Analytics, Pricing, Front Pages...

I've had Google Analytics set up on my Etsy Page from Day 1. I normally get about 180 hits a day to my shop. Those huge spikes are front page features. You can see my hits go from about 180-200 all the way up to 1500-2000 hits. I find Google Analytics really useful. Firstly, it is free to use and simple to install on Etsy, far easier than it was on blogger (which was still pretty easy). It is great to be able to see where your hits are coming from as well. For instance, this morning I saw a new referral; a Danish blog that had featured a selection of ruffly, Ohhh Lulu panties! Conversely, you could also see if someone was saying something not-so-nice about you. Everyone has a critic.

I've been getting a lot more front page features lately, and it coinsides directly with my becoming more involved in Teams. When I first started Etsying in October, I would make a few treasuries here and there, and be featured in probably one or two a day. Yesterday, I woke up to 22 Etsy emails, 9 of which were treasury notifications... and that was just over night! Teams provide really a supportive community, and a way for you to promote other artists that you admire.

I am really, really happy with the response I've been getting. My clothing is something I've always poured my heart and soul into.

I have a lot planned for the next few months.

First, I'm going to buy a serger on Thursday. I am thinking of buying a Pfaff Hobbylock overlock machine. It does not do a coverlock stitch, but my sewing machine, which is a Pfaff Expressions does every stitch in the book, and it even has a coverlock foot and an automatic ruffler, both of which I also plan on picking up. If anyone has ever used one of these Hobbylock machines, I'd love to hear a review.

Second, I want to do a swimwear line. I have two yards of adorable, hula-girl printed spandex that would make a really cute malliot bathing suit. I hate buying bathing suits. I'm petite, but curvy and feel like I'm showing way too much in a bikini, but one-piece suits are just too plain. I want to make a happy medium, cute and pretty.

Third, I want to get into more stores - which I've been saying for a while. I am considering putting my shop on vacation mode so I can get caught up, and then get a head. I also want to add more "every day" items, including bra and panties sets, camisoles, shorts, and hair accessories.

Fourth, I've been thinking a lot about how things are priced. How to stay competitive, fair, and still get paid for my expertise. How do you decide how you will price something. I learned in school, and read on the Fashion Incubator website that you calculate prices this way: a) total of all raw materials (fabric, notions, cutting, sewing cost i.e.labour, label, ) x 2 = wholesale price* b) wholesale price x 2 = suggested retail price** I am not selling at suggested retail if you were to figure out costs this way. So, my next goal is to figure out how to lower my cost of materials (buying in volume, etc) to maintain a reasonable price. I'm really interested in how other people break down prices.

I've made a lot of headway on wedding planning and feel like I've got everything under control with lots of time to spare. I bought my shoes on the weekend, blush pink strapy shoes with a small heel. I purchased some glittery applique's to make the girls some headbands.

I am also considering taking some vacation time off work to get myself a head a bit... but that will have to be run by the boss!