Getting Customers to Buy Online

by Terri
(Rockville, MD)

Pearl Wreath

Pearl Wreath

I just opened my online shop a couple weeks ago on Etsy - it's Starseed Jewelry. If I could have $1 for every time someone told me I need to get a website, I would be rich, as the saying goes.

OK, so now I do have a website and have sent notice to my mailing list, and not a single bite.

When I do a virtual or a house show, I always sell a decent amount of my work.

I'm wondering if the difference has to do with the fact that the items are just sitting there in my Etsy shop, available 24/7.

With a virtual show, I would email pictures and it would be first come, first served and I usually have people making dibs on stuff as soon as I send the notice out.

I have sent a second email out about my shop, and still nothing.

I know I shouldn't cave in this soon, but I'm feeling pretty down about it. I actually went on the other night and put a bunch of clearance items on just in the hopes of getting one sale.

I have also paid for a promotional day coming up in Sept. (could only get the necklace showcase) - all the other slots were taken.

Am I expecting too much too soon?

Would appreciate any advice from others who have online shops.

Terri
Starseed Jewelry

Comments for
Getting Customers to Buy Online

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Jump-starting your Etsy shop
by: Rena

Hi Terri,

I know it's discouraging when you're expecting sales but they don't materialize.

But I think it's too early to despair - and it looks like you've made at least one sale in your Etsy shop recently!

First of all, study these two excellent articles by Cathy Tran -

Get Your Jewelry Seen on Etsy

Etsy Survival Guide for Jewelry Artists, Part 2.

Also, read what real jewelry customers say about why they do (and don't) buy jewelry online; there are a lot of pearls of wisdom in their comments here: What Online Jewelry Customers Want Jewelry Artists to Know.

And check out the strategies listed in No One Shops from My Website / Online Storefront.

I think you're right that your virtual shows gave people urgency to buy before someone else did - and your Etsy shop is a different venue than that.

It's a matter of experimenting and developing successful ways to bring buying customers to your storefront.
Selling Jewelry on Etsy
by: Dawn Rhodes

I've had my store open on Etsy since February of '08. www.shadesjewelry.etsy.com According to the sales number on there, I have 300 sales, but it is actually more. The success of my store is from advertising, talking, advertising, talking and well, you get the idea! ;-) Getting the word out about your store takes time and effort. My offline promo work is what has helped me the most. I wear my jewelry all the time, as do my sisters and my mom. They also have my business cards and whenever someone comments on the jewelry, they hand them a card! I do the same thing. I have given cards out in so many different places! I also use my personal Facebook page to advertise whenever I list a new item. This has gained me so many new customers. I have almost 400 friends on there and they all see my jewelry when I list a new item! I also have a fan page for my business on Facebook and that has over 100+ fans who also get to see my jewelry when I post. Frequently talking about your work any chance you can will definitely increase views and get you exposure for your Etsy store! Be patient, keep talking and advertising your store on-line and off-line. If you have any other questions, feel free to contact me...I'll be happy to help! :-)
Etsy - the challenge
by: Shelle

Hi Terri

Don't be discouraged, it takes a good 2-3 months to get the ball rolling on Etsy unless you are lucky enough to appear in a front page article.

There are currently something like 1.5 million items of jewellery for sale on Etsy, so there is a lot of competition. Use the forums and storque articles to find out how you can maximise your shop's exposure.

The main tips being renew one item every day, take fantastic photos, get your tags and descriptions 100% right, and blog, twitter, and facebook your fans like crazy with new designs, info about how you make your jewellery etc to get them interested in visiting your Etsy store.

Decide on YOUR point of difference and market it like mad. Just as you would a retail store or your own website.

