Little shop visibility ?

[Cuuka]

Hello everyone !

First, thanks for according attention on my topic

I have a small shop for creating and selling textures and mesh lately.
I regularly consult my statistics and regularly release new products.
The problem is that the level of attendance and purchases has never changed .. It's been over a year that I keep it up to date, and I have only managed to sell twenty items, out free.
I was expecting attendance to have trouble coming, but at this point ..

So I was wondering where this problem could come from?
Is attendance at the market so low? Where then does it come from my products?
I am currently trying to put my shop forward promo in the sliders of the marketplace categories, but no success either on this side.

Also, I notice that a lot of gachas continue to go on sale in bad categories.
I imagine that LL react, given the time it takes and the limited mindset of some sellers, is there a way to help move these items, for example by reporting the item for sale as wrong category ?

 

thanks you !

[Cindy Evanier]

10 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

Hello everyone !

First, thanks for according attention on my topic

I have a small shop for creating and selling textures and mesh lately.
I regularly consult my statistics and regularly release new products.
The problem is that the level of attendance and purchases has never changed .. It's been over a year that I keep it up to date, and I have only managed to sell twenty items, out free.
I was expecting attendance to have trouble coming, but at this point ..

So I was wondering where this problem could come from?
Is attendance at the market so low? Where then does it come from my products?
I am currently trying to put my shop forward promo in the sliders of the marketplace categories, but no success either on this side.

Also, I notice that a lot of gachas continue to go on sale in bad categories.
I imagine that LL react, given the time it takes and the limited mindset of some sellers, is there a way to help move these items, for example by reporting the item for sale as wrong category ?

 

thanks you !

Regarding gachas you should read Dakota Lindens thread here regarding categories.  You might have to scroll to find it

 

[Cuuka]

1 hour ago, Cindy Evanier said:

Regarding gachas you should read Dakota Lindens thread here regarding categories.  You might have to scroll to find it

 

Thanks for the link, yep i've already read it, but unfortunately there is no concrete answer to a solution, or even just information from LL about what it is today.

so, the new question is how a salesman who creates his own products can promote his shop next to thousands of re-sales shops when everything is mixed ..

[Cindy Evanier]

33 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

Thanks for the link, yep i've already read it, but unfortunately there is no concrete answer to a solution, or even just information from LL about what it is today.

so, the new question is how a salesman who creates his own products can promote his shop next to thousands of re-sales shops when everything is mixed ..

I can only speak for myself but at start up we would advertise everywhere we could for free; inworld groups, flickr, facebook etc,  hold events and store promos, free gifts, hunts and stuff like that.  It didn't take long for us to be in a position where sales were at a level to afford bigger land, paid advertising and better gifts.  

[Luna Bliss]

2 hours ago, Cuuka said:

I was expecting attendance to have trouble coming, but at this point

I don't know much about gachas, but I recommend focusing on what you CAN do, right now instead of what you imagine is inhibiting sales (whether gachas are actually limiting sales for you or not).

First, put a link on the forum here under your posts. It was kind of hard to find you on the MP quickly since you have no link to your store on the forum, and I was searching for a Joshua tree - eventually got to your store via Cindy's link.

I see you create boats, and with all the boat houses opening up for Premium residents with lots of open water and people who love to sail this could be good for you!  Take a look at what everyone likes via some exploration and put your unique twist on it -- you might have a winner!
Then join some advertising groups inworld and post listings, have hunts & events -- put some focus inworld too in other words.

[Chic Aeon]

I went to your Marketplace store and saw a couple of "problems".  Honestly the Marketplace is a big market and it is difficult for most folks to get to the top of the list.  That being said.

I didn't see that you had an inworld store (this from looking at a few listings anyway) so there is no way for folks to see your products and test the LODs and see the textures as they will be when rezzed. For many folks these days, that is a deal breaker.  I don't buy if I can't see the product or try a demo (mostly wearables) and I don't expect others to either. 

Also most of your items are things that have been made previously by many other creators, so nothing really to make your products stand out. 

As many folks have said over the years, it is difficult to make a real life living in SL and many folks don't even break even :D. So the best outlook for those starting out is to enjoy the process and have fun and if you make some money, that's a bonus. 

 

Good luck.   

[Pamela Galli]

I agree that your marketplace store needs some work. It is a bit of a hodge lodge -- could you sum up your store in a single sentence?  Hard to do when it involves boat textures, donuts, office furniture, etc. 

