Saturday, February 12, 2011

What Buyers are Learning From Your Profile Page

Today's mini critique is for Cedar Copse and we'll be focusing on her Profile Page.

Profile pages are one of the most important pages in your shop. I have Google Analytics set up for my shop and my profile is one of my most viewed pages. Here's a quick something to keep in mind when it comes to creating your shops profile.

People are interested in personality and relationships, yes even if they're only buying something from you. Check this out for example. Which draws you in more?

1) "Check out this beautiful crochet top I just purchased from Needle Love.
  • If I purchase a great product from someone that I'm excited about, I'm gonna tell my friends, family, and shop followers about it. I'll probably also favorite the item as well. Now if they're in the market for the same thing then they'll probably check it out, but if they aren't then more than likely they won't look at it.
2) "You've got to go check out Needle Love on Etsy. I just bought this gorgeous crochet top from her. She's amazing. She's an English teacher that provides free tutoring to low income teens, and she teaches them how to crochet as well. She has all kinds of crocheted clothing at great prices. Check her out! She has something for everyone!"
  • But what if I tell them about this amazing artist that made this item I just bought? What if I add a bit more about the artist's personality, other items in their shop, and how easy it was to work with them? You better believe that others will check out that shop.

Now let's check out Cedar Copse's profile page and see what she's got going on!

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Here we go...



What she's doin' right...
  • She's using her name...which makes her page more personal.
  • She's got her location set {see below}
  • Her favorites are public - again...personal. People like to know what you like & are into.
  • She has a small bio written about herself. {see below}

What I think could use some improvement...
  • Get specific about location. - It's a good idea to have your location set to city, state, country, providence, region, etc. Whatever applies to you!
  • Bio - this is where you tell people about you, your shop, & why you do what you do. Let's go into more detail below about bios!

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3 Things That Make a Great Bio?

  1. YOU! Your personality, your experiences, your thoughts. When you shop in a store you meet people. You can see them. You learn a bit about them by the words they use, how they present themselves, their demeanor, their style, & so forth. This is your place to present yourself to your customers. They can't see you so you need to fill them in with your words. Close your eyes, picture your shop as if it were a real brick & mortar store. What does the inside look like? What does it feel like? Now write that. Don't forget to let customers know how they can get in touch with you. Link to your convo page, Facebook and Twitter profile, & your blog or website.
  2. YOUR PRODUCTS! Tell customers a bit about what you make, how you got started, & where you get your inspiration. Include some awesome customer feedback or press links here.
  3. YOUR POLICIES! Not every buyer goes to your policy page...especially not buyers who are browsing. If someone comes to your shop & they're serious about buying something, then they'll more than likely check out your policies. It's good to link to your policies in your profile page & in your descriptions. This makes it easy for potential customers to find them. You don't want them to have to search for anything! Make things convenient.
Want to learn more about questions to answer in your profile. Check out this article...

Written by Meagan from http://meaganvisser.com

78 comments:

lovelythingsstudio said...

Great advice. I will read it and read it again, till I have it memorized. My bio is weak, and I know it.

Question? You can't actually link to facebook and your blog, right? You can only give the address?

Thanks so much.
Donna

DaVine Jewelry said...

Thanks for posting this, it's definitely given me some food for thought. Think I'll be reworking my profile this week!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/DaVineJewelry

Stitch.Knit said...

Thanks so much for the Profile How To post. I've just started my Etsy store & can't believe how much I'm learning on a daily basis!
Here I thought I was just going to sew, knit & crochet! HA!
Reading, studying, re taking the re takes of my pics, and re writing everything, multiple times are what's filling my days!

Not enough hours in my days/weeks these days!

Thanks again for the guidance!

Anonymous said...

this is a wonderfully helpful post. I hadn't considered putting a link to my shop policies in the profile. I worked so hard on my policies I want them to be seen!

thanks for the assistance!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/littlegreenjellybean

Anonymous said...

I'll certainly take a second look at the old profile. I love the idea of linking press or feedback!

Unknown said...

Great tips! I hadn't thought of putting a link to my shop policies in there either. I really wish the links were actually clickable though.

