But my concern is more selfish -- I'm losing sales. Far fewer people visit my store than in the past. And for those who do visit, I fear they get lost in my large inventory. My shop is hard to navigate thanks to Etsy limitations. But before I jump ship, I've decided to try a few workarounds.
The first change I made was to narrow the focus of my shop and highlight my upcycled book tablet cases (sorry, Scrabble bracelets and notecards). I changed my store banner and introduction.
Not much happened. So then I paid to promote some of my listings in Etsy search. That caused a tiny bump in views. But still not enough.
I worry that customers get lost wading though my selection of 150+ items. If you're looking for a tablet case for your 7 inch Kindle, for instance, good luck! Etsy limits me to 10 shop sections. And each listing can only go into one section. But most of my cases will fit multiple devices (a smaller Kindle, Nook, etc.).
I've complained about this limitation for years, along with many fellow sellers. Now I've decided to work around it by creating sections on my own website, and linking to Etsy.
One page shows listings by device:
The other page shows listings by type of book.
To make this work, I've had to standardize all my keywords in Etsy and re-tag all of my listings (tedious work that I still haven't finished). And even if customers find my website, once they get to Etsy, it's not obvious that they're viewing just a subset of my listings. And it's confusing to go from one site to one that looks completely different.
So, dear readers, I'm looking to you for input. Should I stick with my workaround? Move to a new, more customizable platform? Invest in Google Adwords? Suggestions welcome!
I think Etsy has grown too big to be useful--for consumers as well as sellers. Any time I try to find anything on there I am overwhelmed by the quantity of things (eg: 14,000 kindle cases...), and I am just filled with dread and defeatism and I never buy anything. I am wondering if the internet is not the right market for your wares. Do any of the local shops near you sell things on consignment? Or would they be willing to stock your items? Or does your town library have a gift shop? (mine does...and they would totally be into selling book-related things made by a local craftsperson.) or what about a booth at a craft fair or farmer's market, or working with an independent bookseller (if those still exist...)? Or selling them at PTA events and donating 10% back to the school? I'm not sure about the cost of advertising (google, etc..) but even if you spend $300 on advertising you'd have to sell 9 cases just to get your money back. That seems sad. I offer these suggestions knowing pretty much nothing about your business goals though. If you want to sell 10000+ cases a year, then that's another story. :-)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the feedback, Lynn. My goal right now is just to sell the backlog of cases I have, so I can make more (that's the fun part). I've tried sellng them at craft fairs and in locat arts stores, but they don't sell. People like them, but they usually aren't in the market for something so specific. I wish I could sell on Amazon but they charge an astronmical amount for anything related to Kindles. Argh. Also, I hate to think of you filled with dread and defeatism.
DeleteI know just how you and others are feeling about Etsy. The more negative changes that happen within Etsy the fewer views I seem to get - so far sales haven't been affected but I think that's because of the exposure I've gotten over the years. I've given thought to my own website but then wonder how I'll get folks there too.....and it will mean more time in front of the computer instead of in front of the loom creating. Perhaps a simple website and continue using Etsy as the place for folks to actually purchase since it's so easy for payment/shipping/way to have an online store.........I haven't figured out what the answer is, I just know I get unhappier and unhappier each time Etsy comes out with something new like hooking up manufacturers with creators - maybe in the end Etsy will just have things made in China for sale........
ReplyDeleteI agree that Etsy works well for billing and shipping -- it's just geting customers to find your shop in the first place. I'm glad your sales aren't affected. The way I've made a simple website is just to use Blogger. It's kind of klugey, but it does the job. Or maybe you could get that guy you live with to build you a website?
DeleteClaudia, I have stalled on opening my vintage store on Etsy because of the fact that they have relax the rules sooo much that you actually see shops with "Flea Market junk-made in China" - I wish and hope for you a better way- I just don't know how! "( There is a new platform opening on Amazon that is strictly handmade? Have you checked there- I have reads blurbs about it, therefore do not know the whole scoop. Meantime, Ithink I will check out Zibbet- have you heard of that as well? Good luck to you!
ReplyDeleteMy dad told me about Amazon's new handmade marketplace and I just checked them out. Right now, they're only allowing shops selling certain goods, and my tablet cases don't qualify. They charge 12% of the selling price, which is higher than Etsy, and in a year will require sellers to pay a monthly fee of $40, which seems steep to me. I will check out Zibbet for sure!
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