The California Crafters Club of Etsy (CCCOE) is a group of independent artists, crafters, & artisans from California who sell their wares on Etsy.com.
Showing posts with label etsy sellers. Show all posts
Showing posts with label etsy sellers. Show all posts

Tuesday, September 4, 2018

Your Product Titles: Large Ruffled Laundry Bag

Have you seen those items on Etsy with titles that are just packed with keywords? Why do people do that?

Search engine optimization.

Depending on what you read, this is either a good idea or a bad idea. It's good because the search engines "see" the tags you're targeting twice. It's bad because some search engines want more natural sounding (read: written by a human) titles.

But we can actually do both. So, why not? (I discussed this a bit before.)

Let's take a look at this laundry bag from Vintage Encore:

Large Ruffled Laundry Bag

Some of the tags are: storage option, dorm room, nursery storage, retro bag, laundry bag, handmade laundry bag, baby laundry bag, dorm laundry bag, dorm storage, nursery laundry bag. 

(There is an opportunity here to adjust a couple of these tags, removing "laundry bag" as that's already in several other tags and adding "large ruffled" as well as the color of the laundry bag.) 

Since there are only 20 characters allowed in each tag, we're not going to hit any of those coveted long tail keywords (the keywords that someone who is pretty close to buying something is more likely to use when searching). But we can hit those in the title. And that's what we're going to try to do. 

(When researching what tags to use for an item, make note of any long tail keywords that might come up. You're going to want to aim to get those somehow in your tags and title.) 

Two other things to keep in mind. First, search engines tend to prioritize the first part of the title. Second, most search results are going to cut off the title after so many characters. So, we're going to want to focus on keeping the first 40-50 characters sounding like a human wrote it and using the keywords most likely to be what people are searching for. 

There are 140 maximum characters for this title. How can we title this? 

Let's start with Large Ruffled White Laundry Bag (31 characters). Including the color is kind of a gamble. Some people are specifically searching for color. If we want an exact match, we could put the "white" first or last ("in white"). Exact matches are going to rank higher, but the more words you match, the better.

Then we can combine two of those tags that sound natural together: Dorm Room Storage Option (24 characters). Or: Retro Bag Dorm Storage (22 characters). Notice how those sound like a description of the item. That's what we're going for. 

All three of those sequences contain 79 characters. We still have 61 characters to use. But towards the end of the title, we can kind of jam in the rest of the tags as no person is really going to read that far. Only the machines... 

So, this title looks like (at the moment): Large Ruffled White Laundry Bag * Dorm Room Storage Option * Retro Bag Dorm Storage *... 

Wait, do we need to put those *s in there? Actually, it's better if you don't. The search engines will look for exact matches (to rank higher), so if someone searches "white laundry bag dorm room storage", that * will take away the exact match. (Although, it'll still match. It'll just match with a lower rank.) And we've lost 2 characters per * (the * and the space after it). 

It's kind of a puzzle that you're constructing from the tags you already have. (Yes, write your title after you're already selected your 13 tags.) 

How are your item titles?

Wednesday, August 22, 2018

Your Product Titles

Finding the best tags for your items takes time and effort. I've delved briefly into the process in the last three blog posts: "Maximizing Tags", "Finding Good Tags", and "Picking the Best Keywords for Tags". And there are numerous other resources to help you learn about and find the best tags to use (such as Marmalead and Etsy Rank).

The other main source that the search engines (including Etsy's internal one) use to categorize and define your items is your product title.

The good news is, once you've done your research for your keywords for tags, you've done your research for your title. It's just a matter of tweaking those tags a bit.

You want your titles to mirror your tags. But, Etsy warns that your titles need to be readable. That is, the title should sound like a human wrote it (and not some computer algorithm).

The title has 140 possible characters. You want to use as many of them as you can. How can you fill up 140 characters mirroring your tags and make it sound like a human wrote it?

Of the 13 tags in your listing, one or two should basically describe the item. Right? Arrange those in a naturally sounding phrase (making sure to keep the words in the same order as your tags). If you keep this in mind while figuring out your tags, this step won't be too hard. This will be the first part of your title.

