What is the missing piece??

[Former_Member]

This is a question I am posing to people who have had success on Etsy.

I wouldn't say I have been unsuccessful in my journey with Etsy, but I am definitely disappointed in the outcome (my sales).

I began my shop almost a year ago - November will be my businesses first birthday. I have learned so much about SEO, creating, packaging, photography, and myself. However, I am not done learning. There is still a lot more I want to improve. Most of the things I just listed are areas that I am constantly improving on.

I read threads about "what to do to make your Etsy shop a success". I feel like I am doing most if not all of those, yet, I can humbly say I have not found success thus far. For those of you who have been successful on Etsy, what is the missing piece? Is there something you can share with all of us that has worked for you. Something that none of the other sites tell you? Your expertise is much appreciated.

I am participating in my first craft show soon, and I feel like that is really going to re-engergize me. But, at this exact moment, I feel like I am beating a brick wall to determine where to go next.

[CelesteCraft]

When in doubt, always start with your photos. Are you photofuzing them or something similar to create teh birght white background? It's making the colors washed out, so I'm less sure what shade the item really is.

Also, back the cropping off a little bit, particularly on the bows. Try to have a whole bow in that main picture, so it's immediately apparent what the item is.

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

While I've been very successful, I can't say I know an exact formula to follow. While things like SEO, packing, photography, etc. are important, I believe that sales really depend upon the type of item you are selling (how popular is it and what is your competition like?)

Your bows are cute and colorful, but you can already see what has sold best in your own shop - the signs and blocks. Maybe you really need to expand these lines. And I believe you need quite a few more items in your shop. You just won't get the notice, otherwise. Check out the competition. Find out what the top sign/block sellers are doing and determine if you can pick up a few pointers from them (price, colors, phrasing, size, quantities, etc). Also, can you find a new niche market? Can you make a few block signs that would work well for weddings? what about for the upcoming holidays? Can a block be used as a candle stand? What about blocks as bookends? You need to broaden your thinking and come up with some inventive ways to use what you make (and then think of all those new interesting tags you can use to get noticed by).

Personally, I would not have both bows and decorative signs/blocks in the same store. If, after a certain period of time, you may want to assess your sales and determine if a 2nd shop is warranted...or possibly remove some items that don't seem to sell well...

All the best.

[Former_Member]

Thank you both! I appreciate your responses. I just added the bows recently. So, that is why you don't see many sales for them. They have only been in my shop for about two weeks. I do agree, though, that blocks are what I started with just because I love making them so much.

Great ideas for different usages of the blocks. I will sit down and ponder some ideas for the near future. It will be some time before I can get them in my shop, however, because I am preparing for this craft show.

Celeste, I use natural light with a white board underneath, a piece of parchment paper behind to filter the light, and foil to direct the light back at my piece, so the colors you see are true colors. The only ones that wouldn't be the case for are the bows where I used studio lights instead of natural light. I will reassess those and see if I need to make some changes. It was a cloudy few days when I needed to take the pictures for those! :)

Thank you both for taking the time to respond. It is much appreciated.

[BrushStrokeOrnaments]

Celeste gives some nice pointers about photos. But you are not selling because of the quality of your pictures...(I think they look fine). Low sales are likely the result of any or a combination of the following:
not getting enough notice / not enough traffic to the store
prices
merchandise selection
competition

I don't know WHY you don't have more sales...I'm only pointing out that you need to compare yourself to other similar successful sellers and figure out what they do differently.

[JoArtyJo]

You could try working on SEO. This article gives fab advice, I really believe it has brought me lots of success :-)

http://etsymentors.blogspot.co.uk/p/critique-your-own-shop.html?m=1

[Former_Member]

Thanks Joanne! What a great website. Very thorough. I will definitely be using it.

[StuckOnSilver]

Kimberly, your shop is so nice--love your work! Hand out LOTS of business cards at your craft show, and have a drawing so that anyone liking your fb (or something similar so you can show them new merchandise, etc.) will be entered to win something. All the best!!

[Former_Member]

That is a great idea, Bev! I could definitely do a giveaway. Thank you!

