Latest / The Modern Etsy Seller Podcast / 59. 11 Etsy Thumbnail Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Clicks (Etsy Listing Photos Part 1)

Transcript

59. 11 Etsy Thumbnail Mistakes That Could Be Costing You Clicks (Etsy Listing Photos Part 1) · The Modern Etsy Seller Podcast

• 0:05
  SPEAKER_00: Hey there and welcome to the Modern Etsy Seller, the podcast where busy women build, grow, and profit on Etsy.
• 0:11
  SPEAKER_00: I'm your host, Melissa Carroll, a full-time teacher, a busy mom, and an Etsy seller who's built two successful Etsy shops in the small moments of everyday life.
• 0:20
  SPEAKER_00: Here you'll find simple strategies, real behind-the-scenes insight, and the clarity you need to stop second guessing and start moving forward one intentional step at a time.
• 0:30
  SPEAKER_00: Let's get to it.
• 0:33
  SPEAKER_00: Hey guys, welcome back.
• 0:35
  SPEAKER_00: Over the next two weeks, we are going to dive into something that can make a really big difference in how your Etsy listings perform.
• 0:43
  SPEAKER_00: And that is your listing photos.
• 0:45
  SPEAKER_00: All of those images that you create and upload to your listings that showcase your products and give shoppers the information they need to make a purchase.
• 0:54
  SPEAKER_00: This week we're going to focus on that very first photo, your main listing image or your thumbnail.
• 1:00
  SPEAKER_00: That's the image that shoppers see when your product shows up in Etsy search results.
• 1:05
  SPEAKER_00: Then next week we'll talk about all the other images that are in your listing gallery.
• 1:09
  SPEAKER_00: But I thought the main image deserved its own episode because it has such an important job.
• 1:15
  SPEAKER_00: And that job is to get potential buyers to click into your listing.
• 1:19
  SPEAKER_00: So today I'm gonna walk you through 11 thumbnail mistakes that I see Etsy sellers making, why they're a problem, and most importantly, what you can do instead.
• 1:30
  SPEAKER_00: I've also put together a free Etsy thumbnail checklist to go along with this episode.
• 1:34
  SPEAKER_00: It's a list of questions that you can ask yourself when you are choosing or creating your main listing image.
• 1:41
  SPEAKER_00: I'm sending it to everyone on my email list.
• 1:43
  SPEAKER_00: So if you're already subscribed, you'll get it automatically.
• 1:47
  SPEAKER_00: If you're not, you can head over to melissacarroll.co slash thumbnail to grab your copy.
• 1:53
  SPEAKER_00: And when you sign up, you'll also be added to my email list, which means you'll automatically receive any future freebies I create for the podcast without having to sign up for each one individually.
• 2:04
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, let's get into it.
• 2:06
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number one is using the exact same mock-up that everyone else is using.
• 2:11
  SPEAKER_00: This happens a lot with print on demand sellers because we often start with the handful of mock-ups that our print providers give us.
• 2:18
  SPEAKER_00: And even when we're purchasing mock-ups, some of the more popular ones end up being used by tons of different sellers.
• 2:24
  SPEAKER_00: The reason this is a mistake is that your listing can blend in with everything around it when what you really want is for it to stand out.
• 2:32
  SPEAKER_00: When someone is scrolling through Etsy search results, your listing is competing for their attention.
• 2:37
  SPEAKER_00: And if your thumbnail looks almost identical to five or 10 other thumbnails that are around it, you're making it that much harder for your product to get noticed.
• 2:46
  SPEAKER_00: This doesn't mean you need to create all of your own mock-ups or spend a ton of time searching for something that no other Etsy seller has ever used.
• 2:55
  SPEAKER_00: But I do think you need to be a little more intentional about the thumbnail mock-up that you choose.
• 3:00
  SPEAKER_00: Before you settle on a main image, search Etsy using the keyword you're targeting for that product and look at the images that are showing up.
• 3:08
  SPEAKER_00: Are you seeing the same mock-up over and over again?
• 3:11
  SPEAKER_00: Is it the one that you're planning to use?
• 3:13
  SPEAKER_00: If it is, consider choosing something different.
• 3:17
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number two is making the product or design too small in your thumbnail.
• 3:22
  SPEAKER_00: You want the product and design to be the star of the photo.
• 3:26
  SPEAKER_00: And they should be taking up most of the real estate in that thumbnail.
• 3:30
  SPEAKER_00: And something we have to keep in mind is that a lot of shoppers are visiting Etsy on their phones.
