Finding your Etsy Niche

 Customer Care Tips

1. The customer care tips are very good about showing you where to find all the things you'll be using on a regular basis but just aren't familiar with their locations on the site.  Its very helpful to be able to easily access utilities regarding payment, as cashflow will greatly affect your business.

2.It is also helpful to do the same visual explanations for paypal transactions.  Even though it is now very commonly used, paypal can still be intimidating for new users, especially if you jump into paypal and selling all at the same time.

3.  Being able to easily cancel orders is important.  This is a courtesy to buyers who may select something by mistake.  Additionally, it prevents your item from being tied up in a transaction that won't be successful.

 Packaging and Shipping

1.  Understanding different options for tracking is useful for sellers.  Keeping up with tracking numbers means you can provide excellent service to customers.  It also covers you in the event that an item becomes lost in the mail, because you have proof that you actually shipped it.

2.  I really liked all the videos about creative packaging, especially the fabric folding.  Not only do unique packagings make a great impression on customers, they're also good for saving money.  You can be green and fully utilize all the materials you have at hand.

3.  I love the idea of having packaging act as an experience for your customer.  People no longer take the time necessary to write letters or send mail.  Etsy purchases can evoke this type of excitement for customers.

Service Tips

1.  Repeat customers are very important to your success.  I've found on Ebay that I get a number of repeat customers, and they'll usually make larger purchases on later items.  It's important to provide good service to every customer, because they have the potential to shop with you again in the future.

2.  I think clear shop policies are an important overlooked aspect of customer service.  Having a clear policy means that your customer knows upfront what type of things you can and cannot do.  For instance, being clear about no returns if items don't fit.  This would hopefully make buyers more attentive to their purchase, and will more than likely buy carefully.

3.  Polite communication is a great way to provide service.  Etsy is a community, and it's appropriate to thank buyers, keep them updated on their purchases, and foster a sense of community and positivity.  I think generally the best concept is to communicate in a respectful way that is similar to how you'd like to be communicated with.