Assignment 1, Bootcamp #6 - Store Reviews

[iCraft Admin]

Hello Bootcampers,

So how's everyone doing? Hope you are all ready to put in some hard work and sweat for the next 4 weeks, well, ok, maybe not sweat, but hard work for sure! 

First of all, here is the list of all 6 participants for this Bootcamp.
Please tell me if I got that right or not.

Unique Bundle

Gen3studioS

NoriandChasesCorner

Jewelry Made With Love

Hofkissed

Ninaross Designs

Second, Lannie (aka WordsAndMore) will be helping me with this Bootcamp, so please welcome her to this team!

WordsAndMore



Assignment for this week

• As always, we are going to kick off this Bootcamp by reviewing each others stores and fixing whatever issues we think need to be fixed. There is no point in promoting a store that doesn't have a good chance of converting visitors into buyers. So please start by clicking on the links provided above and write down your feedback for each participant.
  
  We are no looking for in-depth analyses, only your first impressions. Pretend that you are a customer and wonder if you'd by from each store and why. Focus on images, copy, titles, keywords, prices, shipping charges etc. What stands out for you? What did you really like or didn't like about each store.
  
  Also, please be open to any feedback without taking it personally. We are only trying to help you find new ways of improving your store.
  
  
• Post your feedback/store critique on each seller by end of day Wednesday, June 4th.
  
  
• Use Thursday and Friday to implement changes to your store that you feel necessary from the feedback that you've received earlier that week.
  
  
• Use weekends to catch up if you are behind on the assignments, or take them off to enjoy nice weather 
  
  
• Ask any questions any time you have them by posting them on this thread.
  
  
• We are going to work as a team for the next 4 weeks, so feel free to jump in and offer help to others whenever you can.
  
  
• Check for New Assignment every Monday.

Good Luck everyone!

Just a reminder:
Daily Assignments will be posted here https://icraftgifts.com/forum/b16/daily-assignments/ and tagged with Bootcamp #6 Keyword.
It's actually a bit easier to see all assignments on Sellers Bootcamp's main page https://icraftgifts.com/sellers_bootcamp.php
You can get email notifications to forum discussions if you click on "Notify me of replies" under "Additional Options" below message.
You can also follow Bootcamp Twitter account @sellersbootcamp which will have all new posts to the above thread.

[Unique Bundle]

Do we post to this "reply" at the bottom of the page, and just identify the "shop" that we are commenting on??

[iCraft Admin]

Yes, exactly!

[Unique Bundle]

Starting at the bottom and working up… NinaRoss Designs.. Photo quality is good..pricing= reasonable, Quality of work is good.  My suggestions would be more photos.  If I'm going to spend more than $20.00 on an item I want to see the clasp, and more about the piece and how it's constructed.  You could possibly expound on the descriptions of the pieces.. I have to work really hard on this one, so I know it's not easy.. More is better when it comes to description and photos..helps encourage the customer to feel they have made a good choice in selecting your products.  Good work!

[Unique Bundle]

Hofkissed-  I am into all kinds of crafting, but paper/scrap booking isn't my relm at all.  The photos seem to represent the product well, they seem to be creative, cover a variety of occasions and pricing seems very fair.  Hallmark gets tons in comparison, and they are mass produced, so I see the value in your products. 

[Unique Bundle]

Jewelry made with Love:  Photos are mixed..some good quality, some could improve.  Descriptions of items do not include length of necklace or bracelet, and many times does not give, to me.. enough of a description of the materials used.  If you do not show the closure of the piece, might I suggest you at least put "Lobster Claw or Toggle" clasp for example.  A better description of the metals, again, this is a "Thing" I personally have, …is it gold/silver plate, is it gold/silver Filled.  Perhaps gold/silver tone is a description, and I just missed that.  I am just now, with this economy not using only Sterling or Gold/filled-plated, so I could be off base with this observation.  You have a nice variety of styles and choices/ price points and are on the right track.

[Unique Bundle]

Noriandchasescorner:  Well, first of all, I don't think you ever get the $$ for the time you put into knitted or crochet items.. Hats off to you for all the hard work.  My suggestions would be better photos..that goes without saying… you are a crafter not a photographer, right?  That's one of the hardest things for me.. I work really hard on them, and still feel I could improve.  It helps with sales.  I love fiber, so for me, I would like to see more descriptions of the type of yarns being used.  One or two of the items viewed had "Acrylic" but most didn't mention the fiber, but you did say "machine washable"..  These days some Wools are washable, so it could be helpful?? 

[Unique Bundle]

Gen3StudioS:  You need a body of work, it takes so much time to do this, but you knew that!  Again, hats off to you..I've been making Jewelry for over 50years, and Chainmail (SP??) just wasn't for me, but I love it!!

[iCraft Admin]

Great job, unique bundle!   
And I thought you'll be the one behind this week

[Unique Bundle]

Trying to get a leg up, I will be gone next week.. can't wait to hear the other posts.  I think this could be very helpful for sure.

[iCraft Admin]

Good strategy, Unique Bundle! 
How's everyone else doing? Any questions? Any Progress?
Btw, you can post your feedback for all stores in a single message, just separate them with a line.

[iCraft Admin]

Hello Bootcampers,
How is it going? Please post your progress and questions, so we know you are working on this week's assignment. Thanks!

[Hofkissed]

Alright, here are my first impressions. I did not comment on pricing because I'm not familiar with these industries &/or costs of materials, but prices seem fair for handcrafted products.

