6 SEO Tips For Success/ Q&A

[Former_Member]

Hi guys, my name is Sarah-- I'm Glenn Greene's Etsy shop manager/advertising & marketing gal. I just wanted to post some tips and answer questions if you have any about Search Engine Optimization for Etsy. Also, if you have any tips, feel free to share!

So what is Search Engine Optimization (SEO)?
"The process of maximizing the number of visitors to a particular website by ensuring that the site appears high on the list of results returned by a search engine."

You're maximizing the number of visitors by tagging and using keywords that are specific to the product you're trying to sell. Etsy makes this process relatively easy by incorporating fields within each listing to enter tags. But you can do more!

1. TAGGING:
Tags can be created in specific areas by separating words or phrases by commas. Example: handmade jewelry, statement necklace, amethyst gemstone... etc. It's best to use tags that are commonly used, but not SO commonly used that your listing would get lost within the search results. So try typing the tags you'd like to use into Etsy search beforehand, and see what pops up. Use that information to guide you on which tags work for your purposes. If there are 10,000 listings utilizing that tag, and 5,000 listings utilizing a different tag-- go with the tag that generates 5,000 search results, it means there's a larger chance you'll be found.

NOTE: Studies show that people browsing the web will click through up to 10 pages within one search. This means that if your listing is not showing up within the first 10 pages of that search term, it's likely your listing is not getting views. It's BEST to show up within the first 3 pages of a search. How can you get your listing to show up? Follow these SEO tips AND post new listings frequently-- at least one every other day.

2. SHOP TITLE:
Make sure your shop's "Title" under "Info & Appearance" utilizes tagging by stating who you are and what you're trying to sell separated by commas. For instance if you're a well known potter in your area and you've established a name for yourself you'll want to incorporate your name into your shop's title and what you sell in a way that your CURRENT AND POTENTIAL customers would search for you using a search engine-- example:

Linda Brown's Pottery, Ceramic Home Decor, Custom Ceramics

3. SHOP ANNOUNCEMENT:
Make sure that the first two sentences of your "Shop Announcement" really sell your shop and make it clear to potential customers what your product is. That's what people see when they come across your Etsy shop on google search. Example:

Welcome to Linda Brown's Pottery! We specialize in handmade ceramic home decor and gifts. Use this coupon code to receive free shipping for a limited time: FREE22

So you've stated who you are, what you sell and given the reader a good reason to click the link to YOUR shop... free shipping coupon! :)

4. PRODUCT TITLES:
It's extremely important to incorporate tagging into your titles. The best way to come up with tags for your titles is to think about what your potential customers are searching for. Here's an example title that is utilizing tags for a ceramic bowl:

Large Ceramic Bowl, Geometric Decor, Hand Painted Bowl, Royal Blue Decor, Pale Pink Decor, White Home Decor, Handmade Ceramic Decor, Handmade Gifts, Linda Brown Pottery

Just put yourself into your potential customer's shoes and think about what they're typing into a search engine to find products within your genre.

5. LISTING TAGS:
Within your product listing Etsy has a specific section for tags, simply titled "Tags" you are able to use 13 tags to describe your product and 13 tags that state the "Materials" used. You can actually copy and paste your title into the "Tags" area. After you do that you'll most likely have several more tags available to add, and it's important to try and use up all of the tags you have available.

6. RESEARCH:
It's a good idea to stay on top of trends both in general and within your own genre. So research what others doing for SEO frequently and continue to work on improving your listings. :)

I hope that's all helpful and relatively easy to read through/understand! Of course there are many other things you can do to improve your listings and your shop. Here are a few resources that have helped me:

http://www.handmadeology.com/

http://thinkingforward.tumblr.com/post/37798053532/how-to-optimize-your-etsy-shop-and-improve-sales#...

[sherischart]

Thanks ,Sarah.

Handmadeology is an excellent resource. And your tips are great and easy reference.

