1/16/08

[2008.01.16 19:01:28] Welcome to the CafePress Chat Room
[2008.01.16 19:01:28] shopaholicchick has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
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[2008.01.16 19:01:38] Sag has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
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[2008.01.16 19:01:48] Ne' @ 1512BLVD has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
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[2008.01.16 19:02:13] BrittaCP: we'll give this a few seconds so everyone can make thier leaps over
[2008.01.16 19:02:18] PhotoGirl: Hi everyone!
[2008.01.16 19:02:18] deeks: hello all
[2008.01.16 19:02:23] shopaholicchick: hi everyone
[2008.01.16 19:02:23] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: hi
[2008.01.16 19:02:28] jerseygirl: Hey everyboday
[2008.01.16 19:02:42] BrittaCP: Hi Everyone!
[2008.01.16 19:02:50] dreamup: hi :)
[2008.01.16 19:02:53] TexasFiddler: howdy
[2008.01.16 19:02:59] BrittaCP: Thanks for joining today’s Shopkeeper Discussion.
[2008.01.16 19:02:59] hazeleyes7 has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:03:08] FJS: Hi everybody
[2008.01.16 19:03:16] BrittaCP: Today we’re talking product descriptions (and shop and section descriptions, and sections teasers…).
[2008.01.16 19:03:21] matisse has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:03:24] jerseygirl: I'm looking forward to this one...
[2008.01.16 19:03:34] BrittaCP: The format for today will be a little different than our usual workshops.
[2008.01.16 19:03:54] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: me too. my weakest area, I think
[2008.01.16 19:04:14] BrittaCP: With a Shopkeeper discussion we want to hear from you.
[2008.01.16 19:04:20] JudiQue has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
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[2008.01.16 19:04:39] BrittaCP: Instead of having a planned agenda of topics and info… we want to pass the mic over you guys… the Shopkeepers.
[2008.01.16 19:05:00] rufus has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:05:05] BrittaCP: Share with each other your knowledge and tips on the subject, and maybe discover something new.
[2008.01.16 19:05:05] mousecrafter has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:05:30] BrittaCP: If you’re a newbie SK, feel free to ask questions about descriptions, as you’ll be hearing from folk of all levels.
[2008.01.16 19:05:53] goatlady has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:05:57] BrittaCP: Like our other workshops, though… this chat will me moderated.
[2008.01.16 19:06:15] Ne' @ 1512BLVD has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:06:15] BrittaCP: This means that any comment you submit will go into a queue until it’s reviewed by a moderator and pushed out.
[2008.01.16 19:06:29] BrittaCP: We’ll try to get all the comments and questions out, but forgive us if we miss some, as a lot come in.
[2008.01.16 19:06:45] BrittaCP: Alright… let’s get this started… to kick off the conversation….
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[2008.01.16 19:06:59] BrittaCP: Is there anyone here today that doesn’t know what a product description is, or where they would see one in their shop?
[2008.01.16 19:07:43] BrittaCP: don't be shy, if you don;t
[2008.01.16 19:08:01] Amere: I think the best tutorial I found on what I should be doing was a thread by ZapGraphix
[2008.01.16 19:08:10] BrittaCP: awesome... be sure to share the link with us a little later
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[2008.01.16 19:08:51] BrittaCP: ok... well then i guess it's safe to assume we all know what a prod description is, and where you can find it.
[2008.01.16 19:09:07] BrittaCP: but just in case...
[2008.01.16 19:09:11] BrittaCP: Here’s a picture to help you out
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[2008.01.16 19:09:31] BrittaCP sent a picture:
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[2008.01.16 19:09:48] Amere: oh...er.... it was in the forums somewhere...
[2008.01.16 19:09:54] boldavenue has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:10:47] BrittaCP: so is it also safe to assume that everyone here is currently using thier product descriptions?
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[2008.01.16 19:11:22] doonidesigns: no i dont use product descriptions very often and my shops are very successful
[2008.01.16 19:11:29] shopaholicchick: i know i am using them - as well as section descriptions and teasers
[2008.01.16 19:11:39] TexasFiddler: Does the product description play a part in placement in the Marketplace, or is the Marketplace purely tag driven?
[2008.01.16 19:11:50] BrittaCP: marketplaces is purely tag driven
[2008.01.16 19:12:07] BrittaCP: *Marketplace... correction we only have one. ha
[2008.01.16 19:12:13] TopTee: I fill in every blank there is :)
[2008.01.16 19:12:18] John has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:12:23] JudiQue: I'm pretty sure we're all using our prod descriptions, .. but maybe not as effectively as we could be ...
