| Author |
Entrepreneurship:  Esty shop vs. personal website  |
|
|
Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
 Posted - Dec 31 2006 : 11:24:32 AM
|
I just have to say that I love this website...thanks in advance for replies to this. One of my 2007 goals is to set up a personal website for Forrester Farm. I sell cut flowers and handcrafted botanical glassware and over the past couple of years, have been getting involved with weddings. I've learned about the Esty site thru this website, and I'm wondering how many of you sell on esty and also have a personal website? What are the pros and cons for both? Do you sell on both? I also want to get listed with Local Harvest. Any advice out there for webdesigns also? Realizing big dreams always begins with small steps!
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
|
|
happymama58
True Blue Farmgirl
1210 Posts
Patti
Missouri
USA
1210 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 10:07:35 AM
|
This is a great question and I'm glad you asked it. I'm thinking of an ebay store, but I'll be interested in seeing the responses to your question -- that's 2 avenues I hadn't thought of.
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
http://happymama58.typepad.com/my_weblog/
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
 |
|
|
sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
|
|
Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
|
|
sunshine
True Blue Farmgirl
4877 Posts
Wendy
Utah
USA
4877 Posts |
|
|
therusticcottage
True Blue Farmgirl
4439 Posts
Kay
Vancouver
WA
USA
4439 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 12:43:19 PM
|
Ann -- I have both. I tend to get more business from my Etsy store and am probably just going to have that for now and drop the website. But it's like any other online business -- you have to promote whether it's a website or Etsy. I think Local Harvest is a great idea. There was just a big news story about Local Harvest on our local news the other night. Glad to see that.
Etsy automatically submits to search engines. On your website you have to do it yourself which is no big deal either. If you put your Etsy address on everything -- email signatures, business cards, etc -- the word will get out.
I know that there are Farmgirls that do website design. It can be an expensive endeavor depending on what you want. You might be better off to start with a site that gives you a template and you do you own. I have mine through web.com. It was fairly easy to do but I'm not so happy with their customer service. It's hard to get ahold of them by phone.
Hope this helps.
The Rustic Cottage Etsy Shop http://therusticcottage.etsy.com
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands -Proverbs 31:13
|
|
|
|
abbasgurl
True Blue Farmgirl
1262 Posts
Rhonda
USA
1262 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 8:05:11 PM
|
Hi Ann,
I am getting ready to launch my own website. I worked with a wonderful graphics designer who did all my designs for $105. This included everything from backgrounds to buttons. She was very professional, fast, easy to work with and best of all, friendly. The work she did is exactly what I imagined too! I can't wait to show it off! You can reach Kristal at peddlergraphics.com
Next, I went with a webhost business, u-maintain-it.com, which is for folks who want to be able to be their own webmaster. Their program requires no html knowledge-you just plug in your own graphics and photos. The service is $20 a month. You will also need to buy your domain name (mybusinessname.com) which costs about $8.00 for one year, or there is a price break for multiple years. There is a fee to submit your site to the search engines, that's $25. I looked at many hosts and chose u-maintain-it for their professionalism and great reputation. When I considered rent, utilities and insurance costs of a brick & mortar shop, these fees look very reasonable. I have several friends who ran very successful stores for many years, but in recent years sales have been down. They tell me there webstore saved their business. There is so much potential for exposure online.
I do not sell on etsy but have a couple of friends who do. Or rather, do not. Both have nice products so I'm not sure why they aren't selling. I have shopped etsy and I consider the prices to be very low compared to what I see on eBay. Good for buyers, not so good for sellers. But I do know that sellers pay nowhere near the fees that they pay on eBay. I like etsy, but find it slightly hard to navigate. If you have higher end items I think eBay or a personal website would be better for you. If you do choose a personal website, keep in mind, it takes several months to get your site into search engines.
I look forward to hearing about everyone's online experiences!
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
|
|
|
Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Jan 01 2007 : 8:51:07 PM
|
Thanks for the helpful info all of you. I guess my searches would go smoother if I spelled correctly - ha,ha. I will check out Kristal's info. I made progress by taking photos of some product today. I really appreciate all of the feedback.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
|
|
|
willowtreecreek
True Blue Farmgirl
4813 Posts
Julie
Russell
AR
USA
4813 Posts |
Posted - Jan 03 2007 : 09:02:35 AM
|
Ann
I have both a personal site and an etsy site. I purchase my personal site through web.com which has templates and such to help you out. I only pay 9.95 a month for my site. I wasn't having much luck actually selling through my site so I also opened an etsy site and I have all my products on the personal site linked to my etsy site. This wasn't ideal but etsy's user policy prohibits you from listing the same merchandise in both places. I have made several sales since opening both.
I will warn you though that if you plan to sell on etsy it is VERY important to be involved on the forums and post new products often. I was not having ANY sales on etsy until I started posting in the forums and listing new merchandise at least once a day. It is a "job" in some ways. You have to "advertise" to gt people into your shop. It definatly is not something you can jsut set up and then sit back and wait for all of your stuff to sell. You have to work at it.
As far as ebay goes I tried that but the fees are so high I was only making a few pennies profit on my stuff.
In my opinion people who buy on ebay excect cheaper prices and good bargains. People on ETSY expect handmade and high quality products and if you find a niche are willing to pay for that type of product.
With it being the start of wedding season I think you have a good niche. I love etsy but I am willing to take the time to be active on the site. Give it a try for a month or so and if your sales aren't what you though you are only out a few dollars worth of listing fees.
Jewelry, art, baskets, etc.
www.willowtreecreek.com |
|
|
|
Forrester Farm
True Blue Farmgirl
703 Posts
Ann
Belmont
MI
USA
703 Posts |
Posted - Jan 07 2007 : 7:46:31 PM
|
Julie, Thanks for the advice. You made some great points. I just returned from Dallas (due to a funeral), but plan to work on the etsy site again once I have my house pulled back together and the munchkins in school. I hate to admit that my tree is still up, but life just stops when family needs you!
Another question... how does etsy get exposure? Everyone has heard of e-bay, but I hadn't heard of etsy until meeting all of you on the farm girl connection.
Ann
http://annforrester.tohe.com |
|
|
|
BamaSuzy
True Blue Farmgirl
138 Posts
Alabama
USA
138 Posts |
Posted - Jan 10 2007 : 6:39:46 PM
|
Does it help on esty to give out your info there like on your own business cards and stuff? is that allowable? I have been going to that site and have registered but haven't set up an account there yet....
I wonder if a personal website would be better so I'm glad you asked this question and will be following all the answers!!!
You can bury a lot of troubles digging in the dirt! |
|
|
| |
Entrepreneurship: Esty shop vs. personal website |
|
Esty shop vs. personal website
