Tag to Sell – Take Tagging to the Next Level

If sales are down for your Etsy shop, consider reworking your technique for tagging your items.

If you think your tags could be better, try the following tips to spot check your technique:

• Think Like a Buyer. Pretty obvious, right?  You’d be surprised how many Etsy sellers don’t tag their item with words the average buyer would use to describe the item.  When you are tagging, think like your potential buyer.  What words would you use in a search bar or Google to find this item?
• Go Big. Etsy.com allows you 14 tags per item.  Use them!  Our HandmadeMarketing.org team comes across Etsy shops all the time that short themselves on key words.  Remember – keywords are the key to your success.  They play an integral role in matching you with potential buyers.  Why short your Etsy shop… and ultimately Etsy sales?
• Hit the Books. Take a look at a Thesaurus to make sure you are finding the best keywords.  For example, “Jewelry” is a great tag, but what if you have room for some more keywords?  Looking in a Thesaurus, our team found “charm”, “costume jewelry”, “choker”, “ribbon”, and “band”.  These terms may or may not fit into your item’s tags, but make sure to take the time to do your research!
• Scrub, Rinse, Repeat. Does your Etsy shop have a lot of similar items for sale?  Consider looking through all tags you have used to see what you are missing.  There is no reason to have a blue headband with 8 tags and a red headband with 14 tags.  Our team thinks it’s a great idea to make a keywords list that can be utilized each time a new item is added.  That way, you are making sure to make the most of your tags.  However, don’t forget to add to that list as new keywords pop into your head – keep your tagging fresh!

As with all Etsy item tagging, Etsy.com has some site rules that each seller should review.  There are rules for things like art, purses/bags, bath/beauty, crafting supplies, clothing, mature items and vintage items.  Make sure you are following guidelines before making tag decisions.