[Psychology Application] Icon Strategy to Increase Mercari Sales by 200,000 Yen
Hello! This is Mercaku.
Are you choosing your Mercari icon randomly?
In fact, the icon is a very important element for selling on Mercari.
Take a look at the Mercari timeline.
The information displayed for sellers is:
Icon
Username
Rating
Only these three things.
No matter how wonderful your profile is, if your icon isn't tapped, it won't be read. Accounts without an icon set look suspicious, which makes people worry, "Will they complete the transaction?"
In this article, I will explain how to create an icon that is trusted by other users and makes them want to tap it.
Two effective icon patterns for Mercari
1. Photo of a cute woman
2. Photo of a pet
Since the icon is a place that is frequently seen,
"friendliness" is the key point.
Why are these two effective?
Reason 1: The impression during trouble becomes softer
Imagine when you make a mistake at work. Even with the same "I'm sorry":
When a man says it
When a cute woman says it
Which one is more likely to be forgiven?
The answer is clearly the latter. Male buyers in particular tend to be more lenient, thinking, "Oh well, it can't be helped."
"It's not what you say, but who says it"
We can apply this psychological effect to Mercari as well. By using a cute icon, you make it easier for others to overlook minor issues.
Reason 2: Easier to attract attention
People are weak for cute things.
You can't help but want to tap and check out cute things.
Isn't the same phenomenon happening on Instagram and TikTok?
When you find a cute post, you end up tapping it, and before you know it, you've been watching for a long time...
You can expect the same effect on Mercari.
By getting tapped, people will look at your product list, which leads directly to increased sales.
Cute icon → Higher tap rate → Increased product views → Explosive sales growth
Which one should you choose? Women vs. Pets
If you're unsure, a woman's icon is recommended.
Reason:
There are people who dislike pets
Almost no one dislikes women
It's easier to give the impression that you are safe to trade with
The ultimate strategy: A photo of a woman with her face hidden
Even more effective is a photo of a woman with her face hidden.
Because it stirs the imagination, you can expect an increase in tap rates. People have a psychological tendency to hold expectations and interest in things they cannot see. By utilizing this effect, you can get more users to view your profile.
A secret trick to make your icon stand out even more: Border settings
Once you've set your icon, finally, let's add a border.
A border means setting a colored frame, such as a rainbow one, around your circular icon. This small change is surprisingly effective.
Actually, from my students as well:
"I've received more likes."
"My items have sold."
"High-priced items have been purchased."
I have received many happy reports like these.
How to set the outer frame
You can easily set it up using an app called LinkRingme.
Search for "LinkRingme"
Download the app
Set an outer frame for your icon
Since it only takes a few seconds to set up, there is no reason not to do it.
Mechanism for increasing sales
The flow of increasing sales by changing your icon:
Set a cute icon
Improve tap rate
Increase profile views
Attention to past items
Overall sales increase
By creating this virtuous cycle, you can expect continuous sales growth.
Summary
Effective icon strategy on Mercari:
Recommended Icons
Photos of cute women (especially those with faces hidden)
Photos of pets
Selection Criteria
If in doubt, choose a female icon
Prioritize approachability
Include elements that spark the imagination
Additional Measures
LinkRingme to set an outer frame
Periodic effectiveness measurement and optimization
A single icon can change your sales by 200,000 yen. By understanding psychological effects and setting your icon strategically, you can significantly increase your chances of success on Mercari.
Review your icon now and achieve a boost in sales.
Thank you for reading until the end.