Where are all the sales?

[3 Bags Anda Tote]

Hi All,

I hate to be whiner, but I am seriously wondering if there is something physically hindering the completion of sales on here. I checked out several sites tonight, and one with 900 plus views had only one sale.  That does not seem reasonable!

The very most sales, of those that I checked out, had only 4 sales and several hundred views.  I have been on here 5 months and have had 597 unique views with only one sale.

Am I just not looking at the sites that have a lot of sales or is this a concern of everyone?

I could understand if no one were getting views... that would equal no sales. But that is not the case. Thanks for letting me rant.  What do you think?

[beadznthingz]

Hi,

Your post does not sound whiny - you have a legitimate question that I think probably echoes all of the sellers here ! I agree with you that while views are good, sales are slow.

I have been on iCraft for 6 weeks and have had 2 sales. One of those sales was a custom order and I have no idea how they found me, and the other sale was from a repeat customer who I had sold to previously on a different site.

I have made 2 purchases on iCraft for items I really wanted, but also to give me the opportunity to see how the iCraft checkout system works. In my opinion, the checkout system is very easy to use. The first purchase was seamless, the seller was wonderful, and it was completed without a hitch. However, my second purchase was from a store that hadn't been updated since April, I never heard from them, sent them a few emails and got no response, and so I had to request a Paypal refund. As a result, I will never again buy from an iCraft shop if it hasn't been updated within the last month or so.

This site is still new and I have great hopes for success here. However, even though the site is new, I too have a few concerns.

I would like to see stores update more often as I think there are a number of stores that are simply using iCraft as another way for them to advertise a store/website/blog that they sell from elsewhere on the internet. Hopefully as times goes on, iCraft admin. will monitor "inactive" shops more closely so that the site in general will gain a positive reputation. I feel that there are likely many "inactive" and "abandoned" shops on here that signed on simply to take advantage of the "free" year subscription that I believed was offered when this site first started. Inactive stores operated by non-responsive sellers will definitely tarnish the reputation of iCraft in the longrun.

I also hope that iCraft will get the feedback system working soon. To see all of these stores with no feedback might be a turnoff to some buyers.

As for your shop, I have visited and I absolutely love your items. Hang in there!

[Northern Girl Jewelry]

I too have noticed that most stores have low or no sales, even those that have many items listed and are obviously updated regularly.  

My personal theory as to the "high" number of views, but low sales...  I think that most views come from people that are selling on icraft and that the site is not yet being found very often by the general public.

icraft is the only place that I am selling on-line and at times I feel a bit discouraged myself (I have had one sale, and it was to a friend).  But then I remember that icraft is a new site and it will need time to find a place for itself.  

One way for icraft to become known is for all the sellers here to do what they can to drive traffic to the site.  In that aim, I have recently decided to make a much more active effort to drive traffic to my store.  Hopefully that will help my sales, but also, all sellers will benefit from the traffic that any of us send here, as it will help make icraft known.

[Craft Boutique]

I agree with Jewelry without Borders. We need to promote our own stores. Simply waiting for sales might not work with the new site. I didn't have much time promoting my store either, but when I put a few ads on Craigslist, I noticed a lift in traffic and got a few emails for custom orders.  By the way, we don't see stats here for custom orders, only for items that are listed and sold through icraft, so there are might be more sales happening off the site. I sold 2 more items that are not mentioned in my store, because of the emails I received with questions about my knitted baby items.
Anyway, good luck to you all! I am very happy to be among so many talented people.  

[iCraft Admin]

Hi 3 Bags Anda Tote, I can assure you that the Shopping Bag and the Checkout pages work fine. We are always monitoring critical pages and features, so there is nothing preventing people from making a purchase at this moment.

Regarding low sales/high views.  It’s hard to say with certainty what could be the reason, especially because we don’t have even a year worth of data to analyze that. Generally speaking, the more views you get the more chances you get of those views converting to sales. However, conversion rate could be different for different types of products and at different times of the season. Also, keep in mind, as Craft Boutique noted, you will not see numbers for sales done off site through Custom Orders.
 
