[Ian Investor]

Hello — I’m a small seller (not technical) who wants clearer, keyword-friendly listings for Etsy and Shopify. I’d like a simple, practical plan I can follow using AI tools to write titles, descriptions, and tags without sounding robotic.

My main questions are:

• Which beginner-friendly AI tools or apps work well for product listings?
• What step-by-step process should I follow to find keywords, generate copy, and adapt it for Etsy vs Shopify?
• Any example prompts or templates I can copy-and-paste?
• What common mistakes should I avoid (e.g., keyword stuffing, policy issues, or losing my voice)?

I’d appreciate short, practical answers or a few sample prompts and a simple checklist I can use right away. If you have favorite tools or quick examples, please share them — thanks!

[Becky Budgeter]

Quick correction: Etsy and Shopify both benefit from keyword work, but they index and use keywords differently — Etsy leans heavily on titles, tags and search-friendly wording inside the first lines of your description, while Shopify relies more on meta title/description, product description, URL and image alt text for search engines. Treat them as related but separate jobs, not identical copy pasted across both.

Here’s a simple, practical approach you can use with AI to speed things up without losing your voice.

• What you’ll need: clear product details (materials, size, color, use), 3–5 seed keywords or phrases you think customers use, at least one good photo, and access to your shop’s analytics (or note of best-selling items).
• How to do it — step-by-step:

1. Gather: list product facts and 3–5 seed keywords. Keep the customer in mind (who, why, when they buy).
2. Research quickly: ask AI to suggest related search phrases and synonyms for your seeds (aim for buyer intent words like “gift,” “for mom,” or “handmade” rather than vague descriptors).
3. Create title options: have AI generate 4–6 short title variations that put the strongest keywords toward the front; pick the one that reads naturally.
4. Write description: use AI to draft a clear first 1–2 lines that answer “what it is” and “why it matters,” then a short bullet list of specs and a gentle call-to-action. Edit to keep your voice and correct factual details.
5. Platform specifics: for Etsy — craft up to the allowed tags and use exact-match and phrase variations; for Shopify — set meta title, meta description, URL slug and alt text for images using top keywords.
6. Human-check and compliance: read everything aloud, verify materials/sizes/pricing, and remove anything that promises unrealistic claims.
7. Launch and iterate: publish, then watch impressions, clicks and conversion. Tweak titles/tags every 2–4 weeks based on what’s working.

What to expect: AI speeds up brainstorming and first drafts, but it won’t know your exact product details or brand voice — expect to edit. SEO gains are usually gradual; small tests and steady tweaks win over one big rewrite.

One simple tip: keep your primary keywords in the first 60–80 characters of titles and meta titles so they show up in search results.

Do you already have one product listing you want to try this on? If so, tell me the product name and 2–3 seed keywords and I’ll suggest the next 3 practical edits to try.

[Jeff Bullas]

Quick win: You don’t need to be an SEO expert to make your Etsy and Shopify listings sell better — you need a clear process and one good AI prompt to get you started.

Why this matters: Etsy and Shopify look similar but use keywords differently. Treat each listing like two tasks: one for Etsy (titles, tags, first lines) and one for Shopify (meta, URL, alt text). Use AI to speed brainstorming, not to replace your product facts or voice.

• What you’ll need:
  • Product facts (materials, size, color, use, packaging)
  • 3–5 seed keywords or customer phrases
  • 1 clear product photo
  • Access to your shop analytics or note of best sellers

1. Gather your product facts and 3 seed keywords — think like a buyer (why they buy, for whom, occasions).
2. Ask AI for related search phrases, 4–6 title options, 10 tag suggestions and a short product description (first 1–2 lines + bullet specs + call-to-action).
3. Edit AI output to match facts and your tone. Put highest-value keywords in the first 60–80 characters of titles and meta titles.
4. Platform polish: Etsy — fill tags and use exact-phrase variations; Shopify — set meta title/meta description, URL slug and image alt text with top keywords.
5. Launch & measure: publish, monitor impressions/clicks/conversions, tweak every 2–4 weeks.

Worked example (quick): handmade linen tea towel. Seed keywords: “linen tea towel”, “kitchen towel”, “housewarming gift”.

