Mistake #1: Wasting money

“Embrace search engine marketing,” says the risk-friendly entrepreneur sitting on your shoulder. “Why not give your brand a boost by using Google’s marketing tools?” With just a few clicks, you’ll have signed up for analytics, visited the Merchant Center and registered your Shop at the Search Console. In between, you surely got asked to try the new AdWords Express for free. Promising, right?

Here’s my advice:

• Do not go with AdWords Express. Just, no! It’s a trap! The absence of granular steering options makes this product a waste of time and money. The campaign set-up options are too basic to drive serious conversions, traffic, and revenue. Trust me.
• Try Google AdWords or Facebook Ads instead. Make sure to get yourself familiar with the metrics and options ahead of time! Control your results and continue to find your optimization potential. There’s a lot to discover and
• Make sure you have eye-catching marketing assets already in place. You’re going to need them for your ads, blog posts and social media activity.
• A professional design tool alone won’t help you become an outstanding illustrator. However, the more professional a software is, the more likely it’s backed by support from users and the provider, allowing you to learn more from the community. Free software tools are generally missing an intuitive user interface and a good ol’ help center. I’d highly recommend using Affinity Photo or Affinity Designer. They are way cheaper than, say, Adobe’s product suits. Plus, you don’t need to pay a monthly bill while using only 10% of their functionalities.

Mistake #2: You think you’re the customer

People tend to assume facts out of their own experiences and perspective. I’ve heard this common mistake when talking to Spreadshop users. When your order success takes a break, you might get to a point where you feel some doubt, whether it regards your product range, your website’s look and feel, or your product pricing. The list is long.

Here’s my advice:

• Try not to base your decisions on your gut feeling(s). It’s better to dive into your own data resources and find arguments there. If you don’t have enough data available, you need to think of processes that’ll create the data for you.
• Perform split tests with your ad campaign. This is already a standard feature of Facebook’s Ads Manager. You can learn a lot from it without spending lots of money.
• Set up a short questionnaire for your visitors. Ask your fans what they like or why they’d leave your Shop without a purchase. I highly recommend checking out this library for WordPress users.
• Use the poll feature on Instagram’s story mode! It’s the easiest way to quickly receive user feedback.

Mistake #3: Trusting over-customization

We’re sure you’ve seen this before: a Shop or site is crammed with over-personalization and over-customization. This includes flashy banners and excessive use of CSS/HTML. Don’t overcomplicate your website or Shop, as it will vicariously impact your customer’s journey.

Here’s my advice:

It’s not about the number of features. Your Shop has everything you need to start selling. We’re monitoring your Spreadshop’s performance 24/7, and we improve the feature set based on our data. If you want to experiment or customize the basic look and feel, you’ll find the most important features within the Shop admin. You can also go and write your own CSS (we’ve listed some useful tips here). But don’t forget: it’s the marketing that drives your sales. If you do this right, the Shop does the rest.

Mistake #4: Forgetting that less is more

The more experienced people are with T-shirt designing, the more they’ll want to showcase their talents and assets. Combine this factor with a ton of product combinations, and there is real danger of messing up the layout of the Spreadshop. Similar to searching the results page of Google, your customers won’t browse from page 1 to 11 trying to find their desired product.

Here’s my advice:

• Keep your Shop clean and simple – start easy! If you display only a few designs, it’s worth it to use the product-based Shop layout. If you have many designs, go for the design-based layout. You can adjust these settings under Page Settings > Product List Page > Display Items as Product/Designs.

• Start filling your merchandise Shop with some apparel standards. You’ll never go wrong with a narrow assortment. Choose one Men’s T-Shirt and a Women’s T-shirt per design. If it’s winter, feel free to add a hoodie or sweater. You should not have more than 10 items per design, and this includes accessories.

Mistake #5: Neglecting to activate your Shop

Activating your Shop is a vital part of the process. Your efforts will prove to be fruitless if you fail to complete this step.