And don't drop your prices, just because viewers can't find your jewellery under the mountain of competition doesn't mean it is suddenly worth less money! It means only that you have to reach your target market a little better.
Good luck!
Shelle
www.creativityjewellery.etsy.com
Me too!
by: Agnes

Thought it was just me, but I have been an etsy seller since Feb 09 and have had only 1 sale. I keep getting my name out there and also have a facebook account but no bites. The business card thing sounds good and while I have them I havent been giving them out that freely - but going to start doing that. I tell people my site but you know, they probably forget when they get on their computer. Going to try the cards. I also sell material on ebay to keep buying beads and when I make a sale on ebay I slip my card into the package also for my etsy store. I also printed out some pages of my jewelry and have posted them on the staff cafeteria bulleting board....everything helps. I will keep hanging in there.
Thanks for all your advice
by: Terri

I did manage to get one of my customers to buy something online and I love the advice about the business card. I do get compliments on jewelry I wear so I should take advantage of that. Usually I just say thanks and don't mention I make it myself unless someone asks where I got it. And, Rena, thanks for all those site to check out. You are such a gem of a resource and wonderful for setting up this forum for us.
Beautiful jewelry
by: Anonymous

I too am considering using Esty to sell my jewelry. I read your comments stating that you haven't had much in sales recently. I just wanted to tell you that I think your jewelry is beautiful. When I look at Esty jewelry, it takes a while before I find someones work that I really like. I think it's just going to take a while. Keep handing out those business cards and mention that you sell on Esty. Your time will come and you will start selling your jewelry like crazy. You have quality beads and work and it show. Do not get discouraged. You will have to remind me of this later when I sign up to sell.
Etsy
by: Dee

Well, looks like your submitting and article to Rena was a great help, You've had three sales since then...congratulations. Everyone has offered you so much great advice, I'm not sure I can offer much more, since I'm fairly new to Etsy as well. I've only had like 6 sales, but they all occurred in about one months time and what I did differently that month, which may help, is I was posting photos just about every or every other day. So instead of posting bunch of things you've made up at once, try spreading them throughout the week, and just keep promoting and networking. Twitter has worked for traffic as well, you just have to make sure you link up with folks who are interested in what you have to offer. Good luck!
Lovely Work
by: Linda

I just set up a website too: LindaLandig.com -so everyone's comments are helpful to me, too.

Your work is lovely-please don't lower your prices. I would suggest you continue to hone your photography skills, so your pictures are crystal clear.

Instead of saying you have been published many times, I would suggest you get more specific, such as:
Step By Step Beads, July 2002, Moondrop necklace
Step By Step Beads, Sept. 2005, Autumn Gold bracelet etc. (just made those up)
It lends authority to your website and makes the costumer trust you! Don't give up!
selling on etsy
by: Lisa www.zendesigns.com.au

Hey Terri,
Beautiful work, really lovely! I don't think you should drop your prices at all yet, it may seem a bit desperate, and it really is great quality.

Also, could you please explain to me a "virtual show"? It sounds interesting and I'm always looking for new ways to sell.
Keep going, it'll be worth it.
Lisa
Love
by: Anonymous

I love the pearl wreath at the top of this page!!! Is this a bracelet or a necklace? Thanks
Candy
Katie Jeans Jewelry
www.katiejeansjewelry.artfire.com
Hmmmmmm.....
by: Lizzy



Seems all of you are getting sales and that is great! My goodness, in all insanity now I REALLY feel lost. So guess what, I think I could definitely say that all of you are so very talented and you really should not be so hard on yourselves and be proud that you are selling 300 or more here, or all my fans there, and dibs over there.

I feel smaller than a crimp tube. Goodness, I could definitely use advice. I know my website needs to be updated and I have hundreds of new photos with a great new digital which I actually got refurbished. Thing is, I am a bit under with a severe trauma injury from surgery with permanent nerve damage. So it is hard to get out there. Disability led to a discriminatory act, which no longer enabled me to take part in a monthly show in an exclusive area of NT, where I had a following. That was a huge let down. But I do believe there are good people and this site ROCKS! RENAMEISTER ROCKS!!!!!!

So please gaze, and be honest and just say it like it is and I promise, I will love you all the more for it.

www.stonesinharmony.com

So any suggestions - great. I would love it and really, really be thankful.

Love you guys, and may all of you continue to treat yourselves better and give yourselves credit! You are so talented. Thanks for listening!

I am keeping my sense of humor though, and in fact - Rena you would laugh so hard again - this time I sold to the plumber, the washing machine repair man, the boiler cleaner guy and the window treatment people.

Elizabeth

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