A few things to consider:  offering International Shipping, running promotions, offering discounts, updating store frequently to make sure “Last Updated” date is within a month or so. Positive feedback from your other buyers could help as well.

Speaking of Feedback, we hope to release this feature by the end of this week.

As for the “inactive” stores. Yes, it’s a real problem when Creators don’t visit their own stores often. It reflects poorly on others as well.
We’ve also had experience with non-responsive Creators, when buyers were patiently waiting for Creators to email them back with no success.
It was very strange to hear, considering the discussions about low sales.
Please inform us whenever you get a non-responsive Creator, so we could take actions and protect others from them.
Also, it’s very important that you guys provide correct contact information in your Profiles, especially email, as it’s the only means of communication online.

To address both issues, we are planning to put stores on hold after 3 months of inactivity (based on “Last Updated” date).
A week before that, you will receive our reminder email asking you to visit your store and to update your products.

Feel free to comment and suggest what else we can do to make iCraft more user-friendly and successful. We appreciate all the feedback!  Thanks

[PaintersParadise]

I am also new to the site, July.  No sales yet but a tremendous amout of views. I only had 5 items.  I have increased that hoping the more the better.  Admin suggested sales.  How do you go about putting something on sale?

[normas bath and body]

Anda,
you've lovely Items! and I have to say that it is a huge concern with most sellers all over the Internet. Sales has been down, and I've offered sales which people does not seem to be impressed with. so I'm shying away from those.

Fall will be here soon, and then the holidays, let's keep our chin up :wink:
~Norma

[GalleriaLinda]

Being such a new site I am sure that there is a significant growing curve for the public to find us.

However, for those of us who have had experience with older established sites -- you know we get lost in the shuffle and it is very difficult to be seen even with consistent efforts within their site.

Having said that -- it truly goes back to what you are doing in your own backyard. Without your personal offline promoting of your online shop, I just don't see that we get a thriving shop.

Successful sellers on other sites work hard offline. That is the key (and one that I don't do so well at....lol). We just have to do it. Period. (lecturing myself).  :lol:

[Craft Boutique]

I agree with you Linda completely. Yes, we should promote ourselves. I just find it so hard to find the time for that, especially in the summer. A few months ago I was planning to start blogging (I thought it’s a good marketing tool), but I didn’t even get as far as registering and creating a single page yet. I see a lot of people here registered, but didn’t update their stores for months. I think some of us are just too busy and prefer sit and wait for sales, instead of actively promoting ourselves. It would be interesting to know how many people here do crafts as a hobby and how many do it as a full time job.
By the way, I love your jewelry Linda. You keep adding more and more beautiful things and it gets harder and harder for me to hold on to my wallet.  :roll:

[GalleriaLinda]

Craft Boutique...I know...I know...I work full time and do this part time and NEVER have time to do anything consistently. Consistentcy is a key.

I will get all motivated and start something (like a blog) and then it has to be set aside.

I just know that if I did what I preached....I would be making sales so I can't complain. But I do whine sometimes...lol...

Besides, Summer is a great time to create and fill your stock because everyone is on vacation and laid back from their schedules.

It won't be long before the holiday rush (at least in the US).

[lilbritknits]

I'd like to know where icraft is adveritising. I did see their website on a ballband for bernat yarn the other day, and I was quite suprised. This would appeal to crafters, but we need buyers. Are they advertising in magazines or online somewhere?

I know that it's a slow summer right now, as sales are also slow on other websites that I participate on, but advertising is the key to getting word out about icraft.

thanks.