[Cuuka]

Thanks for your reply !

First, yes i haven't post my store lik here just because it's not the good place to promote, but you can find it here.

 

4 hours ago, Luna Bliss said:

I don't know much about gachas, but I recommend focusing on what you CAN do, right now instead of what you imagine is inhibiting sales (whether gachas are actually limiting sales for you or not).

(...)

I completely agree, and I do not intend to stop for this reason, I am motivated, and it makes me happy to see my ideas build and take shape! I'm not about to stop, I just want to know how to increase my visibility.

 

4 hours ago, Chic Aeon said:

(...) I didn't see that you had an inworld store (this from looking at a few listings anyway) so there is no way for folks to see your products and test the LODs and see the textures as they will be when rezzed. For many folks these days, that is a deal breaker.  I don't buy if I can't see the product or try a demo (mostly wearables) and I don't expect others to either. 

Also most of your items are things that have been made previously by many other creators, so nothing really to make your products stand out. 

As many folks have said over the years, it is difficult to make a real life living in SL and many folks don't even break even :D. So the best outlook for those starting out is to enjoy the process and have fun and if you make some money, that's a bonus. 

 

Good luck.   

Thanks you for your advices, i have a shop InWorld, but still didn't mention/put it in the mp. I am aware that it does not help, but it will be settled shortly..

It's not as much about making money as it is about recognizing the work done, making money should work when all else working too, but I guess it's the same for everyone ..

Also, you recommand me to make item never created before, but, by not taking into account the 3/4 very common products like donuts, I do not feel like doing the same things ..

On the contrary, I avoid to the maximum to inspire me of objects of other creators and makes mine according to what I imagine.

but it's still a personal opinion.

for the promotions, i post regularly on Flickr during new releases, but I do not really use other means such as groups or advertisement..

 

[Cuuka]

57 minutes ago, Pamela Galli said:

I agree that your marketplace store needs some work. It is a bit of a hodge lodge -- could you sum up your store in a single sentence?  Hard to do when it involves boat textures, donuts, office furniture, etc.  

Does having multiple categories of objects, as well as textures, really pose a problem?
I started by creating textures, because that's part of my passion (optional also my studies), and I started to create mesh recently. How should I do, because I will not create a second shop to separate my products, right?
Or maybe it's the visuals that change themes too often?

(Sorry for the double)

Edited April 19, 2019 by Cuuka

[Cindy Evanier]

I guess what people are trying to say is, there are currently 6403710 items on the marketplace.  You have to make your stuff stand out in some way.  

Read through Dakota's sticky below from the top of this forum. Are you making the most of the title. keywords, features tab.  Its possible streamlining your pictures could give off a professional air and pull together the different items you sell into a more themed brand look.  Spend some time checking out other marketplace stores, what draws you to them, what is it about them that would make you interested in buying their stuff  that sort of thing and then see if there is anything you can take from that to apply to your brand.

 

 

 

 

[Chic Aeon]

40 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

for the promotions, i post regularly on Flickr during new releases, but I do not really use other means such as groups or advertisement..

Actually I can't remember ever doing in promoting (over ten years as a creator).  I have never had a store group (even for clothes or jewelry long ago). My only "ad" is in Places for 30 lindens a week and gives you a places page which most folks don't fill out but I did. I did a lot of events over the last couple of years so that is promotion but it doesn't cost anything  - assuming you sell more than the fee :D.  No I am only doing one and an occasional special event.  

So just keep learning and improving; I think that is the best plan for most folks --- at least those of us who are not marketers :D. 

[Pamela Galli]

39 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

Does having multiple categories of objects, as well as textures, really pose a problem?
I started by creating textures, because that's part of my passion (optional also my studies), and I started to create mesh recently. How should I do, because I will not create a second shop to separate my products, right?
Or maybe it's the visuals that change themes too often?

(Sorry for the double)

(I meant to say hodge podge, not lodge.)

Visually your store has no cohension. If your passion is boat textures, focus on things related to boats. Then people might think of your store for their nautical purchases. 

Edited April 19, 2019 by Pamela Galli

[Cuuka]

12 hours ago, Cindy Evanier said:

I guess what people are trying to say is, there are currently 6403710 items on the marketplace.  You have to make your stuff stand out in some way.  

Read through Dakota's sticky below from the top of this forum. Are you making the most of the title. keywords, features tab.  Its possible streamlining your pictures could give off a professional air and pull together the different items you sell into a more themed brand look.  Spend some time checking out other marketplace stores, what draws you to them, what is it about them that would make you interested in buying their stuff  that sort of thing and then see if there is anything you can take from that to apply to your brand.

