Meet the Mug with a Personality: but not a great name
SEO AND NAMING ITEMS
Why My Best-Selling Mug Has a “Not-Quite-Perfect” Name.
When I first listed my creepy face mug on Etsy, I knew I had to get strategic with the name. I researched tirelessly, looking at top keywords, long-tail phrases, and trends to find what would get the most attention. I knew “mug” was a must—it’s direct, clear, and gets to the point. But “creepy”? That was a bit of a gamble. It wasn’t the absolute top choice in keywords, but with my shop’s collection of quirky face mugs, I decided to go with the next best option, aiming to capture an audience who appreciates the unique and unusual.
Of course, there was a twist. To avoid competing with my own listings (yes, that’s a thing!), I had to be careful not to use the same high-impact words across my entire collection. The idea was to keep each listing distinct and appealing without cannibalizing sales from other similar items. So, I crafted a name that wasn’t perfect but hit the keyword sweet spot… and it worked! Thanks to a great thumbnail and that keyword-heavy name, the mug quickly became a best-seller.
Now, here’s the catch: the name, while effective for search, is a bit of a mouthful and doesn’t fully capture the personality of the mug. It’s one of those trade-offs you sometimes make as an Etsy seller, especially when you’re starting out. The experience has taught me that while SEO is critical, it’s equally important to balance it with memorable, engaging product names that resonate with customers.
If you’re new to Etsy search or SEO, take this as a tip from experience: while strong keywords help you get found, don’t overlook the character and personality of your product name. A little research goes a long way, but at the end of the day, the product thumbnail and a quirky name can often speak louder than SEO alone!
Uglymug “creepy face” coffee mug
Polymer clay face sculpture on a ceramic mug, one-of-a-kind hand-made sculpture home décor collectible. Unique art gift idea.
David Cooney
Head over to my Etsy shop and get jump on Holiday gift giving! grab one!
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