Today I've been thinking about SEO (Search Engine Optimisation - how to get found in online searches) and how to improve it.
So far, I've been working on getting new items into my shop (Etsy Stock Take!) because new content gets you noticed by Google. Etsy gives its users the opportunity to input tag words to help their items get found in their searches. These need to be good and descriptive. They also get seen by Google and other search engines. How can I think of good tags though? Good question, something I struggle with.
I once got some very good advice from a fellow Etsy seller, Tana Taylor:
"So I looked at a few more of your items and you DO have tags, but they don't appear to be optimized for relevancy. This means if you were selling a blue crochet beret, for example, you might want to use tags of blue beret, blue crochet beret, blue crocheted beret, crocheted beret, blue hat, blue crocheted hat, and so on ... basically, it's things that shoppers might search on."
She also said:
"I've *heard* that some of your tags should have bits and pieces of your title, 2 or 3 adjacent words from your title should be used as a tag (or two or three tags).
One handy way to find potential tags is to start typing the phrase you're considering into the Etsy search box and see what suggestions pop up. I've heard that these are recent and/or popular searches on the Etsy site, so at least in theory, they might be worth considering."
Now, neither of us are experts, so it is important to keep experimenting and checking the stats. I have the feeling that it is an endless work in progress!
Wondering what all those words at the top of the page are? They are the words used most in my Etsy shop, KatEzat! I think that using some of them in my tags will help with SEO.
Want a word cloud for your shop?
Go to Wordle, click where it says create your own cloud and add your Etsy shop url. Easy! You can choose the colours you want too. A pretty way to help you see which words you use the most (they're the biggest ones).
There is also some good advice from BrightPig on selecting the right key words.
I wonder if you have any SEO tips?
PS: Don't forget to come back on Sunday for the Etsy Stock Take, where all Etsy sellers can promote their items for free here and find out what I've been up to in my Etsy shop...