Here’s my advice:

No joke! This is the perfect opportunity to activate your Spreadshop. Right now, you can capitalize on a 15% shop-opening offer, which you should advertise to all your customers. Don’t let this chance pass by; activate your Shop and promote your merchandise at the beginning of your e-commerce journey!

What are your personal failures as a Shop Owner? Do you have some valuable advice for fellow Shop Owners? Leave us a comment below!

The post 5 Mistakes to Avoid With Spreadshop appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

We previously explained how easy it is to create and upload pixel designs. Now, we’re taking that tutorial a step further, providing you with insights into the creation of vector graphics. The most notable advantage of vector graphics is that it gives customers the ability to change the design color(s) to their liking.

Prior to watching the YouTube tutorial, take a look at our FAQ section. Before long, you’ll be a vector graphic expert!

Why Vector Graphics Are a Must for Merch Design

When it comes to creating professional, high-quality merch, vector graphics are the gold standard.

Unlike regular images (like JPEGs or PNGs) that are made up of tiny pixels, vector graphics are created using mathematical paths and shapes. This means they can be scaled up or down to any size without losing clarity or becoming pixelated. This is a huge advantage when your designs need to look just as sharp on a small sticker as they do on a giant hoodie print.

Vectors also offer cleaner lines, smoother curves, and easier editing, allowing you to tweak colors, shapes, and details without starting over.

If you want your products to look polished, professional, and ready for any print size, vector graphics are the way to go.

What do you think of vector designs? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section.

The post How to Add Vector Graphics to Your Shop appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

GIFs are great visual marketing tools because they’re a happy medium between photo and video, making them impossible to ignore. Oh, and the best part, GIF creation is easier than you think! Just follow the video tutorial below and see how simple it is to create the ultimate click bait.

GIF Ideas for Promoting Your Merch Shop:

• Product Showcase: Quick spins or close-ups of best-selling items

• Design Details: Zoom in on eye-catching parts of your artwork or logos

• Before and After: Show a plain product transforming into your custom design

• New Drop Announcement: Animate text like “New Arrival!” or “Just Launched!”

• Unboxing Experience: Short GIF of someone opening a package with your merch inside

• Lifestyle Moments: Show people wearing your merch out and about, laughing, or posing

• Shop Now CTA: Fun animations that nudge viewers to click through to your store

• Trending Loops: Quick, trendy loops that show your product in different colorways

• In-Use Shots: Show your merch being worn while texting, walking, sipping coffee, etc.

Between shop promotions, holidays, and announcements, there are countless opportunities where GIF creation can come into play.

Give it a try and let us know in the comments below how GIFs are working out for you!

The post Tutorial: Promote Your Shop with GIFs appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

Winning over your customers

No matter the business, it’s important to do your homework. Check out what your competitors are doing and how their products are priced. Be sure to pay attention to how their prices vary between simple designs and complex designs.

Once you have a solid understanding of the pricing structure of your competitors, you’ll have more of a clear vision on how your products should be priced.

Remember, you have nothing to lose

One of the greatest benefits of selling merchandise with Spreadshop is that it’s 100% free. You’ll never have to invest any money, ever. You won’t have to think about pricing margins because you’ll never be at a loss. Starting with low prices will still guarantee you a profit with affiliate commission (20% of the revenue consisting of product price plus print price), independently of your design price.

Test it out

Starting with low prices will excite your customers from the get-go. Plus, they’ll be even happier when you have a shop promotion! Once you have a strong customer base and a following, this is the time to consider adjusting your prices. This is something you’ll have to do very carefully.

Start by observing the best-selling designs in your shop. Listen to customer feedback to recognize where there’s room for a price increase. We’re not saying to stack on an extra $10, but to simply add a small amount to your design price. If you’re still making sales and there’s no negative feedback resulting from the price change, then you’re good to go! On the other hand, if you notice a drop in sales, it may not have been the best time to make a change. Luckily, it’s an easy fix, and your sales should go back to normal!

While driving traffic to your website is one of the most important things to focus on, you don’t want your customers doing a complete 180 once they look at your prices. Start low and keep promoting your shop. Your customers won’t be able to resist amazing merch at a great price. Happy creating!

