Do template colors really matter?
Posted on by Brigitte in Uncategorized
I say absolutely they do! Look at these examples below using a pair of colorful vintage shoes I have.
This template is white. It’s very blah as far as I’m concerned. Where’s the excitement when a buyer clicks on this listing? Where’s the focus on the colorful shoes?
This template is blue, a bit more exciting but it competes with the blue of the shoes thus TAKING AWAY something from the item. The glow is a bit much too. Don’t want to “turn off” our buyers.
Here is the red template. Now we’re getting close. The red is in CONTRAST to the red in the shoes and ENHANCES the item and thus the listing. I might pick this one.
And this final template is a bit of a mix. For one, it goes with the “vintage 80s” I “use in my title“ thus I’m attracting that type of buyer. They’ll not only probably take a liking to the template but it ENHANCES the shoes nicely and is just overall a good fit.
So, can you see how colors and types of graphics can really help your item sell? If a buyer opens your listing and thinks “yowza, crazy colors, get outta here!” or “how boring, next…” then it ABSOLUTELY has everything to do with the success of your item. Sure, if you have something someone loves and is very sought after, the listing probably won’t matter. But why take the chance?
Hope this has been helpful. Until next time………………..
Deena O'Daniel
03. Jan, 2010
Great idea….now where did you get those fabulous templates??
Brigitte
03. Jan, 2010
I use Auctiva for all my listings. I have a whole lot of fun with the templates. There are tons, are free and you can really tailor them to your item.
Kim~Lilacs
03. Jan, 2010
YES!! Templates definitely make a difference!! I have had different customers over time tell me that they bought my items due to the layouts used, the comfort of shopping thru booth/store/etc. Once in a great while I had music with some of them & I had a preacher buy some old vintage bible kid books from me as he was sooo comfortable shopping, and the impulse to buy was there because of that!
I look at it as when I shop somewhere I like to feel comfortable in doing so. Not only the description, measurements, flaws mentioned, pictures showing all along with makers marks, etc. But, if it is not so blah shopping, it keeps my interest to go further & look at more too. So, if it will make me feel good & comfortable then I know the customers will feel the same way too:)
Brigitte
03. Jan, 2010
Yeah, you’re so right. It’s sort of like going to a department store and seeing a nice display of something. It’s enticing to stay and look through the goods. If items are just sitting on a boring shelf with nothing exciting surrounding it then it won’t get noticed. I participated in a yard sale in my community one year and decided to make my driveway look like a little antique store booth. I got so many people stopping by and many bought because they “were in the mood.” Same sort of thing.
Serena
03. Jan, 2010
I guess I have to be the lone dissenter here, only because I never noticed an increase in sales when I used to tailor my template to the item I was selling. Doing so only took time away from other more important things like listing more items. I have heard from many sellers and experts on marketing that you want to create a consistent look to all your listings for branding purposes, so using the same template for all your listings is key. But then again, I guess it depends on what you’re selling and the type of customers you attract to your items.
Brigitte
03. Jan, 2010
Hi there! Yes, it definitely does vary from seller to seller. I do think it matters with what the item is. With vintage items one can expect to attract a certain type of buyer for example when I sell shabby chic items, I try to use Victorian type of templates. I’m not sure what service you use but with Auctiva it takes me only a few seconds to pick my template. But yeah, it’s not a proven tactic to increase sales but I do think it can make you items stand our or blend in.
Thanks so much for your participation!
Lauren
03. Jan, 2010
A good, easy on the eye, appealling template is what makes the “first impression” and can make or break the sale within the first couple of seconds.
I like a consistent look, but find that you can change the mood with a little bit of tinkering with the fonts and using color with the fonts to create the drama you might want.
I used to use different pre-made templates to match the category of my store. I kind of liked them …. but the most important part is to make your seller ID PROMINENT on your template.
That said, I’m no longer a niche seller. Used to be, and had a great following and lots of people signed up for the newsletter to be the first to bid on items. NOW, however, I’ve gotten out of niche sales and use a lot of fixed prices and do more store items. I rarely have anyone sign up for a newsletter and rarely have repeat buyers! But sales have been better, dollar-wise.
I love the excitement of an auction, but with so many single bids, I’ve decided that fixed price is a better way to get what I want out of an item. Of course, that leaves a lot of no sales items too.
I don’t like really busy templates, but do like some color. Yet, the details are what make or break a sale, along with customer service. I ask questions, and if they don’t get answered, I don’t buy. We need to be really good about responding because this gives us the opportunity to start a sale be establishing contact with a real person.
steff
04. Jan, 2010
Yes, I think it definitely matters. I use auctiva as well–there are SO many choices. one time I had a customer ask me if the cute santa claus needlepoint was included in the auction–it was the template! Also, I find music added to a listing VERY annoying! I click right off of the listing if I hear noises!
Brigitte
04. Jan, 2010
Thanks Steff! Yes, I also click away from noises. I’m pretty confident saying NEVER add music or any noise. There will always be exceptions but for the most part, people get distracted.
Susan
07. Feb, 2010
I use auctiva too and love it and the choices….but have learned that when I made the listings less “busy” the more people I get to look and buy over the holidays. I dont like the noise either…distracts me from the item and eventually I leave. A lot of forums on ebay has buyers who say they hate all the busyness and music and some say they slow down them downloading the item to their screen…so I have less busy templates…but not one on all…just depends on the items.