You're ready to turn your DIY craft passion into a business after years of studying YouTube videos, poring over books, and spending much too much money on supplies and tools. (And perhaps, for the first time, justify to your family all the time and money you've spent mastering your art.) You're yearning to sell goods online through your shop, thanks to the creative fire coursing through your veins.
But first, let's take a step back. Before you enter into the extraordinary world of creating your craft website design, there are a few things you need to do first.
How to Build a Craft Website?
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
These steps will help you set yourself up for success and develop what should be a thriving business.
1. Give Your Company a Name
Grab a piece of paper (or a tablet) and a writing implement, and let your imagination run wild. Write down every business name concept that comes to mind, no matter how commonplace or silly it may sound. Your company name may not come to you straight away, so keep a notebook nearby since you never know when inspiration will hit.
Are you feeling stuck? Here are some ideas to aid with the brainstorming to create your craft website designs:
- Use your name in the name of your company. (For example, Sally Jane Pottery and Sally Jane Art.) It can be your first and last name, first and middle name, a nickname given to you by your closest friend in third grade, or anything else.
- Instead of your name, use the name of a beloved pet, child, or anyone who means a lot to you.
- Make a list of words that describe your work. Consider the colors you want to employ, the sensations you wish your work to elicit, and the resources you use to create it.
- Use Thesaurus.com to look up other words that have piqued your interest.
- Struggling to come up with the perfect word to describe your company? Make something up! My jewelry company, Linkouture, was named after merging "links" and "couture" in French.
- Make a mood board out of magazine words and photos, or make one on Pinterest. Do you detect any recurring themes?
2. Purchase Your Domain Name
Now that you've decided on a name, you'll need your domain name to create a craft website. Do not skip this step if you intend to sell on a marketplace such as Etsy. You can select one extension (such as.com) or numerous extensions (such as.jewelry,.shop, or.design).
3. It's Time to Mingle
Next, set up social media accounts with your new company's name as the handle. Create accounts on all major social media platforms where your target clients spend their time, including Twitter, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, and Tumblr. Even if you don't plan to use any of these social media sites to create a craft website, it's preferable to have them reserved for your firm than to find out later that someone else has already started an account in your name.
4. Develop a Business Plan
You might be thinking that you're a creative person who doesn't need a business plan. You may just go with the flow. Drafting a business plan will help you sell handcrafted things online, and it doesn't have to be complicated. It can be as simple as a one-page document that lists what you manufacture, a mission statement (why you’re running your business), who your clients are (the more specific, the better), where you will sell (online, craft shows, stores/galleries), and your financial goals. Read this excellent essay for advice on identifying your unique selling proposition.
5. Determine Where You Will Market Your Merchandise
Assuming you decided to create a craft website in the previous phase, it's time to find out how and where. Will you be selling your crafts on a platform dedicated to selling handmade items, such as Etsy or ArtFire? Do you want a virtual storefront with additional customization choices, like Strikingly Online Store? Or do you want more creative flexibility and wish to construct your own site with a craft website builder like Strikingly?
Things to Think About Before Launching a Craft Website
Here are seven things to think about before creating your best craft websites:
1. Purchase Your Own Domain Name
Purchasing your branded domain name is a low-cost and hassle-free approach to give your company the professional polish it requires. Check out Strikingly’s guide on registering and selecting an excellent domain name.
2. Create Your Shop Using Your Imagination
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
Personalize your new website to reflect your individuality. Consider including a blog on your website, creating an "about" page to explain your company and even convey its story, and providing contact and customer support information. Include engaging product descriptions and use high-quality images. If you want to project a kind demeanor, use your writing skills. It's critical to have good product photos. Customers need to see what they're buying when they can't physically feel and touch your products. It all comes down to the lighting.
3. Determine Where Your Customers Can Purchase Your Stuff
While Oodle Ba Doodle, which offers "huggable" cushions fashioned from repurposed materials, has its own craft website and sells on platforms like Etsy and in brick-and-mortar boutiques, The Nested Turtle's Dockery shut down online storefronts on Amazon and ArtFire. It's simple to take advantage of all accessible alternatives by redirecting your Etsy store company to your own website.
Steve Chou of CreateHYPE suggested that you price your new independent website's items slightly lower, then provide a business card or discount with shipments to your loyal customers, advising that they begin their purchasing at your eCommerce site.
4. Provide a Newsletter With Unique Offers for Returning Clients
Image is taken from Strikingly user’s website
For example, customers at The Nested Turtle are encouraged to sign up for emails so that they can be among the first ones to know about sales, giveaways, and new products.
5. Use Social Media to Generate Interest and Increase Traffic to Your Website
Let your fans, followers, and people with similar interests know about the new site, whether it's on Pinterest, Twitter, Instagram, or Facebook. Consider offering a promotion, such as a 5% discount to the first ten buyers.
6. Make it Clear What Your Policies are
Let clients know how long shipments will take, whether they may return things, and how much they may have to spend in return charges, as Brittany Klontz noted on Bplans.
7. Educate Yourself and Persist with It
"Don't get discouraged if you don't see results right away. Building a consumer base takes time and consistency. Getting found online is difficult, so familiarise yourself with search engine optimization (SEO)", Dockery of The Nested Turtle explains. The stationery designer also advises not to compare oneself to others, particularly those online for a long time.
The Best Craft Website List on the Internet
Here are some of the best craft websites from around the web to get you started.
• Martha Stewart's Official Website
Image is taken from Martha Stewart
Without a link to Martha Stewart, no list of craft website list would be complete. A website about crafts and much more.
• America's Better Homes and Gardens
Image is taken from BHG
You've seen it on TV; now learn how to do it yourself.
• Australia's Better Homes and Gardens
Image is taken from BHG Australia
You've seen the show, read the magazine, and now you can receive the projects for free online.
• Crafting a Green World
Image is taken from Crafting a green world
One of my favorite craft websites, featuring a large selection of eco-friendly crafts.
• Craftster.Org
Image is taken from Crafter
A 'craft hipster' community with thousands of projects and articles, as well as an online DIY community. One of the most comprehensive online craft resources available.
Introducing Strikingly
Image is taken from Strikingly
Strikingly provides an excellent starting point. Strikingly's craft website options give you a no-hassle way to start sharing your hobby or passion online. Using Strikingly will demonstrate that creating a craft website does not have to be complex or technical. Crafters should have no trouble putting up a gorgeous site in a few hours, from signup through craft website templates selection and customization.
Strikingly is a service that matches you with the finest options for personal, portfolio, and eCommerce sites based on your needs and goals. Thanks to its users, it provides a fantastic presentation of some of the top arts and crafts websites. Consider what category or sort of craft you are undertaking before deciding which template is appropriate for you. If you intend to demonstrate and sell your crafts, an eCommerce integration would be great to get you started on your online store.
Conclusion
Hopefully, this post has demonstrated that learning how to establish a craft website is not always as tricky as it appears. You're almost halfway there if you've found a business idea around your passions and know there's a market out there prepared to buy your stuff.
When you combine the correct sales tools, like an eCommerce website and a drop shipping service, you'll be running a thriving crafts business in no time.
