Help with shop!

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Permalink Reply by The Artful Badger on December 6, 2011 at 5:30am

Hi Linda,

 My suggestion would be to re-take your pictures.  The ones that you have up are a bit dark and it is kind of hard to see what you are selling.  Try some outside in natural light, or take them on a table next to a window.  I couldn't really visualise how to use the books as they are not something I am familiar with, so if maybe you could include a few photos with some of your pictures in place in the books that would give viewers a sense of how to use them.  I like the colours and papers you have used in the books, so hopefully new pics will help.  I would suggest using a lighter background, even a large sheet of plain newsprint or cardstock or a white sheet will lighten your pictures.  I think you should also have more listings.  I think the more people see, the more they want to buy.  You can put up the same items, just have the main item picture e of a different burp cloth or photo book.  That way your shop will look more exciting.  List some bibs too! :)

Good luck!!
Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Linda V. Hamilton on December 6, 2011 at 12:04pm

Thank you for your help

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Permalink Reply by The Artful Badger on December 6, 2011 at 12:50pm

No problem, pictures are a constant struggle for me!! I'm never happy with them.  I took a bunch for my pottery today...being able to use photoshop a bit really helps, do you have it?

Here is one of your listing pictures:

Here it is again with some very basic photoshop tweaking:

It is still too dark for my liking, but a bit better. 

Also, I forgot to say, when you are taking your pictures you could try and think of interesting angles to take pics from and also having some height in the picture is good.  Maybe some folded stacks of burp cloths in the background (or maybe even just fold up the cloth you are making them from), that would add height and interest...a baby's toy off in one corner could also add interest. 

That cloth looks so soft...I like those cows! :) 

Sarah

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Permalink Reply by Portable Graffiti Graphics Judy on December 6, 2011 at 5:35am

Hi Linda,

I moved this thread from "Business Topics" to "Feedback and Critiques".

You will likely get more help under this category.

Judy

Zibbet Moderator

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Permalink Reply by Linda V. Hamilton on December 6, 2011 at 12:03pm

Thank you

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Permalink Reply by Clarify (Claranne ) on December 6, 2011 at 2:04pm

Linda-

Turning shoppers into buyers requires a lot of work.  You need to catch the interest of shoppers immediately or they will bounce out and head to another of the countless online shops.  I'll throw out a few comments here that may be helpful.

My first impression on viewing your shop is that it is incomplete.  You have no banner, no avatar, and only 2 items.  I was surprised to see your shop has been open for about 6 weeks.  While 6 weeks is not long enough to become known and develop a following for your products, most sellers have their shops looking ready for customers sooner than this.

A banner really is important.  A good banner welcomes a shopper, grabs her attention, and will make a memorable impression to help establish your brand.  If you feel that it is beyond your abilities to make a good banner, you will find graphic designers here on Zibbet who will make one for not a lot of money.  Check the listings at http://search.zibbet.com/search?c1=&query=zibbet+banner.  I don't know how anyone can make money by delivering a professionally designed, unique banner for $12 or so, but you will find such bargains here.

An avatar is less important, but is another feature that helps to establish your brand.  Without your own avatar shoppers will question whether you really are in business.

You should have a profile page.  A well-done profile pages accomplishes 2 things: It can establish a bit of a personal connection with shoppers so they like you.  It can tell them why your products are better or more desirable than those of your competitors.  Look at other shops' profile pages to get ideas on what to say.

Your policy page is pretty sparse, and has several misspellings.  Proofread carefully to present a professional appearance.  Again, look at other shops' policy pages to get ideas on what to say.  Also, your policy page says shipping is included in the price of the item, yet your listings show an additional charge for shipping.  Clarify this.

Here is a minor comment: Change the location shown in your shop to include your state.  There are many Kents around the world.  Make it easy for a shopper to know you are in Washington so they will know if customs duties may be an issue and have an idea how long it will take for a purchase to be delivered.  To change this, go to the Profile section under Shop Set-Up, and in the box to the right of City add your state following the city.

Those comments, in addition to Sarah's good advice, should get you started on changing shoppers into buyers.  Happy selling.

http://www.zibbet.com/Clarify - || - http://www.zibbet.com/ManOverboard - || - http://www.zibbet.com/Critiques

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Permalink Reply by Linda V. Hamilton on December 6, 2011 at 3:51pm

Thank you for your help. One of the problems I have I do not have money at this time to do the extras. Because I am doing it through basic which is free site. So I am unable to do an avitar/banner or add more photos.

Thank you for taking the time to email me.

,kp.Linda h

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Permalink Reply by Portable Graffiti Graphics Judy on December 6, 2011 at 4:07pm

Linda

Basic shops can have shop banners and avatars.

I have made lots of banners for Basic Shops.

I make custom banners for $12.00

http://www.zibbet.com/PortableGraffitiGraphics

When you go to my shop change the drop down box to "lowest price first" and you will fond some read made banners I have priced as low as $1.00.

Judy

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Permalink Reply by Clarify (Claranne ) on December 6, 2011 at 5:17pm

Linda-

I can appreciate the need to avoid spending money that you don't have.  Judy has a lot of happy customers, and one of her banners for $1 is amazing even if it is not one of her custom made masterpieces.  Although the $1 listings appear to be for PIFs (read about them here), not only would you get the professionally made banner, you would get feedback which can help lead to sales.

But you also can make your own banner at no cost to you other than the time involved.  You are obviously creative, so you may enjoy working with the graphics to do that.  I did my banners with Photoshop Elements.  There are many free programs you can download that will enable you to make your own.  One of those I sometimes use is Photoscape which is available at http://www.photoscape.org. 

You can turn any photo (as long as no one else has a copyright on it) into an avatar.  Just crop to a square and resize to 70 x 70 pixels.  Again, Photoscape or a similar product can do this.

The first step to success is to look like you are open for business and ready for customers.  You can do it.

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Permalink Reply by strawberryfieldsArtJewelryBeadsn on December 16, 2011 at 10:59pm

Hi Linda, welcome to Zibbet!  One thing I would like to add, your bibs need to state the measurements in width and length. The items are nice looking, I think you will have good luck when you fix the little glitches and add more product.

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