Esty Shop Optimization Focus Group - Day 1

[#1]

Hi Team! Before we get started...

1. You can see the format and timing for today's workshop here:
https://www.etsy.com/teams/15782/etsy-meet-n-tweet/discuss/13432955/page/1

2. Regarding keywords, with the exception of Jan, I want you all to set aside what you currently consider your keywords--they were much too broad for getting found in search engines as they were more like categories or headings. However, Jan, there is still room to work on yours as well. So, let's all see where today's research and analysis takes us!

Today's Participants:
1. Jan Purves from cardsbymormorjan
2. Tori Jackson from SecretScentSociete
3. Kathy Jones from KKJJewelry4You
4. Randi from LovelyLikeTheSun
5. Miss Tan from MissTanDesigns

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

STEP ONE: Know What You’re Really Selling

Keywords depend on what you’re selling and the terms customers are most likely to use to find items like yours. Before trying to figure out the best keywords for your shop, determine exactly what you’re selling.

This might seem like a no-brainer (hello, I make knit hats!); however, many sellers have a product, but still don’t know exactly what they are selling. The ins and outs of your product can make a huge difference in the keywords you later choose for SEO.

Using knit hats as an example. A knit hat is a knit hat? Nope: not when you’re trying to be an SEO superstar. The knit hats likely come in different sizes--for men, women and kids. And different colors, textures, yarn types and varied thickness. Knit hats can be offered in different styles--cloche, newsboy, pixie, etc… PLUS, knit hats can offer an experience, not just warmth i.e. a trendy style accessory or a statement piece. Or maybe offer the memory of bundling up as a child and running out to throw snowballs with the neighborhood kids.

Get down to the nitty-gritty of what you’re really selling by considering all the details and options your products provide; then make a list. Write it all out and you have a perfect starting point for finding the perfect keywords.

ASSIGNMENT: Complete as quickly as you can so that we will have time to discuss your list before moving on to Step Two at Noon.

1. Make a list of all the details related to your products. Include variables like size, colors, demographic or genre, uses, feel, texture, trend, can it be customized or personalized?

Use the questions and suggestions in these article as a guide:

www.etsy.com/blog/en/2007/guidelines-tips-tagging-on-etsy/
www.etsy.com/blog/en/2009/seller-how-to-tag-o-rama-with-descriptive-keywords/

Also, on your list be sure to include any feature(s) of your products you feel your customers might be PASSIONATE about? ie all natural, organic, genuine...

2. Please post your list below.


_____________________________________________________________
Special Note: I adapted much of the wording for this post from the following article:
http://outright.com/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-seo-for-your-etsy-shop/

[Former_Member]

Wow - Santa earrings now one page one when searching Santa Christmas earrings in handmade. page 4 if you do not include "in handmade" in the search. So where do I tweak it to get them on page one without the handmade?

[TwentyandUnder]

Hi Kathy great! Yes, let's get them on more front pages!

I suggest

1. Repeat the product title as the 1 line of description right above what you have there now. So your new description will be (also I would add the commas to the title):

Santa Earrings, Santa Charm, Santa Jewelry, Swarovski Christmas Earrings, Holiday Earrings, Swarovski Jewelry, Crystal Dangle Earrings

Petite Crystal AB Swarovski Santa head with red Swarovski hat and white pom-pom. Available in clip-on, leverback and post. KKJ124

2. Add these tags to what you have there now. You will need to switch some old tags out, like jewelry, santa, christmas - try to get all of the one below in there: (remember you can copy/paste this list with the commas without have to retype - you'll need 9 spots available)

santa earrings, santa charm, santa jewelry, swarovski earrings, Christmas earrings, holiday earrings, swarovski jewelry, crystal earrings, dangle earrings


Lastly, don't forget about the work for the sections, shop title and announcement.

For now, till you have the time, you could just add

a new section - Holiday Earrings
a new shop title - maybe consider - Swarovski Hancrafted Jewelry - Earrings & Bracelets

[Former_Member]

I had a little time to work on this last night. But some pretty fantastic results on the Santa's . Here are the results

swarovski santa holiday earrings
swarovski santa Christmas earrings
santa Christmas earrings in handmade
swarovski christmas earrings
1st page

swarovski Christmas earrings in handmade
3rd page

and a couple of the 1st page ones were on the top line -below the paid ones. of course...now to work on the others. Clarissa - you have no idea how much your help and suggestions mean! Now gotta make more jewelry! Kathy

[Former_Member]

Oh - I did compare the tags on an exact item that was above mine in one of the searches, and they were not many differences....will continue to tweak! Kathy

[TwentyandUnder]

Hi Kathy! Awesome work!

I just checked and you are also on the front page for

santa earrings

without "in handmade"! :D Yay!

[Former_Member]

Just so we can see where I am on this, I am grabbing a few minutes here and there.

Birthstone heart
Swarovski birthstone heart 1st page
birthstone heart pendant x
birthstone heart necklace x
Swarovski birthstone heart necklace x
birthstone heart 1st page 2 row (non-sponsored)
Birthstone heart swarovski 1st page

I only went as far as 5 pages looking for it to show up.

