1 year, 7 months ago
I want to know what are the methods one should use to sell the craft items on the internet.
I have an Artfire store http://www.artfire.com/users/Bindu, where I am showing the jewelry and crocheted items I make, to sell. I do use my blogs, twitter, and Facebook to promote the store. But still with no luck. Please give me your feedback to improve the store, and the work. In your opinion, why the store is not a success?
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M$6 Answers
Greetings @pellrider,
I just checked out your site. You make some pretty neat things! Its really good that you are on top of your blogs, twitter, and facebook. Though you may not be getting as many purchases as you had hoped to, you are certainly getting a certain level of exposure.
Firstly, you must have a good understanding of Artfire, your host site, before you can proceed. In comparison to other similar craft sites, Artfire is small and receives minimal internet traffic. Check out Etsy.it's the exact same idea as Artfire; however, its ranked 84th (in the US) in terms of overall traffic, compared to Artfire.com's 2376th rank. Needless to say, you will gain greater exposure on Etsy. My first tip to you is start an account there. Its incredibly straightforward and offers more in terms of customization. I think it is awesome you decided to work with these sorts of sites. They are by far the cheapest way to sell your things online, as they have no listing fee and you don't have to pay for website hosting. In conclusion, i think your craft selling business would thrive in a larger artistic community such as Etsy.
Another aspect you want to think about is your target consumer market: Who are you trying to sell to? In this case, I'm going to assume most people who purchase your crafts are female aged 20+. You need to find an effective way of reaching these consumers. Facebook, blogs, and twitter are awesome methods. Other places you should search are applicable forums and messageboards (like a craft forum or a jewelry forum online). Here, you can connect with your community. In the craft world, people that sell crafts tend to buy them as well--its important you make this connection with your own artistic community (I think Etsy could help you out with this immensely. They have a big community.)
Overall, i don't think there is a problem with your merchandise. You make some really creative and unique stuff...there's definitely a market for what you make. I think it is a problem of ample exposure: you simply need to reach more people. I think Artfire may be holding you back. My words of advice: Give Etsy a shot, continue your promotional work through Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs, and lastly, search for some high-traffic craft forums or messageboards to integrate into the niche community. And remember, this is your business, so you want to try to present your work in the most professional manner possible: high quality photos, a nice website layout/design, and good communication.
Best of luck with the crafts!
ps. the banana earrings are awesome.....
I just checked out your site. You make some pretty neat things! Its really good that you are on top of your blogs, twitter, and facebook. Though you may not be getting as many purchases as you had hoped to, you are certainly getting a certain level of exposure.
Firstly, you must have a good understanding of Artfire, your host site, before you can proceed. In comparison to other similar craft sites, Artfire is small and receives minimal internet traffic. Check out Etsy.it's the exact same idea as Artfire; however, its ranked 84th (in the US) in terms of overall traffic, compared to Artfire.com's 2376th rank. Needless to say, you will gain greater exposure on Etsy. My first tip to you is start an account there. Its incredibly straightforward and offers more in terms of customization. I think it is awesome you decided to work with these sorts of sites. They are by far the cheapest way to sell your things online, as they have no listing fee and you don't have to pay for website hosting. In conclusion, i think your craft selling business would thrive in a larger artistic community such as Etsy.
Another aspect you want to think about is your target consumer market: Who are you trying to sell to? In this case, I'm going to assume most people who purchase your crafts are female aged 20+. You need to find an effective way of reaching these consumers. Facebook, blogs, and twitter are awesome methods. Other places you should search are applicable forums and messageboards (like a craft forum or a jewelry forum online). Here, you can connect with your community. In the craft world, people that sell crafts tend to buy them as well--its important you make this connection with your own artistic community (I think Etsy could help you out with this immensely. They have a big community.)
Overall, i don't think there is a problem with your merchandise. You make some really creative and unique stuff...there's definitely a market for what you make. I think it is a problem of ample exposure: you simply need to reach more people. I think Artfire may be holding you back. My words of advice: Give Etsy a shot, continue your promotional work through Twitter, Facebook, and Blogs, and lastly, search for some high-traffic craft forums or messageboards to integrate into the niche community. And remember, this is your business, so you want to try to present your work in the most professional manner possible: high quality photos, a nice website layout/design, and good communication.
Best of luck with the crafts!
ps. the banana earrings are awesome.....
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Hi Pellrider!
I answered a question that was almost identical to yours "back in the day". Rather then selling jewelry and crocheted items, the person asking the question I answered was selling hand-made soft dolls and sewing patterns.
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/whats-the-best-way-to-market-my-online-bitofwhimsyprimsetsycom-store-for-1000-or-less-besides-google-adwords
You specifically asked why the store is not a success. Generally, you're not following the rules that I outlined in the answer above.