• 3:35
  SPEAKER_00: So when we're creating our images, we need to look at them through a mobile first lens.
• 3:41
  SPEAKER_00: A lot of us create our images on our laptops or on our desktops where everything is bigger and it's easier to read and see.
• 3:50
  SPEAKER_00: But sometimes what looks great on your computer screen might be really difficult to see when it's reduced to the size of a thumbnail on someone's phone.
• 3:59
  SPEAKER_00: So before you settle on your main image, shrink it down to thumbnail size and see how it looks.
• 4:05
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're using a pre-made mock-up, remember that you don't have to use the entire image exactly as it comes.
• 4:12
  SPEAKER_00: You can crop the image or zoom in closer to the product so that it takes up more space in your thumbnail.
• 4:19
  SPEAKER_00: The goal is to make sure shoppers can see what you're selling without having to click into your listing to figure it out.
• 4:26
  SPEAKER_00: They're going through all of those images so fast we want them to know exactly what yours is.
• 4:33
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number three is using a mock-up with a background that's too busy or distracting.
• 4:39
  SPEAKER_00: There are some really beautiful mock-ups out there, but sometimes there's so much going on in the photo that the product gets lost.
• 4:48
  SPEAKER_00: And other times it's not necessarily that there's too much going on, but that the background or colors are working against the product instead of helping it stand out.
• 4:57
  SPEAKER_00: There might be a bunch of props surrounding your product or a really busy pattern in the background or colors that compete with the colors in your design.
• 5:06
  SPEAKER_00: Remember the purpose of your thumbnail is to get someone interested enough in your product to click on it.
• 5:12
  SPEAKER_00: And you don't want other elements in the photo competing for their attention.
• 5:16
  SPEAKER_00: So when you're choosing a mock-up, pay attention to what's happening around the product.
• 5:21
  SPEAKER_00: Does the background complement it or distract from it?
• 5:24
  SPEAKER_00: And is there enough contrast between the product and what's behind it?
• 5:28
  SPEAKER_00: You don't necessarily need a plain background, but you want one that allows your product to stand out.
• 5:34
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number four is using poor quality photos for your thumbnail.
• 5:40
  SPEAKER_00: This could mean an image that's blurry or pixelated.
• 5:44
  SPEAKER_00: It could mean an image that's too dark or has harsh, unnatural looking shadows, or it could be one that's taken from an awkward angle that makes it difficult to see the product or design.
• 5:58
  SPEAKER_00: Even if you have a great product, a poor quality image can make your listing look unprofessional and cause shoppers to question the quality of what you're selling.
• 6:08
  SPEAKER_00: If you're purchasing mock-ups or downloading images from your print provider, make sure you're using high resolution files.
• 6:14
  SPEAKER_00: And Etsy recommends listing images be at least 2,000 pixels on their shortest side.
• 6:20
  SPEAKER_00: Also keep in mind that cropping or zooming in too far on a low resolution image can make it blurry or pixelated.
• 6:27
  SPEAKER_00: Before uploading your thumbnail, take a close look at the image.
• 6:31
  SPEAKER_00: Is it sharp, well lit, and showing your product from a flattering angle?
• 6:35
  SPEAKER_00: If not, choose a better mock-up or make adjustments before publishing.
• 6:39
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number five is using an image that looks obviously fake or AI generated.
• 6:45
  SPEAKER_00: Now I'm not saying you can't use AI to create mock-ups.
• 6:48
  SPEAKER_00: AI can be a really useful tool, and there are some great AI generated mock-ups out there.
• 6:53
  SPEAKER_00: Etsy recently published some updated guidance around listing images and AI, but for print-on-demand sellers, the rules around using stock mock-ups haven't changed.
• 7:04
  SPEAKER_00: Etsy still allows you to use authorized stocked photo mock-ups featuring your original designs.
• 7:10
  SPEAKER_00: One way that I like to use AI is to generate the scene around the product, whether that's the background, the setting, or even the person modeling it.
• 7:18
  SPEAKER_00: Then I bring in an image of the actual product from the print provider and place it into that scene.
• 7:25
  SPEAKER_00: That way I'm using AI to create the mock-up without relying on it to generate the product itself.
• 7:30
  SPEAKER_00: But even when you're using AI just to create the scene, you still need to examine the finished image carefully.
• 7:36
  SPEAKER_00: We have all seen photos where things are off, right?
