Online Seller Experience, Small Business Success Stories
… Learning never stops. At school, was not allowed to take the woodworking classes because girls were not allowed. But never one to be stopped by rules, I made each piece that the Lads did in class, at home under my Father’s watchful eye. My love of wood started when I was just 8 years old, I followed my Dad about our home, watching and “helping” as he made our kitchen.
… As previously stated, we truly believe our product is weirdly unique compared to other African Mask sellers on Etsy, so we are not worried about competition. I want customers to purchase what grabs their hearts, and if the other online stores on Etsy are offering products that people absolutely love then we which those stores happy success.
… We are holistic therapists and work with Reiki, Angelic, and Ascension Energies – We have trained to help people remove blockages in their life that prevent them from moving into their Higher Purpose in life = We believe the use of crystals is part of this process. We started our business in 2004. We have also worked as professional therapists and as 12 step sponsors.
… I sell Custom Ordered Diamond Painting Tray Organizers and Container holders. I use MDF wood, and Birch Wood, wood glue, sandpaper and paint or stain. I design my products by custom request of each customer’s measurements to fit there workspace and storage container size. My products stand out because they are custom-made to each customer’s request.
… I sell vintage haberdashery, mostly upholstery trim, but I have a vast collection of buttons, fabrics, and other interesting items that I list as and when I get to them. This approach suits me and my workload with my other shops and also keeps the inventory in the shop refreshed, enticing customers to return.
… Social media hasn’t been a significant contributor to my store traffic, providing less than 5% of store visits in a typical month. However, moving forward I want to increase this to 25% over the next 6 months through the use of Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. With changes to the Etsy algorithm in early 2020, it became apparent that relying on organic traffic to support one’s store will no longer suffice.
… One of the things I enjoy the most is freedom. I just love planning my own schedule, spending more quality time with friends and family, or even going on a spontaneous trip to the seaside in the middle of the week! But the most important thing that keeps me going is feedback from costumers. It’s an amazing feeling getting those happy “thank you” messages from buyers all around the world.
… My products are sold internationally as digital print-ready products. As a result of Covid-19, my Australian customers can purchase a hardcopy if they would like. If an Australian customer decides to purchase a hard-copy, they are paying for the print only. No frame is included and shipping is free of charge. When I do post my hardcopies, I package them up in a rigid envelope, a waterproof slip, and a cardboard backing.
… I started selling just on Etsy but I have been looking at other sites I can sell on and I started my own website with a store. I was really busy on Etsy but lately, sales have slowed a little. I am not sure if it is because of competition or the ranking of the listing on Etsy. I do Etsy marketing which you can pay daily and have your listing show higher up as an ad.
… Accept criticism and use it as a building block to improve the way you sell. Another big thing learns all about SEO, without great SEO you will not get found. Write item titles and descriptions like a buyer will search for. No long cute wordy be short but precise. Another thing you need to have a good camera for taking pictures of products and spend time on editing.