A lot of advices

I already spended time to check a lot of shops ect. Some things are good to take, but when I see how some vendors lie and grossly joke about the quality of their products, as being the best ever, that we will never see such beautiful, and all other shops come out of the sh*t has next to this product .. While 3/4 of their products are models downloaded for free on the net, I'm not a shark who will lie and sell father and mother to win a few visitors. (maybe it's the problem .. uh).

What makes me buy from other sellers is the quality of their products, a reasonable price, and a certain professionalism if possible (listening to its customers),

12 hours ago, Chic Aeon said:

So just keep learning and improving; I think that is the best plan for most folks --- at least those of us who are not marketers :D. 

True

12 hours ago, Pamela Galli said:

(I meant to say hodge podge, not lodge.)

Visually your store has no cohension. If your passion is boat textures, focus on things related to boats. Then people might think of your store for their nautical purchases. 

I understand that the articles can seem very messy to you, but it is possible in this case to click on the categories to filter the search and to display only the textures, or the mesh ect .. Same for my InWorld shop, the textures for boats, surfboards ect .. are sorted by categories.
My shop is not specialized in boats or other, just in the creation of textures and mesh. It does not interest me to focus on a theme only (Even if we notice that I have a preference for boats) .. I want to texture all kinds of objects, as well as to create all kinds of mesh . I see a lot of shops do the same, and it does not seem that they have difficulty in making themselves known

 

[Cindy Evanier]

17 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

when I see how some vendors lie and grossly joke about the quality of their products, as being the best ever, that we will never see such beautiful, and all other shops come out of the sh*t has next to this product

That's why you 1.  Read the reviews or 2. (and most importantly)  check out the demo before parting with your money.  

[Cuuka]

I just don't buy when it's like this, but yes a demo will always be a plus.

BUT, the problem is that to visualize the InWorld textures, it would be necessary to display the vehicles directly and I would never have room or LI. In addition, directly displaying textures for sales increases the risk of them being stolen..

[Cindy Evanier]

15 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

BUT, the problem is that to visualize the InWorld textures, it would be necessary to display the vehicles directly and I would never have room or LI.

I am sure there are  systems available to rez from a panel of choices to see each vehicle which means only the vehicle with the highest LI needs to be accounted for as the system will only allow you to rez one at a time.  So less LI and less room needed but giving you the ability to display all to people 

[Cuuka]

7 minutes ago, Cindy Evanier said:

I am sure there are  systems available to rez from a panel of choices to see each vehicle which means only the vehicle with the highest LI needs to be accounted for as the system will only allow you to rez one at a time.  So less LI and less room needed but giving you the ability to display all to people  

My shop does not have a dock, and has no place (in size) to have a boat
I actually rent at a frequented place (hollywood sim), so i don't know if renting water parcel for exposing boats and others will be a good thing..

 

[Cindy Evanier]

15 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

My shop does not have a dock, and has no place (in size) to have a boat
I actually rent at a frequented place (hollywood sim), so i don't know if renting water parcel for exposing boats and others will be a good thing..

 

I am sorry.  I am just trying to help with options.  If they just want to look at the boat maybe it doesn't even have to be a dock or water.  Just to rez and look.  Your OP was, I thought, looking for help to get sales.  

[Cuuka]

1 minute ago, Cindy Evanier said:

I am sorry.  I am just trying to help with options.  If they just want to look at the boat maybe it doesn't even have to be a dock or water.  Just to rez and look.  Your OP was, I thought, looking for help to get sales.   

No it's very nice from you to help! thanks

Till now, i haven't got any person who ask me to view directly the boat, or else. So i think the product pictures render well..

But i will think of it.. Having directly some vehicles rezzed can be more attractive

[Alyona Su]

37 minutes ago, Cuuka said:

No it's very nice from you to help! thanks

Till now, i haven't got any person who ask me to view directly the boat, or else. So i think the product pictures render well..

But i will think of it.. Having directly some vehicles rezzed can be more attractive

If you're selling vehicles then you need to find a way to allow a potential customer to experience it. It's not just about how it looks, more importantly, is how it drives. Either provide a time-limited demo in Market Place or in-world (at least 15 minutes) or a temp-rezzer to rez a demo in world. I cannot count how many times I've seen a gorgeous boat and never bought because I could feel how it drives. Because that, for me, is the deciding factor, even more important than how it looks.