Most of us won't read the rest of the item title that carefully. Google cuts off the title after a set number of characters (but it takes the rest of those words into account when categorizing your item). So, if you focus on making the first 20 to 40 characters of the title make sense, the rest of the title can be packed with other tags you'd like your item to show up for in search.

And that's what you do. You need to fill that title with as many tags as you can.

This is how you maximize your chances of having your item show up in search. It's how most of our customers find us.

Are your tags and title helping your items get found?

Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Picking the Best Keywords for Tags

For the past couple weeks, I've been talking about tags--those thirteen spots Etsy gives each listing. In perusing other listings, I've found so many sellers not making the best use of them. And I wondered, why not?

This is one of those instances of "if it ain't broke, don't fix it". If you're getting plenty of views and your sales are just where you want them, feel free to ignore these posts. But if, like me, you could use more traffic to your listings, this is one thing you can do.

I already discussed if you're making good use of your tags and some ways to come up with other ideas for tags. The idea is to generate a list of possible keywords to use in your tags.

Ideally, you'll have a list that won't be contained in thirteen tags. And this is where you start evaluating which tags are best.

(Keep in mind that each tag has twenty characters allowed. That means, each tag can be more than one word. It is best to use as many phrases as you possibly can.)

But back to evaluating tags. Which ones should you use?

First, you want tags that are actually being searched for. You can have the most descriptive keyword, but if no one is looking for it, no one is going to find you.

Then you need to balance this with competition. If you are using a tag that everyone else has, there are going to be so many others that pop up in search results that your item will get lost.

There are various tools out there to help you evaluate which keywords are best. They'll pinpoint which tags have higher competition (that is, everyone is using them) and which tags are actually being searched for.

A really great tool is Marmalead. It looks at your listings. It ranks keywords and tells you how well those keywords are competing. It also requires a monthly subscription fee to get all of the best insights. It's worth it if you want to take your shop to the next level.

Etsy Rank is a similar tool. It'll help you find keywords and also give you insights into things you can do to help your shop. There is also a paid tier for more help.

A third tool is called Keywords Everywhere. It's a Chrome and Firefox extension that shows keywords in several search places, including Etsy. It gives you stats on every keyword you use in search, and it just adds those in. It's really useful in seeing how well various search terms are doing.

How well do you check out your keywords? Are your tags working for you?

For more information:

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Maximizing Tags

Are you making the best use of your tags?

Before any of us can make a sale, the first thing we need to do is get online shoppers to find our listings. The most powerful tool we have at our disposal is Etsy's own search.

I'm sure you've done it. You're looking to buy something. You know sort of what you want. So, you type in a few words into a search bar and you see what comes up.

So, how do those shoppers who want exactly what we're offering find us?

Your tags.

When you type a request into Etsy's search bar, Etsy matches this search to the tags in the listing.

(Of course, there are other factors. But this is one thing you have control over.)

Etsy gives us thirteen tags per listing. Each listing has a twenty character limit.

You want to pack these tags full of anything someone might use to describe your items. Use all thirteen tags. Use phrases rather than just individual words. The more you pack in there, the more likely you are to get found.

So, are you making the best use of your tags?

For more information:

Wednesday, October 19, 2016

located in Citrus Heights, California

ShinyMoonBeams


I make rainbow sun catchers because Rainbows Make Me Happy! I hope they will make you happy too as the refraction's dance about your home when the sun hits them and creates gorgeous dancing rainbows! 

Beautiful Magical Dancing Rainbows! Create Rainbows today with your own Swarovski Crystal Rainbow Suncatchers...handmade by Kat.
Making Rainbows Since 2006!

I use 100% top quality Swarovski Crystals to create beautiful crystal rainbow suncatchers! I use the finest supplies I can find to make my suncatchers! 
I am a small business hobbiest and do this for therapeutic reasons and because.... I love Rainbows, the Sun, Moon and Stars and yes even Puffy Fluffy Clouds Make Me Happy! I hope that you will find something you love and know that it is being created with great love and meticulous care just for you!............

My Suncatchers were featured in the 2008 Women's World Magazine.
Sun catchers for your rearview mirrors in your car and homer.

Swarovski Crystals are the finest crystals in the world and the beauty and quality is unmatched. 

Krystal Kat's shop online find me also at:

See my about me page for more places to find me!

