Okay, so last time we discussed how to set up a store. I'm going to give you a quick peek into the differences of a basic and premium store at Cafepress.
Okay, let's start with the advantages:
A basic (yes it has some advantages too) is free! That is the numero uno advantage. The second is that the set up is simple (in some ways, it is easier to quickly set up a basic store). The last advantage is the way the products are all nicely lined up in pre-existing sections.
Yep, that's about it for the advantages of a basic store.
Now, a premium on the other hand has quite a few advantages:
1) More than one item. A basic store you are allowed ONE type of each item. So, if you have a picture on a white t-shirt, you can't have another white t-shirt with a different picture on it.
2) More items period. With a basic, the amount of items you are allowed to have is limited... 70 I think. And there are more items than that available. So, you'll have to pick and choose what to do.
3) You can customize it. With a basic store, they all look alike. They are little clones that Cafepress spit out. However, with a premium store, you can add custom HTML and what not. Pretty much, except for the tiny bar at the top, you can't tell it's Cafepress.
4) You can add a counter. Of course you want to see how many people visit your store, so you need a counter. I use statcounter by the way. Of course, you can use one of many types... if you have a premium store.
5) Titles and Teaser and descriptions, oh my! Search engines LOVE premium stores. Why? Because they get lots more areas where they can put WORDS in. Search engines only have so much to, well, search on a basic store. Mostly it's just pictures with some words here and there. However, with a premium store, there's lots of places to write words... and you can use some fancy html to help search engines think highly of you. Speaking of SEO (until I get around to talking about it on here) you can view a little lens of mine about SEO.
I'm sure there are more advantages, but I think I've covered the biggest ones.
My thinking, for 5 bucks a month (if you buy the year subscription, 7 if you don't) the overhead costs are MINIMAL to say the least. One good sale (a t-shirt, not a button) a month and you are all paid up. Matter of fact, I made my first month's fee with my first sale. So, in my opinion (take it for what it's worth) it is WELL worth the small fee for a premium.
Now, does it have it's set backs? Yeah. Used to be ... once upon a time, a long time ago, when I was a kid, and all that... you could have unlimited sections (think of these as departments in your store) in your premium store. Now you can't. You are limited to 500. However, If you use your sections wisely, your work is good and you are spending at least minimal time on your store, by the time you reach 500, you should make more than enough money to start another store.
Is there a reason for a basic? Well, yeah. For instance: I'm a teacher... yeah (SHH). There are a few designs that I'd like to do that are not rated for my kids eyes (either my own children or my students). There is no way I'd put those designs in my store. However, with the anonymity of a basic, I could do them and not link them to my other stores and viola! No one is the wiser. Plus if you have a store about dogs (it's a hot topic at Cafepress for some reason) and you come up with a killer design about ... cats.. SHH! Well, you want to try it out, but you don't want the dog lovers to know, do you? Well, there you go. Put it in a basic and see what happens. if you end up with a few designs about cats (I mean, they can be lovable too!), you could launch a new cat store.
So, if you are serious about Cafepress, get a premium. But basics have their value too.
So, til next time:
And now, a word from our sponsors: Wit & Whimsy, the place for witty tees, unique gifts and whimsical clothes.
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