Tuesday, July 7, 2009

Etsy Shop Will Be Closing Today!

I have decided to bite the bullet and close my Etsy shop. I don't like that I have to keep re-listing the same items in order to keep them in the search pages, and although I've had sales from that shop, it just isn't really "doin' it" for me, ya know? I'm not too impressed with the way my store front looks on there (with or without banners). The items just look so blah on that site. Not to mention that there is just too much negative chatter on the web these days about Etsy. Just last night I found out a magazine did an article on it--and it was not good! Not something I want my business associated with! Don't get me wrong, Etsy was great when I was just starting out. And if you happen to have success with that site, then of course continue with what is working for you! For me, and Heart N Sew Designs, Etsy isn't really "comfortable" for me. I suppose I should say that after a couple of months on there, I still don't feel like it fits me. I have begun to open a shop on 1000markets.com, so we will see how that works out! As for promoting myself off line, I am sticking with my Art Fire studio as my customers don't need to be registered on the site.

I have debated this in my head back and forth, and in the end what mattered to me was 1. having to pay each time I listed or renewed items, 2. the bad "chatter" online about the website, and finally, 3. the actual appearance of my items in the shop. I want my stores to reflect me, and how I feel about what I do. Art Fire is top of my list, even though I am listing in other places, too. However you can be sure that if I find a site isn't working for me, I will be walking away! No sense in wasting my time on things that don't work or I just plain don't like!

I plan on putting up links to any shops I have on this blog so feel free to check them all out and let me know which sites you like best (from a customer perspective)! Good luck to all in your endeavours and I hope you all find what works for you!

7 comments:

  1. I think you'll really enjoy 1000Markets (or 1KM!) It's very attractive, and has a great vibe! I have some REALLY good friends over in the Etsybloggers team - that's where I started out too. Artfire is costing me a lot, and I haven't had one sale. So I'm a little upset with them... but it's me too - I'm not paying too much attention to my shop. That's the wrap-up for me. {:-Deb

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  2. Artfire is costing you a lot? Or did you mean Etsy? I am a verified member on ArtFire and it's only $12/month and has unlimited listings... :)

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  3. I like Artfire so far even though I haven't made a sale yet. It's only been a month. I chose ArtFire for the flat fee and the comments and such from my research. I like it. I dont' think it's expensive.

    What is 1000Markets??

    Diane

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  4. Well, I'm just now figuring out 1000markets.com. It's another place to sell. I had to make an amazon payment account though. And although they say it's free to list, there are transaction fees. Right now I'm just feeling it out for the most part!

    I like Art Fire! There are SO many dimensions of it with the forums and guilds!

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  5. I too have been debating my Etsy shops....the relisting thing is getting expensive and not really working. I have just started the free account on Art Fire and already I like it alot!! I am thinking of getting the full account now that I see how nice it is!

    I haven't checked out 1k markets yet. Keep us posted on how you like it. I have a few things on the indiemarketplace/cafe handmade market on FuzzB (bluefuzzyslippers.com). Not sure how I feel about that but it is only $25 per year.

    Well, best of luck to you!! Karen

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  6. $25 a year isn't bad at all! Right now I am just feeling out Indiepublic for networking, but we'll see! I just have been so busy I haven't had too much time to check it out! I will let you all know how it turns out!

    Good luck to you all as well!

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  7. I think it's great that you're moving around this or that, you have to seek for what best accommodates and suits you.
    I hope you have great success with your ArtFire shop ! You know your ways with networking, so I trust you'll know how to give great publicity to your new shop !
    What will happen to the ad in my blog ?
    Mesha♥

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