[iCraft Admin]

Hi lilbritknits,

Without revealing our entire marketing and advertising strategy I can say that, at the moment, we advertise Mostly Online and Only to Buyers. If you saw our ads on the sites that crafters use, that’s probably because those ads were served by Google Adwords. As all our ads, they probably had a “Buy Handmade Crafts...” message, because they are targeted at Buyers.
Recently we started using Facebook ads system, so you might see some of your products on our ads there.
By the way, we are choosing products for promotional purposes from those items that have been added or updated recently, to make sure that we are directing traffic to active stores. Hope this answers your question.

[TheAccessoryLady]

It's really refreshing to know a little bit more about the icraft promotion strategy. In general, this tends to be a slower time of the year. I am really excited about the Fall and Holiday season and I know my individual advertising efforts in conjunction with Icrafts adverts will show some results later on.

Best Regards,

The Accessory Lady
https://icraftgifts.com/theaccessorylady

[Penny Glass Girl]

I am surprised to hear that more sales are not being targeted off line (the "mostly online" comment is what I am referring to)

In terms of strategy, in Canada especially, people are not as quick to buy online and need often have to be introduced by another means (print, shows etc).

In my experience, when I had printed press, or attended a show, the buyers came in droves and then had problems with the checkout - which I was able to resolve  by being patient.

[Loopy4ewe]

I have also seen a number of ads on Facebook.

[Jenny]

Yes, me too, which was a nice surprise.

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Penny Glass Girl,

I wanted to address your comment about our "mostly online" advertising strategy.
It is not really set in stone and we’ll keep changing it depending on what channel works better for us. So far we see more traffic coming from our online campaigns and that’s why we decided to direct our efforts there. Thanks!

[Silver River Jewelry]

I do try to add something to my shop at least once a month.  I know my pictures are good although I will be updating those again shortly.  I too have almost 600 views and no sales.  I am hoping that since this is a very new site that as the word gets out more people will start to shop here.

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Silver River Jewelry,
I would suggest mentioning your Creator Exhibit URL on your blog and on any other site where you network. When users come from a trusted source, like your blog, they are more likely to purchase from you. Here is a page where you can find our banners. https://icraftgifts.com/banners-widgets.php
Just an idea.  :wink:

[Silver River Jewelry]

Yes I will put something up on my blog, I have mentioned ICraft there before, maybe its time I did another post on it.

[MeMeBevsCreations]

I have been missing action because I got very sick and spent almost a month in the hospital, plus recovery still in progress. I had emergency surgery to save my life. I was quite worried that someone might buy something in my store or contact me and think I was rude or uninterested. It put a new spin on delayed communications. I had a couple of sales from another source and they were very patient with me. Please keep this in mind when contacting or not hearing from a customer.

[designs by vickyvk]

MeMeBevs.. Wow! I am glad you are doing better! I hope that you recover fully, whatever the surgery was.

[iCraft Admin]

We are glad you are doing better, MeMeBevsCreations. Wishing you a Speedy Recovery!

[Loopy4ewe]

I've just had my 3rd sale, the 2nd that came directly from this site. It also seems that traffic is picking up a bit...

For those of you who do craft shows - here's an idea:
I handed out a little flyer with the list of shows I will be attending and the url addresses to the selling sites I am on. I have found many people might really like what I have but don't buy for various reasons. Just another way to keep your info fresh for potential buyers.

My flyer has my info as well as a picture of my product to help them remember

[Margo Crane]

I just ran across this thread and found it interesting as I, too, have way over 650 views and have yet to make a sale.   I try to do my part to raise awareness of iCraft by adding the link to my email signature as well as putting it on my Facebook page.

I was on 2 other sites before iCraft came along.  One of them is where I get most of my custom work.  The other one is pretty inactive throughout the year, except for the couple of months leading up to Christmas.   But this year all of my sites are lagging behind last year's totals.  So, in my opinion, the biggest reason for slow sales is the uncertain economy we're experiencing right now.

[Loopy4ewe]

It seems sales are low in a variety of places...lets hope people decide it's time for a little spending spree:)

[Earth Expressions]

Hi
I think I am lucky here, I sold 6 items and my activity was very low.
Now, I will list new items to my Shop to see if Holidays increase my sales.
Good luck for everyone!  Great artists and creative people here
Susy

[Brilliant Beads]

I'm trying to list new items every day or so...I'm hoping to increase my views, and exposure on the front page.

