Power Sellers Unite

Sharons_Vintage_Store · Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 37

I closed my eBay store today (yeah!). I have been working on my website for a couple of months now , and have to start taking it very seriously! Have only had two sales (well, a few more if you include family, but that doesn't really count).

The prestostore counters are showing quite a few hits, but that may be from other potential website starters.

It does seem like I should have gotten one or two more sales in the last couple of weeks, and am wondering if something about the site is putting people off.

Any opinions would be greatly appreciated!

Sharon

http://www.sharonsvintagestore.com

Sharons_Vintage_Store · Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 37

Also, I am seeing "page rank" referred to here on the boards. How do you find what your page rank is?

Thanks. This is a wonderful forum.

Sharon

elgato · Joined: 24 Feb 2005 Posts: 17241 Location: Texas

Welcome to the PSU forums Sharon!

Checked your site and really like the colors and layout you've chosen

Didn't see anything that might need changing and read through most of your information

Like most of us, you're tired of paying ebay's huge fees and are looking into an alternative online selling venue

The hard part is done now, (creating website) Now you just need to promote it to the public

With being a member of ebay for so long, you might want to contact your loyal buyers (through PP addy) and let them know you now have your own web site

Good luck and thanks for joining PSU!!

CheaperByTheDay · Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 25

Hey Sharon, I checked out your website, and I think it looks great. Did you design it yourself, or did you use software? I think the advantage of doing it yourself is that you can tweak the layout here and there, but of course that's the disadvantage too. You find yourself caught up in endless tweaking. I'm in the same boat as you. It's a new website and it's takes time for people, search engines and such to find you. I'd be nice if we had huge advertising budgets, but I think the best that you and I can do right now is tell everyone you know, post on the message board, get your meta tags straight, submit to directories and search engines, build up reciprocal links, and do other advertising anyway you can. You're invited to exchange links with me, post some items on my site, and refer everyone who comes along to your own personal website. I'd be helping you, and you'd be helping me. Click on Cheapskating Links at cheaperbytheday.com and let me know if I can help you in any other way. Thanks!

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

Hey there Sharon - welcome to PSU!! I love the colors, and the look/feel - I prefer simple to 'complex'. I wanna look at the items - not the site, and that's easy to do with your site - great items BTW!!

Page ranks....Well - you can go to Alexa and search for your site on 'page ranks'. I'm real 'dumb' when it comes to how this all comes together, but the more traffic you have, the more links you have, the more 'appeal' to search engines you have - the higher your pagerank goes!

You can also use Future PageRank - altho I know nothing about how this works.... :oops: :oops:

Best of efforts with your site and your sales!! :D :D I might suggest you join a free auction site/two and put some items / banners up. This will help you gain in visits and views. :wink: :D

Sharons_Vintage_Store · Joined: 15 Aug 2006 Posts: 37

Thank you for all of your comments!

It is a template site (Prestostore), which allows quite a bit of customization of the site (which I have spent many hours doing!) Since it is that kind of site, it seems that I can't get some statistics that I otherwise could--for example Googles analysis won't work because I don't "own the site." Also, I just tried Alexas, and they do not show me in the directory or have any other information for me. I suspect they have the same problem as Google.

I have wondered if I'm getting the home page too "busy" and am relieved that none of you mentioned that aspect.

I've started putting things into Google Base, and those listings allow for a prominent link to the website.

And yes, I have about 600 email addresses from my buyers at eBay! Doubt I will go back that far, but probably will send about 200 of them a note about the new site. Want it to be in great shape first, though, which was one reason to post here!

BTW, Erin I was born in Topeka (though haven't lived in KS for a LONG time, and elgato I recently moved to CO from Canyon Lake TX (between Austin and SA).

Thanks again for your input!

Sharon

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

Sharon - so you know I'm close to Topeka.... :D :D :D

I make contact with my 'buyers from before' gradually. It's easier for me to track if they're reading it, reacting to it and following 'me' or 'my things - just food for thought!

Best of efforts Sharon! :D :D

nmacoz · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 6

Hi Sharon,
nice job on your site! :)
I just opened a presto store last week myself, although I'm also staying on ebay.

I've had a few sales so far- but they're my regular buyers at ebay -I sent them there.

I wondered how you set up your shipping over there ? are you having them pay right away at Paypal, or invocing them after the sale ? I think it's a bit tricky with the "delivery method" - then I'd like to add optional insurance.

Any help would be apreciated! My sites very simple -
but any suggestions to improve things at my new site would be welcome as well. thank you in advance!

Nancy
http://www.nancyssouthwestplace.com/

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

Nancy:

Welcome to PSU - looked at your store, love your picture at the top - nice, sharp and beautiful!! Your store looks great - love the colors, the items, the look and feel!

One suggestion I would make is to have your links at the top - same size boxes! The one with the most information stands out, thus making the others 'less ', and they are all important IMO!!

Great job and very nice looking!! :thumbsup: :mrgreen:

lhhgbh · Joined: 15 Jul 2006 Posts: 336

For page rank and alot of info about SEO you should go to seochat.com.... They have many tools including stuff for calculating ad words, how to get your site noticed in a weeks time, page rank tools, etc.. Pretty good place..

One question.. What kind of shopping cart are you using or are you just using paypal buttons?

nmacoz · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 6

thank you Erin!
I know that box along the top is driving me crazy- I was trying to condense the shipping and policies on one page- maybe I'll just say shipping. or maybe add a new box. thanks for the input and I'm very glad to be here! :) :)

this is a great site! - so far I've just been lurking. But I've gotten some great ideas.

Nancy

http://www.nancyssouthwestplace.com/

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

Nancy:

If I knew how to 'help' ya resize them boxes - I'd share in a heartbeat! You're well above my skills with what you've built!

However, there's plenty of talent here, and I bet - if you're stuck, and you post a 'help me' - you'll get advice! Too much talent here to not ask - if ya need it!!

You're welcome!! :D :D

nmacoz · Joined: 02 Sep 2006 Posts: 6

good thinking Erin- I may do that-
everyone knows so much around here!

meanwhile I've changed it to shipping etc. :)
well see how that works.

Nancy

http://www.nancyssouthwestplace.com/

2BOYSandTOYS · Joined: 14 Mar 2005 Posts: 10095 Location: Kansas

Nancy:

Great Job - now IMO it gives 'equal' ranking to the other items up there! Way to go and may you have too many sales !!! :shock: :P :wink: