Creating digital products can be an exciting venture, but it can also be frustrating when sales are slow or nonexistent; In this article, we will discuss ten common reasons why your digital poducts are not selling and what you can do to turn things around.
If your digital products aren’t flying off the virtual shelves, it might be time to reassess your approach.
If you are new to selling digital products, do well to check this introductory article on how to get started and here on strategies to succeed selling digital products on Etsy
In this article, we will be using Etsy as a case study but this points are applicable to wherever you are selling your digital products.
Table of content
- Your marketing strategy is not effective
- Your pictures are not eye-catching
- Weak Product Descriptions
- You sells on different niches
- Insufficient Social Proof/reviews
- Your branding needs a lift
- Overpricing or Underpricing – Your pricing is too low or too high
- You`sell low-demand products /Lack of Market Research
- Your restrictions on payment options
- Your marketing/promotion is not enough
- Conclusion
1. Your marketing strategy is not effective
If your shop isn’t getting sales, it might be because your products aren’t showing up high in search results. This often means your listings aren’t well optimized.
Your product could be amazing, but if no one knows about it, it won’t sell.
Since most traffic for Etsy shops comes from search, it’s important to learn SEO to help your products rank better.
Solutions
Invest in a robust marketing strategy that includes SEO, social media, email marketing, and possibly paid advertising. Tailor your messaging to your audience and use multiple channels to reach them.
Avoid broad and competitive keywords like “clothes” or “Electronic gadgets.” Instead, use specific phrases that describe your products, such as “white collar shirt.” Also, make sure to use all 13 listing tags to improve your chances of appearing in Etsy search results. learn about SEO optimization here
2. Your pictures are not eye-catching
High-quality photos are very important. Your photos should clearly show your work and reflect your brand’s quality. Make sure they are detailed and clear. Try different angles and creative setups to make your photos more interesting.
Solutions
Set up a special area in your home for taking product photos. Use strong, indirect natural light and a plain background. Experiment with different angles to show off your product’s details.
You can get more ideas from a product photography guide. Also, learning basic editing with tools like Lightroom can make your photos look even better.
For instance, try hanging shirts with a beautiful hanger or another unusual object instead of just placing them on a table. This creative approach grabs attention and might encourage curators to feature your item in their Treasuries.
Read more on varieties of places you can free qualities images for your products
3. Your Digital products descriptions are weak
Your product description helps convince shoppers to buy. If you don’t make it good, you might lose sales. Attractive images get their attention, but a good description makes them buy. Write descriptions that are easy to read, short, and friendly.
Solutions
Tell shoppers both the benefits and features of your product. Briefly explain how it will make their life better and why they should buy from you.
Mention your great customer service, the unique design, high quality, and your experience. Keep it short because people mainly want to know about the product. Include all the important details so they don’t have to ask for more information.
4. You sells on different niches
Have you ever walked into a store and thought, “What are they selling here? There are electronics, clothes, pens, and interior decoration accessories!” Selling too many different things can make your shop look messy and confusing to shoppers.
Also, if your products aren’t consistent, it seems like you’re not an expert in anything. This makes it hard for shoppers to trust you and buy from you.
Solutions
Be an expert in your niche. Once you pick a niche, focus on a specific range of products. For example, if you sell handmade candles, don’t sell paintings in the same shop.
A strong brand image helps your shop look more put together. Use the same colors and style for your product photos to keep things consistent.
5. Insufficient social proof/reviews
About 93% of customers read reviews from other buyers before buying something. If your shop doesn’t have reviews, it might be hard to convince people to buy from you on Etsy.
People look for reviews to help them decide. One of the reasons why your digital products aren’t selling might be that you do not have any reviews. Good reviews can really help your business.
Solutions
To start getting sales on Etsy, you need to get more reviews. Ask your past customers for reviews by offering freebies, vouchers, or thank-you notes that remind them.
Reply to positive reviews to connect with your customers. If you get negative feedback, stay calm. Respond politely, try to fix any problems, and show that you care about customer satisfaction. This can help lessen the impact of the negative review.
