August sales slump?

Since I started tracking my sales in 2009, they've been remarkably steady, within a 10% band every month. For August, it looks like I'll be off about 30% or more.

Is this typical of August?

Is it just me, or is it most businesses? There was a lot of talk about a slump correlating to the RL economy meltdown, but I didn't see that affect my business.

Might it be related to recent Adult Content changes in SL? I haven't removed my old shop location yet, but perhaps search issues are involved. But I suspect most of my traffic comes from people seeing my products in popular places and finding the venue through my profile.

Any thoughts?

For our business we have been in a 2 month slump. We are hoping now that school has started and folks will have more time to be on sl along with the upcoming holiday season we are hoping for business to pick back up.

Like June, September is a good month for weddings.

The first two weeks of August were very, very slow for me. Not being one to just sit on my hands and wait, I put out a Midnight Mania board with an expensive pose package in it. Ever since then, sales have been better than ever. And I have never had traffic numbers so high. I think people are still willing to shop, they just need a reason to get out there.

My sales have tumbled downwards since about the start of the adult content changes. A lot of people halted building projects as it became unclear if they would have to do a forced move to Zindra or not. Plus Summer always has a sales slump, while students are at home from school and presumably either have less net access or less leisure time - being expected to participate more in family activities while home from College or whatever.

I hope it improves soon. I'm seriously looking at reducing my land holdings by 40% or more, because my SL income no longer is covering expenses reliably.

Me think is the summer vacations. Ppl just are out more n spend less time in front of computer.

Land sales hv been down for me too.

In latter half of August, but not July?

I didn't mention it above, but first part of August was typical, on a per-day basis.

In some places school has already begun in late August. Also, people are making 'back to school' preparations and doing last minute family outings and errands. People who work and have kids have a lot more to do in that time frame, in order to avoid being even more swamped next month.

Well, if my hubby wasn't being really anal and jealous these days, I'd offer to come help you create some new innovative poses to help boost sales

Things have been a little slumpy this month for us as well. Weird thing is, traffic has increased.

That is happening to us too, but no takers.

OH my!

/me considers the pros and cons of avicide ...

June was my lowest month for sales this year (so far). July and August have picked up a little. This is similar to last year, when my sales fell in the summer months. I was surprised when LL reported an increase in XStreet sales in the latest quarterly report - I certainly didn't contribute to it, unfortunately!

I have had some people complaining about it being tough to pay tier this month because of having to pay for kids back to school items - perhaps that has some bearing.

July was my best month ever, which had to do with my new business as well. August is a big drop in sales, though still better then before July. Seems August is not the best month to make monies, though I am still making nice money after paying rents and tier.

Sales ?? what are those?? I hardly get any foot traffic to my store. I advertise list classifieds people put my stores into their profiles... still my traffic is crap. I mean I know people like things I make, I do a brisk business on xstreet but this is getting downright horrible. I am thinking of packing up the store, selling the sim and its 2 homesteads and becoming a nomad again. I am just not making the sales to justify the sims. I have had a open rental unit (i only have 4) for 2 weeks. And it is prime to, corner lot neg. terms on prims.. no bites. 3 months ago people wanted in now... nothing

This is exactly what's happening in my place.I do good trade on Xstreet but this last week in my place and satellite stores it' been a bloody nightmare.Although I still make tier in about 10 days I am considering trading down from L$46 to my free 512.I don't seem to be able to attract people to my place it's a pity.

I just put my first thing ever on xstreet, it's had one veiw in 3 days ... I was expecting the money to roll in. but no.

the biggest thing i have learnt about Xstreet is it is a numbers game.. the more you have on Xstreet especially if you put links back to your other items on your listings the btter chance you have of sales.

My sales have risen expenentially since istarted putting everything i sell onto xstreet for more exposure

Thank you, Eclectic,

Yeh, that sounds right, I'm slow at building and get distracted all the time too with other bits and pieces in world. So it'll be a while before I have a large amount of stuff up there.

One thing I thought of is just adding a heap of tags to the bottom of my description area to make it more searchable.

Also I've chatted to a few people and they *all* say it is better sales all round in the northern hemispheres summer.

I've noticed a dip in sales too. But then I've also been running my own behind crazy dealing with RL getting school supplies for my offspring. My money's a bit tight thanks to that, but.. *shrugs* I expect everyone is feeling the crunch right now.