Just my too-sense, nothing more.

[Cuuka]

10 minutes ago, Alyona Su said:

If you're selling vehicles then you need to find a way to allow a potential customer to experience it. It's not just about how it looks, more importantly, is how it drives. Either provide a time-limited demo in Market Place or in-world (at least 15 minutes) or a temp-rezzer to rez a demo in world. I cannot count how many times I've seen a gorgeous boat and never bought because I could feel how it drives. Because that, for me, is the deciding factor, even more important than how it looks.

Just my too-sense, nothing more.

I don't sell vehicles but vehicles paintings.

[Alyona Su]

2 hours ago, Cuuka said:

I don't sell vehicles but vehicles paintings.

Oh, nice! It what I get for skimming, rather than perusing threads LOL

[Luna Bliss]

According to Wickipedia watercraft are considered vehicles:

"A vehicle (from Latin: vehiculum^[1]) is a machine that transports people or cargo."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle

3 hours ago, Cuuka said:

Till now, i haven't got any person who ask me to view directly the boat, or else. So i think the product pictures render well..

Most people just move on and buy something else instead of requesting anything from a merchant. One of the main rules of commerce -- make it as easy as possible for your customer to purchase something.

Of course, a demo area may eat up too much of your marketing costs and cause you to earn less overall -- at this point anyway.

Edited April 20, 2019 by Luna Bliss

[Cuuka]

1 hour ago, Alyona Su said:

Oh, nice! It what I get for skimming, rather than perusing threads LOL

No worries

47 minutes ago, Luna Bliss said:

According to Wickipedia watercraft are considered vehicles:

"A vehicle (from Latin: vehiculum^[1]) is a machine that transports people or cargo."

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vehicle

Most people just move on and buy something else instead of requesting anything from a merchant. One of the main rules of commerce -- make it as easy as possible for your customer to purchase something.

Of course, a demo area may eat up too much of your marketing costs and cause you to earn less overall -- at this point anyway.

You're right yes..

So the better is to work products again first, and maybe re-arange a big part of my shop to make the products easily visible, and purchasable.

Oh, another question for the mesh and/or texture creator: when you texture a objet you've made, do you put your setting in lowest for suit most of audience ?

I always worked materials with my items, but i see than a "lot" of peoples never use graphics options, so what is the better things to do for you ?

[RohanaRaven Zerbino]

Let me see if I got this right.

Most of your products are full perm texture packs for other creator’s items that are already high end, expensive and need specific land options to be used.

Maybe I’m wrong but I would say that is already small customer base. Considering some of those already offer full perm texture packs with AO/UV maps for skilled users to play with the textures, taking in account user’s questionable skills to change texture and the will do deal with that at all, it is getting even smaller.

I believe it would be a challenge for even more experienced people to advertise that kind of product. Target is so small that one would have to be a Robin Hood of advertising to hit the center – unless you connect somehow with the creators of the items in question and ask them to link their items with your texture packs. I honestly doubt anyone would be willing to make such a step for many reasons.

On the other side, you do have some mesh skills. Maybe more work in that filed would bring more independency to your shop, and open more opportunities for broader advertizing? If you are so much into the boats, maybe it is about time to invest more effort in complete product? I would guess that vehicle is scripting monster, but if I was your friend, I would encourage you to give it a try.

Now, the general common mistake I hear a lot about is that creators are expecting of their customers to make an extra effort when deciding about possible purchase. I doubt anyone would ever call you to check your product, unless they have some additional questions – you simply have to have automated access to it in every time of day or night, trough demo on MP (again, if I understand well it is impossible in the case of texture packs), or item itself rezzed in world with the texture changer. But you would have to have warning signs all over to be sure people are aware what are they buying, or it might make you a lot of problems.

Item must look ok on every graphic, so check it accordingly. Just as an example – there is one body in SL that is flickering on Low graphic – I consider that purchase to be my mistake as it didn’t cross my mind to check, but should I say that was the first and the last time I’ve bought anything from that shop?

At the end, it is 2019, automated texture changers in end line products are must – as much as your item is beautiful and low priced, if you offer more than one texture option with it, it might be skipped because of technical reasons like not having fast access to changing textures. As someone already said – there are almost 6.5 million items on MP, and one has to use every little trick to make starter shop visible and build reputation.

Edited April 21, 2019 by RohanaRaven Zerbino