This Old Shop – Keep Your Shop Crisp

Our team comes across websites selling handmade items that have been around for over a year, but don’t have many sales. The problem could be lack of promotion or bad pricing, but sometimes it may just be something simple…

Lack of Change!

So how do you get your online handmade shop noticed?

Below are four tips from HandmadeMarketing.org for keeping your shop fresh and new:

1. Photo Replacement. Do you have an item in your store that has not been selling? Try replacing out the item photos. Etsy seller Maryse says, “I change the images for an item on a regular basis; every other week, I will go back to some items and edit the images, interchanging and replacing.” Check out Maryse’s shop, mloartwear, here.
2. Shop Organization. Keeping your shop organized is an easy way to increase sales.  “I am still fairly new to Etsy, however I have learned a lot in the short time I have been there! A full and organized shop is a good shop,” said Etsian Bridgette from Etsy’s YellowBirdBoutique.
3. Avatar Change. Consider switching up your Etsy store’s avatar. When picking a new avatar, or deciding if you should stick with the one you have, Mary V. Smith suggest asking yourself, “Would you walk into that store?” Take a look at Mary’s avatar here.  If you have time, creating a theme that pushes strong shop branding may help handmade sales.  “It is best if your avatar and banner are coordinating. And even better if your shop has a theme (even a simple color theme) that flows through all your items,” Bridgette says.
4. Expand Your Ideas. Some sellers are stubborn about drifting from their favorite craft. Our team thinks you may benefit from taking a risk and trying something new. “Create something unique!” suggests an HandmadeMarketing.org reader (check out her shop here.) A quick way to revamp your craft without drifting too far is to focus on your packaging. Offer a gift card or item box that correlates with your handmade items. For example, if your shop sells tea cups, try marketing your items to include a gift box painted with the same paint used to make the cups. Sometimes expanding on your ideas, while staying true to your original craft, makes your items a bit less ordinary.

Have you made changes to your store lately and had success? Share your ideas with HandmadeMarketing.org and help other handmade sellers switch up their store for more sales opportunity!