Thank you for visiting with me I really appreciate it! 

Have a Sparkly Day Cute People!

~Kat


 $25.95 Emerald Green Leaf Rainbow Crystal Suncatcher
Emerald Green Leaf Rainbow Crystal Suncatcher
$25.95

Saturday, August 6, 2016

MEET LIZ FROM ZIZIRHO

Liz shop owner of  ZiziRho
EST. 4.2007
located in Long Beach, California

Hi, I'm Liz. 
My great-grandmother taught me to knit when I was 16. After she died I inherited all of her tools (no one else in the family picked up the habit). I stopped knitting sometime in college (time constraints), but I picked it up again in the late '90's, and I've been knitting continuously ever since.
As for crochet, I'm mostly self-taught (books and videos). I already had the tools--thanks Gram-Mavis!

Wednesday, May 23, 2012

Gift Guide for Dad: For the Love of Dad

Contributed by Melissa Kojima ---- Artist in LA LA Land

Where there's a grad, there's a dad not far off.  Well, I mean father's day, of course!  It's June 17th, 2012.  We love dad at the California Crafters Club on Etsy.  We've handcrafted many fantastic items for him.  Below you'll see some of the many great gift ideas for daddy, for dad, for papa or whatever you call that wonderful man in your life.

Thursday, May 17, 2012

No Brainer for Getting More Attention on Etsy: Monthly Merchandising Desk

Contributed by Melissa Kojima --- Artist in LA LA Land

Okay, like I've said before, sometimes, I'm a little slow to the draw.  I've not won any races for that, but I do get to the finish line anyway.  So I'm sharing more helpful tidbits that I've found.   And if you haven't found them yet either, you may find them good info too.



So here it is:  MONTHLY MERCHANDISING DESK on ETSY!  How's this suppose to help you?  Well, a lot of people make treasuries (including me) based on what's hot, trendy or seasonal and the merchandising desk gives you a lot of ideas for exactly that each and every month.  It's not asking you to make your shop over, but if you add some of those TAG & KEY WORDS that are appropriate to your shop and items, you'll get found easier by me who is making treasuries and others who are searching Etsy for seasonal items.  It has helped me to get found more, and to find you easier.  Unfortunately, I may not have found you yet, but these monthly ideas may help.



Read them at the 1st of every month.  Incorporate them into your shop and items!  Good luck and I hope we meet again soon----or for the first time!

In Case You Didn't Know: How To Get Your Treasury Onto Your Blogs

Contributed by Melissa Kojima --- Artist in LA LA Land

Yeah, sometimes I'm a bit slow.  So in case I'm not the only one, I thought I'd share this great FREE tool to help you share treasuries that you've made or that you're featured in. It's on Craft Cult.  You just add your username and find either all the treasuries you've made or the treasuries you've been featured in. You can make a widget with it, grab the code and share it on your blogs or other websites.  It's so easy that I'm  glad I finally found it.  It also has many other useful tools to help you with your Esty shop.  Check it out if you haven't already.  You'll be seeing me use it more on this blog.


Tuesday, May 1, 2012

We're Road Trippin!

I thought it would be fun to explore our team geographically, so we are going on a road trip.  Each month I'll explore the shops in a different region of the state.  We are going to start at home base, my home, and explore Etsy shops here on the Central Coast. 

I'm always amazed by the talent here in my own area.  I'm happy to showcase that talent for you.  These artists are from Arroyo Grande, Atascadero, San Luis Obispo, Santa Ynez, and Santa Maria.

Gentle Flowers Baby Balm from GwendolynEvaRose

Bamboo Roving by SilverSunAlpacas

Bulls Eye Ring by leandogpottery

Embroidered Tea Towel by peggradyart

Felted Soaps by PoppySoapCompany

Growing Pink print by cineloh

IPurse in Amy Butler Fabric by handcraftedbooks

Morro Rock Handmade Card from UniquelyYoursStudio

Shimmer Swimmer from studiomusings


Teal Vinyl Wallet by mpwallets

Tree of Life from maggiepickering

Vinyl Record Cuff by leasha1824

Infinity Eternity Ring by SeaBabeJewelry

Next month, we'll head north and see what we can find!

