me in anyway I can change it and I'd change it again if I heard it would somehow help my shop out.

[seemomster]

Well...I changed mine. Better?

[Former_Member]

@Melanie, i personally think so, now I know what your shop sells :)