What to include on your sales page

There are a few key things you should include on your sales page to let your buyers know exactly what they will get before purchasing your pattern.

There have been many times where I was shopping for patterns, and found myself turning away from a variety of patterns. Sometimes they had certain techniques I didn't want to use or they didn't provide enough information about the pattern. If information is missing or not provided, you could be turning away a lot of potential buyers. Here are some tips on what to include for a quality product page and sell your patterns with success.

PHOTOGRAPHS

The best starting place is uploading a few quality photos to show off the finished object and any details you want to highlight. Photos don't have to be professional, but they should be clear enough to see the pattern and design elements.

CATCH THEIR ATTENTION

Use romance text to connect with the knitter and draw more interest into your pattern. It can tell them how they should feel, what problem it solves, or the inspiration behind the piece. It helps showcase the finished item and relate to the customer.

CONSTRUCTION

Whether or not you use romance text, you should always include a short description of the knitted item and how it is constructed. Is it knit in pieces and then seamed together or knit in the round? Is it knit bottom up, top down or sideways?

SKILL LEVEL AND TECHNIQUES

Is it for beginners, intermediate or advanced knitters? List all the techniques used in the pattern and if tutorial links are provided, let them know! Maybe you don't need to include you used the German cast on method, but it would be worth noting that the pattern uses brioche, colorwork, or cables.

MATERIALS AND NOTIONS

You want the customer to be prepared to buy the pattern. Even if it's obvious, I would list all the notions and materials the knitter will need to make the pattern, including needle sizes and lengths, stitch markers, and the number of buttons or beads are needed.

YARN INFORMATION

At the very least, you should list how many yards/meters are needed per size and what weight is used. If you can, you should include everything about the yarn that was used in the pattern. Some people like to make the pattern with the specific yarn that is used. Be sure to include the brand name, fiber content, and colorways used.

GAUGE

If you're like me, you like to knit a sample gauge swatch before committing to purchasing a pattern. After all, if my gauge refuses to match the pattern, why would I buy it? If you are using a stitch pattern that has a lot of elements to it, such as lace, I would always include a gauge measurement done in plain stockinette stitch. It helps the buyers know if their yarn will work with the pattern or what they need to do before they buy the pattern.

I'll expose myself here: It's a pet peeve of mine when a gauge is given in some complicated stitch pattern, but doesn't tell you how to knit that pattern. And it of course doesn't include a gauge in stockinette stitch. How am I supposed to test my yarn before buying the pattern? I have turned away from purchasing patterns for this reason. (I think I'll double check I that I am providing my gauges in stockinette stitch too, now that I've opened my big mouth.) Maybe you don't want to give the stitch pattern out, and that's okay! That's where giving the stockinette stitch gauge comes it, it serves as a starting point.

SIZING

This should go without saying, but make sure you include all the sizes your pattern includes!

Make sure your pattern is size inclusive by providing at least 8 sizes, from S to 5XL.

If your item has ease, I would recommend given two sets of measurements; One with the finished measurements and one with the "to fit" measurements. For example if you have a sweater that is made for a 36 inch bust and a suggested 4 inches of positive ease, I would list it something like this:

Finished Bust Circumference: 40 inch

To Fit Bust Circumference: 36 inch

Or you could phrase it like this:

Finished Bust Circumference: 40 inches

Choose a size that is 4 inches larger than your actual bust circumference

OTHER INFORMATION

Be sure to note if your pattern has been tech edited and if all sizes have been tested. This can sometimes show the difference between a professional designer and non-professional. It shows you took the time to ensure your pattern is fully complete and without errors.

There are many cases where designers could not find anyone to test the larger sizes of a sweater pattern. If this is the case for you, be sure to note which sizes were not tested. Many designers also offer to give the untested patterns free to an interested person in exchange for their feedback - essentially a test knit for that specific size.

GET PATTERN TESTERS

Not only do pattern testers verify all the sizes will turn out correctly, but you can ask them to leave a review on your sales page or rate the pattern 5 stars. This helps lookers and buyers get interested and helps them decide whether or not to buy.

OFFER DISCOUNTS

Some people just don't want to spend the money and some people can't spend the money! Offer discounts like a introductory sale upon publishing, a one year anniversary sale, a birthday sale, holiday sale, etc.

DOUBLE CHECK YOUR PAGE

Always double check your page to make sure nothing is forgotten. A helpful tip is to have a little template ready to go where it includes all the important headlines you want to include in your sales page. Then just copy and paste, and fill in the blanks. It never hurts to hire a tech editor to proofread your page for spelling, missing elements, and clarity.

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