In the middle of this situation of SEO/metatags/keywords on etsy, I had some thoughts about handmade I wanted to share. I think this was also fueled by the fact that while my etsy shop came to a standstill, my website kept humming along.
Handmade is NOT what people search for. It is the lovely by product of well made, beautiful, meaningful items. Inherently, most of those items are handmade, so it's not a key word most people, except one perhaps artists look for.
I unscientifically keep track of my work with a google search of key words. Compass jewelry, maps, levels, I'm usually 1, 2, or 3. Cool. So, a search of "compass necklace" now has my etsy shop on page 3. Are you going to find me? Of course not..
A lot of what I sell is subtly marketed as jewelry with meaning. Levels, to put your life in balance, compasses to change direction, maps of honeymoon destinations, adoptions, weddings....It's obviously handmade.
So, I suppose what I am asking for is a paradigm shift in perception. And in reality, it will showcase our work as insightful, unique, well crafted art, and not just handmade. Then, watch the buyers flow in.
I wrote my thoughts to someone I respect, who is far more experienced than I. He's traveling this week, and hope he'll share his thoughts when he returns.
In the meantime, I'd love to know what you think.
