As 2019 approached, I contemplated business goals for my two Etsy websites. I even contemplated getting out of e-commerce due to slow sales. Then, I changed my mindset.
I am a crafter at heart. The two Etsy sites are another avenue for selling my creations; but I am learning to think like a retailer, not a crafter when it comes to selling on Etsy. Thinking like a retailer, I now plan ahead- creating inventory for holidays well in advance and featuring inventory at least a month ahead of the holiday much like brick-and-mortar stores. This gives shoppers time to browse my sites and allows time for shipment of purchases in time for arrival before the holiday. As a result, sales are beginning to increase.
Perhaps the most significant change has been how I list inventory available for sale. Before, thinking like a crafter, I would list a single quantity of an item for sale when I actually had two or three of that item on hand. When the one item sold, I listed another for sale- one at a time. Now I list my actual inventory on hand for sale. Shoppers now purchase two, three or more of the same item. That of course has meant larger sales. The number of special orders for quantities has also increased.
I still devote time and care creating each quality item for sale on my sites which has led to repeat customers. With the improvement in sales, I'm beginning to feel better about e-commerce.