[maydaylabels]

everything Kelly said is spot on

but also, you need to relook at your SEO

you can try this thread: http://www.etsy.com/teams/10713/etsy-relevancy-seo-and-stats/discuss/12499020/

right now your SEO is just, honesly, not very good

[Former_Member]

Thanks! I am actually working through the link Joanne sent me right now, and then I will move on to the thread you shared. SEO has been a consistent struggle for me. But, I am getting found through Etsy and Google search at the moment... just not as much as I would like. I know I need to work on it. I started on a few the other day, but advice I have gotten previously is to change a few and see how that goes before changing them all... oh SEO, how I loathe you and need you at the same time!

Thanks again.

[maydaylabels]

It is an uphill battle with SEO for sure. It's quite important, though, and your photos and product and pricing seem pretty decent; what stands out to me about your shop is the SEO. The best simple advice I have about it is:

avoid one word tags if you can (use phrases people search instead of single words, because as long as a single word is included in a phrase it counts as if it were on its own as well)

do research: start typing phrases into etsy's search bar and use some of the related ones they suggest, and try google's keyword tool (you might have to sign up for an account) to see what people looking for your types of items are searching.

With this listing for instance: http://www.etsy.com/listing/152574068/rustic-wood-sign-distressed-with-a-blue?ref=shop_home_active

I don't know what people *do* search to find items like that, but I know they don't just search "small" or "blue" or "handmade"

I mean, if I type "small" into the search bar, would I even be looking for your item? Why would I ever type "small" into the search bar anyway? Do people looking for wood wall hangings typically also search just the word "small"?

That's the kind of thing you have to go through and do with every listing. It's a lot of work, but with my shop Etsy's Search drives probably 60-70% of traffic, and thus 60-70% of sales. So it's worth it.

[WilliamsGiftshop]

1. Unique products, that are both pretty and functional and that can be found in no other shop on the planet.
2. Marketing. Finding your target market(s) and draw their attention to your shop without spamming them.

[Former_Member]

I don't have any words of wisdom for you. I'm only been open since January and only have 18 sales so I really don't know much. But I do know your bows look really out of place. Bows and wooden blocks/signs have nothing in common. It confuses me to see both together.

If you want to add something else try to find something you enjoy that is some how similar to the blocks and signs. Maybe some coasters or wooden trays. If you want to do bows, open a separate shop.

[Former_Member]

I just added the bows two weeks ago, so they have not had a negative impact on sales. Any handmade brick and mortar shop you visit has a variety of items so I am not sure why I cannot have the same in my Etsy shop. I am not trying to be rude. I just don't understand what the concern is. There are shop sections for a reason.

[Former_Member]

Thanks BeaG! Both great tips!

[Former_Member]

Thanks Matthew and Sarah! I used to have multiple word tags. Then, I read somewhere that you should only use one word tags. Big mistake. My views dropped significantly! That is what I am fighting back from right now.

[AttentionGetting]

I agree with BeaG. Always start with what you are selling. I think you should focus on wood signs and don't sell for too low. But you have to take things up a notch. Really unique items will make you stand out and will be easier to get publicity for. Go to Houzz.com and type in "Wood signs". You will get amazing inspiration. Don't copy, but use that to come up with some original designs and then start your marketing.

[maydaylabels]

It used to be that you couldn't have multiple word tags, but that's changed since late 2011.

[Former_Member]

What makes a successful shop?

1) Unique products - If you are selling the same thing as everyone else, then you have to make your work stand out.

2) great marketing - If your target market doesn't know you exist, how do you expect them to purchase from you?

3) a good business plan. - If you don't know where you are going and have a plan to get there, how will you know that you've arrived?

I've always carried at least five different lines of items in the shop (crocheted wearable art pieces, handcrafted soap dishes, Crochet patterns, yarns, hook and needles) and sometimes more and have never found the need to have more than one shop. Rather I simply market each section to its target market.

[Former_Member]

So I have reworked a lot of my shop per your suggestions. I still have a ways to go, but I really appreciate the time you all took to help!

[Former_Member]

Two words: Target customer.