A guide to website design and development for craft store startups

1. Why is a well-designed website an essential tool for any craft store business?

A well-designed website is critical to the success of any craft store business. Your website is the virtual face of your business, and the virtual entry point for customers. It’s the online destination where potential customers can access information about your business, products, and services, and decide whether or not they want to do business with you. A well-designed website also helps build your credibility, differentiate yourself from the competition, and draw in more customers.

Your website must have a clean, professional design that is easy to read and navigate. It must also be optimized for search engines, and have a mobile-friendly design for optimal viewing on tablets and smartphones. Having a website that is not optimized or difficult to use can negatively affect your business, as many potential customers will not take the time to try and figure out a confusing website.

2. Key Elements to consider when creating a craft store website

1. Showcase Your Crafts

Your website should showcase the unique crafts that your store has to offer. Showing potential customers visuals of your products is one of the easiest ways to increase brand recognition and reach new customers. Consider featuring images of completed projects, quality craft supplies, and other interesting items that your store has to offer.

2. Design an Easy-to-Navigate Website

Design a website that is easy for customers to navigate. Use a simple, uncluttered design that your customers can use to quickly find the items they’re looking for. It’s also important to organize your content in a way that makes it easy to access essential information quickly, such as business hours, contact details, and store location.

3. Establish a Brand Identity

Put thought and detail into creating a brand identity for your store. Choose a color scheme and logo that represent your craft store and use them consistently throughout your website. Create a tagline that celebrates the craft-centered aspect of your store and use it throughout the website. A cohesive and memorable brand identity will help your store stay memorable in the minds of customers.

4. Use Social Media Platforms to Promote Your Craft Store

Promoting your store on social media is an excellent way to reach new customers and strengthen your relationships with existing customers. Integrate social media icons into your website and include your store’s username so customers can easily follow you. Also consider setting up pages on Facebook Marketplace and other online marketplaces to increase your visibility.

3. What pages should a craft store business website include?

Home

The home page should serve as an introductory page, highlighting the mission and purpose of the store. This page should also supply the customer with an understanding of the company—the store’s values, personality, and direction. Overall, the page should act as the storefront, where the customer can move on to other areas of the website, such as products and services.

Products/Services

The products/services page serves as a key page within the website because it is the page used for customers to view the different products and services the craft store offers. This page should allow for customers to be able to filter products by category, types, levels, loyalty, etc. Customers should be able to view information and images related to the products/services as well.

About

The about page should include background information on the craft store, such as when the store was established, the type of products/services it offers, company history, and contact information. The goal of this page is to give the customer an understanding of the store, its values, and the people behind it.

Gallery/Portfolio

The gallery/portfolio page provides customers with a visual representation of the craft store. This page should include images of products, services, and store displays that represent the craft store’s offerings. This will give customers an idea of what the store looks like and hopefully will encourage purchase.

Blog

The blog page should include stories, insights, tips, and tutorials related to craft stores, products, and services. This will help to provide customers with more information on the products/services, which will make them more likely to purchase from the craft store.

Store Locator/Contact

The store locator or contact page should provide customers with the store’s physical locations, and any other contact information such as phone numbers, email addresses, business hours, etc. This page will allow for customers to be able to reach out to and/or find the craft store’s physical location.

4. Common Mistakes to avoid during website development for craft store startups

Not having a mobile version for the website

When developing a website for a craft store startup, it is important to ensure that your website is optimized for mobile devices. More and more shoppers are using their mobile devices to shop online, so if your website isn’t optimized for their devices, they’ll have a hard time navigating and won’t be likely to stay on the website. Make sure you design and develop a mobile version of your website so it can be easily accessed by mobile users.

Not having an effective content strategy

When developing a website for a craft store startup, it’s essential to have an effective content strategy in place. This involves creating content that’s relevant to your target audience, as well as regularly refreshing and updating the content as needed. Content is key for driving more traffic to your website, and keeping your customers engaged and interested in your products and services.

Poor website design

When developing a website for a craft store startup, it’s essential to have a well-designed website. Poor design and layout can make it difficult for customers to navigate your website, and can lead to them leaving towards a competitor’s website instead. Make sure your website is visually pleasing, and that the layout and design is easy to understand.