What is your pricing strategy and how has it won over your customers? Share your experience with us in the comments below. We love to hear about your success!  

The post Shop Tip: How to Price Your Products appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

Now, we know what you’re thinking: forums are dated and littered with memes. Well listen here, smarty pants, the Spreadshirt forum provides a venue where Shop Owners can learn, teach, ask questions, and share advice. We understand that the Shop Owner experience can be a bit confusing, but the forum should provide you with all the insight you could possibly need to clear up any issues you may be experiencing.

Why Join the Forum?

We’re not going to sugarcoat it… being a Shop Owner can be difficult. Finding success takes a lot of hard work and effort. Even then, your dedication may not necessarily lead to (immediate) sales. Fortunately, you’re not alone.

As a Shop Owner, you’re probably looking for support and understanding from individuals in a similar situation. Well, you’ll be able to find those individuals hanging out on the Spreadshirt forum. You can exchange any tips, tricks, and hints, and it will also provide an excellent opportunity to learn some of the optimal practices for running a Shop.

What Topics Are Discussed?

While the posts on the Spreadshirt forum can span a wide variety of topics, there are several talking points that are particularly common, including HTML/CSS hacks, design tutorials, and info about printing and color techniques.

You’ll also have exclusive access to new releases, features, and updates, and you’ll receive useful tips on website integration, SEO practices, and marketing techniques. Essentially, the forum will serve as your encyclopedia for all things Spreadshop.

There Are Even Exclusive Events!

If you participate in the Spreadshirt forum, you’ll have access to a list of exclusive opportunities. For instance, on 30.05.2018, we’ll be hosting a Q&A-session with our Spreadshop-Developers. This will allow you to ask our developers about all things Spreadshop, including Shop integration, CSS, HTML, JavaScript, code, and any other tech topic. Save the date!

Meet the Mods

Of course, the Spreadshop forum wouldn’t be all that effective if there weren’t anyone overseeing the conversation and providing guidance through some of the more complex subjects. We currently have five moderators for the forum, and you can learn more about these individuals below:

Sara

• Communication Manager/Spreadshop specialist
• Your main contact person. She oversees and operates the forum.
• She’ll listen to your feedback and will pick up on it to push for development prioritization of new features
• She’s a small Finn with a big heart and handles English, German, and French. She also writes German like Yoda.
• Jack of all trades, although Marketplace topics occasionally make her head hurt
• She’s run out of ways to say, “we’re working on it.”

Alex

• Marketing Communications Manager/Marketplace specialist
• Enjoys discussing Marketplace topics (even if international publishing is confusing)
• Tends to use too many words
• Native German, but has mastered US English
• Loves cats, and she even talks to them
• Superpower: Transcribing IT-talk to Marketplace Designers

Thomas

• Spreadshop Specialist, fabled co-author of the Spreadshirt Success Guide
• Spreadshop official by day, Shop Owner by night
• Hustling on the forum since ‘08
• Keeps an eye on marketing and e-commerce trends
• Once had something to do with Marketplace… maybe? He can’t remember.
• Has a cute office dog named Carlo

Julia

• Spreadshirt’s design fairy since ‘11
• Rocks the Marketplace designs and kabooms your Shop assets
• Ask her anything about print methods like flex, DD, thermo-sublimation, or poster prints… that’s her turf
• Owns a 3D printer
• Is a mother to a dog and a cat
• Has fallen in love with the Eleventh Doctor

Lena

• Communication Manager/Spreadshop specialist
• AKA “Lena from Spreadshirt” (you may know her from the newsletters and blog)
• Oversees all topics that we communicate to you (including the “when’s” and “how’s”)
• Favorite languages include Denglisch, Franglais, and English (a common Spreadshirt syndrome)
• She’s French and German
• She’s heard the phrase “waiting times” so many times it gives her timely goosebumps

Well, there you have it. There are a number of benefits to joining the Spreadshop forum. So, what are you waiting for? Get involved with the community today!