Here is another Quick Checklist: (source unknown)



When you're writing your title tag what do you need to know? Here's a quick checklist with some tips on how to write optimized title tags:

Length: Title tags should be a maximum of 70 characters long, including spaces.
Keyword Placement: Your most important words (keywords) need to be first in your title tag, with your least important words being last in the title tag (most to least). However, if you're working in a language that reads right-to-left, then it is reversed, and it would be least important to most important.
Keyword Separation: Use pipes | to separate important (keyword) phrases (no commas, underscores, dashes or any other punctuation unless the keyword is written that way).
Wording: Keep your important phrases short and simple. Leave out words that would make it read like a sentence. (e.g., and, if, but, then, etc.)
Company Name: If your company name is not part of the important (keyword) phrases, put it at the end of the title tag; if it is part of your important words, put it as the first words in the title tag. Some SEOs will tell you to leave it out. You can leave it in for branding purposes – so people will see the brand and click. This isn't valid for all sites.
DON'T DUPLICATE Title Tags: They must be written differently for every page. Don't mass replicate your title tags.
Make It Relevant: Title tags must be written to be descriptive of the content on the page. (e.g., the About Page)


Linkbuilding: Once you have optimized your listing you need to build links to it. This is extremely important.

[sherischart]

Posted in the forums about SEOS / tag / keywords

Graeme 1:11 am Nov 30, 2014 EST



Firstly, from Etsy's help: What are tags - www.etsy.com/help/article/69 Extract: "A tag is a word or short phrase that describes your item. Etsy matches tags with shoppers' searches to find relevant search results.". There are other useful tidbits in the help information.

You can do research on Etsy right in Etsy's search bar - just start typing and popular suggestions appear. Then you can use a tool like: www.tools4etsy.com/Wall-e/Relevancy/Keyword to see where you appear in search + who the top sellers are, the top listings, and the Tags used.

** Titles & Tags are important to Etsy Search (redundancy = relevancy i.e. Tag phrases should be repeated in titles); Description & Titles for SEO (repetition = relevancy, but not duplication; i.e. Titles, each should be unique). Title, Tag and Description (upper/lower) case & punctuation has no importance to Etsy Search & Search Engines like Google & Bing (SEO). Also, the order of Tags is not important.

** You need to choose descriptive keywords for your titles and very important in placing the strongest words first with Etsy relevancy as "Words that appear at the beginning of your title are given more weight" & "Exact word pairs are given more weight" (www.etsy.com/teams/7718/questions/discuss/8755739/page/1?post_id=95... )! Another reason to front-load your keywords is that Google only displays up to 66 characters of a title in search results, and Etsy's search also only displays approximately 30~40 characters in Gallery mode, so putting the most important words first will help attract the right shoppers as they poke around. Also check out the Etsy 2014 Seller Seminar workbook (page 20: etsy.app.box.com/s/wn778l32ztm9pararbl5 ) - "Put the most descriptive words at the front of your titles and tags".

** Be aware that Etsy sees Categories as having a dual purpose - both as a Category & a Tag. Entering them twice is a waste of a tag.

** According to an Etsy Blog article (ref: blog.etsy.com/en/2013/top-5-steps-to-a-mobile-friendly-shop ): "...item descriptions are truncated on Etsy’s mobile apps after nine lines; aim to keep vital details above the fold.". As Etsy claims that 40%+ views are coming from Mobile devices, your target audience could be missing key information that may be visible "below the 9-line fold".

** Please note that on Etsy, it can take up to an hour for the Listing page (Etsy page cache) to refresh and up to 24 hours for the Listing changes to be fully indexed. ( ref: www.etsy.com/help/article/187 )

