Thread: opinions on two stores?

I've had a few requests from dancers to open a second etsy store (it's free, so no problem) specifically for the clothing and non-dance stuff. Etsy stores allow us to have categories but some dancers have mentioned they would prefer that one store is exclusively for bellydance items and another one for scarves and other stuff.

What say you?

I could link both stores together thru etsy

And combined shipping if people wanted to shop both stores would be easy enough..sending revised invoices is easy.

Originally Posted by jesennia

I've had a few requests from dancers to open a second etsy store (it's free, so no problem) specifically for the clothing and non-dance stuff. Etsy stores allow us to have categories but some dancers have mentioned they would prefer that one store is exclusively for bellydance items and another one for scarves and other stuff.

What say you?

I could link both stores together thru etsy

And combined shipping if people wanted to shop both stores would be easy enough..sending revised invoices is easy.

I think as long as you link them it's a good idea. Though I do think having both together helps your business in that a person shopping for non-bd or bd stuff is exposed to what else you have. Or the fact that non-bders might use bd skirts just for wear. Or use veils for decorations?

Either way I'll still visit!

I think a lot of your items do appeal to a number of bellydancers, especially the boho, gypsy, tribal types that want the other products you offer. I'm curious if those complaining are more glitzy cabaret types that love your veils, but aren't as interested in your other products.

From a business and administrative perspective, it may be impractical to run 2 websites. I don't think your products are so different to warrant 2 different sites.

Your current website is set up well and it's clear where everything is at and what market you are targeting.

I could understand if you were trying to sell two completely unrelated products together, like silk and lawn mowers. But you sell different types of silk products.

Unless you feel that you are scaring clients away by having them together, but I doubt that's the case. Your products are awesome and people know it. 1 or 2 extra clicks isn't going to stop your dedicated market from shopping.

I'd have more concern about the non-bellydance market wanting to buy from you, than dancers.

I'm suffering from this situation too with Shaabi Chic, now that I'm carry products that could appeal to other form of dance and performance arts.

Your Etsy store is at most, what, four pages? I'm not personally interested in the clothing items -- they're gorgeous, but if I can't toss it in the washer with a full load of other clothes, I won't own it. But I don't find it especially labor-intensive to click my mouse a couple of times, and they're pretty to look at.

But then, I forget sometimes how frustrating it is to have to load image-intensive pages with a dial-up connection!

I have no interest in the clothing (can't really afford it, sorry!), but I always look at the Oops veils first anyway, so I'd probably end up doing some clicking. Your Etsy store hasn't scared me away.

Did anyone give the reasoning for wanting two totally different stores? As long as people can choose the category they want to see from the main page, I don't understand why they would care if it's one or two stores.

I vote for all in one, because many items are really crossover pieces: scraves, capes, kimonos, and skirts for me are both bellydance and everyday clothing. Chances are that a division would just add confusion, and I much prefer only watching one location for new listings.

One site = one stop shopping. With everything together it is easy to click categories and be specific. But I tend to view everything since it reminds me of walking through a lovely, colorful art gallery. If you had 2 sites I would forgo the non-dance items. That would eliminate the temptation to view some of your lovelies and try to justify them in my budget.

reading all the responses thank you!!

yes I plan to open up with lawnmowers then move into fertilizer and gardening (j/k)

I would not have two websites, just two etsy stores.

I've always wanted to make bath and beauty products, all natural vegan friendly stuff like soaps and scrubs (kona scrub whoohoo) . And..you guessed it, color coordinate the soaps and goodies to other silks. (this started as a need to do something when it's raining and i can't dye, and there's already a painting in progress)

So it's definitely not bdance related..but...

The dancers didn't so much complain as suggested. I've had a few fans from Hawaii also request likewise that the clothing and scarves are separate since they are not dancers..but I just tell them to go to the craft fair each week where there's stuff in person.

Adding these items could easily get me about 10 pages. Right now I'm getting ready to add silk scarves but I don't want them to bury the veils just listed.

Lauren no worries I wouldnt be able to afford the clothing stuff either..I'd squeak out a few bills for a wrap skirt and scarf to wear when it's sunny outside but most of the clothing I make is definitely intended for warmer weather places. The craft fair booth is mobbed and we stock the booth with the high end ruana wraps, skirts, dresses...my gal who sells there for me sells a lot more of those items than even I do thru the etsy store. And then of course I sell those items to hotel, gallery, boutique locations too. Am actually working on a sleeveless shrug style wrap right now :)

thanks for the input. anyone for Merkaba soap? hehe

I'm a one stop shop all. So having two sites in my book is a pain. The less clicking I have to do the better.

The soap and silk products together aren't so odd... The weirdest combo in a store I've seen is a soda and pet shop

the only thing about having two etsy stores is that the new one can sell just one type of thing instead of a collection of different things

if you read enough articles on etsy you'll know there is an extreme benefit to this (grouping all similar items in one store)

well once i have some photos of soap we'll see what happens. i really want to sell soap that is shaped like and looks like crap but someone is already doing it. oh well i can have my own blend. dont worry crap soap wont be the only one available, just for other sickos who share a sick sense of humor

i think it would be just hysterical to stick a lump of crap soap in your bathroom when guests are coming over just to see their reaction

I like your one store now, but if you sell soap, take the little scarves and pretty gift packs as well, love to see veils, ruana, nightgowns, skirts, etc. Makes me want to buy them.

hi, jes... have you been making soap? I've got the distinct impression that you'd have to make and sell a heck of a lot of soap to make it worthwhile.

I personally like the idea of one stop shopping. Hand dyed silk is hand dyed silk and I see no point in separating scarves, dresses and veils. I could be missing something of course, but I don't want to have to hunt in several different places for one artist's work. My attention span is not that long, and I suspect more and more people are like that.

It's one thing though to add luscious soaps and beauty products to your store and another to be adding gag items. I'd think this over carefully. I've got nothing against crap (soaps), but it has its place and not next to your lovely silks. (You know I love you) but ... if I were a new or potential client, I'd be honestly wondering if you're a nut job and probably go buy silks elsewhere. If you're absolutely driven to make things like this available, then yes, do it, but in a different store that's not even remotely associated with your bread and butter.

I don't mean to sound like your mother, but there's my .02 cents.

The only suggestion for changing your etsy site I have is to group the BD items together in the right hand column. (Right now the categories are listed in a random order.) However, that is a very minor issue and never deters me from obsessively clicking through your site and drooling all over my poor keyboard.

I would say that if you start selling soap you could sell the "luxury" soaps on your silk site. However, if it's "novelty" soaps you are selling on a regular basis, they should be listed on their own site.

well, if you choose to have two stores there can be some overlap with the silk products. As someone said above, jut make sure that the two stores are linked.

{{{HUGS}}}

you guys don't see the artistic dichotomy between crap and silk???

jeez i'm trying to make a statement!!..l;,

j/k

well what about edibles like chocolate? ok no one trusts my cooking but i'm a good mixologist..dyes, soaps, chocolates

would anyone eat chocolate shaped in the form of a turd?? i could get some really funny raunchy pics for etsy on that one

hehehehehe

(yes i'm kidding)

i can't help it, i opened a second store

i just like to create things. busy hands busy mind

Etsy :: silkandsun :: Silk Essensuals

nuthin there yet but it's linked to the other one