Zombies and reassurance...

[Davs]

My featured items are all from my zombie collection. I guess I just need reassurance that they aren't going to be putting potential customers off. I mean, they're more cute then scary, but still, I wonder if having them featured is a good or bad move. Any thoughts?

[Former_Member]

Yes, I would say they out me off. I think you should change it. That's just my opinion though :)

[Former_Member]

Seems to be the thing on T.V. I myself can't wait for next season Walking Dead.
Hard to say, might turn some off but, might attract some too. I'm not an expert by and stretch of the word on etsy. It is your art.

[Former_Member]

wow, it's been a while since I've seen your shop. you really expanded on this zombie thing. I remember you posted the question whether or not they should even be in your shop, right? that was you?
anyway, I don't think it's a put off, but I don't think it fully represents your entire shop. I always put a variety of items. like for my banners, I will have one star banner, one heart, one bunting, and one of something else. I try not to dwell on whether they look good together or not. I just want anyone who clicks on my shop to see a little of everything I sell.
good luck to you!

[Former_Member]

I'm with Jenni, and also I would change my featured listings every couple of weeks, rotate them around with other stuff.

[DeerGirlDesigns]

I love zombies so I think they look great! I am also originally from Pittsburgh, Pa, which is the zombie capital of the world. :)

Lauren! I love Walking Dead and cannot WAIT for the next season, although I am sad they killed off Shane.

I think the zombies look fine in your store!

[LittleAcornToronto]

It's definitely a niche market, but people who love their zombie stuff LOVE THEIR ZOMBIE STUFF, you know what I mean?

I agree with the other posters who mention rotating your favorites. Keep an eye on your stats and see where people land... keep an eye on your GA to see where people land AFTER they land on your home page - how often do they click through on your featured items? vs How often do they click on your featured item if it's zombie-themed?

I like it...I think it's cute.

But make sure you are aware of your market and you cater to it.

[Davs]

Yes, Jenni thank you, good luck to you too! And yes that was me.:) I think it's good to show a variety too but I feel like I have the rest of the page for that, and I like to treat my front shop page like a treasury and have it visually pleasing. but the reason I featured the zombies is so people would see that I offer them in my shop as well. But yeah, it looks like feelings are mixed as to whether it might be putting people off. So if possible I'd like to get some more opinions.

[DeerGirlDesigns]

If they were gruesome horrific zombies eating flesh I would say they are off putting, but they are cute and visually, at first glance, they mesh well with everything else. I mean you have zombies at the beach! :) Also, remember that having those items present will build relevancy with favoriting and stuff so that come Halloween, you will be selling them like hotcakes. This is all my un-expert opinion.

[Former_Member]

Sarah, I see what you're saying. on your first page, other than the featured zombies, there aren't any zombies. have you ever considered rearranging your shop? if you don't already know, click on your shop icon, on the bottom left column click rearrange. you can mix up your items. if you are a little obsessive, you can have it arranged in alternating columns. have one row/column zombies, then art, then back to zombies. if you don't like that you can even do a kind of checkered pattern, ooooh no we are getting complex now....gotta go!

[Former_Member]

I honestly hate zombies, but those are cute!! :)

[WildflowerSalvage]

I think that they are fabulous...although my 9 year old son makes me watch zombie shows ALL the time! I think of yours as "zombie lite"...no guts or gore, just fun! I do agree that a variety on your featured four would be better only because it can showcase more than just one style. Just incorporate links to the others in the zombie collection with the one that you leave in the featured area.

[WildflowerSalvage]

I had to go back and look more. I just think this is a super fun collection. Best of luck:)

[Zehland]

Alright, my opinion is for a bit different reason, but I also think it would be good to mix up the featured items and perhaps use only one zombie.

The reason is, the featured items are the only things that appear "Above the Fold" on most screens. Above the fold means without having to scroll down. People don't scroll down very often if what is up top does not grab them immediately.

Now, I looked at your Sold items and did not see a large percentage of zombies sold. You probably want your shop to appeal to the people who buy your stuff. So I would put best sellers up there and maybe one zombie just to let people know you have them.

[GildedXRoseXStudio]

I agree with Janet...I feel your featured items should be a peek into a few of the things that you do. Your zombies are really cute, but it was kinda strange to see a set of 4 zombies and then scrolling down on the first page no zombies at all. Those four slots are supposed to grab a browsing individual into checking out more of your stuff. I feel you should change it up a bit and show a little bit of everything.

[ShopDeliciousThreads]

I like zombies. BUT, since you have other pieces that are not zombified, you might want to have a variety in your features so potential buyers can find something to draw them if they don't care for zombies.

[Davs]

Thanks everyone for your super helpful opinions. I think I will change my featured to be a mix of what I have to offer and maybe add a few of my zombies into my front page as well. They haven't been good sellers yet, but I keep my fingers crossed that eventually someone will take a particular liking to them and snatch them up! ;)

[Former_Member]

I like zombies and your art isn't bloody or graphic to me. I think that you should go with what you like. :) And yah I can't wait for Walking Dead this fall!! Oh and the switching around your featured items is a great idea. I do it all the time.

[Former_Member]

I prefer having a mix of my items in me featured items ....rather then just one.
kinda a Hey these are the favs in my Shop! kinda thing.

[Davs]

I changed it... does this look alright?
http://www.etsy.com/shop/Davs?ref=si_shop

[PithAndRootStudio]

Hi Sarah, I'm just looking at this now and I didn't see how you had it before, but I love the zombie cards. I can see the challenge you have trying to promote them alongside your other work. When I click on the shop section and see them all together, they really knock my socks off. (yes, big zombie fan here).

I think the featured items look pretty good but I would second what a couple of other people suggested, rearranging the items in your shop so they are clumped together - maybe one row of zombies, one row of paintings, one row of your abstract ACEOS, and so on. Also, your banner seems to be part of the problem. It doesn't really echo your current work as much as it could, including the abstract stuff. I would suggest incorporating the zombies into a cityscape splashed with your abstract designs like graffiti.... Just a thought.

[Former_Member]

I love zombies, so I think it's great! That being said, I agree with others in that maybe you could change it every once in a while. Like don't change it now, but maybe in a week or two change it to a new theme. Not everyone is a fellow zombie fanatic like me. However, I also think that since your zombies aren't gory and graphic, it's really not a big deal, like davkadeergirl said. Good luck with whatever you decide! :)

[Former_Member]

I dont particularly love zombies but I think your zombie collection is great and dont see that as being off putting, I faved your shop, great stuff!

[Former_Member]

I LOVE zombies but not everyone does. They should though, lol. A nice mix is always a good idea.

[Former_Member]

i think what youve done with your shop looks great- but i might be biased ((stitches head on zombie doll)) and could be very mistaken