I do need to update mine a bit with my new Twitter account and the blog I haven't had time to post anything in yet :)

Thanks,
Field
http://www.etsy.com/shop/TriballyInspired

Susan Windsor said...

Thank you for the tips! I'm definitely going to look back at my profile and make some changes. :)

http://www.etsy.com/shop/susanwindsor

Unknown said...

All great things to know! Thanks, I just keep trying and trying to make my store lil better everday. :)

Unknown said...

Excellent advice, and linking the policy part is IDEAL! Thanks for all the help..this can get overwhelming at times :~} Im off to spruce up my profile!
Gigi
http://www.facebook.com/pages/MidWestMermaid/113225032080902

Handiworks by Janice said...

In answer to Cree Norquay, your links to places in your shop do link you to that area. I even use links that can get the buyer to another item in my shop that I say will be a good match for the one they are looking at. It works beautifully! Try it out. However, it does not link to the other places on the internet like Facebook etc.

Janice

amandadavie said...

Thanks so much-I'm printing this out as we speak...great topic!

Anonymous said...

Wow, this is great and very timely as I'm currently working on relaunching my shop alongside a new website. Profiles are so crucial to get right but so easy to get wrong. Thanks for the tips.

ClayLickCreekPottery-Karen said...

Thanks for all the tips, especially one about "face to face"!---linked on the get the 14 questions to answer in a profile. That'll help me freshen up my profile! I'm getting lots of hits but I would like to translate it into sales...

Karen
www.ClayLickCreekPottery.etsy.com

Diana Parkhouse said...

OKAY OKAY!

I've literally just now taken the advice and re-written my profile. It is far more revealing now. GULP.

http://www.etsy.com/people/SADFACE#

Homemanager said...

Thanks so much for the advice on writing up our bio! There are ways that I can tweak it that will make it more personal and hopefully those who come will trust me enough to buy from my shop! :)

Pasteesh said...

This is great I will be reading this and tweeking my shop where I can!

Heather Spiva said...

This is so perfect. It's exactly the info I need as a newbie, selling my vintage housewares and clothing.
Thank you!

www.etsy.com/shop/theperennialpast

coffeeaddict said...

I'm sorry but I have to disagree: the second description of the artist was a bit too much for me. It might come out as a payed endorsment. I doo agree that the first description is a bit short and lacking personality, for me personaly somewthing in between no. 1 and no. 2 would be perfect.

Love In Everything said...

Thanks for tips. My profile...actually my whole shop needs a tune up, and I am constantly making improvements. It's so helpful to when great advice is so readily available.
loveineverything.etsy.com

Love In Everything said...

Thanks for tips. My profile...actually my whole shop needs a tune up, and I am constantly making improvements. It's so helpful to when great advice is so readily available.
loveineverything.etsy.com

Deborah Lee Taylor said...

Good advice to post the policy link profile. I have it mentioned in the Into/welcome area on the shop page. It is important to be viewed-thanks so much for suggesting-going to do that now :)
http://www.etsy.com/e5jewelry

Fuchst Bags said...

Great advice. I need this info as I will be opening up a new shop soon and need to brush up my profile writing skill. Thanks so much for sharing.

http://www.fuchstbags.etsy.com

Claudia and Sergio Olivos said...

Thank you for sharing....my shop def needs a tune up!

Marie Cramp said...

I feel like revamping my profile now! Thanks for the tips!
Marie
http://skyejewels.etsy.com
http://moreskyejewels.etsy.com

:)

MagicMarkingsArt said...

Fabulous and thought provoking advice. Just as in a bricks and mortar store, things need constant updating and rearranging. I just dusted the shelves and stowed away outdated merchandise.

Cat Carter said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Cat Carter said...

I am reposting this because I did not leave my etsy site address. I did go back and work on my profile after reading this to give it some personality. Thanks so much for the tips.

Cat Carter

http://www.etsy.com/shop/barncatstudio

Unknown said...

I am new to Etsy and just opened my shop. I did not know it involves all the marketing ideas. Thank you for helping us beginners. I have a lot of work to do!

holstein2011

Ann Crook

ChicRepeat said...