Unique Bundle:
- Your pictures are eye-catching & product has good write-ups
- It would be nice to see your products displayed on a person as well (no faces though) to get an idea of proportions
- Try to encourage more feedback from your customers - you sold 44 products but have only had 1 person give feedback.

Gen3sudioS:
- Good write-up on your store & why you started
- No inventory? Do you only offer custom?

NoriandChasesCorner:
- I like the continuity in your photos, but some are blurry (hand woven heart friendship bracelet)
- Good write-up, like that its a family-run business
- is there a reason you don't ship to Canada?

Jewelry Made with Love:
- Love that you offer custom pieces and like your story
- Good feedback that currently reflects your sales
- Your pictures show your product well, but I personally like pictures to show continuity. I think when they all look similar (i.e. all taken on the white cloth), customers will start to recognize your product before they even read that it's your store. I think a neutral background works (really pops the colours in your jewelry) and make sure it's clean and wrinkle-free.
- Like I mentioned for Unique Bundle... possible to show jewelry on a model?

Ninaross Designs:
- Would like to see a more detailed write-up. How you started, etc.
- Like the continuity in your photos
- Not all products offer dimensions and like the other jewelry designers, would be nice to see your products modeled
- Why do you list the shipping prices twice (and at slightly different rates)?

Great first assigment!

[Lannie]

Hi there. Here are my first-glance comments on the stores participating in this Bootcamp. Any of my comments not clear? Let me know! And remember, we're hoping to have everyone's comments by the end of today, Wednesday. That will give us a couple of days to make adjustments before Assignment 2.

Unique Bundle:
 - Text: Love your intro! Suggest adding paragraph breaks to make reading easier.
 - Images: are clear, well photographed. You have made good use of the additional images allowed for each product to show various aspects of the product.
 - Keywords: words or phrases that you think people might use in a search engine to find the products in your store. You have included some of your keywords from “Lampwork beads/jewelry, leather, mixed metal, glass jewelry“, in your introduction – great!
Your store name does not have a keyword in it, but it’s definitely an eye catcher.
 - Product titles: Yours are descriptive, think in terms of keywords as well
 - Prices: seem reasonable - not too high, but not undervalued either
 - Returns and Refunds: On the product pages, the returns and refunds areas seems clear. However, not sure what this means: I will ONLY exchange for any reason other than defect. Perhaps rephrase as something like: Exchange is ONLY available if the problem is not a defect. (?) This is a tricky one.
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Nina Ross Designs:
 - Text: Consider adding a bit more information to your intro, and include more keywords, for example about the materials you use, like the variety of gemstones and the type of wire, etc.
 - Product titles: Seem clear and descriptive to me.
 - Prices: your prices are not cheap, and this reflects the quality of your work. Does this focus you towards a certain target audience?
 - Perhaps talk about some of the uses of your creations in your intro and more specifically in your product descriptions.
 - Images: I agree with Unique Bundle in that it would be useful to take advantage of the option to include additional images for each item. There are some of us out here who actually don’t know what a ‘lobster clasp’ is!
The quality of the images is good. In some, I find that too many other gemstones in the same picture confuse the eye a bit.  Perhaps feature some items on or with one of the larger stones you can see in the pictures.
 - Shipping: A little confusing, as CAD shipping is nice and clear and bulleted, whereas USD shipping is in a basic paragraph. Also suggest putting “Orders are generally shipped in 24-48 hrs”, etc, as a separate paragraph, as it applies to all your shipping, not just the US.

Really loved your blog series on gemstones. I learned a lot, and it told me that you are very knowledgeable about your craft, and find it beautiful, worthwhile and invigorating.
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HofKissed
 - Really like the design of your logo. The information in your intro is interesting and very informative. Perhaps review it for keywords that buyers might use to find your products.
 - Images: Good use of the extra images available for each item.
 - Prices: very reasonable.
 - Shipping options and returns and refunds are clear and concise and informative. If “Prices include shipping, handling & taxes”, do you need to list the specific shipping to US, Canada and worldwide?
 - Product titles Could be more descriptive, e.g. Birthday Minis. If you can include keywords in product titles, so much the better.

You have been interviewed and featured in “In the Spotlight” blog, and I think this is a great idea, for people to get to know you and your store a little more. It’s also good exposure for your store on the internet.
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Jewelry Made With Love
 - Text: I like your “Welcome" line at the top of your store page.  Suggest adding paragraph breaks to your intro make the reading easier, and including some keywords that buyers might use to find your products.
 - Product titles: What is AB?
 - Images: Nice use of additional pictures allowed. As Unique Bundle has mentioned, it would be helpful to have a close-up of the Lobster Claw clasp. (not everyone even knows what it is)
 - Shipping Options and Returns & Refunds. Very clear and concise .
Prices: show that you value your work, yet you haven’t priced yourself out of the target audiences’ range.
 
Attractive, welcoming store!
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NoriandChasesCorner

 - Text: Really nice intro - suggest adding paragraph breaks to make reading easier. I like your copy throughout the site
 - Prices: Range of prices reflects the range of products well.
 - Images: Nice use of images and additional images for products
 - Shipping Options: Since shipping to Canada is not yet available, perhaps put the Shipping costs in USD?

Really nice store. Your professionalism as well as your family love of crafting shine through.
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Gen3studioS
 - I like your intro – it’s friendly and welcoming.
 - Pictures: On your Avatar, maybe something more close up to highlight the intricacy of your work?
 - You’ll have to list at least a few items to get started.

I’m looking forward to seeing some of your creations!

[iCraft Admin]

Great feedback Hofkissed!
Lannie, thanks for your detailed notes! 
How are the rest of you doing? Please don't hesitate to ask questions.