Improve Your Etsy Store in 10 Easy Steps

Do you have an Etsy store that is performing a bit below par. Here are a few easy tips to help improve your sales.

1. Great Products

Spend a little time researching Etsy artists that appear to be doing quite well. Do you notice any trends you can benefit from? Is there any part of your inventory you can modify to compete? Are your prices in line with others? Look at other shops that not only sell items similar to yours, also look into shops that feature items you have been considering trying out. If these items are globally out performing yours it may be time to try a new craft.

2. Personalize Your Shop

One of the easiest way to boost sales is to improve the appearance and information available on your site. Fill in every text field available (Policies, Biography etc.). A well informed customer is more likely to feel a connection with the crafter and is, therefore, more likely to buy. It is also important to upload a nice banner and avatar. Make sure that your banner is visually appealing and features your shop’s name in some way.

3. Update Inventory Frequently

I have found that I get the most hits on an item very shortly after I list it. This is because the most recently listed items are the first to show up in searches. Take advantage of this by adding to your inventory often. One way to do this is to list one item several times with a variety of options. Offer a photo print in 5” x 7” one day and 8” x 10” the next. Package two or three items together and sell them as a set as well as offering items individually. This method only works if you are selling duplications of originals, however, this applies to the majority of Etsy shops.

4. Create Treasury Lists

Technically listing items in the treasury is not meant for self promotion; however, it could be worth it to create an alternate account just for the purposes of listing your own items in the treasury. See Etsy’s homepage for more information on the Treasury.

5. Create a Blog

Use this blog to drive people into your Etsy shop and inform previous and potential customers about what you are planning and what you are creating. Learn SEO techniques and incorporate these techniques into your blog to make it easier for people to find you. Blogger.com is a cheap and easy website to use for this purpose.

6. Purchase Showcase Slots

Booking a showcase slot can be a good way to promote if done correctly. Showcases cost $7, $15 for the main showcase. Once you book a slot make sure to update your showcased items. Place your most eye-catching and click inducing product in the first slot. This is the first product that potential customers will see. Now watch your clicks closely. If you are not receiving more than a couple clicks an hour you might consider readjusting your line-up.

7. Forum Posts and Networking Sites

Whatever non-Etsy activities you enjoy online be sure to place your URL everywhere. Search large forums like Yahoo! Answers for potentials to promote your products and create a social network page just for your Etsy shop. Search groups for potential friends.

8. Logo Everything

Create a fun little logo that you can add to tags or thank-you notes and send these with every purchase. Most people appreciate these personal touches and will continue to shop with you if they see that you take the extra effort for customer service.

9. Offer a Sale or Discount

Occasionally discount items in your shop or offer free shipping to increase awareness about your products.

10. Join an Etsy Group

Joining an Etsy group can be a great way to promote your products. Group members often buy from and sell to fellow members before searching the rest of Etsy. Not only can this be great networking but it can also be fun. Meet a few people with similar interests, learn new crafts, and talk about anything that’s on your mind.

Having a successful Etsy store is possible if you know how to do it. Make the step to improve your shop today.