Saturday, June 20, 2009

I understand SEO!



Before the outcry in the Etsy forums that we were in peril of being evicted from Google search due to Etsy admin's malfeasance, I thought that SEO was either another atmospheric pollutant, or maybe an 80's rock band. I checked my sales (or lack thereof), convos, treasuries, craftcult, Etsymudteam thread, and when my husband explained to me what he learned from checking Google Analytics, all I heard was that people were looking at my work, and that was enough. When my views dropped, I did what I understand to stay visible on Etsy- make more treasuries, make my photos more attractive, etc.

SEO is an acronym for Search Engine Optimisation. It is a study of the way that search engines, such as Google, decide what links to show people who type in a search on their taskbar. The website that best explains how this works to a novice like me is Handmadeology. It is owned by the metal artist Timothy Adams, whose Twig card holder is pictured above. Not only did he provide the clearest, most accurate picture of why our views were bombing in Etsy, he gave the best information on how we could roll with the changes, and improve our page ranking. His Town Meeting on the changes gives very precise instructions.

Etsy has since corrected its problem, and I accept their explanation. Ironically, I now understand far more about SEO, keywords, and meta-tags than I ever did before the Forums became a boiling sea of protest and paranoia. Using Timothy Adams' advice, I rewrote my shop title and announcement, and, as a test, I rewrote the copy and tags of just one listing, which sold less than two hours later. I also had another sale the same day from someone who came to my shop from a Google search.

That business card holder, in metal twigs, is a beautiful blend of natural easthetic and technical skill. I'm now a fan of his work, his website, and his willingness to share his really useful knowledge. Thanks, Timothy Adams! You've given me an improved ability to support my family as my husband seeks reemployment. You've made a real difference in our lives! I get it now- SEO, meta- tags, and how to buddy up to the gi-normous jargon of Google.

13 comments:

  1. curious what was your old keyword usage and what did you change it to?

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  2. Hi Paula,

    My old keyword usage was totally random, as I didn't understand SEO one iota. So I followed Adams' instructions to a T.

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  3. Hi Lee,

    I'll go check out Timothy's town meeting. I saw some people talking about it on twitter, I think, but didn't take the time to go looking for it. He really does offer a lot of help in various areas and I thank you for heading me in that direction.

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  4. So you already put the new knowlege to the test! I attended Tim's meeting, too, and learned a ton. Tim's the best. Congrats on already applying what you learned. I need to do likewise. BTW, I hearted one of your creations and your gorgeous work will be appearing at Etsy Lounge, http://etsylounge.blogspot.com.

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  5. I'm only just beginning to understand the whole SEO thing myself - and that's only because I quickly read a bit of Timothy Adam's blog! So I plan to go back and have a proper read when I finally have some time.

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  6. Nicely put! I'm off for another read. Good luck with sales.

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  7. I have bookmarked Timothy's instructions and will be going through them thoroughly tomorrow. Thank you so much for the explanation as I really wasn't understanding all this SEO talk that well. Thanks also to Timothy, he's a big help to all and that really makes a difference.

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  8. Hi
    So when you changed your title what was it before blue and green vase?
    I am still trying to understand all this Stuff
    here's my etsy shop wireknot.etsy.com

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  9. Andria- thanks so much! I will go over to your blog- love the name!

    kathleen, The former title was 'Sweet Little Blue Sky vase". I also changed my shop title,shop announcement, and sections so that they all reinforce the Etsy category 'ceramics and pottery.'

    If I can get it, you all can get it, because, trust me, it all sounded like Martian to me a few weeks ago.

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  10. So you now grok SEO. I am planning on checking this out too. Thanks for all the links back to Tim's info.

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  11. This is so helpful, thanks for the link! I didn't realize the first few lines of our item description is what shows up in google search!

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  12. i still find this a little confusing, like on google contemporary wall clock is how people usually find me on my website. if I do those words it isn't 'etsy friendly' as etsy doesn't even have the word contemporary in anything. not that you are the expert...but i'm still confused big time.

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  13. and then i see this http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5014283&order=&section_id=&page=4 they sell a buttload and none of their titles/sections/ etc follow any rules I can see :(
    oh well i did it, and i thank you for jabbing me by default :)

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