Specifically:
Users don't trust your store, your brand or your products. This is the underlying reason as to why your Artfire store isn't a success. The graphics (in your header banner), your product photos, your written descriptions and store information do not instill the level of trust that is required for a significant number of people to whip out their credit cards.
1)
Take better product photos. Look at the top sellers on eBay, Etsy, etc. They have outstanding product photos that are well light, and importantly have thoughtful composition. As an example, have a look at this photo:
http://static.artfire.com/admin/product_images/thumbs/--60000--33795_product_944015842_3_thumb_large.jpg
Rather then using a grey background with a ruler, why not ask (one of your more attractive female friends) to model the earrings. Ask her to stand outside during the late afternoon. Use depth of field to blur the background and capture an image of the side of her face with the ear-ring clearly in focus. This sounds like a lot of work, but outstanding product photos that tell a story of features are the difference between selling and not selling online.
2)
Hire a freelancer (links in post above) to create a stock set of graphics for you. Ask for different banner sizes, a logo, etc. This will likely cost about $100 but it will be well worth your investment.
3)
Don't rely on any single outlet for your products. I've never heard of Artfire.com before. It doesn't look like a bad online shopping mall, but it doesn't look great. Submit your products to a number of online shopping malls and use your own website as the backbone. In every mall that you submit your products to, link back to your website for shipping terms, or more photos, or even more information. This strategy has a number of advantages online but is founded in old-school offline sales.
Building your own website or brand doesn't need to be complicated and it doesn't need to be expensive. My mother recently started exhibiting at craft shows and having a geeky son, she figured her products should be showcased online. I built her this website in 6 hours with no cost (0) using free templates and software. She is working on writing content right now, but I wanted to show you this sample to illustrate that making your own backbone site isn't that hard. http://robisit.com/bh
I could literally go on-and-on about this sort of stuff. However, I think that working on these 3 things to improve the trust that you instill in your potential customers will have a direct and positive impact on your sales. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!
I answered a question that was almost identical to yours "back in the day". Rather then selling jewelry and crocheted items, the person asking the question I answered was selling hand-made soft dolls and sewing patterns.
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/whats-the-best-way-to-market-my-online-bitofwhimsyprimsetsycom-store-for-1000-or-less-besides-google-adwords
You specifically asked why the store is not a success. Generally, you're not following the rules that I outlined in the answer above.
Specifically:
Users don't trust your store, your brand or your products. This is the underlying reason as to why your Artfire store isn't a success. The graphics (in your header banner), your product photos, your written descriptions and store information do not instill the level of trust that is required for a significant number of people to whip out their credit cards.
1)
Take better product photos. Look at the top sellers on eBay, Etsy, etc. They have outstanding product photos that are well light, and importantly have thoughtful composition. As an example, have a look at this photo:
Rather then using a grey background with a ruler, why not ask (one of your more attractive female friends) to model the earrings. Ask her to stand outside during the late afternoon. Use depth of field to blur the background and capture an image of the side of her face with the ear-ring clearly in focus. This sounds like a lot of work, but outstanding product photos that tell a story of features are the difference between selling and not selling online.
2)
Hire a freelancer (links in post above) to create a stock set of graphics for you. Ask for different banner sizes, a logo, etc. This will likely cost about $100 but it will be well worth your investment.
3)
Don't rely on any single outlet for your products. I've never heard of Artfire.com before. It doesn't look like a bad online shopping mall, but it doesn't look great. Submit your products to a number of online shopping malls and use your own website as the backbone. In every mall that you submit your products to, link back to your website for shipping terms, or more photos, or even more information. This strategy has a number of advantages online but is founded in old-school offline sales.
Building your own website or brand doesn't need to be complicated and it doesn't need to be expensive. My mother recently started exhibiting at craft shows and having a geeky son, she figured her products should be showcased online. I built her this website in 6 hours with no cost (0) using free templates and software. She is working on writing content right now, but I wanted to show you this sample to illustrate that making your own backbone site isn't that hard. http://robisit.com/bh
I could literally go on-and-on about this sort of stuff. However, I think that working on these 3 things to improve the trust that you instill in your potential customers will have a direct and positive impact on your sales. If you have any specific questions, please don't hesitate to reach out!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Thank you Rob for a great answer. I have to find money to buy a good banner. I used paint to create the existing banner. I got the advise that if you put the earring on some one, it is hard to sell because of hygiene issues. I got some idea about the quality of photographs. Thank you. I will be working on it.
I am giving you a tip for the good answer. Thank you very much.