[2008.01.16 19:12:28] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:12:38] BrittaCP: So, for those who are not currently utilizing their product descriptions… who can explain why they are a great feature that all Shopkeepers should take advantage of.
[2008.01.16 19:13:08] NiftyGaloot: Oh, dooni... Please use descriptions. Us affiliates will love you, if you do.
[2008.01.16 19:13:13] TopTee: I agree Judi
[2008.01.16 19:13:18] deeks: in a word? google
[2008.01.16 19:13:20] shopaholicchick: the descriptions are need for google and yahoo - they are purpley descriptions driven
[2008.01.16 19:13:25] Amere: Because all text is food for the search engines
[2008.01.16 19:13:29] dreamup: better chance of search engines landing on that specific page
[2008.01.16 19:13:34] FJS: Because it gives the search engines something to look at that is descriptive of the page that they are on.
[2008.01.16 19:13:42] NiftyGaloot: Product descriptions really help with SEO. (Search Engine Optimization)
[2008.01.16 19:13:59] deeks: *waits for her gold star*
[2008.01.16 19:14:04] BrittaCP: :bow:
[2008.01.16 19:14:09] BrittaCP: how about a bow instead
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[2008.01.16 19:14:42] BrittaCP: I apologize if these seems elemntry... i just wanted to get that established for anyone who may be in the dark
[2008.01.16 19:14:54] doonidesigns: i depend on descriptive product names. google likes me fine that way. But, Nifty I hear you on affiliate aspect of it
[2008.01.16 19:15:01] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: I get hits from Google directly to my products because of what I typed there
[2008.01.16 19:15:05] flipk: When I have time, I try to go back through and tweak them. Sometimes I find they need a lot of work!
[2008.01.16 19:15:25] John has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:15:39] BrittaCP: so yes... in a nutshell...
[2008.01.16 19:15:58] BrittaCP: This is how you GET your customer. The content (or information) that you include in your product description is what’s indexed (picked up) by search engines like Google and Yahoo.
[2008.01.16 19:16:09] BrittaCP: When someone does a search for a word or a phrase that may be a part of your description, you will be among the returned results.
[2008.01.16 19:16:15] NiftyGaloot: Descriptions give you more room for keywords than just using good product names.
[2008.01.16 19:16:20] cartwright has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:16:25] boldavenue: yeah i go back and tweak mine too. it's amazing how much you learn over time!
[2008.01.16 19:16:37] BrittaCP: The same goes for your Product Titles, which is also important to complete.
[2008.01.16 19:17:08] TexasFiddler: Should descriptions include information on the product itself, or should it based strictly on the design that is placed on the product?
[2008.01.16 19:17:31] BrittaCP: For those that art skilled in the art of writing product descriptions… what’s a basic formula you would share for the beginner or novice
[2008.01.16 19:17:50] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: dooni, you may be doing well and better than me, but you coud do even better if you filled them out
[2008.01.16 19:18:08] NiftyGaloot: Mostly design, include any words in the design. Google can't read images, yet.
[2008.01.16 19:18:17] FJS: You want to use as many descriptive words as you can but have it still make sense to the reader.
[2008.01.16 19:18:36] Romy has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
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[2008.01.16 19:18:52] JudiQue: WHen I first started my shop, I figured there were pictures, why add a description. THEN .. I learned about SEO .. I'm still occasionally finding stuff without descriptions.
[2008.01.16 19:18:57] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: texas, i prefer design description and perhaps purpose of design. Product info is already provided by cp
[2008.01.16 19:19:01] NiftyGaloot: Yes, use complete sentences!!! :)
[2008.01.16 19:19:25] BrittaCP: Nifty... tell us why complete sentances are important
[2008.01.16 19:19:37] TopTee: I use the keywords a couple of times in two or three sentences that make sense to the reader.
[2008.01.16 19:19:58] doonidesigns: Ne, i spent some time describing and it seemed to lower my google ranks.. not sure why but it did. I plan to do some here and there on best selling designs but I am in way too deep at this point lol
[2008.01.16 19:20:04] shopaholicchick: make a list of 3-4 key words or phrases someone would search to findyour product then use then in 3-4 sentances - try to write like you would describe the image over the phone to a friend or family member
[2008.01.16 19:20:13] Sag: All descriptions give you the opportunity to widen your appeal to a broader audience for more traffic and hopefully a higher conversion rate.
