My friends and I have cheap trade shops running, but barely anybody comes.

 

advertise it on forums?

 

I guess advertise it in chat. If it really is good prices, people will come back. Make sure you don't spam the chat, just try and use eye-catching words.

 

The better your deals are, the more people will come.

 

Advertise (don't spam!) in chat about your shop, also if you are a donor USE COLORS! Trust me, they attract a lot more attention.
Cheap prices attract more people but you don't have to make it too cheap unless you are desperate.
You can advertise on the forums.

Also watch what people demand in chat.
The more demand for an item the more customers.

 

At first I thought this thread was about the best way to attract people... in general... I was like woooow I guess the forums are used for everything O_O

 

I read "...the best way to attack people..."

 

Sometimes, it really works when a Donor is willing to advertise for you. Peoples eyes really focus themselves in a snap for colored names/chat rather than the green and the white. Like, for example, people message me and I advertise for them. Hilariously and in a silly manner, yes, but it gets the job done c:

 

Don't do |_()()|< or things like <><><>((BANNER SHOP))<><><>, yes it gets people's attention but it also shows you may be a bit desperate?? Usually the best way to do it if is you keep it simple and add some colours if you're a donor, if you're not, as Darky said you can ask a donor to help you advertise.

 

Don't use "LOOK". Makes you seem like an extreme noob, trust me, it really influences the number of people who come.

 

I agree for the |_()()|<, but I don't agree for the signs. When you have a green Name and White Chat, you MUST stand out of the common Chat Messages. Your message has to be recognized as one adressed to everyone, and not just a saying towards someone in Chat. So decoration your ad with signs like [-=(> is mandatory if you don't have colours.

 

A lot of people advertise by going for the annoying & eye-burning technique:
L( )( )K AMAZING SKIN COMP <<<< WIN 1 COBBLESTONE!!!!

But, I prefer the simple message with a little use of color. It attracts attention without giving out the thought "oh, they're annoying, I'm not going there". Use colors that aren't often found in the chat, like green (the default user name color), orange (the classic donator rank color), that super light blue (donor100 color), and just that general idea.
Do /visit PonyGirl1234 for a trade shop with great deals!
There's a little example of what I like. Plain and simple. Eye catching rather than eye burning.

 

Clxrity made a good point. the eye-burning is quite annoying.
Simple things make the best advertisements. Just keep in mind to not spam it much or people won't want to go.

 

Just type in blue I have a nether shop and I think people always flood my island because I say it's a nether shop but color helps too

 

When I was a greenie advertising my shop, I would pay a donor to advertise it in color.

 

If you want, I could come online and advertise your shop for you I am a donor 100 and I have the abilities to use colours in chat