The post Join the Fun, Join the Spreadshirt Forum appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

Before we start: Please be aware that every styling element in your shop exists for a good reason and obeys standards in e-commerce. Any changes can have an effect on how serious or trustworthy your customers perceive your shop. In addition, these CSS tips should be viewed as a last resort, as CSS classes may change without notice and these hacks will no longer work. Now that that’s been settled, let’s dive in!

What is CSS?

Essentially, your website or Shop’s CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) will team up with the HTML to make it easier for users to design and modify their web page. While the HTML is used for your site’s content, the CSS helps present and style that text. For instance, you can set overarching rules (whether they be in regards to color, style, headlines, etc.) for a particular page. Fortunately for you, Spreadshirt makes it more than easy to manipulate this CSS.

How Do I Edit My Shop’s CSS?

It’s extremely easy to edit your Shop’s CSS. Simply go to your Shop admin page, visit ‘Advanced Settings,’ click on ‘HTML & CSS,’ and hit the ‘Edit Shop CSS’ tab. Then, enter in any of the codes below.

Specific CSS Hacks

How Do I Change My Shop’s Font

• body {font-family: American Typewriter !important;}
• The above case uses “American Typewriter” font as an example

How Do I Hide All Colors on the Listpage?

• .sprd-appearance-list–listpage {display:none !important;}

How Do I Hide Specific Colors on the Listpage?

• .sprd-appearance-list__appearance-1 {display:none !important;}
• Exchange the number (in the above case, ‘1’ which is the appearance number for white) with the number you see at the bottom left of your browser window (behind ‘appearance’ when you hover over the product (in the requested color) that you want to hide).

How Do I Hide All Colors on the Detailpage?

• .sprd-detail-info__appearances {display:none !important;}

How Do I Hide Certain Product Colors on the Detailpage?

• #sprd-appearance-list__appearance-1 {display:none;}
• Swap the number (in the above case, ‘1’) with the number displayed in the URL (behind appearance)

How Do I Hide Certain Departments (Including Men, Women, Kids & Babies, Accessories, Case, Wall Prints)?

• Men:
  • #sprd-department-filter__department-D1 {display:none;}
• Women:
  • #sprd-department-filter__department-D2 {display:none;}
• Kids & Babies:
  • #sprd-department-filter__department-D3 {display:none;}
• Accessories:
  • #sprd-department-filter__department-D4 {display:none;}
• Cases:
  • #sprd-department-filter__department-D18 {display:none;}
• Wall Prints:
  • #sprd-department-filter__department-D22 {display:none;}

How Do I Hide Certain Categories (Including T-Shirts, Sports Wear, Workwear, etc.) Within Departments?

• #subFilter-D5-P48 {display:none;}
• Exchange the code (in the above case, ‘48’) with the number you see behind the ‘P’ in the URL)
• The above case uses “Bags & backpacks” as an example

Take note of these CSS hacks, and you can quickly separate your Shop from the crowd. Before long, you’ll be providing your potential customers with a unique Shop experience!

What do you think of these CSS tips? Let us know in the comments below!

The post CSS Tips You’ve Always Wanted to Know appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

Colors can hold multiple meanings based on usage, culture and language, but to fully understand the language of the rainbow, it’s important to know what each color means and how it effects our everyday life. We’ve broken down the emotions triggered by each color, so this can stay in the back of your mind while creating designs for your shop.

Red:

Red, it’s the first color in the rainbow and it’s hard to miss. Whether the color is standing bold, bright, deep or light, the color red can trigger some of the most powerful emotions in the human brain. Red is one of the only colors that consumes equally positive and negative feelings. It can mean fear, aggression or anger, but on the other hand, it can mean passion, love and determination. Whether red is used in your designs or your branding, you can rest assured that your business will not be unnoticed.

Traits of the color red:

• Urgent
• Strength
• Passionate
• Determined
• Bold
• Stimulates appetite
• Spontaneous
• Rebellious
• Warning
• Courage

Orange:

Orange is the color of warmth and friendliness. It stimulates more of a physical feeling rather than a mental or emotional feeling, unlike like other colors. Orange is spontaneous and uplifting, almost like the self-starter or the go-getter in the world of color.

