in need of some feedback :)

[Former_Member]

Hey gang! So ive had a shop since 2008 but only just started actually stocking it a bit over a month ago-been working my booty off, between creating merchandise, listing, promoting, AND working a fulltime job while living alone with a two year old! AHHHHHHH! Anywho....would anyone be so kind as to give me some overall feedback? I have been doing pretty good with views ( I think!) and am curious what kind of impression ya'll are getting. thanks so much and happy sunday!

[Former_Member]

I get the impress you're going to be doing pretty good in next few months!! The colors really pop. To me, they are gorgeous! Anybody would be lucky to have your creations in their home. *Best wishes*

[Former_Member]

It's awesome to see a fellow Chicagoan on Etsy! I'm technically a surburbanite but close enough.

First, LOVE your shop!!! Very fun and original creations!!!

One suggestion would be to optimize keywords in your shop welcome. That plays heavily into SEO working in more keywords might help with being found in searches. Also, I really think you should add something in your welcome about your original photography. I think your point of view is really great and very different from most photographers on Etsy. I suggest really playing that up.

Use your "featured" items to showcase items that are on later pages of your shop. They seem to kind of repeat things on page 1.

In this listing, I think image 2 should be your main image. It shows the frame and mirror off a lot better than the close-up. I think the pictures of the mirrors and frames in context on the wall are really helpful to give a sense of scale.
http://www.etsy.com/listing/103564157/pin-up-girl-wall-mirror-retro-decoupage

[Former_Member]

oh my gosh! you guys are the best! thanks so much for taking the time to give me some pointers-(GREAT advice!) i am so appreciative!!!

[ViaLove]

I think you have done an amazing job! I agree with Reina and Katrina above. Also, maybe group photographs on one row and mirrors on another row. (?) It might make your shop look more consistent, ie flow better.

Your creations are amazing. I think you are going to do well. I love your originality. ;o)

[Former_Member]

I love your products!

As for the shop, I'd build a less busy banner. It's competing for attention with the products.

Also, for the photos, I'd try to avoid showing anything on the mirrors themselves. The bedroom, desk, etc. showing on them is also taking the attention away from your work.

I hope this works for you. Good luck!!!

[Former_Member]

thank you all so much! by the way, everyones shops are beautiful! I was so impressed just checking them all out-i guess i had good timing when i put that post up today! :)

[Former_Member]

Hi Rachel,

What an interesting assortiment you have in your shop!
Here are a couple of things:

1. Make sure that the word "mirror" actually appears at least once in the first three tags when you tag your mirror listings.

2. Reflections in the mirrors distract from the product you are selling. To show off the frame, position a large piece of white cardboard infront of the mirror -- this will make the reflection to be white/plain and the frame of the mirror will stand out. I would say the same for the picture frames as well. Even if you are selling a picture with the frame, I would say the best shot to have for your shop's thumb is the one that shows off the frame without a busy picture in it.

3. If you offer free shipping on some items, why not to offer free shipping on a second, third, etc. item? This will motivate a cutomer to purchase more items in one order.

Best of luck!

[Former_Member]

Great Julia! fantastic advice! I completely agree with the reflection suggestion, although until now, I was clueless as to how it could be done-cant wait to try out the cardboard trick! thanks again!

[TheSSSeamstress]

Hi Rachel! Good for you for giving this a go even with so much going on (I can relate!) Your stuff is really cool and interesting, but the issue I'm having with your shop is that it looks very very busy. I think that showing a view of your mirrors and frames with more white space around them in the initial photo would help a lot. Like this: http://www.etsy.com/listing/100149497/chalkboard-sign-vintage-wedding-framed
Personally, I am very wary of buying anything that seems like it might become clutter, and that is the vibe I'm getting from your shop a little. If you switch up your photography, I think you could show how one of your pieces would truly become a focal point of a room and be something that pops. Good luck!

[Former_Member]

Dana, your aprons are so cute its not even funny! seriously-i am in love!!! thanks so much, i have to work on the pics. i live in a tiny apartment with my daughter, so there are toys everywhere i look, and finding a good place to take my photos has been the biggest challenge for me. i really appreciate all of your feedback, its really stressing to me how much i need to figure something out! thanks so much again :)

[TheSSSeamstress]

Thank you :) I'm not sure how big your frames are, but the best photo solution I have found for smallish items is to buy a $2 white foam posterboard to use as a background. Just prop it up against a wall or lay it down on the floor and it doesn't matter what is around it at all--you'll just have a clean background.