[2008.01.16 19:20:17] TexasFiddler: thanx ne
[2008.01.16 19:20:32] NiftyGaloot: Search engines look down upon just lists of keywords.
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[2008.01.16 19:20:43] deeks: basically, my forumla is just to think like the customer. If I was looking for a cancer-relatedtee shirt, I'd put "tee shirts for cancer survivor" in the search engine. Google would find all the pages that have the term. This is why descriptions are as or more important than "good product names"....more room for pertinent keywords
[2008.01.16 19:20:48] TopTee: Google likes sentences with periods.
[2008.01.16 19:20:54] BrittaCP: Well noted!
[2008.01.16 19:21:24] insanetsharts has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:21:36] dreamup: do search engines pick up the teaser and section description text also?
[2008.01.16 19:21:56] BrittaCP: You know it!
[2008.01.16 19:21:57] dreamup: omg i never use periods...... should i be
[2008.01.16 19:21:58] deeks: I didn't know Google cared about periods...thanks for the heads up!
[2008.01.16 19:22:06] NiftyGaloot: Search engines see lists of keywords as spam. Spam = Bad!!
[2008.01.16 19:22:23] BrittaCP: right... this is something that you want to avoid doing
[2008.01.16 19:22:33] BrittaCP: plus... it just looks really bad in your shop
[2008.01.16 19:22:40] BrittaCP: giant blocks of owrds
[2008.01.16 19:22:45] BrittaCP: *words
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[2008.01.16 19:23:32] JudiQue: WHich would be more important to search engines .. section descriptions or product descriptions?
[2008.01.16 19:23:49] BrittaCP: anyone have thoughts on this?
[2008.01.16 19:24:08] deeks: I see all the time where shops have a huge laundry list of their product names in the footer.....I never liked the way it looked so I avoided doing it. Now I'm glad I did!
[2008.01.16 19:24:09] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:24:29] boldavenue: plus you want to also use that text to appeal to the humans reading it - make them want your product! :)
[2008.01.16 19:24:34] dreamup: i use the same text on all
[2008.01.16 19:24:34] TopTee: I tend to repeat the basic info in both areas.
[2008.01.16 19:24:34] shopaholicchick: both - they will link into either the section or the product
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[2008.01.16 19:24:39] deeks: I never thought about that Judi.....I just assumed all text was created equal. lol
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[2008.01.16 19:24:49] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: Look at your shop like a customer and if it seems funny to you, then it will to them also. If you were to see a store that had a list of keywords, would you think it was a professional site? Or would you click off because something seems amiss?
[2008.01.16 19:25:03] TexasFiddler: So if you have a section of products with the same design on them, how much (if any) difference is there in your descriptions?
[2008.01.16 19:25:12] rufus: Can I get a copy of this if I have to leave
[2008.01.16 19:25:17] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:25:32] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:25:39] BrittaCP: we'll have it posted in the chat archive by the end of the week.
[2008.01.16 19:25:40] BrittaCP: http://www.cafepress.com/cp/community/chat
[2008.01.16 19:25:49] doonidesigns: i do have some section descriptions but not product... however I may be wrong but the google feeds pick up the products descriptions as well?
[2008.01.16 19:25:54] shopaholicchick: they are all the same
[2008.01.16 19:25:57] shopaholicchick: 1 design = 1 section and all have the same description
[2008.01.16 19:26:04] flipk: I have a question, is it bad to use the words t-shirt, or tees in the description, (since it's already in the product descrip by cp)?
[2008.01.16 19:26:43] TopTee: I use the words t-shirts and gifts as many times as I can without spamming.
[2008.01.16 19:27:41] BrittaCP: I think using these words are fine... they just add to your keywords... say you have a design with a viking and on a t-shirt... in your description you would mention "viking t-shirt"
[2008.01.16 19:28:03] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:28:15] BrittaCP: Now, if you're using the same description for all your products in that section... just make sure to change out the word t-shirt if it's a clock
[2008.01.16 19:28:20] Krystl has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:28:26] NiftyGaloot: Oh yes! If you are doing google feeds, it picks up the product description!
[2008.01.16 19:28:31] flipk: Thank you, I was worried it might seem like spam to search engines.
