New Contributor - advice appreciated! :)

[SparkleAnn]

Hello! I have loved Zazzle for years because of the amazing and unique items I could find for myself and my friends and family. 
I did not realize until recently that I could be a contributor. I discovered this fact when I was searching for side-hustles that could help my family financially during these very difficult times. 
My store is still under ‘construction’, but I would appreciate any tips and advice anyone could offer, as well as constructive criticism about my items. 
I have started FB and Instagram pages to promote my store, but still getting up to speed on them. I post every item and some collections on Pinterest as well. 
However, so far there have been no sales and almost no views, so I must be doing something wrong. 🙂 

Thank you in advance for your help! ❤️

https://www.zazzle.com/store/sparkleann?rf=238126216997751021 

[PAZP]

Your Zazzle journey sounds very much like mine. Back when Zazzle was in its infancy, I purchased postage stamps with one of my photos on it (no longer an option🙁). I had no idea I could open a store and add my photography to products. Three years later the lightbulb went off. I also had no idea there was a forum for many years later so I stumbled around but finally found my way. 

I checked out your store and IMHO you've got a great start. I just takes some time to see sales and then consistent sales. Good luck and keep moving forward.

[SparkleAnn]

Thank you for the kind words and encouragement! 

[J32Design]

First things first. If you post your store link here in the forums, you do not need to add your associate ID, as these do not work within the Zazzle domain.

I think your store looks great. You placed items into collections. Your designs fit the products as far as I can see. They are clean attractive designs as well.

Things I would improve on is tags and descriptions, which really is one of the hardest parts here at Zazzle for most designers.

I have said it many times on these forums, tags can make or break your success in the Zazzle marketplace.

Suggestions looking at your tags using the Vintage Doggy Dog World Tote Bag as an example

1. It is unnecessary to use a word more than once in your tags. The marketplace system put words together into a phrase to match a customers search. E.g. if you have the tags "dog lover" "funny silhouette" you will be found in the MP search for "dog silhouette". 

2. I find it best to use multiple word tags that make sense with your design, rather than single word tags. My first tag for your tote bag would be to use "doggy dog world" it incorporates most words in your title and it makes sense to use it.
Other tags could be "puppy love" "vintage design" "pet groomer" "black animal silhouette" "colorful background" "animal lover" "cute pooch" I think you get the idea. And as I said in point 1 all those words can be combined with any other word in any of those tags like searching for "Vintage colorful pooch" will work.

3. It is normally not recommended to use words like "gift" or the product itself e.g. "tote bag" in your tags. It would best to use those kind of words in your description. And here in your description it is best to try and describe your design as best as you can with as many words as you can without being repetitive in what you are saying. Your description will be more relevant for Google search than for the Marketplace. The MP, if my experience is still accurate focuses more on tags and title.

In the end you have only been at this for about 1 month if I see this right, so it might take a lot longer before you make your first sale and even longer before you make steady regular sales. You will have keep at it. Keep promoting your products to best of your abilities and keep improving your store and your skills. You have to remember you have a few hundred thousand designers which are your competition.

Anyway, I hope this will help you somewhat. All the best.

[SparkleAnn]

That really helps!! Thank you so much for taking the time to look at my store and offer suggestions. I will put them to work! 🙂 

[chefcateringbiz]

Helpful for generating titles, tags, descriptions: What is it (the design, not the product), what color is it, what style is it, who is it for, where would you use it, is it seasonal, is it practical or gifty, etc. On another note, what is your store? Is there a strategy other than "something for everyone"? It's difficult to sell things to everyone because you'll only be able to target one person at a time rather than to an established group with a built-in interest. Niches are good here because there are thousands of designers who try to do something-for-everyone. Something to think about. Being "unique and fun" is actually no longer unique. The fun is there, the designs look sharp, but that's the case for many designers, so your main job is going to be marketing the heck out of your store more than your competition. Squeaky wheels get the grease.

[SparkleAnn]

Thank you so much!! 

[CreativeLeahG]

I concur with @chefcateringbiz  niche is the way to go to hit the ground running on Zazzle. There is no point trying to compete with saturated niches with like-for-like designs as those that came before have a lot of 'Zazzle love' via more views, sales, potentially higher store zrank which elevates views etc etc. Innovation is the way forward. Other than this the additional advice you've had is great. I wish you every success.

[Marblewave]

Hi SparkleAnn

Great advice you've had so far!

Did you know you can add links to your social media, to appear on your Zazzle 'About' page?  Click on 'Settings' and then 'Social Networks', and you'll see where to enter your links for Pinterest, Facebook etc.  As well as being a link customers can follow, you might also find Zazzlers find you on social media and you can follow each other.