When should you create an etsy store?

[Former_Member]

i have only been on etsy for a week and a half and only have 2 items up in my store for sale. I have a custom floral design business for silk flowers and wanted to know if i should wait until i get more products to list in my store before i start selling. Any suggestions ? Anyone?

[ItsyBitsyPaperCuts]

Obviously the more items the better however, I'd remain open and just keep adding to your shop as you go. Beautiful arrangements by the way!

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

Yes, what Kristen said.

Obviously, the more you have in your shop, the better chances you have to be found.

But don't rush just to have items in your store. You'll want QUALITY listings. Make sure your SEO is on point and make sure you have stellar pictures. Your one listing is fine for pictures. This one though. Having it out in your kitchen is a bit distracting. You might want to go for the basic background that you have in your other picture.

Your arrangements are nice.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/232279886/beautiful-silk-floral-arrangement-spring?ref=listing-shop-hea...

[StuckOnSilver]

Beautiful work!! Be sure to take time to write your policies and about page.
Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Your silk flower arrangements are lovely. Your shop is very new and it does take time to be noticed on Etsy. Adding more of your creations will help but it does not take a lot of listings to get noticed in Etsy Relevancy searches. Using the right keywords is essential whether you have 2 listings or 200. You seem to be using good keywords.

There are shops on Etsy with few listings that sell very well, just by using the words that shoppers use to get easily found.

I suggest working on the quality of the photos, which appear overexposed. I would try darker photos which can be lightened up with photo editing software. There are Websites where you can edit photos for free if you do not have photo editing software, such as www.picmonkey.com and www.pixlr.com.

I had trouble reading the item descriptions which seem to run on. Try breaking up the long text into smaller paragraphs and show information such as sizes separately so that it is easy to find.

[cufflinkworlds]

yes , you need up more picture, two tiems , too less,

i suggest your photo need deal more better,

https://www.etsy.com/listing/232982619/team-groom-square-cufflinkscustom?ref=shop_home_active_10

[Former_Member]

More items equals more sales but I would say just list whatever you have and gradually increase stock...

[Former_Member]

OMG! I just want to say to all of you that responded to my question, Thanks a million and all of your information has been a true help and has been taken into consideration. If all of you don't mind.... Could u look at my shop and tell me as a consumer what you think my shop needs to be more professional. Thanks Scotty

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

Beyond the advice of the pictures, you need:

1. Policies.
2. More products.
3. To work on SEO.

[Former_Member]

OK thanks Nikki, I am starting to wonder should I deactivate my shop for now until I get more organized and am ready to post a lot of listings at one time? I am a person that believes in ... If its not done correctly then don't do it at all. I have the talent but just need to get the marketing part down. What do u think?

[Former_Member]

Hi Scotty. I was actually in a similar situation to yours when I opened my shop. At first I had something like 10 items, but when I had them all uploaded I felt my shop looked very empty so I deactivated everything until I had about 25 or 30 items. More items not only equals more sales, but it also equals more views. If you have some variety in your items and a good choice of options, you are more likely to get found and people are more likely to linger in your shop looking around for other items. The choice on whether to keep adding or deactivate so you can launch a bunch of items all at once is up to you. Best of luck!

[RomaMiaTradingCo]

If you feel more comfortable to deactivate than start from scratch when you have more knowledge and feel more comfortable with it, you should.

Also, you might want to read up on off-Etsy marketing as well. As much as SEO and great photography is needed for your products, the other half of getting people into your shop is marketing.

[PaperHaberdashery]

Hi Scotty! One thing I find difficult is when I'm given advice, but I still don't know how to implement it. People have mentioned improving your photos. Well that's all fine and good, but how? Right? When I learned to use software that I already had, it made a huge difference for me, but not everybody is computer savvy or even has the time to learn and practice. Sometimes you need a quick fix until you can devote more time and/or resources to it.

So I thought I'd mention that there are website applications where you can upload and with one click make improvements to your photo. Since I use software myself, I can't recommend one over another, but I googled 'how to improve photos online' and it gave a bunch of suggestions. Here is one that at a glance looks simple, that you might want to try:

http://enhance.pho.to/

Good luck!! :)

[YesterHere]

It's understandable that you want to put the best face forward but don't wait for perfection.

Getting a perfect Etsy shop is almost impossible. Things change on here all the time. Every listing is a learning curve so I wouldn't shut the shop, just keep listing as you can.
Take an hour to flesh out your policies and about page. Then just list whenever you are able... but don't expect sales to start until you have at least a page or two

[Former_Member]

Annie, Nikki, Kim, and Adana... Thank you ladies so much for your input it is greatly appreciated. Kim you hit it on the nail with the answer of how to do things when a person gives a suggestion. I am very computer savvy and smart but this is a completely new market for me so its all about learning. Thanks ladies.

[Former_Member]

I think the more items you have... the better. Yes SEO is a big one...

[fishcouple]

I think you have your shop deactivated.

I just want to say that i agree with Edana. Things change all the time and I am learning here everyday. I felt the more hands-on I get, the faster I learn though. :)

[AFlashOfNature]

I think you should just go for it; open your shop and continually add items everyday until you build up stock. That way you can learn as you go. When I started, even though I had done a lot of research, I had no idea what I was doing! It took me about 3 months to start getting sales and another year before I started feeling comfortable with SEO. I'm still learning, we all are but having your shop open for questions and critiques gives you a HUGE advantage.