Search Engine Optimization… it sounds like a scary phrase, but it can actually be your best friend when it comes to online business. I don't claim to be an SEO expert (there is SO MUCH that can be learned on the topic, and quite honestly, the algorithms for search engines are constantly changing) but I do know quite a few great tips to help you get your items found on Etsy. Sarah and I have managed to rank on the first page for competitive search terms like “mother's day gift” and “gift for boy” (competing against thousands or hundreds of thousands of other products)
This podcast will take you through Part 1 of the SEO process: On-Site SEO.
Below is an example of using etsy's search bar to suggest terms that are popularly searched for on the site. By simply typing in “table runner”, etsy suggests many other related terms that are commonly searched for.
When you use Google's Keyword Planner, this is what the first screen after your query will look like. We used “table runner” as our example. It's pretty neat to see which months are peak months for individuals searching for the term. Although November is obvious, I would not have guessed that January and March were peak table runner months!
The down arrow is there to show you that competition as referenced here refers only to competing for ad space on this search term. This is not relevant to you. Your competition if you are trying to rank for this term is the number of results that show up in Google (or Etsy if that's where you're focused on optimizing) for a given term.
Below you can see an example of all the different “ad groups” Google will suggest for you based on that one simple term “table runner” Within all of these sets are multiple suggestions. For example, Google has 10 suggestions related just to “burlap runner”
Once you click on a specific “ad group” this takes you to the meat of the information you need. For example, here we can see that royal blue table runners are actually searched for on average 140 times per month. This would be a great phrase to target if you have a product that fits the bill. If you were able to get 140 people to see your product first in a google search, that could mean a lot for your sales. In addition, this is a long tail key word phrase. Because it's more specific, your audience will be more targeted, and it's easier to rank for as well.
Key Takeaways:
– SEO is the practice of improving and promoting a web site to increase the number of visitors through search engines
– SEO is important. You can get past the complicated phrase and just start taking action on improving your shop's SEO
– For Etsy, focus on 7 areas for keyword placement
- Shop Title Tag
- Shop Announcement
- Product Title Tag
- Product Description
- Image Tags
- Etsy Tags
- Site URL
– Etsy tag suggestions
- Utilize etsy search bar and Google Keyword Planner
- Put your shop name on at least a few of your items
- Put your own name on at least a few of your items
- Put your location on a few of your items
- Brainstorm popular phrases, whether it's a seasonal color or your item is the perfect Father's Day gift
There is so much more to discuss with SEO, but these tips will give you a GREAT start. By diligently considering all of this information and making changes to your shop, you might notice traffic increases to your shop relatively quickly. I know Sarah and I often do when we make the appropriate changes!
Links and Resources Mentioned:
Google Keyword Planner (You can use the planner to brainstorm business ideas too!)
SEO for Your Etsy Shop by M. Bear
For more great information on Etsy SEO, take a look at our Get Found Guide to Etsy. The book and video tutorials walk you through exactly what you need to do to get found by Etsy search, and therefore get more sales! Take a look at all that the Get Found Guide to Etsy has to offer.
I hope you learned a few new tips and tricks to help your fabulous products get found! Let us know if you have any questions. We'd love to hear from you! You can always drop us a line at brilliantbusinessmoms@gmail.com