I warn you now this is going to be a long post (if you take the time to read through and click all the links) but it is important to read through it if you are interested in gaining more opportunities for sales. I know I am writing a novel here but this is a "guide" if you will, to increasing views. This is a somewhat complicated topic but if you follow the links and read this full article and the articles linked with it you too can learn how to increase your views leading to sales. If you dedicate a few hours to this I know you will learn something new! I did and can't wait to use these in my own shops!
Today we are going to talk about the relevancy of your shop's titles and how you can improve your chances of being found.
Etsy is set up to let the shop owners Search Engine Optimize or (SEO) his or her shop. This means you have the opportunity to SEO your shop and be found by the search engines like google, yahoo and bing. This will make it easier for buyers to locate your shop in turn giving you more opportunities to make sales.
Here is some information straight from Etsy:
"Search Engine Optimization (SEO) is a powerful tool that can help improve the visibility of your shop and item listings in search engine results for sites like Google, Bing and Yahoo. When shoppers are browsing the web, catching their attention through search engines is one way to bring more traffic to your Etsy shop.
SEO is complicated, and search engines frequently change the way terms are searched and the criteria for searches. There isn't a way to promise your shop will appear at the top of Google search results. However, there are some best practices that you can use to help improve your shop's SEO.
In 2009, Etsy worked closely with SEOmoz, a Search Engine Optimization consulting group, to improve overall SEO for Etsy. Together, we also created a helpful document for sellers, full of great tips and insights into how to enhance your shop for search engines and improve your rankings. "
Here is a general guide from Etsy. We will go further into each topic later on.
1. Have a Great Product
Offering something unique, interesting and desirable is the first step in drawing in shoppers. Before contemplating whether or not to optimize your searches for SEO, take a look at the items in your shop and consider what makes your item or shop different from everyone else's. Learn more here: http://www.etsy.com/help/article/249.
2. Select Keywords
A critical step in improving your shop's SEO is to find the best possible words to describe your shop and your items. Think like a shopper: what words would you search when looking for your products or shop? The exercise of selecting keywords is also helpful when you choose Tags for your item listings, which help place your listing in Categories on Etsy and with Etsy on-site search function.
3. Your Etsy Shop
Two important SEO elements for your Etsy shop pages are your Shop Title and Shop Announcement. The diagram below explains where to find each of these elements on your shop page:
You can edit your Shop Title and Shop Announcement by going to Your Shop > Info & Appearance. Use the preview function to see how it will look as a Google search result.
Below we'll explain why each element is important and how you can make the best of it.
Shop Title
Etsy uses your Shop Title to create the page title for your shop page. The page title is the text a person sees in the search engine that links to your shop. Search engines only show about 66 characters for a page title, so Etsy has automatic rules to determine how much of your Shop Title will be used in the page title. Etsy automatically will include your username in the page title.
TIPS: Briefly describe your shop and the items you sell. Consider including your full name or your business name in your Shop Title if potential customers are likely to search for you that way.
TIPS: Briefly describe your shop and the items you sell. Consider including your full name or your business name in your Shop Title if potential customers are likely to search for you that way.
Shop Announcement
The first 160 characters of your Shop Announcement are used to create the meta description for your shop page. The meta description is the text shown under your page title on a search engine results page.
TIPS: Describe your shop and the kinds of items you sell. Use welcoming language that will entice someone to explore your shop further. Use keywords that you think shoppers will search to find your items.
TIPS: Describe your shop and the kinds of items you sell. Use welcoming language that will entice someone to explore your shop further. Use keywords that you think shoppers will search to find your items.
4. Your Shop Sections
How you name your Shop Sections can also help boost your shop's SEO. Each Section has its own landing page with a page title based on the Section name. The diagram below explains where to find these elements on your shop page:
You can edit your Shop Sections by going to Your Shop > Info & Appearance > Sections.
Below we'll explain why each element is important and how you can make the best of it.
Below we'll explain why each element is important and how you can make the best of it.