Orange likes to take risks, it’s fearless and gets people thinking and talking deep. It signifies friendship and togetherness. If you’re looking to give your designs a pop of color and fun, orange is the answer.

Traits of the color orange:

• Sociable
• Friendly
• Cheerful
• Adventurous
• Warm
• Uplifting
• Informal
• Agreeable
• Fitness
• Overly-proud

Yellow:

Smile, because yellow is the color of pure happiness! It exudes life and enthusiasm, plus, it’s one of the strongest communicating colors in the rainbow. Clarity, thought and freedom peak at the sight of yellow, which is why it’s such a popular color in many homes.

On the other hand, yellow is a color of high visibility, which is why it’s used for pedestrian crossing signs and other roadside signals. With this, harsh, neon yellows also have a tendency to be associated with impatience and angst, so keep this in mind when designing as well.

Traits of the color yellow:

• Enthusiasm
• Optimism
• Fun
• Confidence
• Positivity
• Wisdom
• Bright
• Clear
• Analytical
• Complex

Green:

Relax, because the color green will be sure to bring you peace and comfort.  Between its traits of balance, growth, equality and harmony, it’s apparent that green is a very therapeutic color. You’ll find that many spas and healing practices incorporate green in branding and décor to embrace a comfortable, calm environment.

However, while green radiates positivity and peace, certain shades can easily be associated with “green envy” or greed. That being said, consider using the more natural tones with light and happy designs and strong, bright shades with bolder designs.

Traits of the color green:

• Balance
• Growth
• Equality
• Harmony
• Renewal
• Restoration
• Environment
• Natural
• Envy
• Greed

Blue:

Trust, responsibility and Intelligence. All of these admirable traits are in fact, initiated by the color blue. Blue is the leader, the helper, the one that builds meaningful relationships. Businesses related to security or banking often use blue, so the sensation of trust resides in their customers.

Blue is almost like an old soul. It’s nostalgic and wise and can work alongside most colors with ease. So, no matter what your next design will be, know that blue is likely to be perceived securely with your audience.

 Traits of the color blue:

• Responsibility
• Loyalty
• Authority
• Idealistic
• Calm
• Logical
• Nostalgic
• Sadness
• Trust
• Intelligence

Purple:

Are your feeling inspired? Purple speaks to the fantasizers and the dreamers of the world. It gives off the meaning of mystery, magic and wonder. Many philosophers are associated with purple because of their individuality and ideals.

While purple stimulates unconditional love and selflessness, it also represents royalty, wealth and luxury. Many kings and queens proudly wore purple to signify their importance in the world. There are many faces to the color purple, so be sure to use it carefully.

Traits of the color purple:

• Individual
• Creative
• Mystery
• Futuristic
• Magical
• Royalty
• Unusual
• Spiritual
• Allergenic
• Intrigue

Why does all of this matter?

Color is all around us every day. When you have an understanding of the psychological effects of color, then you can use this knowledge to your advantage. Surround yourself with colors that will better your attitude, your behavior and your daily routines. Why? Because color can actually improve your way of life when used correctly.

In the sense of promoting your online shop, color psychology can also be utilized, so your brand and products are perceived the right way. Most brands have performed extended research on color to make sure their branding speaks to their target audience effectively. On the other hand, some businesses don’t feel like color plays a big enough role in consumer decision making. No matter your thoughts on the science, it’s worth it to test it out and see the results for yourself.

While color psychology is important, it’s not the only thing that goes into creating a masterpiece. Keep in mind that there is no such thing as a wrong color to use. Play with hues and tones until you find a color combination that works. Creativity is embraced, so don’t limit yourself based on color psychology. Think of it as a way to jump start the color palate to your next creation.

The post The Psychological Effects of Colors appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

It’s simple enough to make large images with a lot of pixels smaller. However, resizing a small image to a large image is where you’ll run into some trouble.