[2008.01.16 19:28:36] Sag: No, it's not bad to use t-shirts or tees in descriptions. Afterall that is what you are selling, just don't use them in a stream like tshirts, t-shirts, tees etc.
[2008.01.16 19:28:47] doonidesigns: flip, if you change the product descrip in "bulk" it is better to write w/o these words so it fits other products as well like ornaments and what now..
[2008.01.16 19:29:05] shopaholicchick: i do not use it in the description because it will be on the page in the product name
[2008.01.16 19:29:08] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: I make my description in bulk for the whole section. I rarely ever go into an individual product and tweak it for that product. Reason: Because it is time consuming and the product name is already provided (as well as product description) by CP. So, I write a description that fits all products based on the design.
[2008.01.16 19:29:21] TexasFiddler: so, shopaholicchick, you let the CP text pull in the search engines with regard to "shirt" or "apron" and you simply focus on your design and hope that the search engine pulls up the product your customer wants...or does the search engine actually come to you section page?
[2008.01.16 19:29:37] boldavenue: texas: a lot of times they're the same. or i might change a few words relevant to the product like "wear this christmas design" on apparel but obviously i wouldn't say "wear" on a mug
[2008.01.16 19:29:42] boldavenue: toptee: how do you know if you're using words too many times?
[2008.01.16 19:29:47] TopTee: I do like Ne does.
[2008.01.16 19:29:53] FJS: Is it bad to say in your description that you have more similar designs available?
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[2008.01.16 19:30:33] TopTee: I only use them enough to make sense in the sentences.
[2008.01.16 19:30:39] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: An exception might be if you have a unique use for that product, then I may go into that product and tweak the description to mention the unique uses that would not apply to the other products
[2008.01.16 19:30:48] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:31:01] shopaholicchick: texas the search engines will come to the product page because CP has a descriptions including the type of item it is shirt or poster - i put my designs on not only shirts i put them on mugs and posters and i use the same descriptions for all of them - 1 descriptions per design
[2008.01.16 19:31:05] deeks: ditti @ Ne'
[2008.01.16 19:31:08] Logan: As a buyer, I am really turned off by spelling errors. Makes me think the SK is sloppy.
[2008.01.16 19:31:24] BrittaCP: Yes... spell check, spell check slpel check
[2008.01.16 19:31:32] BrittaCP: helps avoid little accidents like that
[2008.01.16 19:31:50] boldavenue: hehe britta!
[2008.01.16 19:31:53] Sag: The worse habit I had to break was selling designs instead of t-shirts, keepsake boxes, wall clocks etc. It is so easy to use the word designs in place of what you are really selling (product type) and you get tons of hits for people looking for designs and not products.
[2008.01.16 19:31:58] deeks: Logan...good point. I always contact the shopkeeper when I notice a word spelled wrong...especially on their products!
[2008.01.16 19:32:03] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: I agree with Logan... but when you are tired, it can happen to the best of us
[2008.01.16 19:32:10] boldavenue: i <3 firefox spellcheck! you don't have to think about it then
[2008.01.16 19:32:17] BrittaCP: that is a lovely feature
[2008.01.16 19:32:35] Amere: and get a proof reader, spell cheque is not infallible
[2008.01.16 19:32:46] TexasFiddler: I use the description to direct folks to other products only in the case that I have multiple products for different audiences. Ex. a shirt for girls might have a ref that there is a design available for boys.
[2008.01.16 19:33:30] NiftyGaloot: FJS - If someone sees your design in the market place or on an affiliate site, saying you have more designs doesn't help as they aren't in your shop. Might even keep some affiliates from using your designs.
[2008.01.16 19:33:48] NiftyGaloot: Yes, spelling is important. Don't forget the ' r ' in T-Shirt like I did on Umpteen designs! :-D
[2008.01.16 19:33:53] BrittaCP: awesome
[2008.01.16 19:34:09] BrittaCP: well... not really... but awesomely funny
[2008.01.16 19:34:09] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: nifty...lol
[2008.01.16 19:34:15] dreamup: how about intensional mis-spellings LOL
[2008.01.16 19:34:32] BrittaCP: thoughts, anyone?
[2008.01.16 19:34:35] Sag: Been there and done that one too, Nifty!:-D
[2008.01.16 19:34:45] boldavenue: Nifty: yikes about your typo. Also, would that keep affiliates away?
