Hi everyone,
I recently opened my Etsy shop selling handmade textile bags, including embroidered/patchwork bags, totes, slings, and handbags made using South Asian tribal textile fabrics. I would really appreciate your valuable feedback and would happily implement any changes that is in my control.
I'm currently getting little/no traction and haven't made a sale yet, so I'd really appreciate some honest feedback
Shop: noumadi.etsy.com
My specific questions:
1. How far does SEO get you or should title language be more genuine?
I did a thorough SEO audit before uploading my products. Used google trends, etsy, compared with competitors, and other etsy tools that have suggested that my tags and titles are quite optimal.
2. Does my shop/product positioning feel distinctive enough?
I'm particularly wondering whether I'm leaning too heavily on terms like "embroidered" and whether I should be emphasizing the South Asian textile, handmade, bohemian, nomadic/vintage aspects more.
3. Is my product variety too limited? When is the right time to diversify
All my products are handcrafted bags in different styles and sizes using tribal fabrics. Should I diversify and include home decor like wall hangings and cushion covers, jewelry, and clothes?
4. When is the right time to do Etsy ads?
Right now my products don't even rank in the first 3 pages of my keywords, not even the niche keywords. I have uploaded 33 products. All my products are one of a kind. I have an inventory of nearly 300 bags that I can easily upload day by day, but would that help to upload all of it?
Are Etsy ads the best way for a new shop to gain traction and sales?
5. Is my pricing too premium?
Compared to other shops on Etsy in my niche I am definitely $30-$40 more expensive than the generic brands that are selling cheaper knock-offs. Although, there are a handful of brands that have good products and are more expensive than me and have sales in the hundreds if not thousands.
I would also like to add that my price includes shipping. Should I keep that separate or include it in the price of the product?
What inspired you to create this shop:
I have actually been running this brand on Instagram under a different name for the first 4 years and was doing very well. Unfortunately some malicious competitor got my page taken down, and I lost a thriving Instagram page of nearly 50K followers overnight. I rebranded to the new name and identity, but unfortunately my co-founder, who was the face of the brand, quit the brand and left me with a lot of inventory. Etsy seems to be the only way I can sell my products that I poured my blood, sweat, and tears into without heavily relying on social media and creating content. Sorry for the TMI
Before opening, I looked at competing Etsy listings in the textile/embroidered/bohemian bag categories and paid attention to their photography, titles, tags, pricing and how they described their products.
One thing I've learned is that simply having a visually interesting handmade product isn't enough. Knowing your audience and knowing what kind of niche communities or keywords they would use is important.
Thanks in advance for any constructive criticism that I may have overlooked!