** Etsy Blog articles, help links, and a couple of others that should help:
- 10 Ways to Think Like a Buyer - blog.etsy.com/en/2014/10-ways-to-think-like-a-buyer
- Shop Makeover Series: Titles, Descriptions and Tags - blog.etsy.com/en/2011/shop-makeover-titles-descriptions-and-tags/
- Etsy Success: Make Your Shop More Relevant - blog.etsy.com/en/2011/make-your-shop-more-relevant/
- An Etsy worksheet put together to help sellers brainstorm keywords that buyers might use when searching: blog.etsy.com/en/files/2013/08/Unlock-Your-Keywords.pdf
- How do I make sure my items are getting found in Search? - www.etsy.com/help/article/821
- How to Get Found in Search - www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/how-to-get-found-in-search/
- How to Get Found in Browse - www.etsy.com/blog/en/2012/how-to-get-found-in-browse/
- How do I improve my shop's Search Engine Optimization (SEO)? - www.etsy.com/help/article/247
- 4 Ways to Improve Your SEO and Increase Your Traffic - blog.etsy.com/en/2013/4-ways-to-improve-your-seo/
- How to Write Enticing Item Descriptions - blog.etsy.com/en/2012/how-to-write-enticing-item-descriptions (Note: Whilst some of these blog posts have been around for a while, they are still very relevant)
- Google's Search Engine Optimization Starter Guide - static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en/us/webmasters/...

** Etsy mentioned in an Admin Q&A thread (may 16th, 2014) that Etsy (eg: Treasuries) & external (eg: Facebook) inbound links will help with improving a Listing's Relevancy. Listing new, relisting and renewing all equally give a Listing's relevancy a boost.

** A great post on SEO Myths you should NOT believe: www.etsy.com/teams/7722/discussions/discuss/12878519

** Google Shopping has some very strict guidelines that you need to adhere to before Google will accept your listings. Here are some helpful tips from an Etsy seller: www.etsy.com/teams/10927/team-blugrin/discuss/14924678 & here are Google's guidelines: support.google.com/merchants/answer/188484

** Lastly, here is a tool that compares Etsy Tags side-by-side: www.tools4etsy.com/tagwars

[Former_Member]

Awesome, glad that you guys responded with tips and feedback! Thanks for reading mine, looking forward to reading yours.

[Former_Member]

Thank you so much for all the help, I am a newbie around here as a seller, and after 1 month still no sales :( I am kind sad , so I am workin on my tagas and titles, I am studying a lot about SEO but when you are new it is complicated,I am trying though, hope I am doing it better now,but still I have to work a lot on all this

[Former_Member]

Kerani, I think you should keep on trying... just like anything else, it doesn't happen overnight (maybe for some! but not for most) I would give it a good 6 months of trying before you get really discouraged. Usually by then if you've got a good product, a competitive price point, decent photos and have worked on SEO... you will probably start to make sales. Also, it really helps to have other things in place... website, social media etc. Hope that helps! :)

-Sarah

[Former_Member]

Thank you Sarah for the advice!!! I will try!

[ClayismyArt]

Great tips.... Always trying new ideas Thanks for sharing

[MikeKrausArt]

Have you reviewed your SEO lately? Here's a great resource to help send traffic to your item.

[MikeKrausArt]

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[MikeKrausArt]

Allegedly, Etsy gives "more weight to real, organic placed Faves from a searching buyer, as opposed to click click click faves from fellow team members/sellers." This is to prevent skewing relevancy rating that could come from hundreds of favourites. Even if most of us sellers are also buyers.

So, what can we do to help each other boost sales if viewing, faving, and other games don't help anymore? Please post your suggestions here and we'll try them out: https://www.etsy.com/teams/10723/art/discuss/18446990/

THANKS!!!

[MikeKrausArt · Accepted solution]

JOIN THE FACEBOOK ART TEAM PUBLIC PAGE AT: www.facebook.com/groups/271594646600172

Allegedly, Etsy gives "more weight to real, organic placed Faves from a searching buyer, as opposed to click click click faves from fellow team members/sellers." This is to prevent skewing relevancy rating that could come from hundreds of favourites. Even if most of us sellers are also buyers.

So, what can we do to help each other boost sales if viewing, faving, and other games don't help anymore? JOIN THE FACEBOOK ART TEAM PUBLIC PAGE and post, sell, like, and share!!!

THANKS!!!

PS-Thanks for all the emails for your invitations to the Pinterest Board. I promise I will add them. So many people have responded that Pinterest has limited the amount of people I can invite. I'll take care of this ASAP! THANKS!