Etsy Shop Guide, Part 2: How to Increase Etsy Traffic
So you’ve found your niche, your Etsy shop is up and running, and now you're looking to increase Etsy traffic and get more sales.
A huge increase in Etsy traffic doesn't usually happen overnight, but there are several tactics I've found helpful for speeding up the process.
The key to getting more traffic and (ultimately) more sales is through Etsy shop optimization. This is what increases Etsy traffic. It also builds buyer trust, which increases sales.
Today, I'm sharing five tips that have allowed me to generate over 7,000 sales on Etsy. And, if you implement these tips, too, I can guarantee your Etsy traffic will increase over time, too.
Before We Begin…
Etsy shop optimization is the process of adding relevant keywords and phrases throughout your shop to improve the chance your shop will show up in related Etsy searches. It can also make your shop more accessible in Google searches. These relevant keywords and phrases improve the performance of your Etsy shop, increase traffic, and grow revenue.
Etsy shop optimization also builds buyer trust. For example, let’s say you start a stationery shop on Etsy selling “letterpress greeting cards”. When buyers see that phrase all throughout your Etsy shop, they can trust that this is your specialty.
To effectively optimize your Etsy shop, there are two things that must be done first…
choose a Flagship Product
Your flagship product is the foundation to Etsy shop optimization. Your flagship product, i.e. “letterpress greeting cards” should be sprinkled naturally throughout your Etsy shop, like in your About section. This increases Etsy traffic because now your shop can now be indexed under that search term.
define your target market
Who are your products for–moms, brides, those looking for housewarming gifts? Your target market lets people know they’re in the right place. These are the people who are going to value your products the most–they see you as the perfect fit for them. It also helps you clarify your brand message and develop effective marketing strategies.
Indicate your target market throughout your shop, along with your flagship product. For example, your shop title could be something like “letterpress greeting cards for feminists”. This is a very strong, specific target market.
Optionally, you can target what your products are specifically used for, rather than who. For example, “Monogram Stationery for Engagement Gifts”.
I. Optimize the About section
We want to know who you are and why you do what you do! Share photos, behind-the-scenes videos, and anything else to make your Etsy shop stand out. According to Etsy, “[filling out your about section] also can increase your customer and market experience score.” Etsy further explains:
We look at a variety of factors to give each shop on Etsy a customer and market experience score based on the shop’s customer service history and whether it’s in good standing according to Etsy’s policies. Adding an About section increases your score, and a higher score may improve your search ranking.
When writing the about section, focus on why you are the best person to serve your clients. Answer questions like:
What are you the best at making?
Who do you serve?
Why are you the best person for the job?
And, briefly, how did you get started?
II. Know what your Shop Announcement is really used for
Your shop announcement isn’t really an announcement at all. Many sellers make the mistake of using this area to communicate upcoming sales or vacation dates. But really, this section is used as your shop’s description in Google search.
So, instead of sharing office hours or random tidbits, use this section to indicate your flagship product and target market. How can you capture a potential buyer’s attention in the first few sentences?
III. Optimize for Pinterest
Because Pinterest is a visual search engine and because so many people use Pinterest to shop, it’s an incredibly effective way to increase Etsy traffic and revenue.
Optimize your Etsy shop (and your website, if you have one) for Pinterest by using vertical photos and making sure you include a few relevant keywords in your product description. That way, if you or a potential client shares an item of yours to Pinterest, it will perform well on the platform’s feed.
Etsy is currently set up for landscape photos, but it’s still easy to use vertical photos instead. Just make sure the focal point of your image is “cropped” within Etsy’s landscape dimensions.
One last thought…
As you can see, Etsy shop optimization isn’t just for Etsy–it’s also for Google and Pinterest, too. And when you can effectively optimize your shop for all three platforms, you’ll increase Etsy traffic and grow revenue.
I always love learning from your feedback! What Etsy shop tips have been helpful for increasing your traffic? I’d love to know in the comments below.
I hope you loved Part 2 of the Etsy Shop Guide! Join me tomorrow where we’ll talk all about building a loyal audience on Etsy.