That was informative. Showing your personality in your profile make the customer/viewer feel more connected to you. I also like the idea of having your policies linked to your profile page. GREAT Ideas.

Unknown said...

My shop, although fairly new, is due for a major "spring cleaning!" Thank you for all the helpful words. I will tackle my bio and "freshen it up."

gabriela diana goddessOf InYourBones said...

Wow! I better he busy. Thank you ever so.

BluKatKraft said...

Great tips, Thank-you!

AtomicBlue said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Good information...thanks!

AtomicBlue said...

I made my profile so you don't have to click the expand button! I fit in what I could, slashing all external links except for my blog.

http://www.etsy.com/people/atomicblue

Unknown said...

Thanks for these tips for Etsy shop profiles. I'd been using a bio that I tailored to fit into limited spaces in my other shops. But, following your advice, I wrote a completely new profile for my Etsy shop, one with a friendlier feel. It's so great that Etsy doesn't limit the length of your profile, so you can really take time to express yourself. Thanks, again for your invaluable advice!

http://mariandesigns.etsy.com/

Unknown said...

Great tips! I need to spice p my profile a bit. . .

Kitty said...

Thanks for the great advice! My profile is definitely something I've been having trouble with. Looks like I'm going to be working on it tonight!

erinbonnieshoes said...

great advice! already have done most of was is aid

Primal Painter said...

Thanks for the fantastic advice! I know I enjoy bio's that have a little humor, maybe a story, a little self promotion, and alot of personality...the quirkier the better!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the great advise. The writing part is the hardest part for me. I am getting ready to revamp my site to make it more friendly and personal.

Gina Thomas said...

i love this advice and will be sure to edit and update my profile to reflect the helpful tidbits in this post! :)gina
www.hiyaluv.com
www.etsy.com/shop/hiyaluv720

Frankie's Girls said...

Thanks so much for the great info on how to make my page better! I love getting tips and putting them to good use :)

Shannon said...

Perfect advice!! Short, sweet, and to the point. Exactly what I needed!!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/Rockarooz

Unknown said...

Thank you so much for the advice! I will review my page again tonight. :-)

Unknown said...

www.juliacakevintage.etsy.com Thanks!

MCatherine said...

Just when I think I have edited, reviewed and pinned down everything well, I learn there's another worthwhile improvement to make. Thank you very much!
MCatherine
http://hideaheart.etsy.com

Anna Schüler said...

Thanks a lot for your advice! I will rework my profile soon.

Greets
Anna

http://www.etsy.com/shop/morgenweich

Unknown said...

All great things to know! Thanks, I just keep trying and trying to make my store lil better everday. :)

Thanks so much.
Natalya
http://www.etsy.com/shop/scrapWorld2010?ref=pr_shop

Unknown said...

Thank you for this! I just added the shop policies to my profile. Our signature gemstone cut was featured in Lucky Magazines Style Blog, so I added the link.

Tooli's Jewelry said...

Fantastic tips!! I was just about to improve my profile page and came across your article, which gave me a lot to think about!
Thank you for sharing :)

Unknown said...

I'll definitely be re-doing my profile. I love all the articles and suggestions I read and try as many as I can. I'm open to all and any advise as I haven't been successful as of yet and I want to be so bad. I just wish I could figure out what I'm doing wrong, why I'm not selling anything on Etsy

http://www.etsy.com/shop/CarriesbyCarrie

Unknown said...

I just found your site.. and I am hooked!!!! I love what you are doing here. Most valuable advice! I am going to go grab my coffee and learn a few things! Very motivating & inspirational...... Thank You.

Unknown said...

