13 replies to this topic

[merle4mel]

I started an etsy account 6 weeks ago and have right much on it, mostly handmade jewelry and a little bit of body care items. I have not sold one thing. How long does it take? I have paid to get more views, my item prices are fair and I have gotten right many views but no sales what-so-ever.
A couple years ago I started a weebly site and really like it because it's easy, but I've never published it. I thought etsy would be better to start out on because of the traffic it has and it's so cheap. But it is so frustrating to get all those views and even some have added items to their favorites but no sales. Am I expecting too much, is this common, or should I ditch it? I'm new to the online thing, so I don't know what to expect. I am getting ready to have a whole lot more to add in the near future, just not sure what to do. Anybody have this trouble?
Here is my shop....

http://www.etsy.com/shop/oldehenry

[capralact]

Have you entered your Etsy site on the major search engines? Do you have good Meta Tags that people will put in for a search?
Here is a bussiness link that was very helpful in getting my pages on the 1st page of Google http://www.onlinebusinessjunction.com/
She has some very good information that may help you.It takes a lot of work and dedication to get a site noticed.
Good content on your site is also very important.
I hope this helps,
Lisa

[momsoverload]

I have an Etsy shop also and it's really not as easy as we think. I had opened a shop about 2 years ago, that was when they still had the chat room, and some of the older Etsians said that since the economy has gotten so bad, everyones turning to crafting (and Etsy) to make an extra buck. I agree with Caralact, search engines, tags, making treasuries, posting and renewing. I reopened my Etsy shop last year and had a couple of sales over they Christmas holiday, hoping I would have done better but at least it was something!

Hope that helps,
Christina

[merle4mel]

Thank you both, I guess it's just so large that it's not easy to be seen. I'll look into it more.

[irdogg]

try the showcase feature it doesnt cost that much

[mulberrymiss]

I have been a shopper on Etsy for sometime, and have been reading a lot about what things successful Etsy shop owners do in preparation to open my own store. I took a look at your shop and here are a few things I would recommend:

1. Complete your profile - most people who purchase handmade items want to know who they are purchasing from, their story, their expertise, their passion, etc.
2. Complete your shop policies - shoppers like a little reassurance that they know how things will ship, when, and if you have any sort of satisfaction guarantee. For soap and jewlery products, I think people also often list things like "made in a smoke-free home,"etc.
3. Join some teams and link your items there - most teams have a page where you can link your new or relisted items. Also, good teams will regularly have members creating treasuries including items from team members. This will get your views up!
4. List/relist items during high traffic times - When searching on Etsy, especially in highly populated sections, keep in mind that the newest items show up first. So, you are more likely to have your items viewed, and clicked on if they are listed when the most people on are the site. The business forums on Etsy also recommend spacing your listings out so that you can make the most of the traffic new or relisted items bring to your store. For example, don't list 8 items all at once. Try listing 1 per hour over a span of 8 hours.

From what I have read, most people complain that the showcase isn't worth the money, but I haven't had much experience with that. Search engines, as others mentioned above, are really important as well.

Good luck!
Steph

[lovemyskin]

I set up a shop, but never listed any items. There are just too many other businesses on there for me to jump into the fray. LOL

[becky9981]

I set up a shop on Etsy but then closed it becuase I didn't get any sales either. Then I tried Bonanza and only got 2 sales. Closed that too. I think it's just me. lol Now I'm just trying to sell at craft fairs.

[SoapyStella]

Same for me. I tried etsy, and didnt get a single sale.

[cmzaha]

Don't get to discouraged with the street fairs Becky, at least in my area of So CA, they can be very up and down. I do 3 per weeks and some weeks barely make booth. Fortunetly unlike a lot of vendors I talk to I have always made my booth cost which run from $25 to $55 per night.

[merle4mel]

Well I am finally getting back to this topic!! I still have not sold anything, but I also have not worked on it in a couple months, but my stats show that people are looking and favoriting so that is some help. I do need to finish up my profile. I've been working on my own site lately (makes it more personal) because my mama gets people all the time wanting my website info because of the jewelry she wears. She could sell it off her neck if she wanted to. I do well at festivals/fairs, anywhere that people can touch it and see it right there, try it on. Plus meeting face to face creates a better sale also.
What I am trying to figure out right now is whether I should sell directly on my site, or just use my own site for pictures and info, then link it to etsy for purchase. I haven't done anything more on etsy because I thought about just dropping it, but it will get more views if I leave it there.
Does anybody here use etsy for selling alongside their own independent site? I haven't published my site yet.
Thank you for all of your input! I'm glad to get the various ideas and experiences!

Melody

[Winterbadger]

I've found selling on Etsy to be really hit or miss. The problem with Etsy (and any kind of online business) is that you have to market heavily to drive people to your store. My recommendation is to have solid pictures, a catchy banner, complete policies and proper SEO tagging on your products. I found that a great way to get traffic is to create treasuries and talk with others in the Etsy forum. Good luck!

[Lauren@Bumbly's]

Hi. I looked at your shop. I have some recommendations. You need a shop banner. And you need brighter pictures. It's more important than most people realize. Also, the more frequently you list and the more items in your shop...the more you will get noticed.

I set my shop up 35 days ago. I have 80 sales at the time of this post. I'm at the point of feeling overwhelmed a tad bit. I'm considering raising my prices to slow the sales but keep $$$ the same.

If you are serious about wanting to sell I highly highly recommend joing the Etsy Success team. It is one of the few teams actually run by Etsy. Best advice in the world in there....as long as you can take well meaning criticism! Lol.

Hope that helps a bit

[Lauren@Bumbly's]

Oh and I also use my own site to direct people to etsy..and for email sign up and things like that. I didn't want the complication of running an etsy shop AND my own shop. One is enough for me! Lol