Believe it or not, it actually is possible to successfully take a low-resolution image and enlarge it to a higher resolution. So, don’t go anywhere because we’re about to fill you in on how to resize an image without losing quality.

Option 1: Perfect Resize

Perfect Resize is a software that allows users to transform images with resolution optimization. The software ranges between $50 and $150 depending on your package, but there’s a good chance you’ll be sold after the 30-day free trial. Once you’ve downloaded the application or the Photoshop plugin, then it’s smooth sailing through the rest of the process.

Simply open the image you wish to resize (if you’re using the Photoshop plugin, just click “File” then Automate”), then populate the dimensions of your desired document size. Click “apply” to save your changes, and voila, you’re clean, crisp image is ready to go!

Compatibility:
Mac
Windows
Photoshop Integration

Option 2: Gimp

We’ve previously mentioned the desktop application called Gimp in our post about 5 Free Alternatives to Adobe Photoshop, but what we didn’t mention, is that Gimp can be used to enlarge images without the loss of quality too. Now, Gimp’s resolution capabilities aren’t as advanced as Perfect Resize’s but there will still be a noticeable difference between your starting image and the finished product.

Start by opening your desired image in Gimp. Next, go to “image” then “scale image” and enter the size you wish the enlarged image to be. Finally, select “Sinc Lanczos3” as your interpolation selection. Finish by clicking “scale” and watch the magic happen!

Compatibility:
Mac
Windows

 Option 3: AKVIS Magnifier

AKVIS Magnifier is another wonderful software that allows image resizing with minimal to no quality loss. Its unique algorithm takes low-resolution images and transforms them into intricate, quality photos with just a few simple clicks.

Like Perfect Resize, the AKVIS Magnifier tool can be used as a standalone software or it can be found under “File” then “Automate” in Photoshop after downloading. Simply open your low-resolution image, set the height, width and resolution to your desired size and click “save”! AKVIS Magnifier offers many additional settings and parameters for resizing purposes, but for basic use, the standard setting will be perfect. Because this program is intricate and used by many professional photographers, it’s $89 cost is understandable. However, there is a free trial, so you can test drive this software before making any permanent decisions.

Compatibility:
Mac
Windows
Photoshop Integration

So, now that you know the secret to resizing images, give any of the mentioned applications a try and see the transformation first-hand. It’s hard to deny the amazing results.

The post Resize Images without Losing Quality appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

As a shop owner, visual identity is vital. Your shop is more than just an ordinary t-shirt shop, it’s your brand, your business, your passion. Without visual identity, there is nothing specific your audience can associate your shop with. We’ve put together some tips and tricks to help optimize your shop’s visual identity so that first impression is as memorable as possible.

Visualize:

Once you’ve determined your target audience, it’s time to visualize how you want them to perceive your brand. Whether your audience is younger, older, free-spirited, professional or anything in between, your brand needs to complement their persona. Pay attention to your shop’s color scheme, and product selection so your audience feels at home when they visit your shop.

Header Image:

Your header image is what brings your entire storefront together. It’s the strongest support to your shop’s designs. When someone visits your shop, that’s the first thing they’re going to see and that’s how they’re going to perceive your brand. Make the first impression last by creating a memorable header image to engage your audience. If you’re in need of a little inspiration, our blog post on header images can give you a hand!

Color Matters:

Believe it or not, brand colors manipulate our decisions as consumers. Different colors influence different emotions, so it’s important to know the psychology behind your shop’s color scheme. For example, if your selling merchandise geared towards a fun and youthful crowd, then it’s probably best to use deep reds and corporate blues sparingly, as those colors represent order, control and urgency. Colors that represent playfulness and friendliness like oranges and yellows are tones that are better in line with that target audience. Don’t limit your creativity based on color psychology, if anything, we embrace originality. However, it never hurts to take a second look to assure your branding reflects the character of your customers.

