Everything Zibbet Only: 1. Store organization

Hello everyone,

So I've been here long enough to have a clue about what's going on. I've even made a sale!!!! My primary question is, would you suggest organizing the items in categories, or have the items in no particular order? I have a large number of sections in the store, so a customer can find all the blue pieces, or all the gemstone pieces with a click on that section.

Feedback is of course very appreciated.

Connie

www.zibbet.com/Beadolio

Tags: organization

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Permalink Reply by Joyananda (ADKoP) on January 7, 2013 at 2:03pm

I love love love when something is visually organized by colour, but the sections on the side bring me to just bracelets, just antiques, just paper, etc.

Joyananda

A Different Kind of Pretty - by Joyananda - http://www.zibbet.com/Joyananda

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Permalink Reply by Needful Things of Salem on January 7, 2013 at 2:38pm

I have my store set up so that my front page has a little bit of each kind of thing I make, then the pages after that are organized by themes. I also have the items put in categories off to the side. Would something like that work for you, too? You could show all the different types of jewelry you make in various stones and metals on the first page?

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Permalink Reply by Clarify (Claranne ) on January 7, 2013 at 7:23pm

A good use of sections can help the shopper to find easily what she wants, and shoppers like easy. You have a lot of sections, but I think a bit of reorganizing could help. You have many sections labeled by color, which is good, but although they are clustered, they don't stand out as color sections. You have 3 bead sections, but they are scattered.

It is possible to set up major categories and subcategories through use of a simple cheat. Take a look at my shop, http://www.zibbet.com/Clarify, to see this. For example, what I have done with sizes you could do with colors--have a major category called Colors, then list the various colors under it as subcategories. For my subcategories I start the section title with "- " (a hyphen and a space) to make them visually identifiable as subcategories. The only real trick is that for your "Colors" heading you will need to have at least 1 item assigned to that section in order to have it appear.

http://www.zibbet.com/Clarify - || - http://www.zibbet.com/ManOverboard - || - http://www.zibbet.com/Critiques

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Permalink Reply by Connie Burns on January 7, 2013 at 11:02pm

Claranne, once again you have a great solution for me!!! I wondered how to do exactly what you described. It will take some work, but it's a great solution!!

Needful, I think that's a great idea, having a bit of everything on the first page.

Joyananda, I'm not quite sure what you mean. Do you know that you can add sections, as many and whatever you wish? Do it in the part where you are setting up the storefront. I don't know if there is a limit to the number of sections, but I haven't found it yet!!!

Once again, the zibbet people are the best. Thank you all!!

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Permalink Reply by Joyananda (ADKoP) on January 8, 2013 at 6:43am

Connie,

Not sure what YOU mean (hehe). I have tons of sections.

yours,

Joyananda

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Permalink Reply by Valerie Reeves on January 11, 2013 at 3:45pm

Great way around a restriction; thanks for sharing, Claranne!

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Permalink Reply by Sunfire [Breath of the Dragon] on January 12, 2013 at 8:05am

I've also used subcategories when setting up my sections in my shop. Knowing that an item can be placed in more than one category really opened up the options to me.

To add an item to more than one category, you simply click on "+ Add Section" when editing the listing - this will bring up another dropdown menu so that you can select another section to list the item in.

As for the front page, I set my first page to be a mix of my items, a little bit of everything. I haven't really taken the time to adjust the other pages, though. I assume anyone looking at the shop home will look through page 1, then explore the sections on the side....

~Sunfire
Breath of the Dragon

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Permalink Reply by D & P Creations on January 8, 2013 at 6:37am

I think organizing for pleasing appearance is really nice. Will it be what's necessary to get sales. I don't think so.

As you've been around long enough to have a clue about what works and, in your case, what doesn't, it seems to me like it's time to look beyond organization for achieve sales.

In my opinion, the two most important aspects to achieve sales are product and price. Present a product which the customer wants and at a price the customer will pay. Look at the competition and adjust your marketing and product selection to target real buyers.

These recommendations are only intended to those who want to be a profitable business. For the hobbyist have enjoyment is the focus and sales and profitability become less relevant. So, it just depends on your focus.

More about organization: I noticed that you actually include the reference to your shop with your initial post. That shows your attention to detail and organization as so many posters make it difficult to even find their shop.

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Permalink Reply by Joyananda (ADKoP) on January 8, 2013 at 6:52am

I am of the opinion that organization and the visual appeal of the shop is immensely important to sales. If the pictures are unpleasant to look at, and the store has no organization, i am probably one of the people who will just look elsewhere. Since i was a very little girl, i have always been a visual learner. Now that i'm older, i'm a visual shopper. Take "Forever 21" for instance. The store near me used to be a Dick's Sporting Goods. So it is enormous. There are no sections. Things are either organized by colour ONLY, or by price level ONLY. It's impossible to find anything and i just end up getting tired and frustrated, and leaving.

Personally, i think organizing by colour or price ONLY is probably the least-effective way to organize the store. Considering people can choose from the drop-down menu on the store front to organize by just price, it's a waste to make price sections, unless you're doing a "Under $50" section or clearance section (for instance) which will encompass more than just a few prices levels.

Joyananda

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Permalink Reply by D & P Creations on January 8, 2013 at 6:57am

While visual appeal is important, my reference is to a causal relationship between appearance and selling. I.E, are the sales BECAUSE of the appearance or are the sales because of product selection and price. My opinion is that most sales occur because of product and price selection.

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