I've added a link to iCraftGifts.com on my blog so I'm hoping to get some traffic that way too.

...fingers crossed!!

[Fairy Cardmaker]

Hmmm.... good read.

My "free sign up period" has passed and I've been struggling with the idea of buying a plan here or not.  I've been here 1 year and have NO sales and no inquiries.  High item views though.

The fact that the pricing plan allows for INTERCHANGEABLE items is what's swaying me to try it.  Afterall, the more items you have in your shop, the more likely someone will like ONE of them.  Having just 5 is a very tough sell.

I know I could do more personally to drive traffic but EVERY person I know (except one) is afraid to buy online.  I hope iCraft starts to target print ads too, or some way of dispelling the uneasiness of certain buyer groups (or generations).

I will be VERY interested to see some traffic and seller-to-buyer ratios and other statistics now that the 1 year mark has passed.  Is there a place I can check back regularly for statistics?

[Brilliant Beads]

I've decided to keep five items in my shop....and I changed two out yesterday.  That increased my views from 1-2/day to 8 yesterday.

I'd love to see a Canadian site succeed but it's very tough with all the competition out there.

....eternally optimistic....

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Brilliant Beads,
Yes, adding new and updating existing items usually brings you more views.
And thanks for staying optimistic!

Ensorcelled Minds,
Glad you've decided to stay with us. If you are thinking of purchasing a yearly subscription, I'd say wait for a few days, as we are in the process of changing our Pricing Policy. Most likely, we'll lower our subscription fees starting April 1st.

[Fairy Cardmaker]

Thank-you, admin, for the tip!

You know what?  I forgot I should also be part of the 25% discount for having signed up in 2008 too!  That also makes it look a lot better.  It's a great offer!

I was struggling with the idea of paying monthly instead of when I have time to actaully create and list things.  However, the interchangeability and the pay-up-front for a year discount seems a fair trade off.

I do feel that iCraft is listening to the sellers and being very fair with the fees and promotions.  It's just a different set up to me so I just need a little time to get more comfortable with it.

As far as the original post goes, I expect sellers should do the lion's share of herding customers to the site.  The part I would like from iCraft is making sure the buyers have a very easy, simple, enjoyable stroll through our shops.  (It needs to be easy to follow - not "computer intimidating".)

In fact, this thread has inspired me do some more rereplacement!  I've been poking around here but I think I'll go find something to buy to see how hard or easy it is to find the item, its comparables, and the purchase transaction!

And I'll get myself creating so that I have a stockpile ready to go under the reworked pricing regime in April.  Having some stuff in reserve will ease my nerves about having nothing to list and yet paying for the month!

[iCraft Admin]

Hi Ensorcelled Minds,

Yes, you also qualify for the 25% discount for as long as you stay with us.
By the way, I just posted a preview of our new Pricing Policy, which you might want to check out: #page has been deleted#

I agree with you that iCraft's main responsibility should be to make sure that shopping experience as easy as possible. We've already started making changes on the site, starting with the homepage, trying to gear it toward buyers. There are more changes are coming as well. Thanks!

[Beajoux]

Although I've only had one sale, I am really loving iCraft. My views have skyrocketed with the way Admin "tweets" about new listings (as well as from my own tweets). The revised pricing policy is more than fair and I think if I'm paying monthly, I'll be more motivated to list regularly. It's great how quickly Admin replies back in the message board and overall, I just love the way the site looks!

I feel confident that this is the year things will really take off!

Ainsley

[iCraft Admin]

Thanks for the vote of confidence, Ainsley!  
We’ll definitely do everything possible to ensure iCraft’s success.

[GalleriaLinda]

Goodness! Where have I been? Nice surprise to see pricing reduction - thank you!