I will work on another one next.

[TwentyandUnder]

Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Heart Pendant

Sounds good! Try adding some more of your keywords phrases...

Swarovski Birthstone Necklace Crystal Birthstone Jewelry Swarovski Heart Necklace Swarovski Birthstone Charm

[Former_Member]

Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Heart Pendant wow that one put my item 1st under the paid row!!!!!!!!

[TwentyandUnder]

Excellent!!

Now let's get you on first page for:

swarovski birthstone necklace

and

birthstone necklace :)

we can try!

add the follow to the listing title/1st line description

Swarovski Birthstone Necklace Crystal Birthstone Jewelry Swarovski Heart Necklace Swarovski Birthstone Charm

so that you have

Swarovski Crystal Birthstone Heart Pendant Swarovski Birthstone Necklace Crystal Birthstone Jewelry Swarovski Heart Necklace Swarovski Birthstone Charm

[Former_Member]

Can I just jump in really quick and ask about commas? I notice you don't really have them when you list things, and was wondering if I should have them in my titles? It seems I would be able to add more characters to a title if I exclude them.

[cardsbymormorjan]

Hi Clarissa,
I have up dated one of my items and managed to get it on the first page when I search for Watercolor Greetings Cards
My product description is:
Lindisfarne Island Watercolor Greetings Cards, Watercolor Blank Notecards set, Watercolor Art Cards

Another item is on 9th page when I search for Watercolor Note Cards:
product description:
Watercolor Christmas Card Set, Blank Watercolor Notecards, Holiday Greeting Cards Red Flower Poinsetta 4 blank note cards Holiday gift

where to go from here?

I will keep working through my products and updating the descriptions. No sales at all so far.

[TwentyandUnder]

@Randi, a hotly debated subject but i think the difference between the three alternatives - comma and a space, commas/no space, space/no commas is probably a lot less important than the keywords and you can probably just do whichever looks/reads best to you.

@Jan congrats on the first page for watercolor greeting cards!!

and I can see your listings coming up on first page for
watercolor christmas cards
watercolor holiday cards
watercolor notecards
blank notecard sets

Next...some fine tuning!

Some of your Your Prime Keyword Phrases we know are:

General:
Watercolor Notecards, Watercolor Greeting Cards, Blank Notecard Sets

Holidays:
Watercolor Notecards, Watercolor Christmas Cards, Watercolor Holiday Cards, Greeting Cards, Blank Notecard Sets

then to fine tune - you add...keywords specific to the listing in hand, ie...

Poinsettia Watercolor Christmas Cards, Watercolor Holiday Cards, Greeting Cards, Blank Notecard Sets, Nature Art Card

Christmas Camel Watercolor Christmas Cards, Watercolor Holiday Cards, Greeting Cards, Blank Notecard Sets - Three Wise Men

and in the tags for poinsettia you would also include the common mispelling - 'poinsetta'

From what i've notice the real turning point is to optimize each listing for it's subject matter - going from general to specific - notecard -> watercolor -> flower -> poppy -> red - it's like pinpointing.

and it is the more specific keywords that should be reinforced in the sections as they will net the bigger impact than broader categories.

When people search for watercolor they often combine it with these keywords from your themes - birds, landscapes, trees, flowers - this is more finely tuned SEO for you.

Here is the list again for suggested sections:

1. Flowers Trees Landscapes
2. Animals Birds Wildlife
3. Fruit Foodies Still Life
4. Christmas Seasonal (or maybe Christmas Holiday Season)
5. Other Themes <------for any cards that don't fit the above, for now
5. Original Artwork
6. Giclee Prints

re foodies there is not a lot of competition for this keyword that is gaining in popularity...ie searches for "gifts for foodies" only about 700 items come up.

Lastly for your shop title..you repeat the name of your shop but this an import spot for you keywords.

Consider this: Original Watercolor Artwork, Giclee Prints & Notecards

Okay, I know it's late, your time! I'll see you tomorrow! :)

Clarissa

[cardsbymormorjan]

Hi Clarissa, thank you so very much for all the time and trouble you are taking to help me. I will print out all your suggestions and gradually work through them. Right now we have a power cut here in Yorkshire, UK!!! Thanks a million. Jan

[cardsbymormorjan]

so excited I have changed several of my product descriptions and am definitely showing on pages 1 2 or 3 in the listings. Thank you so much Clarissa! It seems simple when you tell me I feel a bit dim for not working it out for myself! You are really scientific in your approach the exact number of letters in a title is so important. more later

[TwentyandUnder]

Yes! I see the Christmas Camels are on the first page! Yay!

You're very welcome! SEO is a lot so don't feel bad! I'm still putting the pieces together!!

BTW, just now noticing the spelling differences for color/colour. I think the etsy system handles some of the compensation but it would be good to add both spellings to the tags..oh and don't forget to add the correct spelling of poinsettia too.

okay, my dear, great work! Hope they get the power working again soon!!

[MoonLitPrintables]

Not sure how I missed this entire thread. I have some studying to do!!

[TwentyandUnder]

Hi Mary Lou! Let me know if you have questions.