• 7:40
  SPEAKER_00: So you gotta look for things like strange-looking hands and unnatural shadows and awkward proportions or that overly smooth appearance that makes an image look obviously AI generated.
• 7:51
  SPEAKER_00: These little details can make an otherwise beautiful mock-up look fake, and that can affect how shoppers perceive your product and your shop.
• 7:58
  SPEAKER_00: And then just remember that if you're using an AI generated person to model your product, it needs to be marked on there in some way.
• 8:05
  SPEAKER_00: I recommend always being transparent about it.
• 8:09
  SPEAKER_00: In my own listings, I add a small note in the corner that says model is AI generated and leave it at that.
• 8:15
  SPEAKER_00: The goal is to use AI to create appealing, realistic images that help your product be shown without making shoppers question whether they can trust what they're seeing.
• 8:25
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, number six is using a mock-up that doesn't accurately represent the product your customer is going to receive.
• 8:32
  SPEAKER_00: This might mean showing a sweatshirt in a color that isn't actually available, or making a design appear larger than it really is, or using a mock-up where the fit or shape of the product is different from the one you're selling.
• 8:46
  SPEAKER_00: The problem is that you're creating expectations that the actual product might not meet.
• 8:51
  SPEAKER_00: And that's going to lead to disappointed customers, negative reviews, and probably returns or refunds.
• 8:57
  SPEAKER_00: This is also something that Etsy specifically addresses in its listing image requirements.
• 9:03
  SPEAKER_00: Your photos need to accurately represent the item your customer will receive.
• 9:08
  SPEAKER_00: So before you use a mock-up, make sure it's appropriate for the specific product you're selling.
• 9:12
  SPEAKER_00: Double check the available colors, design placement, proportions, and then any other details that could be misleading.
• 9:20
  SPEAKER_00: The goal isn't just to get someone to click on your listing, it's to make sure they know what they're buying.
• 9:25
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number seven is not considering how Etsy crops your main listing image.
• 9:30
  SPEAKER_00: Your thumbnail isn't always going to appear exactly as you uploaded it.
• 9:35
  SPEAKER_00: Etsy displays listing photos in different sizes and shapes depending on where shoppers see them, including in the search results, on your shop page, and on mobile devices.
• 9:45
  SPEAKER_00: And that means part of your image could get cut off.
• 9:48
  SPEAKER_00: So when you are creating your thumbnail, leave a little breathing room around your product so that important details aren't too close to the edges.
• 9:56
  SPEAKER_00: Then before you publish your listing, check how that thumbnail will actually appear.
• 10:00
  SPEAKER_00: Etsy makes this really easy with its adjust thumbnail tool that's gonna let you preview your image in three different formats: a square format, a portrait format, and a landscape format.
• 10:12
  SPEAKER_00: You can zoom in or out and reposition your image to find a placement that works well across all three while you're in that tool.
• 10:20
  SPEAKER_00: So take a minute to check each preview and make sure your product is clearly visible and no important parts of your design are getting cut off.
• 10:27
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number eight is using the generic product images provided by your print on demand company as your main listing image.
• 10:35
  SPEAKER_00: You know the ones I'm talking about, right?
• 10:36
  SPEAKER_00: Like a sweatshirt or mug that's against a plain white background with nothing else going on in the photo.
• 10:42
  SPEAKER_00: There's nothing necessarily wrong with a white background.
• 10:44
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes a clean, simple image is actually what you want.
• 10:47
  SPEAKER_00: The problem is that these images can look like generic stock photos, almost like something you'd see in a product catalog.
• 10:55
  SPEAKER_00: They don't always have the same visual appeal and they can make your listing feel a little impersonal.
• 11:01
  SPEAKER_00: But you don't necessarily need to purchase a new mock-up to fix this.
• 11:04
  SPEAKER_00: Sometimes something as simple as replacing that stark white background with a softer color or adding a subtle texture or placing the product against a simple background can make the image feel more polished and intentional.
• 11:17
  SPEAKER_00: You can do this pretty easily in Canva by uploading that photo and then removing the background and creating your own.
• 11:25
  SPEAKER_00: The goal isn't to make the image more complicated though, it is to make your product look more appealing while still keeping it the focus of the thumbnail.
• 11:34
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, mistake number nine is using a mock-up that makes shoppers think they're getting something that isn't actually included in their purchase.
• 11:43
  SPEAKER_00: So that could look like a journal sitting inside of a really nice gift box that it won't actually arrive in.
