There are hundreds of vintage shops in the world, and there are equally as many ways to organize the products in those shops. However, the way an online shop is organized can be the difference between a view and a lifelong buyer. Making it simple for a user to navigate and find what they love turns into dollars in your pocket!

Admittedly, I am not a vintage shop owner, but I am an avid vintage buyer and blogger on Flashback Summer. There are some shops that I keep going back to, not only because of the quality of their pieces but also how easy it is for me to find what I want. Below are a few tips to keep in mind when organizing your vintage shop:

1. List actual garment measurements.

Sizing, especially in the vintage world, is crazy and all over the place. A 1930s size 10 is nowhere near a modern size 10! Listing full garment measurements such as waist, bust, hips, and length and making these measurements “searchable” will help potential customers find pieces that fit them.

I’ve also seen shop owners organize all of their stock by waist size ranges, another useful way to help customers wade through all your stock without frustration.

2. Use the XS, S, M, L, XL size labels as well.

Even though actual garment measurements are the most important, a lot of people don’t know their exact measurements (especially those new to vintage). They may also not want to narrow down the search to just one measurement and, instead, use the general size labels to find a range around their size.

One note on these, however: general size labels are not a chance for you to buck society’s norm and take a stand against a sizing label you don’t like. Put yourself in the mind of a customer. If someone looks for an XS, they don’t want to see your 38” bust dresses with “vanity sizing” as extra smalls. They want the really small ones, in the range of the smallest ones available in the vintage community. Keep your sizing standard and in line with customer expectations.

3. Include approximate dating.

The really avid vintage wearers (who will be your loyal and repeat customers), know their vintage clothing styles, and so should you. Knowing how to properly date clothing will win you instant credibility with the vintage crowd. You don’t have to get super detailed, just know the general decade. Labeling clothing by decades helps people hop right to the trends they know they’ll love!

4. Separate garments by type.

There are times when people just want a blue skirt, and they don’t particularly care which decade it comes from. Separating garments by type makes it easy for them to find what they need!

5. Make as much of the garment description as searchable as possible.

The more searchable your product descriptions are, the easier it will be for people to find things. You can also include fabric, description of the print, silhouette, etc. Allowing the customer to refine his or her search as much as possible will only make it easier to find a garment they have to have!

There are lots of ways to organize your shop, and it’s ultimately up to you and what seems to work best for your customers and shop aesthetic. Using these tips will help make your shop easy to navigate and get those gorgeous pieces you have into the hands of people who will cherish them!

Would you like to write a guest post for the We Heart Vintage Directory blog? If so please get in touch, we’d love to hear from you!