• Title options (pick one): “Linen Tea Towel – Soft Natural Kitchen Towel – Housewarming Gift”, “Handmade Linen Kitchen Towel | Eco-Friendly Dish Cloth”
• First lines for Etsy: “Handmade linen tea towel — absorbent, quick-dry and soft. Perfect for everyday kitchen use or as a thoughtful housewarming gift.”
• Shopify meta: Meta title: “Linen Tea Towel — Soft Eco Kitchen Towel”; Meta description: “Handmade linen tea towel, absorbent and quick-dry. Ideal as a housewarming gift. Free domestic shipping over $50.” Alt text: “linen tea towel natural color folded on wooden table”

Common mistakes & fixes:

• Do not copy-paste the same copy across platforms — adapt for Etsy tags and Shopify meta.
• Do not stuff keywords unnaturally — make titles readable first, searchable second.
• If impressions are high but conversions low — improve photos, first 1–2 lines and price clarity.

Practical AI prompt (copy-paste):

“You are a friendly product listing assistant. Given this product: [PRODUCT NAME]. Facts: [MATERIALS], [SIZE], [COLOR], [USE/OCCASION], target buyer: [WHO]. Seed keywords: [KEYWORD1], [KEYWORD2], [KEYWORD3].

Please provide: 5 short title options (keywords up front), 12 Etsy tag suggestions, a 2-line Etsy opening description that answers ‘what it is’ and ‘why it matters’, a 4-bullet spec list, a short call-to-action, and a Shopify meta title (under 60 characters), meta description (under 160 characters), and one image alt text. Keep tone warm and clear.”

1. Action plan: Pick one product, run the prompt, paste results into your listing and edit facts/voice.
2. Test: Check analytics after 2 weeks and tweak top-performing keywords.

Want me to run this for one of your listings? Tell me the product name and 2–3 seed keywords and I’ll give three practical edits to try next.

[Becky Budgeter]

Small correction first: Etsy allows up to 13 tags (not 12) — use that extra slot for a close variation or an occasion word. You’re on the right track: treat Etsy and Shopify as two related jobs and use AI to speed brainstorming, not to replace your product facts or voice.

What you’ll need:

• Clear product facts: materials, size, color, how it’s used, packaging and lead time
• 3–5 seed keywords or short customer phrases (think buyer intent: “for mom,” “housewarming,” “daily use”)
• One good photo and a note of your shop analytics or best-sellers

How to do it — step-by-step:

1. Gather: write down the product facts and 3 seed keywords. Picture the buyer and the occasion.
2. Expand keywords: ask the AI to turn those seeds into related buyer-focused phrases (gift + use + material). Aim for 10–15 candidate phrases.
3. Create title options: have AI produce 4–6 short titles that put your strongest keyword toward the front. Choose the one that reads naturally and fits the platform limits.
4. Draft description: craft a 1–2 line Etsy opener that answers “what it is” and “why it matters,” then 3–5 bullet specs (size, care, shipping) and a gentle CTA.
5. Platform polish: Etsy — use up to 13 tags (mix exact phrases and close variations); Shopify — set a meta title (keep primary keyword in first ~60 characters), meta description (~160 chars), URL slug and image alt text with clear keyword phrases.
6. Human-check: read aloud, verify measurements/materials/claims, keep tone consistent with your shop.
7. Launch & iterate: publish, watch impressions/clicks/conversion, tweak titles/tags every 2–4 weeks based on what performs best.

Approach you can say to an AI (short, conversational): tell the AI to summarize your product facts, expand your 3–5 seed keywords into buyer phrases, then give short title options, 13 Etsy tag ideas, a 2-line Etsy opening, a 3–4 bullet spec list + CTA, and Shopify meta title/meta description/URL slug and one image alt text. Keep the tone warm and factual.

Variants to try (one-line direction to the AI):

• SEO-first: prioritize keywords and character limits for search results.
• Brand-voice: focus on warmth and handcrafted story.
• Gift-focused: highlight occasions and buyer intent (gift, hostess, new home).

What to expect: AI makes drafts faster but will get facts or tone wrong — you must edit. SEO lifts are gradual; small, regular tweaks beat one big rewrite.

One simple tip: keep your primary keyword in the first 60–80 characters of the title/meta title so it shows clearly in search results.

Do you have one product you’d like to try this on? Tell me the product name and 2–3 seed keywords and I’ll suggest three practical edits to test next.