Report Abuse
Pls Buy one product from your site you will get Problem.
no body can check out.
it just ask to select country & again ask to select country.
other way to increase you need to do SEO keywording to your shop. because I don't think any body can get your store from google.
also start selling your products to free listing & free ad sites like http://localads.rediff.com, alibaba.com.
it is enough for now but in future you will need to select any payment getway. because paypal not support to all type payments.
::Param
no body can check out.
it just ask to select country & again ask to select country.
other way to increase you need to do SEO keywording to your shop. because I don't think any body can get your store from google.
also start selling your products to free listing & free ad sites like http://localads.rediff.com, alibaba.com.
it is enough for now but in future you will need to select any payment getway. because paypal not support to all type payments.
::Param
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Simple answer my friend Ebay
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
You need to do your keyword research and find people interested in what you have to offer via keyword research, and SEO.
This post should help you out a lot!
Basic SEO Training For Beginning Internet Marketers
So you just started your first website, or blog and know you want to know how to drive targeted search engine traffic to your new piece of Internet real estate.
After all with no free targeted traffic to your website how are you supposed to earn any money? And who wants to pay for traffic if they can help it? Not me! And I am sure you would answer the same way.
Paying for traffic is a suckers game at least when you are first starting out and are limited on funds right? You probably want to make some money with your online business before you go handing it over to the multi – billion dollar Google pay per click empire.
But your problem is you do not know anything about basic search engine optimization so you can drive this free targeted traffic to your new website, or blog so customers can buy your affiliate merchandise – whether it be digital (information) or actual physical products like Amazon for example.
Either way you need traffic to make money online there is no way around it. The more traffic you can bring to your site the more money you will earn. Pretty cut and dry.
The Internet can be brutal especially in a competitive niche like the affiliate marketing, make money online, weight loss, Internet marketing niche, and the beauty niche just too name a few of the many competitive online niches out there in the Internet marketing World.
Learning and training in at least basic search engine optimization tactics is more important know than it has ever been. Unless your blog, or website is based around underwater basket weaving with little to no competition. Your gonna need to know a few pointers so you can compete in the new SEO game, and turn your personal online real estate into a money making machine.
Your gonna need to know how to get your blog posts to the top of the major search engines for you to drive targeted cash in hand visitors. Proper search engine optimization is an essential skill that can pay off big time for years and years to come. Free traffic is the best kind of traffic and that’s what SEO brings to the table.
Here are a few SEO tips geared towards newbies that will at least give you a basic understanding of what’s going on and how you can get the most out of your new website, or blog.
Basic Search Engine Optimization Training Tips For Beginners And Newbie Affiliates.
1. Research keyword phrases related to your website, or blog that potential visitors will be looking for related to your site. I use the Google adwords keyword research tool it is free and it is the best online in my opinion.
2. Think highly searched keyword phrases with low competition. This may require some research on your part but it will pay off big time when done correctly. Your goal is to find lucrative phrases that people will type into the major search engines that will lead them to your site. Make sure the competition is low 500,000 listings or under should be your goal.
* You do not want to go after phrases like make money online if that is your niche that will take years for you to climb up the rankings for example. Be smart and go after phrases that you can rank on the first pages for with little effort.
3. Make a list of 4-5 phrases that fit this criteria and optimize your website, or blog with these keywords. This does not mean stuffing your content with all your keywords so that your content doesn’t even read properly.
* Sprinkle your keywords into your text moderately, and make sure your text is readable for your visitors. Readers first, search engines second should be your main goal.
4. Meta Tags – These are the tags that are at the top of your blog or website in the header section. My meta tags are An Entrepreneurs Journey To Earn You More Money Online – Affiliate Marketing Lessons, Product Reviews, Traffic Tips
This is the title of my blog, and these keywords are also my meta tags. These are a few of the keywords I am going after in the search engines. Meta tags are absolutely essential so make sure you have them added and your keywords are in your meta tags prominently. Meta tags alone can do wonders, but don’t expect no miracles. Especially if you are in a very competitive niche. But they do help out a great deal so use them wisely!
5. If you have not started your own blog, or website yet than make sure you pick a short domain name with the keywords that you are targeting in your domain name. This will make it easier for people to remember your site, and it will give you a nice boost in the search engines rankings. Having your keywords in your domain name is a great search engine optimization tip that all beginners should take advantage of if they have not picked a domain name for their new site yet.
6. Build relevant backlinks for proper SEO. This is even more important if your niche is extremely competitive like mine is. You want to link to sites with high page rank if possible that are directly related to your blog, or website for proper search engine optimization. He or she with the most quality relevant backlinks usually wins the SEO wars.Are you prepared to go to combat for your first page rankings on Google? You should be it can pay off big time for years to come without an adverse effect on your pocketbook.