6. Your branding needs a lift
Branding is key for any business. Start with a great logo, a well-sized avatar, and a banner. Get business cards, tags, and packaging that match your brand colors and style.Without good brand, your digital products will not make sales as much as you would expect.
Keep your online brand consistent in voice, appeal, logo, colors, and overall look. This will make your brand more credible.
Ideally, if someone sees one of your products elsewhere, they should recognize it as yours. Being on Etsy doesn’t mean you shouldn’t have a brand. In fact, it’s very important. Remember, your Etsy store is a business—your business. Treat it like one.
Solutions
Leverage on a software like Canvas, Photoshop to create an stunning logo and business card for your business and you can as well hire a graphic designer to do it for you on fiverr
7. Overpricing or underpricing: your pricing is too low or too high
Pricing your product correctly is a delicate balance. Overpricing can deter potential buyers, while underpricing might lead them to question the product’s quality.
Solutions
Research your competitors’ pricing and consider your target audience’s willingness to pay to find the sweet spot.
8. You sell low-demand products /lack of market research
If you’re struggling with Etsy, this is usually one of the reasons why your digital products aren’t selling. You’re selling products that aren’t in demand or your product doesnt offer value to your targeted audience.
Your product should solve a specific problem or meet a particular need. If your marketing doesn’t clearly address these pain points and how your product provides a solution, customers won’t see the value in making a purchase.
Solutions
This is a common problem for Etsy sellers. Instead of giving up right away, try doing some market research to see if there’s interest in your product or if you should focus on more popular items on Etsy.
If you are just getting started, Before launching, understanding your target market is crucial. Without thorough research, you might be creating something no one wants or needs.
Dive deep into market trends, customer pain points, and competitor offerings to ensure there’s a demand for your product.
9. Restrictions on payment options
Are you limiting your Etsy sales with restrictions? Two ways you may be doing this without even knowing it are through payment methods and by not selling internationally. Restriction in these two factors might be the reasons why your digital products aren’t selling.
This is usually a common reason why your digital poducts are not selling if you sell products to customer outside countries like USA, UK and Canada.
If you only offer a few payment options, your Etsy sales might be low because you could miss potential buyers. For example, if you sell home decor to young homeowners, some might not have credit cards. If your shop only takes credit cards, you could lose those customers.
Solutions
Etsy offers different payment methods that can help your business. Using these options can be very beneficial. Here are some payment methods you can set up for your customers: credit card, Etsy gift card, apple pay, Google pay,PayPal, iDEAL etc
Offering different payment methods helps attract more customers and makes it easier for them to complete their purchases. This can lead to higher sales and better performance for your store.
10. Insufficient marketing/promotion
Another reasons why your digital products aren’t selling is that you’re not promoting your shop outside of Etsy. If you only rely on Etsy’s search and don’t try other ways to get traffic, you could be missing out on potential customers.
Just listing your products on Etsy won’t make them visible or attract buyers on its own. You need to actively promote your shop on other platforms to bring in more customers.
Solutions
There are a few good ways to bring in more traffic and increase sales. The best way is to run Etsy ads and offer promotions.
You should also try other marketing methods, like leverage on social media, email marketing, or working with influencers. These can help bring more people to your Etsy shop and increase sales.
Explore social media, and possibly paid advertising. Tailor your messaging to your audience and use multiple channels to reach them.
Conclusion
Understanding reasons why your digital products aren’t selling is the first step towards making the necessary improvements.
By conducting thorough market research, ensuring high product quality, implementing effective marketing strategies, and creating a seamless user experience, you can significantly increase your chances of success.
Remember to build trust with your audience, price your products appropriately, and continually address customer pain points through clear communication and social proof.
Success in selling digital products requires a blend of strategy, persistence, and adaptability. Keep analyzing, testing, and refining your approach, and you’ll be well on your way to turning your digital products into a thriving business.
Don’t get discouraged by initial setbacks; instead, use them as learning opportunities to better meet your customers’ needs and stand out in a competitive market.
Which of these reasons can you focus on to make your store better? Have you tried any of these tips to increase sales in your Etsy shop? Did we miss anything?
Let us know your thoughts and tips in the comments.
Till next time.
Cheers ❤️
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