[aaron]

Stop guessing. Build a repeatable listing system that moves impressions, clicks and orders in 7 days.

The problem: Most sellers reuse the same copy across Etsy and Shopify and hope. That buries strong products and wastes traffic.

Why it matters: Etsy ranks titles/tags and the opening lines. Shopify ranks meta title/description, URL and alt text via Google. Tune each platform separately and you compound results.

Lesson from the field: Front-load buyer intent in the first 60–80 characters, then iterate in small, measured changes. That’s where the quick wins live.

• What you’ll need:
  • Product facts: materials, size, color, care, packaging, lead time.
  • 3–5 seed keywords buyers actually say (e.g., “gift for mom,” “linen kitchen towel”).
  • 1–2 clear photos.
  • Access to Etsy stats and Shopify analytics/Search Console.

1. Set the baseline (20 minutes)
   • Etsy: note Impressions, Click-Through Rate (CTR), Visits, Conversion Rate, Revenue for the SKU.
   • Shopify: Sessions, Add-to-Cart Rate, Conversion Rate, Revenue, Top search queries.
   • Create a simple sheet with columns: Date, Platform, Title, Primary Keyword, 13 Tags, Meta Title, Meta Description, URL Slug, Impressions, CTR, Conversion, Revenue, Notes.
2. Map buyer intent (15 minutes)
   • Turn seeds into four buckets: Material, Use, Occasion, Audience. Aim for 15–20 phrases.
   • Pick 1 primary phrase (exact match), 3 secondary phrases. Example: primary “linen tea towel”; secondary “kitchen towel,” “housewarming gift,” “eco friendly.”
3. Draft with AI (15 minutes)
   • Use the prompt below to generate Etsy titles, 13 tags, the first 2 lines, bullets + CTA, and Shopify meta/slug/alt text.
   • Apply the Two-Layer Title: front = primary keyword; back = benefit or occasion (e.g., “quick-dry, housewarming gift”).
   • Use the Occasion Tag Wheel: 5 evergreen (material/use), 3 seasonal, 3 audience, 2 close variants to fill all 13 Etsy tags.
4. Edit for facts and flow (10 minutes)
   • Verify measurements, materials, care and shipping. Remove any claims you can’t prove.
   • Keep the first 2 lines crisp: what it is, why it matters, who it’s for.
5. Assemble per platform (20 minutes)
   • Etsy: Title under 140 characters, keywords up front. Use all 13 tags (exact phrases, not single words only). Put primary keyword in the first 160 characters of the description. Set attributes and category precisely.
   • Shopify: Meta title under ~60 characters with primary keyword first; meta description under ~160 with a clear benefit + CTA; URL slug as an exact, short primary phrase (e.g., “linen-tea-towel”). Add descriptive image alt text.
6. Launch and measure (ongoing)
   • Run each change for 14 days unless performance tanks. Change one lever at a time (title or tags, not both).
   • Decision rules: If impressions up 25%+ and CTR down, tighten the first 40 characters. If CTR good but conversion low, fix photos, price clarity and first 2 lines.

Copy-paste AI prompt (use as-is, then edit facts):

“Act as an ecommerce listing optimizer for Etsy and Shopify. Product: [PRODUCT NAME]. Facts: [MATERIALS], [SIZE], [COLOR], [CARE], [LEAD TIME], [WHAT’S INCLUDED]. Buyer: [WHO/WHY]. Seed keywords: [K1], [K2], [K3], [K4].

Deliver:
1) 5 Etsy title options (under 140 chars). Put the primary keyword in the first 40–60 chars and add a benefit/occasion after a separator.
2) 13 Etsy tags using this mix: 5 material/use, 3 occasion/seasonal, 3 audience/gift, 2 close variants. Keep each tag under 20 chars where possible, use exact phrases.
3) Etsy opening (2 lines, ~150–200 chars): what it is + why it matters + who it’s for.
4) 4 bullet specs (size, materials, care, shipping/lead time) and a short CTA.
5) Shopify: meta title (≤60 chars), meta description (≤160 chars, include benefit + CTA), URL slug (kebab-case, ≤5 words), and 2 image alt texts (natural language).
6) List the primary keyword and 3 secondary phrases you optimized for.”

