Map Pillow Box Set with Jute String Tie by TheWeepingWillows

No doubt, most of you have heard the phrase “Location, Location, Location.” This phrase is usually attributed to the real estate profession, because the location (of a home or building for sale) most often has the biggest impact on the price.

As an artist or crafter selling on Etsy, “location” is an important part of your sales too. Etsy gives you a simple field to enter your location. Unfortunately, many sellers leave this field blank.

Your location helps personalize your shop a bit, makes it more human and less like a 1-800-NOWHERE shop. Also, you will show up in any “Shop Local” searches that buyers might do for your geographic area. Clicking on Shop Local on Etsy’s front page menu (as seen in the image above) lets the user browse the most recently updated shops by town, city, state, province, country, continent, you name it.  It works by searching the location field in sellers’ profiles all across Etsy.

Shopping locally is becoming more and more popular, as consumers want to support local businesses and economies, and perhaps reduce their carbon footprint in the process. Plus, buyers like knowing where you (and your products) are from. Since buyers can shop locally on Etsy by utilizing the Shop Local feature, you might as well make sure your shop is showing up in these search results.

As a seller, you can connect with other shop owners in your area, perhaps building your own support network. Editors and writers of newspapers, blogs, and magazines have been known to use the Shop Local feature on Etsy to locate artists for articles they are writing and product spreads they are working on. Brides-to-be can use the Shop Local feature to find locally-made bridesmaids gifts. You get the idea.

How do you add your location into your Etsy Shop? Click here for a helpful Storque article to guide you through the process.

I’m not sure if it is really necessary to list several locations, unless you are living in several areas simultaneously, for example half a year in Florida, the other half in North Dakota. My take on the “Location” field is that it answers the follow simple question: Where does this artist live?

Afraid people won’t know where in the world your tiny town is? Consider putting something about your town in your profile, such as “XXXXX is about 60 miles south of Portland.” Keep in mind, that if you have a wonderful product, with clear photos and descriptions, you will be found on Etsy, regardless of where you live.

Your turn: Do you use the Shop Local feature? Do you have your Location filled in?