Cheers!
Amber Long
This Little Bird

Sunday, November 27, 2011

Celebrating Cyber Monday


I hope y’all got your fill of delicious turkey, cranberry sauce, and stuffing – now it’s time for mental and physical recovery as you face the (sometimes daunting) holiday shopping season!  Woo hoo!

...and time to start shopping!
This is my first December in the handmade/small business community, and frankly, I’m thrilled.  It’s not just because I get to offer my own wares to holiday shoppers, either; I’ve already crossed off a good number of gifts on my list thanks to Etsy.  Most of it has been accomplished this weekend, too—Black Friday and Small Biz Saturday have proven excellent shopping opportunities for holiday gift-givers. 

Next up?  Cyber Monday.

Quite a few wonderful CCCOE members are offering some fantastic deals for Cyber Monday shoppers, so I’ve scoured our sweet little community to find some of the best bets for honing in on the gifts you still need to snatch before pesky shipping deadlines are upon us.

Free shipping from BrookeJewelry
For the Ladies
I’m a big believer that any modern, self-respecting, fashion-forward woman can really never have enough of three things: shoes, handbags, and jewelry.  I’ve always had a relatively easy time shopping for the women in my life (mom, cousins, aunts, friends) because I am crazy about jewelry and think that this has the potential to be unique and personalized gift with broad appeal.  Some of my favorite pieces include Sora Designs’ understated, timeless, and oh-so-lovely circle necklaces, Brooke’s gorgeous half-moon earrings,  Roscata’s almost-good-enough-to-eat 10% off baubles,  and Penumbra Images’ 20% off sale photo brooches.

20% off with coupon code "THANKS20"
For the One Who Has Everything
I’ll be so bold as to virtually guarantee that your hard-to-shop-for friend doesn’t have handmade bacon beverage wraps OR coasters resembling slabs of raw meat.  Enough said.  Also a great option for White Elephant fun at the office holiday party.

For the Bride-to-Be
My good friend got engaged a few months ago and is up to her eyeballs in wedding planning.  One of her favorite fashion and home décor themes is black-and-white damask, and these bridesmaid clutches from ocstylescreations would make her a super-happy bride-to-be!  Cross her off your list and let HER cross something off of her own wedding prep list!  Not that close a friend with said bride?  Buy the single version as a more personal (and affordable) gift.

Rad wallets for guys (and gals) for 15% off
For MEN.
Circle back to bacon beverage wraps and carnivore coasters mentioned above.  Other great options: rad art prints, wallets and money clips, like a super-sexy, 15% off Kansas City Chiefs wallet that would make my dad swoon, and stuff to make him smell good.

15% off at JPaveyDesigns
For your non-So-Cal friends
For those of us lucky enough to bask in the eternal sunshine of Southern California, scarves are really more of a fashion statement than a survival necessity.  But for our friends to the north (and east), these wonderful accessories are actually quite useful for battling the coldest winter days.  Show how thoughtful you really are with my top pick for one of the best no-brainer gifts for pretty much anyone and everyone in your life.  I recommend starting your search with this lovely number – a gorgeous hand-knitted, one-of-a-kind infinity scarf (wrap it twice and you’ve given the gift that doubles as a cowl) in a unique and completely obsession-worthy shade of wintry green.  Throw in a 15% off discount and you’re all set to share the gift of warmth in a way considerably more practical than treating your entire posse to a weekend in 80-degrees-in-November Los Angeles.
Great scarf option for dudes, too!

Okay, guys, I can’t be a TOTAL hand-holder, so you’ll have to get down to business with some creativity and determination to get that holiday shopping done – just make that list NOW so you can take advantage of ALL the great Cyber Monday deals that fellow CCCOE members have to offer.  Enjoy!

{sales + links} in order of CCCOE discount awesomeness :: add your shop promos in "comments" if you don't see them listed here!

10% off at Heart and Handmade


Happy holiday shopping, everyone! CCCOE team member and contributor Emily Reiter lives in Los Angeles, California and has two shops on Etsy: Anna Delores Photography and Luccichio & Co. jewelry and paper crafts. I'll be back on the CCCOE blog on December 27 (hopefully for a showcase of amazing post-holiday sales!) but in the meantime you can also visit me on my own blog :: http://annadeloresphoto.blogspot.com.