[2008.01.16 19:34:51] Amere: That Miss Spellings has a lot to answer for
[2008.01.16 19:34:55] doonidesigns: i think it looks bad to customers as said before
[2008.01.16 19:35:35] BrittaCP: right... it can bring an feeling of unprofessional, or even scam depending on how severe your typos are
[2008.01.16 19:35:43] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: I can spot t-shirt without the r from a mile away because I am super intuned to that word consdiring my maiden name ended in ship and would always get misspelled
[2008.01.16 19:35:54] NiftyGaloot: Alternate spellings are good to work into descriptions, and sometimes misspellings.
[2008.01.16 19:35:58] Amere: It certainly puts me off
[2008.01.16 19:36:02] boldavenue: dreamup: it would have to be absolutely obvious that it was intentional and done for a purpose. Like "hookd on fonix..."
[2008.01.16 19:36:15] matisse: Am I losing SEO by using the same descriptions in both my section teasers and my section descriptions?
[2008.01.16 19:36:19] TopTee: Yes, like Jewellery and Jewelry.
[2008.01.16 19:36:24] FJS: But if it's a generic reference, not specific.
[2008.01.16 19:36:26] Heni has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:37:12] dreamup: i use the same description for all 3 spots.. teaser, section description and product........ should i be doing this?
[2008.01.16 19:37:24] BrittaCP: this seems to be a big question... came in twice
[2008.01.16 19:37:29] Amere: matisse you just need to vary it a tiny bit. But that is for the humans, not the search engines
[2008.01.16 19:38:17] dreamup: do SE pick up numbers like 2 or 3? i always type two (2) both ways just in case
[2008.01.16 19:38:26] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:38:33] shopaholicchick: i do the same for section and product - i may add more for the section - i usually shorten it for the teaser - the teaser and the product have letter limits
[2008.01.16 19:39:12] boldavenue: i'd say change it up for the humans definitely. give them more info about your product or more reasons to buy it. but if it's have the same descriptions on all 3 or nothing, than the same is better than nothing
[2008.01.16 19:39:43] rufus: Not to get off the subject but... Can I ask if any of you put your name on your products?
[2008.01.16 19:39:57] deeks has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:40:05] Logan: The same description in all three spots may bore the human, another turn off.
[2008.01.16 19:40:09] NiftyGaloot: If you're gonna use both the number 2 and spell two... Work them in naturally. Like... Two elephants rubbing noses beside 2 trees.
[2008.01.16 19:40:13] boldavenue: typing numbers both ways is good, just in case
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[2008.01.16 19:40:33] shopaholicchick: i dont - i made some with some without - the ones without sold better so i dropped the others
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[2008.01.16 19:41:00] Mx-Mom has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:41:07] TexasFiddler: rufus, i've thought about it but haven't done that to a large extent.
[2008.01.16 19:41:09] graphicdeeziner: Rufus, I always put my name on my images
[2008.01.16 19:41:13] TopTee: I don't either
[2008.01.16 19:41:24] shopaholicchick: also i found that affiliates - including myself - - hate when people put thier links in thier descriptions!!!!
[2008.01.16 19:41:34] boldavenue: rufus: if it works with my design i put a small URL/logo. i figure the big brand names do it so why not me? :)
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[2008.01.16 19:42:09] goatlady: what html is and is not useful in the section descriptions and why?
[2008.01.16 19:42:14] khphoto has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:42:21] NiftyGaloot: Any html in description is not good.
[2008.01.16 19:42:27] doonidesigns: i would say for affiliate reasons. NO HTML
[2008.01.16 19:42:34] graphicdeeziner: shopa, by putting links in their desciptions, what do you mean?
[2008.01.16 19:42:40] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:42:44] shopaholicchick: NO HTML IN ANY DESCRIPTIONS
[2008.01.16 19:43:05] goatlady: ALSO what punctuation is good and not good for SEO? ie: () [] "" * $ # etc.
[2008.01.16 19:43:14] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: Some people put their special tag or brand name and if it is unique and the same each time, then it is good for an affiliate using 4th click to spotlight your designs. I did this at my 4th click store: http://www.cutebabytshirts.com
[2008.01.16 19:43:17] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:43:47] doonidesigns: i use . , and / but not tooo many commas!
[2008.01.16 19:44:04] NiftyGaloot: Don't us double quote or ampersand. Both are codes and don't work in google feeds and can screw up data feeds.
