Here's this Thursday's appraisal! I hope you guys have found the previous ones very helpful. I'm glad to see more members here--welcome, you guys!
Note: CraftyCrochet4Kids, I was going to do your shop today, but it looks like you're on vacation! I'll get to you when you get back. ;D
TwigsAndLace,
Your shop is beautifully put together. Very professional, welcoming, and fresh. I thought everything was awesome--great banner, incredible photos, good item names that will show up well in searches. Your policies are clear and concise, very business-like and courteous. I would have been happy as a shopper to come across your store! As an extra note, I love your avatar. I'm a Gone With the Wind fan. ;)
SomethingCOUTURE1,
I like your banner, but the font is a bit small. It'd be better if it were more visible. The photo is lovely though, and the style and color of the font very nice. Your announcement is okay, but are you only catering to older people? Wouldn't younger people like your bracelets and things too? Might want to reflect a broader, more diverse sense of welcome. Because my first thought was "Of age? Does that mean they don't think the pieces would look good on me since I'm younger?" Just a thought. Your policies are pretty good, although I would suggest you fix the notice about the new shipping, since it's a month old. And perhaps you could add whether or not you do customs? Your photography is good, and I think your item names are good.
jewelsbymoon,
I have to say your banner is not very eye-catching. And it doesn't have your shop title. So maybe that's something you can fix soon? As a shopper, I'd be wondering what I'd find at your store, as your banner doesn't tell me a lot, and your announcement doesn't tell me much about you as an artist. I'd suggest looking at others' shop announcements, see what works best. Some can pull it off in just a few small paragraphs, making the shopper feel welcome, knowing what to expect, and who the seller is as an artist. Your photographs are a rather dim, and don't show off the item to best advantage. There was one photo though, the "Turquoise Wrap Leather Bracelet" with these rays of light on the table. It was a very nice effect. Some of your item names are okay, like the multi-strand items. But some others, I think, don't have keywords that serve them best. Think of what the shopper would think of the item, what they'd call it in their head. Dangle earrings? Bohemian strand earrings? I know they are words that I use when shopping. Your policies were very good, and clear. The only section I thought could be better was the Welcome, where I saw some grammatical errors, and some of it sounded odd. I'd suggest polishing it a bit.
TeresasPrimTreasures,
You have a lovely shop! It's so welcoming and comfortable. The photos and banner were very nice, and well done. The shop announcement succinct and perfectly welcoming. Your item names look well chosen, and your policies are sharp and clear. Well done! I would have felt like I was buying from a very professional, experienced seller.
Storybook Beads,
Your banner is okay, I like the colors in it, but I would suggest sharpening it, and adding your shop name. I would also suggest adding a shop announcement, telling the buyer about your, your passion, and what they can find in your store. While being concise, of course. ;D Most of your pics are very nice, although a few could be sharper. Your policies are very good, comfortable and friendly. I'd be comfortable ordering from you. I'm thinking that if you utilize your gemstone and paper bead aspect of your bracelets, strengthening their position as keywords in your item names, perhaps you would show up well in the searches. Because I was thinking, if I wanted a bracelet with paper beads and gems, I'd put in "paper bead gemstone bracelet". Just an idea! I hope I have been helpful.
CraftsOfRuka,
If I stumbled across your shop, I would wonder exactly what kind of store I was entering. It feels rather random. But that's just me. A lot of people say it's easier to get found being known for a theme of things they sell--but some others still do fine with being very random. I'm just saying what my impression would be. I can't comment on a banner since you don't have one, but not everyone does. I find that when I enter a store, I don't care all that much if they have a banner or not--but if they do, first impressions are going to respond from it. You have some pretty decent photos, although I must say the yellow and black scarf is not a good picture, and very distracting. I liked the vintage pics best, and was interested. Your item names looked okay, hitting the major keywords. Your policies are okay, though I would suggest looking at the policies of others, and finding ways to make yours more welcoming and concise. Some buyers can get turned away from lengthy policies. But of course, always say what is necessary.
Okay, that's it for this week! I hope I inspired you guys with ideas. Always feel free to comment and share, look at others' shops, and give advice!
Till next Monday!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TwigsAndLacehttp://www.etsy.com/shop/SomethingCOUTURE1http://www.etsy.com/shop/jewelsbymoonhttp://www.etsy.com/shop/TeresasPrimTreasureshttp://www.etsy.com/shop/StorybookBeadshttp://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftsOfRuka
