Selling Successfully (Your One-Stop Resource for Setting Up, Managing and Marketing)
Shop Mentoring Part One
Welcome to Ruby Lane's Shop Mentoring program! Whether you're new to selling online or seeking ways to enhance your shop's performance, our free mentoring program is here to assist you. Ruby Lane's success relies on the success of our shops, and we understand that the world of online selling can be overwhelming. With over two decades of experience since our establishment in 1998, thousands of buyers worldwide have shopped with us, giving us valuable insights into what works and what doesn't in online buying and selling.
In this guide, we'll provide you with tips and recommendations to improve your shop's operations and boost your sales. Additionally, we want to emphasize that if you ever need assistance or guidance, you can reach out to Ruby Lane's Customer Support team for help. A thriving community of shop owners is essential for our platform's success, and we're here to support you every step of the way.
1. Add Inventory Frequently
One key to a successful shop is adding items regularly. While we understand it can be challenging, we recommend adding a minimum of 3-5 items per week with a goal of reaching 100-200 items in your shop. Here's why:
- Increased Visibility: Each time you add new items, your shop gains visibility in key sections like "Today's Arrivals" and "This Week's Arrivals," where many shoppers first look. This effectively triples your presence on the site.
- Higher Placement: New additions earn you free clicks, which improve your placement in the Ruby Lane Search. Check your Click Report, and you'll notice the connection between adding inventory and increased traffic.
- Search Engines: Not only does the Ruby Lane search engine rank shops with freshly-added inventory higher, but major search engines like Google , Bing and Yahoo also prioritize recently updated pages. This means your shop and item pages can rank higher in search results, attracting more potential buyers.
2. Picture Quality
High-quality item pictures are essential for online sales success. Since customers can't physically inspect items, they rely on your presentation. To achieve this:
- Use Advanced Image Processing (AIP): Take well-lit, focused photos with neutral backgrounds and no props. AIP can help enhance the quality of your images with minimal effort.
- Learn Photography Basics: If you're new to digital photography, invest time in learning the basics of your camera, lighting, distance, and composition. Experiment to improve your skills.
- Set Arrangements: When photographing sets of items, avoid arranging them horizontally, as it can result in wasted space. Instead, place them angularly or on different levels to maximize visibility.
3. Item Titles
Crafting effective item titles is crucial for attracting buyers. Here are some tips:
- Keyword Rich: Successful shops often have 7-10 relevant, descriptive keywords in their item titles. Ensure your titles include important identifying keywords.
- Placement of Keywords: Place essential keywords at the beginning of your title since search engines may only read a portion of the title. Also, consider that titles can be cut off in search results, so prioritize key information.
- Descriptive Keywords: Use keywords that make sense for both search engines and shoppers. Avoid excessive adjectives that don't serve as keywords.
- Avoid Special Characters: Do not use special characters and unnecessary punctuation in your titles, as this may affect your items' indexing by search engines.
4. Well-Written Descriptions:
In your item descriptions, aim to provide as much information as possible to compensate for the lack of physical interaction. Consider the following:
- Provide Sensory Details: Describe items in a way that allows potential buyers to imagine them. Mention tactile qualities, visible features, and any unique aspects.
- Include Specifics: Add specific details like maker's marks, dimensions, and any imperfections. The more information you provide, the better.
- Avoid Exaggeration: While descriptions should be detailed, avoid excessive exaggeration or flowery language. Provide an accurate representation of the item.
We hope these tips help you improve your shop's performance on Ruby Lane. Remember, we're here to support you, so don't hesitate to reach out to Ruby Lane Mentors for assistance. Your success is our success, and we're committed to helping you thrive in your online selling journey. Good luck with your shop!