Shop Section
Etsy uses your Section names to create the page titles for each of your shop Section's landing pages. The page title is the text a person sees in the search engine that links to your shop. Search engines only show about 66 characters for a page title, and Etsy limits Section names to 24 characters. Etsy automatically will include your username in the page title.
TIPS: Briefly describe the kind of items in each specific Section. Using "category style" names for your Sections that include your keywords (in lieu of creative or poetic Section names) not only helps a shopper navigate within your shop, but also can help shoppers find you in search engines.
TIPS: Briefly describe the kind of items in each specific Section. Using "category style" names for your Sections that include your keywords (in lieu of creative or poetic Section names) not only helps a shopper navigate within your shop, but also can help shoppers find you in search engines.
5. Your Item Listing Pages
Two important SEO elements for your listing pages are your Item Title and Description. The diagram below explains where to find each of these elements on an item listing page:
You can edit your Item Title and Description for a specific listing by going to Your Shop > Currently For Sale and clicking Edit next to that listing. Use the preview function to see how it will look as a Google search result.
Below we'll explain why each element is important and how you can make the best of it.
Item Title
Your Item Title is used to create the page title for your listing page. Search engines only show about 66 characters for a page title, so Etsy has automatic rules to determine how much of your Item Title will be used in the page title. Etsy automatically will include your username in the page title.
TIPS: Clearly describe your item at the beginning of the Item Title. Use keywords you think a shopper may search. Item Title is also a factor in the search engine on Etsy, so a good Item Title serves double-duty!
Your Item Title is used to create the page title for your listing page. Search engines only show about 66 characters for a page title, so Etsy has automatic rules to determine how much of your Item Title will be used in the page title. Etsy automatically will include your username in the page title.
TIPS: Clearly describe your item at the beginning of the Item Title. Use keywords you think a shopper may search. Item Title is also a factor in the search engine on Etsy, so a good Item Title serves double-duty!
Description
The first 160 characters of your item description is used to create the meta description for your listing page. The meta description is the text shown under your page title on a search engine results page.
Your description is important beyond the first 160 characters, too. Search engines look at a page's full content. Be sure to describe your item well, using your keywords and providing details about the item.
TIPS: Briefly describe your item in the first sentence of your description. Use keywords that you think shoppers will search to find your items.
Your description is important beyond the first 160 characters, too. Search engines look at a page's full content. Be sure to describe your item well, using your keywords and providing details about the item.
TIPS: Briefly describe your item in the first sentence of your description. Use keywords that you think shoppers will search to find your items.
6. In-bound Links
Search engines like to show results that are relevant and interesting, but gauging "interestingness" is a bit tricky for a computer. While we don't know exactly how search engine algorithms calculate what makes a page interesting, we know that the number and quality of in-bound links to a page is important. In short: you want people to be writing about your shop and listings online and linking to your Etsy pages; this helps search engines know that people are interested in your content.
7. Google Product Search Syndication
Etsy is proud to offer this service as a participant in the Google Product Search Marketplace Partner Program. As a partner in this program, item listings from participating Etsy sellers will appear in Google Product Search with the associated Etsy shop name and shop feedback visible and searchable. Learn more about Google Syndication.
So above is the information that Etsy has provided via a discussion and tips board with lots of good information about being found. Thank you Etsy! What about SEOmoz? Click SEOmoz to read the full guide. I honestly believe this guide should be read by every seller on Etsy. Since our bread and butter is based on gaining views that will turn into sales this is a must have for Etsy sellers to read. It is long and very detailed but if you take the time to learn how your shop actually runs you will be rewarded in the end! Don't just list your item and hope that it is stumbled upon. This guide will educate you and drive sales.
Please post comments and questions into the team thread and not below this post as it will not be answered in a timely manner. We will continue the discussion on our "No Sales" team thread "HELP I NEED SOMEBODY-BEING FOUND EDITION"
Thank you all!
Wow. So much information. Thank you for posting this.
ReplyDeleteI've made some changes to my shop thanks to this. I hope to make some more later today.
Thanks again.