[2008.01.16 19:44:14] boldavenue: goatlady i don't know of any punctuation that's not good for SEO. but if you use a whole bunch at once like this !@#$%^&* it looks like you're cussing LOL
[2008.01.16 19:44:31] flipk has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:44:38] boldavenue: nifty! thanks for the insight! i never thought about that!
[2008.01.16 19:44:40] NiftyGaloot: Use a single quote and spell out and.
[2008.01.16 19:44:45] TopTee: I only use periods and commas. I try to stay away from anything else.
[2008.01.16 19:44:50] dreamup: opps i use quotes to describe what my design says
[2008.01.16 19:44:55] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: On that site, I have 3 under shop by brand. And any description that has there special brand will show up if you click on it.
[2008.01.16 19:45:03] TexasFiddler: now i thought that bold and italic were picked up by search engines
[2008.01.16 19:45:24] TopTee: Bold is ..not sure about italic.
[2008.01.16 19:45:28] TexasFiddler: Guess I need to go back and pull out a whole bunch of quotation marks on some of my designs that feature quotes.
[2008.01.16 19:45:32] doonidesigns: yes all of my google errors are because of a set of " in products names
[2008.01.16 19:45:45] insanetsharts has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:45:48] boldavenue: Bad punctuation can turn people off as much as bad spelling. Makes descriptions hard to read too
[2008.01.16 19:45:55] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: If you use an asterix it seems to mess up the afiliate pages... it cuts the rest of the product name off
[2008.01.16 19:45:58] TexasFiddler: so wouldn'g bold be good html in your description?
[2008.01.16 19:46:06] Amere: What is an ampersand again
[2008.01.16 19:46:11] BrittaCP: *
[2008.01.16 19:46:23] BrittaCP: /\ that's an ampresand
[2008.01.16 19:46:26] BrittaCP: the little star
[2008.01.16 19:46:35] BrittaCP: ooooh
[2008.01.16 19:46:36] BrittaCP: woops
[2008.01.16 19:46:41] BrittaCP: duh
[2008.01.16 19:46:46] TexasFiddler: &
[2008.01.16 19:46:46] boldavenue: ampersand = &
[2008.01.16 19:46:56] BrittaCP: :whistle:
[2008.01.16 19:47:15] boldavenue: lol
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[2008.01.16 19:48:00] FJS: I know I have a line in my descriptions that has gotten some affiliates upset. I let people know that there are more designs in my "whatever" section. Without linking directly to my store of course or mentioning it. I would think that would be okay because it would be letting people know to go to any store for more designs in that area. But some don't like it. What's the concensus?
[2008.01.16 19:48:42] brainlint has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:49:06] FJS: I sort of asked this earlier in less words, sorry.
[2008.01.16 19:49:27] BrittaCP: ha... no worries
[2008.01.16 19:49:34] deeks: I have a question about what affiliates look for, or more importantly what they DON'T WANT TO SEE in the descriptions of a shop they are contemplating promoting.
[2008.01.16 19:49:41] deeks has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:49:53] boldavenue: do they not like it because you're sending people elsewhere instead of just letting them buy that product on the spot? i don't know. i would think if they like the mug let them know they can buy the journal too. wouldn't the cookie still be set?
[2008.01.16 19:49:59] doonidesigns: use the space to write about the description its on. for my new store which i am doing a generic product scripts for, I am using my email addy but i am not concentrating on affiliates but more the aspect that i am available for personalizing the designs
[2008.01.16 19:50:11] Ne' @ 1512BLVD: I am not sure. But, if it doesn't link then it shoudl be okay. Your tore shhould come before an affilaiates wishes, unless said affilaite brings you tons of sales. Then do his bidding
[2008.01.16 19:50:53] dmhgraphics has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:51:15] Sag: If it is driving traffic FJS, then that is a priority.
[2008.01.16 19:51:49] Amere: I always had a problem with the phrase "keyword rich" as it didn't enllighten me at all. This thread helped me immensly http://forums.cafepress.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/722104/m/73610187
[2008.01.16 19:51:54] boldavenue: although if you're scaring away affiliates because of one thing like html in descriptions or whatever you'll never know if they'll bring you tons of $$$. those are tough calls
[2008.01.16 19:51:59] graphicdeeziner: I came across a store a while back that in their descriptions for greeting cards told the shopper that they also had cards for sale with a service that mailed out the cards and then linked the shopper to that site off cafepress. I know this is a big no no for affiliates, but how does cafepress feel about this?