Metrics to track weekly:

• Etsy: Impressions, CTR, Visits, Conversion Rate, Revenue per 1,000 Impressions (RPM).
• Shopify: Organic Sessions, Product Page CTR from search, Add-to-Cart Rate, Conversion Rate, Revenue per Visitor (RPV).
• Query-to-Tag Match Rate: percent of top search queries that exist as exact Etsy tags; target 70%+.

Mistakes that kill performance (and the fix):

• Keyword stuffing titles. Fix: readable first, searchable second; one primary phrase, 2–3 supporting.
• Copy-pasting across platforms. Fix: Etsy = title/tags/first lines; Shopify = meta/slug/alt.
• Ignoring occasions. Fix: dedicate 3–4 tags to gifting/seasonality; rotate seasonals monthly.
• Vague photos/price. Fix: add a scale shot, care close-up, and clear price/shipping in first lines.
• Changing too much at once. Fix: one controlled change per 14 days; log in your sheet.

• One-week action plan:
  1. Day 1: Baseline metrics. Choose 1 product. Run the prompt. Pick 1 title, 13 tags, meta/slug/alt. Publish.
  2. Day 2: Add one new hero photo and a scale photo. Ensure first two lines hit what/why/who.
  3. Day 3: Check Etsy Search Analytics queries; add any exact-match query as a tag if missing.
  4. Day 4: On Shopify, add 2 internal links from a relevant collection or FAQ to the product using your primary phrase as anchor text.
  5. Day 5: Review CTR. If under 1% on Etsy, tighten the first 40 characters; do not change tags.
  6. Day 6: Add 2 seasonal/occasion tags if relevant; remove two weakest performers.
  7. Day 7: Record metrics. Decide next single change (title or tags) for the next 14-day cycle.

Insider trick: Write two title versions—one “SEO-first,” one “Gift-first.” If your Etsy CTR is under shop median after 7 days, switch to the Gift-first version without touching tags. It preserves ranking signals while improving click appeal.

Reply with one product name and 2–3 seed keywords. I’ll return the exact title, 13-tag set and meta fields to deploy—plus the first change to test next. Your move.

[Jeff Bullas]

Spot on: your “change one lever at a time” rule and the two-title strategy (SEO-first vs Gift-first) are exactly how you turn listings into steady performers. Let’s add a simple, repeatable sprint and a pro-level prompt you can copy today.

Quick start: a 30-minute listing sprint (do-first)

• Pick one product with some traffic but room to grow (impressions without sales is perfect).
• Front-load buyer intent in the first 60–80 characters. Then measure for 7 days.
• Test titles before tags. Keep edits small and logged.

What you’ll need

• Facts: materials, size, color, care, packaging, lead time, what’s included.
• 3–5 seed phrases buyers actually say (use/occasion/audience/material).
• One strong hero photo and one scale photo.
• Your Etsy stats and Shopify analytics (just the basics from your last 14 days).

Insider trick (worth its weight): build a “Keyword Ladder” per product: one primary phrase, three secondaries, and two synonyms. Use the primary in the title front, the secondaries in tags/meta, and the synonyms in bullets/alt text. This keeps language natural while covering search variations.

Step-by-step (clear and fast)

1. Baseline (10 min): record Etsy Impressions, CTR, Conversion, Revenue; Shopify Organic Sessions, Add-to-Cart, Conversion. Note your current title and tags.
2. Map intent (5 min): bucket your seeds into Material, Use, Occasion, Audience. Pick 1 primary + 3 secondary phrases.
3. Draft with AI (10 min): use the prompt below to get two-layer titles, 13 Etsy tags, first 2 lines, bullets + CTA, Shopify meta/slug/alt. Generate two title angles (SEO-first, Gift-first).
4. Edit (5 min): fix facts, trim fluff, keep first 2 lines crisp: what it is, why it matters, who it’s for. Publish.

Copy-paste master prompt (use as-is, then edit facts)

“Act as an ecommerce listing optimizer for Etsy and Shopify. Product: [PRODUCT NAME]. Facts: [MATERIALS], [SIZE], [COLOR], [CARE], [LEAD TIME], [WHAT’S INCLUDED]. Buyer: [WHO/WHY/Occasion]. Seed keywords: [K1], [K2], [K3], [K4].

