Cookie Cutter Shop Critique

[CookieCutterKingdom]

Hi all,

I would really appreciate a candid, nothing-held-back critique for my cookie cutter shop. We just launched a week or two ago! It would be great to get the perspective of seasoned Etsy-ers or those who can take the point of view of a potential customers.

Namely, a few guiding thoughts
- What would encourage/discourage you from purchasing from my shop?
- Tagging mistakes
- Pro tips on boosting sales and driving traffic
- Photography
- anything else would be wonderfully appreciated!

Thanks to everyone!

[MoonthrallTarot]

Hi BigSpool,

Welcome!

Your shop name and avatar suggest sewing. You have many great photos that would show off your pieces instead of a spool.

Hand Designed and 3D Printed Cookie Cutters....
So, hand drawn? Hand drawn sounds so much more personal, and if it's actually drawn by you why not say so?

I'd be really interested to see actual cookies made from these. In fact, you almost need to start baking. Now. *smile*
Post recipes showcasing these! This entices people with pictures of yummy cookies and gives them ideas on how to use them. *How* would you make an Ugly Sweater Cookie ugly?
You also show the possibility of using them with clay, which can attract parents and teachers, etc.

I feel "warranty" doesn't need to be in your title. It's enough if it's in your description. Warranty included makes it seem like a gimmick, something a shopping channel touts. Your photos and diversity of cutters are nice enough to attract looks. Can you explain the conditions of the warranty? Good for 2 months (which really isn't a long time. I'm thinking why not a year or lifetime? Is it going to crap out after a season of baking? You talk about the quality of your work so is it even needed? It's a turn off for me. I would expect an issue to be resolved by the seller if the piece broke or didn't work properly within a reasonable amount of time), of ordinary use and care as indicated?

So you have 2 coupons out at the same time. Do you say anywhere that people can only use 1? Or can I get 20% off my entire order *and* free shipping. Huh? HUH? Haha, people can get crazy. It's best to set limits on these. Be careful of offering too many, also. Your prices are extremely fair to begin with and it seems there is room to increase.

What is PLA plastic? Obviously, it's safe for food. What made you choose that material?

This Mario Shell listing:
https://www.etsy.com/listing/206568161/super-mario-greenred-shell-warranty-incl?ref=shop_home_active...

It says green/red. Pick green or red? I don't see red as a color choice nor in a photo. Also, I think you need a license to sell Mario and other copyrighted images.

More photos of everything. More (and clearer) examples of custom pieces.
"Cookie cutter" should not be after the warranty. It should be closer to the front of the title.

Listing all the size options in the title looks a bit confusing. Maybe just make it "X amount of sizes available"? Or "mini and standard sizes."

Can people request a certain size you don't list?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/205606688/custom-3d-printed-cookie-cutters-for?ref=shop_home_active_20

The custom listing: Be a part of the design process. Not apart, haha! That's for antisocial brides and grooms to be.

Tags look ok to me. Then again I don't know how I've been slipping from the first page for items my shop is full of. I hope someone more tech and marketing savvy can help you there.

Hope this is of help and you see results!
Much success and ***sales dust***
Svet

[Former_Member]

Hello! I am going to do this critique in order of how you have it in the original post.

~ I think you should post pictures of actual cookies made with the different cookie cutters. After all, when you're done taking pictures, you get a little treat! ;) If you do post pictures of actual cookies, it would be best to put in the descriptino of the item somewhere, *Cookies not included* or something else like that, just in case. If I were you, I would also consider making your descriptions of the item a tad shorter. The little story you do is cute, but a lot o people are busy, and won't ahve time to read it. It would probably be better to just cut to the chase and get on with the description, while still putting some humor in it. You have beautiful photography, and I wouldn't change anything about that. In this listing:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/205471382/crawling-zombie-warranty-incl-halloween?ref=related-6

you have a ruler in the first photo. I wouldn't put a ruler or a coin in a picture (I used to when I first started my shop, but I stopped because I thought it looked unprofessional, and so did a few friends and family members), but instead include the dimentions in the description.

~ You are doing an exellent job with tags, and I wouldn't change anything.

~ How I got more views and followers was one part persistence, one part patience, and one part participating.
- I told all my friends and family members about my new Etsy shop when I first opened it and am still spreading the word. They were all enthusiastic about it and some posted a link to my shop or some items on thier Facebook or Pinterest accounts.
- I was very exited when I first opened my shop. I was even more exited when I got my first view, and SO much more exited when I got my first follower, and still am whenever I get a new one. Just be patient and you should get favorites and followers in time.
- I also started participating in promotion teams. It really helped me get noticed, and I got mores views, favorites, followers, etc.

~ You have wonderful photography overall, as far as quality and things like that go. For photography, you should just work with what you've got! If you just have an iPhone or iPad or anything like that, you're fine. They take perfect pictures, as long as you have a steady hand to hold it. If you have a big, nice, fancy camera, then more power to you! :)

~ Your banner is wonderful, and it includes pictures that are relevant to your shop, which is good. I would, however, add words to it, like your shop name or title. You can do this with a variety of free photo editing apps. Your profile picture and your shop name have nothing whatsoever to do with your shop. I would change the name to something pertaining to cookie cutters, but not changing the name completely if you really like it. For instance: BigSpoolOfCutters or something similar. You can also change your profile picture to incorporate cutters with your spool, because your spool is very interesting and colorful.

Best wishes for your shop, and I hope this helps!

:)
Randah

[CookieCutterKingdom]

Wow thanks all, for your thoughts.

This was wildly helpful. I'm going to take the weekend to make these changes. Svet, Randah - if you two are in the U.S., I would love to send you two some cookie cutters as a thank you!

[Former_Member]

Hello, again! You are so very welcome for helping out! I wish I could've helped some more, though. It is very kind of you to offer to send cookie cutters, but that won't be necessary. I just wanted to help! Your items are lovely, but it would be better to make money off of them. ;)

Thank you!
Randah