This post should help you out a lot!
Basic SEO Training For Beginning Internet Marketers
So you just started your first website, or blog and know you want to know how to drive targeted search engine traffic to your new piece of Internet real estate.
After all with no free targeted traffic to your website how are you supposed to earn any money? And who wants to pay for traffic if they can help it? Not me! And I am sure you would answer the same way.
Paying for traffic is a suckers game at least when you are first starting out and are limited on funds right? You probably want to make some money with your online business before you go handing it over to the multi – billion dollar Google pay per click empire.
But your problem is you do not know anything about basic search engine optimization so you can drive this free targeted traffic to your new website, or blog so customers can buy your affiliate merchandise – whether it be digital (information) or actual physical products like Amazon for example.
Either way you need traffic to make money online there is no way around it. The more traffic you can bring to your site the more money you will earn. Pretty cut and dry.
The Internet can be brutal especially in a competitive niche like the affiliate marketing, make money online, weight loss, Internet marketing niche, and the beauty niche just too name a few of the many competitive online niches out there in the Internet marketing World.
Learning and training in at least basic search engine optimization tactics is more important know than it has ever been. Unless your blog, or website is based around underwater basket weaving with little to no competition. Your gonna need to know a few pointers so you can compete in the new SEO game, and turn your personal online real estate into a money making machine.
Your gonna need to know how to get your blog posts to the top of the major search engines for you to drive targeted cash in hand visitors. Proper search engine optimization is an essential skill that can pay off big time for years and years to come. Free traffic is the best kind of traffic and that’s what SEO brings to the table.
Here are a few SEO tips geared towards newbies that will at least give you a basic understanding of what’s going on and how you can get the most out of your new website, or blog.
Basic Search Engine Optimization Training Tips For Beginners And Newbie Affiliates.
1. Research keyword phrases related to your website, or blog that potential visitors will be looking for related to your site. I use the Google adwords keyword research tool it is free and it is the best online in my opinion.
2. Think highly searched keyword phrases with low competition. This may require some research on your part but it will pay off big time when done correctly. Your goal is to find lucrative phrases that people will type into the major search engines that will lead them to your site. Make sure the competition is low 500,000 listings or under should be your goal.
* You do not want to go after phrases like make money online if that is your niche that will take years for you to climb up the rankings for example. Be smart and go after phrases that you can rank on the first pages for with little effort.
3. Make a list of 4-5 phrases that fit this criteria and optimize your website, or blog with these keywords. This does not mean stuffing your content with all your keywords so that your content doesn’t even read properly.
* Sprinkle your keywords into your text moderately, and make sure your text is readable for your visitors. Readers first, search engines second should be your main goal.
4. Meta Tags – These are the tags that are at the top of your blog or website in the header section. My meta tags are An Entrepreneurs Journey To Earn You More Money Online – Affiliate Marketing Lessons, Product Reviews, Traffic Tips
This is the title of my blog, and these keywords are also my meta tags. These are a few of the keywords I am going after in the search engines. Meta tags are absolutely essential so make sure you have them added and your keywords are in your meta tags prominently. Meta tags alone can do wonders, but don’t expect no miracles. Especially if you are in a very competitive niche. But they do help out a great deal so use them wisely!
5. If you have not started your own blog, or website yet than make sure you pick a short domain name with the keywords that you are targeting in your domain name. This will make it easier for people to remember your site, and it will give you a nice boost in the search engines rankings. Having your keywords in your domain name is a great search engine optimization tip that all beginners should take advantage of if they have not picked a domain name for their new site yet.
6. Build relevant backlinks for proper SEO. This is even more important if your niche is extremely competitive like mine is. You want to link to sites with high page rank if possible that are directly related to your blog, or website for proper search engine optimization. He or she with the most quality relevant backlinks usually wins the SEO wars.Are you prepared to go to combat for your first page rankings on Google? You should be it can pay off big time for years to come without an adverse effect on your pocketbook.
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
I was in the exact same situation, well, my brother was. Using facebook and that kinda stuff isn't enough. You have to advertise it, making it seem so much more amazing then it seems (no offence, i'm sure you're store is very good!), add a slogan, and a logo, then advertise it by creating your own website, in local newspapers, magazines, and absolutely anything you can find! It's easy once you get started!
You can leave an optional "tip" with Mahalo's virtual currency, Mahalo Dollars. If you are asking a difficult question that might require some research, or if you'd like a wide variety of feedback, a higher tip often leads to more answers to your question.
M$
Thank you for your suggestions. I will try Etsy as well. Also, learning to take quality photos. Your feedback is very much appreciated.