Boost Your Etsy SEO with These Simple Tips
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- The Biggest SEO Mistake Among Etsy Sellers
- The Problem with Product-Centric SEO
- Understanding How Customers Search on Etsy
- SEO Examples for Handmade Items
- SEO Examples for Prints and Paintings
- SEO Examples for Print on Demand Products
- Going General Specific Specific in SEO
- Bonus Tip: Implementing General-Specific-Specific Approach in Titles
- Conclusion
Introduction
In today's video, I will be discussing the biggest SEO mistake that I have noticed among Etsy sellers. This mistake is prevalent even among sellers who have been on Etsy for more than 12 years. I will provide specific examples and guide you on how to fix this mistake. Additionally, stay tuned until the end of the video where I will share a bonus tip that you can apply to all of your listings today.
The Biggest SEO Mistake Among Etsy Sellers
Etsy sellers often make the mistake of using their titles solely to describe their products, rather than focusing on the purpose or utility of the item. This occurs because sellers are too immersed in their businesses and tend to think like sellers rather than buyers. They describe the specifics of the item, such as color, size, and materials, instead of highlighting the solution or utility it provides to the customer. This seller-centered approach overlooks the fact that customers are searching for solutions rather than specific product parameters.
The Problem with Product-Centric SEO
When customers visit Etsy, they are seeking solutions, not specific product descriptions. For example, a customer may be searching for a "Father's Day gift" rather than the specific details of the item. This is a fundamental distinction between Etsy and other platforms like eBay. Sellers must shift their focus from purely describing the product to emphasizing its purpose and utility in their SEO strategy.
Understanding How Customers Search on Etsy
To illustrate the SEO problem, let's examine examples in different categories, starting with handmade items. Consider a listing titled "Sumptuous realistic dessert-scented candles - you choose scent." The use of the word "sumptuous" as the first word in the title poses two issues. Firstly, it is unlikely that customers will type "sumptuous" in the Etsy search bar due to its rarity and potential misspellings. Secondly, using such a specific word limits the potential search terms for which the listing will appear. Instead, it is better to focus on a combination of product, purpose, and utility. A more effective title would be something like "Dessert Candle - Custom Scent - Gift Box for Friend - Candle Gift." This revised title captures multiple long-tail keywords that align with customers' search habits.
SEO Examples for Handmade Items
Let's explore more examples in different categories. For handmade items, it is crucial to highlight the product's purpose and utility in the title. Consider the title "Sumptuous realistic dessert-scented candles - you choose scent." A better approach would be to use a title like "Dessert Candle - Custom Scent - Gift Box for Friend - Candle Gift." By including relevant long-tail keywords such as "friend candle gift" and "gift box for friend," you significantly increase the chances of appearing in relevant search results. Additionally, duplicating the listing allows for different sets of long-tail keywords, expanding your reach even further.
SEO Examples for Prints and Paintings
Next, let's discuss prints and paintings. Many artists make the mistake of using titles like "Shifting light vertical landscape canvas print - Wildflower painting - Impressionist art print." However, such titles have limited value as customers are unlikely to search for terms like "shifting light." To optimize SEO, focus on a combination of product, purpose, and utility. For example, a more effective title would be "Abstract Greenery Painting - Floral Wall Art - Wildflower Wall Decor - Wildflower Nursery Decor." This revised title encompasses numerous long-tail keywords that align with customers' search intent.
SEO Examples for Print on Demand Products
Print on demand products are highly competitive, making it crucial to optimize SEO. Consider a title like "Don't Stop Retrieving T-Shirt for Golden Retrievers lovers - Soft Women's T-Shirt - Dog illustration - Printed on Subtle Distress Version 2." The problem with this title is that customers are unlikely to search for the phrase "Don't Stop Retrieving" specifically. To improve SEO, focus on a combination of product, utility, and purpose. A better title would be "Golden Retriever Shirt - Golden Retriever Lover - T-Shirt for Golden Retriever Owner - Retriever Dog Shirt for Dog Lover." This revised title captures multiple relevant long-tail keywords that align with customers' search behaviors. Duplicating the listing and creating new titles with different long-tail keywords further increases visibility.
Going General Specific Specific in SEO
When customers search, they often use a "General Specific Specific" approach. This means they type the noun first, followed by the adjectives that describe the noun. However, many sellers tend to place specific adjectives before the noun in their titles, disrupting the natural flow of search queries. To optimize SEO, it is essential to align the order of words with customers' search habits. For example, instead of "Lace Boho Wedding Dress," the title should be "Wedding Dress - Boho Lace." The revised order matches customers' search intent and improves visibility in search results.
Bonus Tip: Implementing General-Specific-Specific Approach in Titles
To further enhance your SEO strategy, I recommend going "General-Specific-Specific" in your titles. This entails starting with a general term, followed by more specific descriptors. For example, instead of "Boss T-Shirts for You - Gifts for Him - Unisex T-Shirt - The Master Is Here," a better title would be "Funny T-Shirt for Boss - Funny Shirt - Funny Boss Gift for Employer - Funny Gift for Boss - T-Shirt." This approach aligns with how customers search and considerably improves visibility in relevant search results.
Conclusion
In summary, the biggest mistake among Etsy sellers is focusing solely on describing the product in titles, rather than emphasizing its purpose and utility. To optimize SEO, sellers must understand how customers search on Etsy and align their titles accordingly. This includes using a combination of product, utility, and purpose, going "General-Specific-Specific" in titles, and implementing the bonus tip of order prioritization in SEO. By following these principles, sellers can drastically improve their visibility and attract their ideal customers on Etsy.