I THOUGHT ALL YOU NEEDED TO DO WAS GIVE SOME BACKGROUND TO VERIFY THAT YOU WEREN'T A FAKE. I NEVER THOUGHT THAT OTHER PERSONEL STUFF MIGHT BE REQUIRED. ANYHOW, I DO NOW AND MUST TAKE A MOMENT (MAYBE A DAY OR SO..THIS IS THE 20TH ANNIVERSARY OF MY THIRD MARRAGE) SO TODAY IS KIND OF BOOKED. BUT THANKS FOR THE DIRECTION AND HELP'
BRUCE/ DIGITALORIGINALS

Sigal Friedlich-Zakai said...

wow... great post and tips. I certainly need to work on my profile. Having my own shop sometimes makes my life “hard”…privacy is sometimes something I give up….
Thx!
Sigal

LittleRedShoeDesigns said...

Wow, this blog is Heaven-sent! Thanks for so much great advice; I will refer to it often.

Signed,
One thankful Etsian!

Unknown said...

Thank you for the tips. I will certainly check again my profile page.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for this post, i for one desperately needs to put a lot more love and effort into my profile page. Being new shouldn't be an excuse so im gettin' to it now, this is such a big push of help, tnx again..

Meagan said...

WOW! I'm so glad you all found this useful! I did check out some of your profile bios and they look great! Of course I didn't see what they looked like before! Be sure to check out this Saturdays mini critique...it's about making your shop "Customer Friendly"!

Agapi Sea Glass said...

wonderful advice now I am redoing my bio, this helped alot and makes perfect sense!
thank you so much
http://www.ginalimosaic.etsy.com

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Unknown said...

Thank so much. Working hard to make my shop all I dreamed it could be. Loving all of the advice.
http://www.ambrosiasattic.etsy.com

Unknown said...

Thanks for posting this very informative & much needed advice!!There's so much to learn & so much to re-do.
Thanks a bunch,
Diane

Katy @ Lolly Linens said...

Thank you for sharing this great info. Very appreciated.

AJCAVReport said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
AJCAVReport said...

Greetings, I just started my store on Etsy & I'm learning so much. I now know why I'm not getting the views & sales. Thanks for all your tips & assistance, it's truly a course in business for me.

Thanks so much
Lateef
http://www.etsy.com/sales/art2lightdesigns

Unknown said...

I had just recently redone our profile but I can see where I can go in and tweak it even more. Thanks for the tips.

Rena
www.rainbowbabytiedye.etsy.com

Getting past the name said...

This is timeless advise. I find that if you go to your store as a buyer you can gain a lot of information.
Susan

Meagan said...

I'm so glad this is helpful to so many of you! I'm learning some more great tips from you! Thanks!

Veritas Design Group said...

I just started a blog to let buyers know a bit more about me, and I added the address to my profile. I was also thinking about putting the blog address in the item descriptions - is that a good or bad idea?

Anonymous said...

Hi, everyone! I am brand new, products in process, my brain in gear, and my store will open in the near future. In a jiffy would be nice. lol

My question...chuckle if you may...How do I create links? (profile to policies, etc.) If you're done chuckling, I'll wait expectantly for your answer(s).

I absolutely love your advice!!! I find I'll do a lot more revamping now. I've bookmarked this article. THANK YOU!!!

Jacqueline Veach

http://www.etsy.com/shop/YoungHeartWhimsy

Anonymous said...

Yes, it's me again! I just saw "email follow-up comments...". I checked the box. Jacqueline

Meagan said...

Amy, I wouldn't put your blog address in your item descriptions since it doesn't really have anything to do with that particular item. It could be considered spamming. I would put it in your shop announcement {towards the bottom} or in your profile page though. That way customers will find it if they're looking. HTH!

Meagan said...

Jacqueline, all you have to do is this. Let's say you want to link to your policies in your profile page. Go to your shop's profile page, copy the URL in the address bar, then go to where you can edit your profile, and paste the URL in there. Once you save your changes it will become an active link. HTH! And it wasn't a silly question! Everyone starts somewhere!

Anonymous said...

Thank you so much, Meagan. I will give it a try. What does HTH mean? Jacqueline

Meagan said...

HTH means Hope This Helps!

So HTH!! LOL!!

Anna Lemons said...

Great article! I went to include a link in my profile, but it doesn't show up as a link! How do I do it?

Meagan said...

Anna, are you typing it like this...
http://yourshopname.etsy.com
That should do it!