Etsy question

[Orrex]

I could ask this in Marketplace, but that's a low-traffic forum, and I don't want to clog it up for people who are actually promoting their wares.


What tricks to you have for boosting page-views? We relist items, we create treasuries, we blog, we tweet, we pin, we flickr, we facebook, etc., and to date there is little indication that any of our efforts have resulted in increased views.

Twice since we've been on Etsy we've been featured (briefly) on the front page, yielding a 700% or 800% boost in traffic on those two particular days. Other than that it seems entirely haphazard; one day we'll have X view, the next day it will be ten times as much, and the day after it's one half of X. No rhyme or reason.


Any suggestions?

[valerief]

1. Sleep with the boss. That usually works. nt

[Orrex]

2. Sweet!

Finally a suggestion that I can use!

[snappyturtle]

3. I listed on Etsy for a brief period of time until I ran into

what you are. I think it's hit or miss. I follow it and got into a
forum that discussed it a lot....I know the conversation is still
a going concern as I get email about remarks having posted.
With that said, I firmily believe it is SOooooo big that it's like
playing the lottery...however..........

When you say you blog, are you linking on others' blogs or
do you have your own? IF I decide to resume actively with
Etsy I'm going to use it for my shopping cart....blog with a
link for payment to Etsy. Does that make sense?

Frankly, I think it's just gotten too big and diversified. I had
great success with EBAY but....have grown tired of all the
hoops.

For eight years I had a rep....she went to national gifts shows,
took the orders, I filled them and sent her a percentage of the
sales. Worked great but it's grueling. I have a new angle for
selling to retail which is nice in lots of ways and since my sales
are not the end sale, no sales tax....since I'm selling for re-sale.
It's sort of an elaborate but fun process. If you're interested I
will look back at my records of resources...PM me.

Another fun thing to do for amusement is to Google national gift
shows. Those sites are fun to browse and helps get a better idea
of trends in the marketplace.

I think the buyers are out there
but we really have to start approaching the market in new ways
to find them.

[Orrex]

4. My wife does the blogging, and she definitely cross-links with others

I think you're right on target about the sheer scope of Etsy. It also doesn't help that there seems to be a sort of "clique" that enjoys frequent front-page prominence. I recall one seller who was on the front page (with really unremarkable stuff) at least twice a week for several months. Baffling.

I'll ask my wife about setting up the shopping cart idea. Sounds like it's worth trying even if her blog doesn't get huge traffic.

We do a handful of craft shows & conventions each year, and we seem to enjoy a boost in Etsy traffic for a week or so after each.


Thanks for the input!

[snappyturtle]

5. She doesn't have to set up a cart on the blog itself. Just hyper

link to your Esty shop and let it handle the sale.

[Orrex]

6. Ah--thanks!

Yes, she does that already, so it's nice to have the tactic reaffirmed!

[snappyturtle]

7. Great! Best of luck to you both! nt

[nytemare]

8. Can you link your etsy page?

I love etsy, and would love to see what you have.

[Orrex]

9. Sure--thanks for asking!

My Good Babushka

[blogslut]

10. Make sure to link to other sites/Etsy stores when you blog...

tweet and FB post.

Also, if you create something that fits the theme of a high-traffic site, submit it to that site. Don't be obnoxious about it but if it fits the tone of a particular website, don't be shy. EXAMPLE: If you make something geeky, submit it to LaughingSquid or Neatorama or Gizmodo. Create a DIY tutorial and submit it to Instructables or LifeHacker.

Participate, be an active member of these online communities. Give advice. State opinions. Rank and recommend.

[Orrex]

11. Great suggestions!

My wife is a pretty active cross-linker, but I like the idea of non-obnoxious posts to other sites.


Thanks!

[JI7]

12. do you enter terms for which your item will come up if people do a search ?

[Orrex]

13. Yes indeed!

Searching on Etsy for, say, "chainmaille juggling balls" will hit our shop, though there's a ton of turnover on the search results. But if I google several of our tags, we come up as the 1st or 2nd hit for a number of our items.