New shop need input on pictures and listing

[Former_Member]

I just opened my shop. The pictures are very poor. My camera is only 6.1 megapixel its old. Any input on my would be helpful. thank you

[Former_Member]

I just used PicMonkey (google it) , it is a very useful app. It definitely improved my photos

Good luck

G

[BUnitVintage]

I need a critique of my shop! Lots of views but no sales.

[SimpleHomeAccents]

I also used picmonkey and it really helped (plus it's free!). I would like a shop critique too. I have some views (about 100 in my first week) and only 1 sale.

[SimpleHomeAccents]

In response to your shop critique, my only suggestions are maybe adding more items and putting pictures in all of the photo pendants so you know as soon as you look at it that a photo goes in there. Hope that's a little helpful.

[Former_Member]

A little scared to ask, but I would love some input on my shop as well.

Ana: What a beautiful bag. When I saw the picture of your bag, it wasn't immediately evident that it was a bag. Maybe if you got more of the picture in the icon that shows in the listing overview. Otherwise, just add more items, I think.

Lisa: Love your shop. I have no ideas for you. Maybe a little more descriptions?

Jennifer: What lovely items. I don't know of any improvements for you either, I'm afraid. However, as items bought online can't be touched or seen before the purchase is made, your refund policy would deter me from buying. That may just be me though.

May-Lill

[SimpleHomeAccents]

Thanks for the input - I will take another look at my policies right now!

[Former_Member]

Hey Lisa and Jennifer,

It looks like you each just opened your shop within the last two weeks. Your shop is still brand-baby-new! It's normal for it to take a little while before you start making any sales. Check out articles on the Etsy Blog to help you figure out which direction you want to move in. This really helped me.

Here's a tip I can give all of us:

NEVER post a blurry picture!

It makes any item look terrible and cheap. Also, try not to post more pictures than you really need. Don't just switch the setting of the item, switch the way your potential customer sees the item! Consider close ups, reverse sides, a detail shot. Take a second to think, "would this make ME need to buy this item?"

I used the Search Ads for a little and then stopped and now I'm trying them again to see if refining my search words helps generate sales instead of just bleeding money.

Bottom line is it's work to get your store to be productive at first. A little trial and error and we can help each other with what we learn. Give it a little time, it'll sell!

[Former_Member]

And Jennifer,

I didn't get to see what your policies were before you made the change but many stores do not offer returns. Most vintage stores don not offer returns due to the nature of vintage items. I don't offer returns unless the item is grossly represented. But you still want to make each person feel like they are the most important. It's a fine line. I checked out several vintage shops I perceived to be successful and found the common thread among them and incorporated what i found into my own store policies.

[CallunaMuse]

Lindsay, that is excellent advice on pictures, I have been struggling with them as photography has never been something I've been good at. And once you figure out what works, it's getting yourself there!

I have seen a lot of things with return policies, and I've seen a lot of people say they've tweaked them over the time they've been here. I guess for myself I figured with jewelry it's so tough online because even from experience buying it, it's not exact picture to hand. I want to be fair and the last thing I want to do is scare someone off, so I decided on returns. But if as I'm going along and my policy isn't working for me, I'll make adjustments. Sometimes I question myself because I see so many horror stories, but I forget the forums are a big place, and you're talking one incident vs the many transactions done here in a day. I'd figure vintage is definitely different though, and I can understand where you are coming from there.

But in the end, and I'd say almost every time anyone asks for a critique, it boils down to quantity, picture quality/presentation, and promotion. And trying to learn to market to the person who is interested in what you sell.

For now, I am going to try to remember that I am new to this, which is why we are all here! We don't all know the answers, but over time with each others help, we'll learn what we need to!

[Former_Member]

@ lisa not sure if this will help but this is my critque.