• 11:51
  SPEAKER_00: Or a candle that is photographed alongside one of those small jars of matches when they're not actually getting those matches.
• 11:59
  SPEAKER_00: There's nothing wrong with using props to style your photos, but there's a difference between props that help showcase your product and then additional items that make it look like you're selling a set or including special packaging.
• 12:13
  SPEAKER_00: So before choosing your thumbnail, take a look at everything in the image and ask yourself whether a shopper might reasonably assume any of those additional items are included.
• 12:24
  SPEAKER_00: You don't necessarily have to stop using those images altogether.
• 12:28
  SPEAKER_00: You could still include them somewhere else in your listing gallery.
• 12:31
  SPEAKER_00: Just make sure if you do that there's a clear note in there stating that the additional items or the packaging aren't included.
• 12:40
  SPEAKER_00: But for your main thumbnail, I'd recommend choosing an image that makes it immediately clear what the customer is getting.
• 12:47
  SPEAKER_00: Mistake number 10 is adding too much text or too many graphics to your main listing image.
• 12:54
  SPEAKER_00: I am talking about thumbnails that have the product surrounded by text boxes, arrows, badges, or multiple smaller images showing different features or variations.
• 13:05
  SPEAKER_00: The problem is that all of this extra information can make your thumbnail look cluttered, especially when someone is viewing it on their phone.
• 13:11
  SPEAKER_00: And instead of drawing attention to your product, you're giving shoppers a lot of different things to look at.
• 13:16
  SPEAKER_00: Remember, your thumbnail doesn't need to explain everything about your product.
• 13:20
  SPEAKER_00: Its job is simply to get someone interested enough to click into your listing.
• 13:25
  SPEAKER_00: So keep your main image focused on the product itself.
• 13:28
  SPEAKER_00: If you have information about sizing, materials, color options, personalization, or product features, save that for the other images in your listing.
• 13:39
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, mistake number 11, our final mistake, is not highlighting something about your product that could give shoppers an extra reason to click.
• 13:48
  SPEAKER_00: So say you have um, say maybe you're selling a jewelry dish and you have them in five different shapes, but in your thumbnail, you're only showing one of those shapes.
• 14:00
  SPEAKER_00: Having a small badge that says five shapes available or something along those lines could make someone more interested in checking out your listing.
• 14:09
  SPEAKER_00: Another example might be if you offer personalization on a product where much of your competition doesn't.
• 14:16
  SPEAKER_00: That's also something worth pointing out because it could be exactly what a shopper is looking for.
• 14:22
  SPEAKER_00: So it's really about whatever you have that adds value to your product that might be a little bit different, that might help you rise above the competition.
• 14:33
  SPEAKER_00: You do want to indicate that somewhere in that photo.
• 14:37
  SPEAKER_00: Not a bunch of different things, but one well-thought out value add that you offer in that listing image could get people to click.
• 14:48
  SPEAKER_00: Okay, you're definitely not going to just start adding badges to every thumbnail.
• 14:52
  SPEAKER_00: I just told you having too many of those is not a good idea.
• 14:55
  SPEAKER_00: But if your product has a feature or an option that makes it stand out from all the other images, think about communicating that in a simple way.
• 15:04
  SPEAKER_00: The key is to keep it simple and clear while making sure the product itself is still the focus of the image.
• 15:11
  SPEAKER_00: All right, so those are the 11 thumbnail mistakes that could be costing you clicks on Etsy.
• 15:18
  SPEAKER_00: Your main image has one really important job, and that's to get shoppers interested enough in your product to click into your listing.
• 15:27
  SPEAKER_00: So paying attention to some of the things we talked about today will help you create thumbnails that do that job a little bit better.
• 15:34
  SPEAKER_00: Don't forget, I put together a free Etsy thumbnail checklist to go along with this episode.
• 15:40
  SPEAKER_00: If you're already on my email list, I'll be sending it to you automatically.
• 15:44
  SPEAKER_00: And if you're not, you can grab it at melissacarroll.co slash thumbnail.
• 15:49
  SPEAKER_00: Next week, we're gonna talk about the rest of the listing photo gallery.
• 15:53
  SPEAKER_00: Getting someone to click is only the first step.
• 15:56
  SPEAKER_00: Once they're in your listing, those other images have a different job to do, and that's to help turn that click into a sale.
• 16:03
  SPEAKER_00: So we'll be talking about it next week.
• 16:06
  SPEAKER_00: Thanks so much for listening, and I'll see you next time.