Deliver:
1) Two-layer titles: a) SEO-first (primary phrase in first 40–60 chars), b) Gift-first (occasion/benefit up front). Keep each under 140 chars.
2) 13 Etsy tags using this mix: 5 material/use, 3 occasion/seasonal, 3 audience/gift, 2 close variants. Prefer exact phrases; keep under 20 chars where possible.
3) Etsy opening (2 lines, 150–200 chars): what it is + why it matters + who it’s for.
4) 4 bullet specs (size, materials, care, shipping/lead time) + 1 short CTA.
5) Shopify: meta title (≤60 chars, primary first), meta description (≤160 chars, benefit + CTA), URL slug (kebab-case, ≤5 words), and 2 natural-language image alt texts.
6) Keyword Ladder: declare the primary phrase and 3 secondaries + 2 synonyms.
7) QA checklist: list 5 facts to verify before publishing.”

Prompt variants (use when you need a different angle)

• SEO-first variant: “Optimize for search visibility. Keep tone neutral and concise. Prioritize exact-match phrases and character limits. Avoid repeated single words across tags; prefer phrase variety.”
• Gift-first variant: “Lead with occasion and recipient. Keep benefits emotional but grounded. Include 3 gift-related tags and a gift-ready packaging note if applicable.”
• Local/seasonal variant: “Add 2 location or seasonal tags and 1 seasonal title variant. Keep language natural; no stuffing.”
• Analytics refresh: “Here are queries and metrics from the last 14 days: [TOP QUERIES + CTR]. Suggest one new title and 3 tag swaps to better match demand without changing tone.”

Mini example (handmade linen tea towel; primary: “linen tea towel”)

• SEO-first title: Linen Tea Towel – Soft, Quick-Dry Kitchen Towel | Natural, Eco-Friendly
• Gift-first title: Housewarming Gift – Handmade Linen Kitchen Towel, Soft & Quick-Dry
• Etsy opening: Handmade linen tea towel—absorbent, quick-dry and gentle on hands. Perfect for daily cooking or a thoughtful housewarming gift.
• Shopify meta: Title: Linen Tea Towel – Eco Kitchen Towel; Description: Handmade linen towel—absorbent, quick-dry. Ideal gift. Ships in 2–3 days.

Pro details that move the needle

• First-40 rule: the first 40 characters of your title do most of the CTR work. Make them clear, not clever.
• Occasion Tag Wheel: always include 3–4 tags for gifting/seasonality; rotate monthly.
• Slug formula (Shopify): primary-keyword + 1 clarifier (≤5 words). Example: linen-tea-towel-natural.
• Alt-text formula: object + material + color + scene. Example: “natural linen tea towel folded on wooden counter.”

Common mistakes & fast fixes

• Stuffed titles. Fix: one primary phrase + 2 benefits/occasions max; keep it readable.
• Same copy across platforms. Fix: Etsy = title/tags/first lines; Shopify = meta/slug/alt.
• Ignoring analytics. Fix: every 7–14 days, add exact-match tags from top queries.
• Weak first photo. Fix: add a bright hero and a scale shot; mention care or shipping in line two.
• Changing too much. Fix: one lever per cycle (title or tags), log it, wait 14 days.

7-day plan (simple and measurable)

1. Day 1: Baseline metrics. Run the master prompt. Pick SEO-first title, 13 tags, meta/slug/alt. Publish.
2. Day 2: Upgrade images (hero + scale). Ensure the first two lines hit what/why/who.
3. Day 3: Check Etsy Search Analytics; add any missing exact-match query as a tag.
4. Day 4: Add 2 internal links on Shopify to this product using the primary phrase as anchor.
5. Day 5: Review CTR. If under shop median, switch to the Gift-first title—keep tags the same.
6. Day 6: Rotate 2 seasonal/occasion tags if relevant; remove the weakest performers.
7. Day 7: Record metrics. Decide the next single change for the next 14-day cycle.

What to expect

• AI gets you 80% fast. You supply the facts and voice in the final 20%.
• SEO gains compound over 2–6 weeks. CTR improvements can show within days.
• Consistency beats cleverness. Small, steady edits win.

Your next move: reply with one product name and 2–3 seed keywords. I’ll return a ready-to-paste title set (SEO-first + Gift-first), 13 tags, and Shopify meta fields—plus the single change to test in your next 14-day cycle.

[Author]

Posts