Consistency:

Developing a visual identity will not only make your life easier, but it will help maintain visual consistency across your Spreadshirt shop as well. When you have the colors and design elements of your brand locked down, then a lot of the tedious work is eliminated. When consistency goes beyond your shop, more and more of your audience will recognize your brand at first glance.

It’s never too late to develop your brand’s visual identity. It may take a while to make your vision come to life, but once everything is perfected and in place, then your hard work will be sure to pay off.

Are you a social influencer? Want to make money with your creativity? Monetize on your designs by opening a 100% FREE online shop today!

Open your own shop

The post How to Optimize Your Shop’s Visual Identity appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.

1. Activate the start page

The start page is super important as it conveys the first impression a customer gets of your Shop. It’s your business card and entry ticket into people’s imagination. Use an appealing teaser image that’s in line with your brand, activate the product preview and your topics (see no. 7), and you’re in the money. Oh yes, and pay attention to what to look out for.

2. Social media

In today’s day and age, it’s no secret that social media is a marketing essential. We strongly encourage you to take part in the social media game, so your audience can get to know your brand on a whole new level. Every social media platform is different, so get familiar with them before you start promoting your shop. Marketing through social media may seem like a lot to take in, so we have a social media checklist to help walk you through the process. Don’t miss the opportunities that social media has to offer and start promoting your shop today!

3. Keyword research

Ah, the wonderful world of SEO. Search engine optimization is one of the most effective ways to organically grow the awareness of your brand. To improve your shop’s visibility on the world’s most popular search engines, keyword research is your first step. There are many online tools, both free and paid, to help gather relevant and powerful keywords to incorporate into your content. Remember, the more content you create, the more visibility your shop will receive!

4. Use shop promotions 

The Spreadshirt shop system offers monthly promotions to extend to your customers. Let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good discount? Promoting shop specials through social media will excite your audience and give them a reason to come back for more! To stay updated on shop discounts, check out the Promotions Calendar located in the overview section of the user area!

5. Check out our blog for helpful hints

The Spreadshirt Blog is one of the most helpful resources for shop owners. We offer insight, trends, tips and tutorials to give you, an entrepreneur, a kick-start in the right direction. To stay in-the-loop, take a look at our blog and forum every now and then. It may inspire some new ideas!

6. Link your social media channels to your header image

We’ve already touched upon the importance of social media, but are your accounts connected to your header image yet? Driving customer traffic from your shop to your social accounts is one of the best practices for customer retention. Let consumers in on your life and bring extra meaning and value to your brand.

7. Customize your shop so it fits your target group

The visual identity of your brand is one of the first things that consumers notice. It’s the packaging of your business. Your brand aesthetics should be cohesive across the board, especially within your online presence. When your shop becomes live, make sure that your color scheme, header image, product colors and product designs coincide with the rest of your brand.

8. Consider investing in Facebook ads

Owning an online shop with Spreadshirt is 100% free. It’s rewarding to watch your profits grow when you never had to spend a single cent, that’s the beauty of our platform. Whether you’ve already made some sales, or you’re just getting started, it never hurts to consider investing in Facebook Advertising. You may be comfortable with your steady sales coming in, but how would you like to see those sales double, or maybe even triple? Facebook allows you to target your audience by age, gender, location, etc. Extend your brand’s reach by taking some of your profits and turning them into even more sales!

9. Know what’s trending

Staying on top of trends is one of the biggest obstacles for small businesses. Sometimes, it seems impossible to keep up. Luckily, there are many helpful tools available with just a couple of clicks. Between Google Alerts, blog posts, competitor analysis and personalized news feed, upcoming trends can be found all over the internet. Once you determine the best way to stay informed, anticipate what’s coming next so you can get ahead of the game!

10. Stay positive

Starting your own business isn’t easy. We recognize that. As long as you’re passionate about your brand, then your audience will be passionate about it as well. Stay confident and motivated and your efforts will sell themselves.

Are you a social influencer? Want to make money with your creativity? Monetize on your designs by opening a 100% FREE online shop today!

Open your own shop

The post Your 10-Step Checklist as a Shop Owner appeared first on The Spreadshop Blog.