1. Try to make your prices a little lower or add items to your shop with low prices.
2. Add 5 pictures per item which is the most u can do ,u always want as many pictures as u can especially if it is a expensive item.
3.Try to straighten the wire wrapping to line it up on your earrings and pendants,it looks sloppy esp with close up view pictures.

[Former_Member]

@ simple home accents
the only critique i can suggest is take pictures of the back of the plates also not just the front more picture the better.

favd your page on here and on fb and tweeted it

[Former_Member]

@ lisa i favd your page on here and on fb

[Former_Member]

@ lisa i saw this on one of your items it was a pendant set

I also guarantee my products for 60 days! However, they should last you a lifetime!

That would make me question about buying something from your shop my personal opinion i wouldn't write that. the word "should" is what would make me question

[Former_Member]

Feel free to critique my shop =) im new to this also and only one sale.

[CallunaMuse]

Tabitha, what do you think about white background pictures, is it something you'll stick with? I've been going back and forth on that one, I was thinking about fotofuze, but I saw some people are really turned off my super white backgrounds. I actually like the clear minimal look, but it's tough to pull off some stuff on that type of background.
I really like a lot of your jewelry, and I've had an eye on your seed beads since I saw your page when I was looking for treasury stuff, so I think there too is another good example of promoting, and getting our selves out there.

[Former_Member]

ive never heard of fotofuze, as for white backgrounds i like it better then other ones ive seen for jewelry. Ive seen other backgrounds like decks for knitting items and i really like that also. i think a white background doesnt give them anything else to look at but your jewelry. i usually take white paper and line it against a wall in my house so that way if its something that needs to be standing up i can still have my white background.... THANKYOU!!! yeah i decided to start selling supplies also kind of a destash cause i have ALOTT of supplies lol ... i do also sell stuff on ebay and i will say ive had better luck on ebay then here ive sold 15 items on ebay and one on here but ebay also has non jewelry items in my shop most my jewelry is here ....yes that is a good idea also i work 12 hr shifts with some down time so when iam able i like to make treasuries .

[CallunaMuse]

That was exactly what I did, but I used a light grey and I think maybe that might be making my stuff dark. Initially, I thought it'd help get the color of my stuff more accurate, that is the one thing I really want to get right but again, with no photo background other than vaca pics, I'm having a hard time getting that down, even with picmonkey (which btw, I really like for collages and stuff).
Ohhh I have to take a look at your treasuries then too, I've been learning they are definitely imporant. I made my first one yesterday, and they seem to be good for promoting, plus it gives me a good chance to see what other's are doing that might be a good idea!

[Former_Member]

ive never been to pic monkey but i always edit my pictures also...yes treasuries get u alott of views!! and in return they help u which is good also. then i also promote on twitter facebook and pintrest... i just posted some of your earrings on pintrest and twitter maybe that will help u get some views =) it took me a good month to get the nack of it all and another good idea is check out vistaprint.com i got 250 free business cards from there i just had to pay shipping and i hand them out to everyone and leave them if they let me at resturants and gas stations and etc.

[Former_Member]

im trying to make a treasurie but for some reason i cant the link isnt showing up on anyones page ...hmm

[CallunaMuse]

Great thanks, returned the facebook favor, as soon as I get a twitter I'll do that too!!
The only way I could get to the treasury link was from the front page, so maybe they changed it?
Business cards too definitely, I keep seeing vista print pop up, so I wanted to do that. I was also looking at Wanelo, I'd never heard of it before, but some people were talking about it, so I'm going to take a look this weekend.

[Former_Member]

yeah ive never heard of wanelo ill have to check it out.

[Former_Member]

Could anybody take a look at my shop and tell me what you think I should improve?:(
I also have a lot of views but not sales, my shop is two months old, and your experience is very important to me!!!
https://www.etsy.com/shop/ledoland

Thank yoooou:)

[BUnitVintage]

Hey this is the introductory/questions thread. Please use it. https://www.etsy.com/teams/18722/new-to-this/discuss/12852209/

[BUnitVintage]

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