[2008.01.16 19:52:23] BrittaCP: one thing that you want to make sure of is that your content does not violate our TOS
[2008.01.16 19:52:44] BrittaCP: that includes your images, and text
[2008.01.16 19:52:46] Jolent has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:53:24] boldavenue: oh i dont think you're allowed to do that. what do you think britta?
[2008.01.16 19:53:26] NiftyGaloot: TOS = Terms of Service
[2008.01.16 19:53:30] TopTee has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:54:24] BrittaCP: If you think in any way that you shouldn't be doing it... it's best not to
[2008.01.16 19:54:29] Sag: Yep, that's a no no!:whistle:
[2008.01.16 19:54:52] sodashirts: can someone tell me if its okay to make the title of your design in quotes? Example: "i love bbq" T-Shirt
[2008.01.16 19:55:19] deeks has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:55:28] Sag: Don't use quotes especially if you feed up to Google base.
[2008.01.16 19:55:34] boldavenue: one thing to think about is if they're really necessary. people tend to overuse quotes.
[2008.01.16 19:55:48] Jolent has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:56:03] sodashirts: ugh, well good to know, my titles have been like that for years.
[2008.01.16 19:56:22] rufus: What is 4th click store mean?
[2008.01.16 19:57:09] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:57:46] JudiQue: what about caps or lower case .. make any difference?
[2008.01.16 19:57:48] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:57:56] TexasFiddler: I'd love to hear some feedback on 4thclick as well, but that's probably off topic pretty far.
[2008.01.16 19:58:12] shopaholicchick: 4th click is a program to help create and off cafepress store from your cafepress store
[2008.01.16 19:58:15] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:58:20] BrittaCP: i'll open up the lobby in a few for more discussion on 4th click
[2008.01.16 19:58:26] Mx-Mom has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:58:28] shopaholicchick: judi mIxED CaPs JuSt LoOkS BaD
[2008.01.16 19:58:37] Krystl has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 19:58:41] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:58:56] shopaholicchick: AND ALL CAPS ONLINE IS YELLING
[2008.01.16 19:58:58] Amere: And all caps is SHOUTING
[2008.01.16 19:59:11] BrittaCP: that's just bad nettiquitte all around
[2008.01.16 19:59:17] boldavenue: i dont think caps make any difference to search engines - just picky shoppers ;)
[2008.01.16 19:59:21] NiftyGaloot: Caps in the right places look better than all small or all caps.
[2008.01.16 19:59:30] TexasFiddler: Judi, I may use caps to emphasize specific words in the description. For the most part I just do what is gramatically correct.
[2008.01.16 19:59:33] Joonsjolly has entered the room "CafePress Chat Room"
[2008.01.16 19:59:35] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 19:59:46] JudiQue: Yeah, I know that .. but there are times when one word (or more) needs to be emphasised . thus .... CAPS
[2008.01.16 20:00:01] TexasFiddler: "This is a really GREAT design for folks who..." type of theing
[2008.01.16 20:00:12] JudiQue: OK ... thanks
[2008.01.16 20:00:20] BrittaCP: ecellent
[2008.01.16 20:00:24] BrittaCP: excellent
[2008.01.16 20:00:30] PhotoGirl has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 20:00:37] BrittaCP: i think this was a good discussion
[2008.01.16 20:00:47] cartwright has left the room (logged out)
[2008.01.16 20:00:56] boldavenue: i agree. thanks everyone!
[2008.01.16 20:00:59] JudiQue: certainly was a fast hour!
[2008.01.16 20:01:04] BrittaCP: it does fly
[2008.01.16 20:01:09] doonidesigns: just as you design your products, design your text on your store :)... meaning easy on the eye.. wow i lagged
[2008.01.16 20:01:12] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 20:01:18] BrittaCP: Well it's timne to wrap things up now
[2008.01.16 20:01:29] TexasFiddler: what's the topic for the next chat?
[2008.01.16 20:01:34] BrittaCP: Marketing 101
[2008.01.16 20:02:00] BrittaCP: so if you're a new SK this is a perfect chat to join
[2008.01.16 20:02:20] BrittaCP: or... if you just need to brush up on your skills.
[2008.01.16 20:02:25] Message sent to moderator(s)
[2008.01.16 20:02:32] BrittaCP: I'm opening up the lobby for you all to continue the party
[2008.01.16 20:02:43] boldavenue has left the room (logged out)