Web-site help

[rjR]

I have a website that seems to get very little traffic; here is the url.  http://aeontoys.weebly.com/index.html

I have actually only had one potential customer and he wanted way past reasonable expectations! Wanted to pay $20 for a handmade heavy-duty wooden rocking horse. I probably had $50+ in it in materials and supplies; not to mention labor.

 

 

Any ideas/help is appreciated.

 

I have also just opened an Etsy shop; again HELP/IDEAS are badly needed.  I can still change the shop name---IDEAS--- PLEASE!

 

https://www.etsy.com/shop/RsToys

 

 

I know someone out there has more experience in these areas than I do and can HELP!

 

 

All suggestions considered and I will think about them. Most likely use at least part of them.

Thanks Everyone.

 

[amazingkevin]

I'VE HAD NO BITES ON ANY OF THE SITES  

[multitom]

Ralph, you have some neat projects displayed on your site. I cannot comment much on the selling side as this is hobby for me though did try but unfortunately in my part of the world this art form is still not very known.

My best wishes are with you

[DonR]

Ralph,

I also have relatively new websites on Weebly and traffic is starting to pick up. www.oldcrowwoodcrafts.weebly.com  and  www.oldcrowscrollwerks.weebly.com It takes several weeks for the web crawlers to find your site but eventually traffic will pick up.

Although I am definitely not a web site expert, I recommend the following

Post more specific items along with prices, they are not going to buy if they don't know the price

Let them know, in several places how to order and how you want to be paid. I use the Paypal buttons but I also accept checks and money orders

Publicize your email address with a link on each page.

I wouldn't use the word "scraps" but would use phrases like "re-purposed wood" or "recycled". " Scraps" to me makes it sound like junk

For your toys, I would emphasize that you only use American made, lead free paints and finishes.

Get your web address out there at every chance you get. Reciprocal links are good.

I would be happy to post a link to yours if you post a link to mine.

Hope this helps

Don R

[Travis]

I agree with Don...especially on the "Scraps" part.

 

Here's a few things I'll throw in for your consideration:

 

Website:

• It takes awhile, as Don suggested, for Google and other search engines to crawl your site.  The idea is to use keywords and quality links so they understand what your website is all about.
• On your main page, I'd bring up your text to the top of the page and the pictures below.
• The thing that says "Hand Made Wooden Things..."  That's all a graphic.  Search engines can't read that and those are where all your keywords are.  I'd use regular text for that so the engines can read it.
• Your page title Should say "Aeon Toys - Hand Crafted Wooden Toys"  This new title is full of quality keywords that Google loves.
• Your About and Mission Statement should be only 1 page.  Be conversational in your writing (you currently are) and be sure to use good keywords like; handcrafted, wooden, toys, heirloom, quality, safe, etc.
• Remove the disclaimer about adult supervision.  That just says that your toys can't be trusted.
• create a page of nothing but toy pictures.  Include price and a description of a few sentences.  These sentences will have a ton of great keywords.
• Create a Contact page with all your info.  Hyperlink your email address too.  Even if you do a webform, show your contact info anyway.
• Lastly, you probably won't get a ton of sales directly off your website.  But it is a nice place to point people to so they can see more of your work.  Most of your sales will come from word of mouth, etsy, and socail media.

Etsy.

• I love your banner.  That's great!
• Write more about yourself in the introduction.  Be sure to use keywords that folks would use for a search.
• Write good descriptions.
• Have a lot of stuff posted on your Etsy page.
• Keep posting new stuff.  Instead of posting 10 items in one go, post those 10 items over a day or two.  That keeps your stuff in the feed and more likely to be discovered.
• Join an Etsy Team.  they're full of great advice.
• Take a look at the Etsy Blog and Handbook.  Lots of great info.
• Read some articles on product photography (lots on the Etsy blog).  Honestly, the photography sells the items better than the items themselves.
• Etsy take a lot of work to make it work.  It really is tough to sell a ton of stuff.  so there will be a lot of legwork.
• Use social media to promote your stuff.

Social Media.

• If you don't have a Facebook account, get one.  Then create a Facebook Page so you can update your clients of new items added to your etsy store.
• Link to your facebook page on Etsy and on your website.  It's a great way to connect and keep people reminded that you make cool stuff.
• Tell all of your friends and family to "Like" your page.  Tell everybody you know about your FB page and Etsy Store.  These people will help promote you, like you, and share your posts.  They'll also most likely be your first customers.  Treat them well.  

[heppnerguy]

Great advice given here. I am finding myself pretty busy and it is from word of mouth and Facebook Likes. I am leaving it rather dorment for awhile because I am already buried for Christmas. After that, I will start to push my facebook page and get a lot more on it. You need to promote to sell. I founde Etsy to just sort of loose my things amoung the many vendors there so i went to Facebook and that really worked for me.

Good Luck and don't give up

[rjR]

HEY!

 

A VERY LARGE   "Thank YOU"  to all.

 

I will be following your advice!  More advice on individual emails are also welcome!  Being a --*&^&^%*& ---German heritage-- does make it harder to take; but I have mostly overcome that!

 

You can privately email me at   ralbuck@yahoo.com 

[rjR]

What I forgot to ask about is "key words"; I know what the term means, I just don;t know the "best/good" key words.  Suggestions Please.

 

I will be implementing the changes fairly soon. Again Thanks to everyone.

 

I will be making a "TaNader" toy box for my nephew in ND. The shippning is going to be crazy; he knows and wants it anyway! I imagine materials alone are going to run about $100-- hope for less. I will try to locate and "re-purpose" some plywood.

 

This toybox is about 6-1/2 feet long. Winch works-- is movable by picking up rear end-- sets on a platform- to keep wheels from being ruined playing.

 

[Travis]

The best way to think about keywords is to ask yourself what you'd type into Google to find your website.

 

So yours might be: handcrafted, toys, handmade toys, wood toys, handmade, natural, reclaimed, waldorf (this is a very specific kind of toy, so only use it if that's what you made), fun, earth friendly, non-toxic, play, imagination...

 

Jump onto Etsy and look at other toy makers and look at the keywords they use.  That should point you in the right direction.

 

 

Now, there is a term called "keyword stuffing" which basically means you're putting keywords in there for keyword sake to boost your Google rating.  Google is smart enough to figure this out and will punish you.  So when you write up your descriptions, be sure to use key words appropriately and in a natural way.