Forgetting about SEO

It’s important to have an SEO strategy in place when developing a website for a craft store startup. SEO is key for your website to be seen by customers when they’re searching online for products in your industry. Make sure you have the necessary keywords and meta tags in place, as well as having engaging content that’s regularly refreshed to improve your website rankings.

5. How to promote a craft store business website

Select the Right Content Marketing Platform:

Having the right content marketing platform is essential to promoting your craft store's website. Choose a platform that suits your business's needs, such as blogging, vlogging, or podcasting. Each platform provides their own advantages and you should select one based on the type of content you want to convey.

Share Valuable Content for Your Audience:

Create original content that is valuable for viewers. Keep the content relevant to your craft store, while also providing helpful tips and advice that viewers can apply when shopping at your store. Giving your audience exclusive access to content not available anywhere else can be a great way to draw in potential buyers.

Create an Effective Social Media Presence:

Social media platforms are invaluable when promoting your craft store. Utilize each platform's format and features to engage with your followers and provide them with details about the store and the products it offers. Share photos of projects, behind-the-scenes content, or use social media to host giveaways and promotions.

Connect With Other Creators:

Connect with other craft creators and craft bloggers to collaborate and share each other's work. Ask these creators to post and talk about your craft store on social media, write a blog feature, or even create a tutorial or a step-by-step guide about a craft project that utilizes items from your store.

Advertise Strategically:

When it comes time to advertise your craft store, be strategic about it. Consider targeted ads that are more likely to be seen by your desired audience and evaluate the effectiveness of each campaign. You can also track how users interact with your website or landing pages to determine which ads are most successful. Additionally, building relationships with influencers, bloggers, and journalists can be an effective way to get more views to your website.

Website Content Ideas for craft store Businesses

1. Crafting Tutorials

Tutorials are great for craft stores to provide as it adds value to not only the website but to the viewers. By having tutorials on how to do certain projects or on methods to enhance the craft project can be a great addition, as well as encourages visitors to use the supplies in the store.

2. Vendor Spotlights

Spotlighting various vendors in the crafting market can be beneficial to craft store businesses by bringing in new customers and giving recognition to the products that they sell. Having a section on the website dedicated to various vendors is a great addition and you can link their website address, product images, and videos of projects to further showcase the vendor.

3. Blogs

Having a blog section on a website is great for many reasons. It helps keep the website updated with fresh content, and can also be used to showcase tips and tricks to visitors as well as creative ways to use the products found in the store. Visitors will also be able to learn more about the craft store itself through a blog.

4. Event Updates

Having a page that keeps visitors updated on events can be relatively simple, but still drive traffic back to the craft store website. Posting event updates/announcements is another great addition for viewers to learn more about the store.

Case Studies of Successful craft store Business Websites

Jo-Ann’s Crafts

Jo-Ann’s Crafts website is successful due to its simple, yet sophisticated design. The site features an ever-evolving catalogue of projects and product selection that make it easy for craft enthusiasts to find the exact item they’re looking for. The search bar at the top of the page allows users to quickly search for any item, without having to navigate through the particularly complex navigation menu. Furthermore, Jo-Ann’s Crafts offers a rewards program and weekly site-wide sales to its customers, further boosting its popularity.

Michaels Arts and Crafts

Michaels Arts and Crafts is one of the most successful craft store websites. The site boasts a vibrant and inviting design, making it easy for shoppers to browse through the store's extensive selection of craft products. The site's user-friendly navigation menu makes it easy to find exactly what you're looking for, and the website also offers customers a rewards program. Michaels Arts and Crafts is also known for its regular sale events and promotions, which further encourages people to shop with the website.

Hobby Lobby

Hobby Lobby is a great example of a successful craft store website. Its straightforward navigation menu and simple design allow customers to quickly search for the product that they are looking for. The website also features an extensive selection of craft supplies, making it one of the most comprehensive sites available for craft enthusiasts. Hobby Lobby also takes pride in its regular sales and discounts, which helps encourage people to shop from their website.

The Bead Shop

The Bead Shop is a great example of a successful craft store website. It raises the bar by offering an incredible selection of beads in all shapes, sizes, and colors. The website's simple navigation menu allows customers to quickly search for what they are looking for and the website also features an easy-to-use checkout process. The Bead Shop also provides great customer service and a rewards program to its loyal customers.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

FAQ: Why do I need a professionally designed website for my craft store business?

A professionally designed website for your craft store business can establish your online presence, attract potential customers, and build credibility. At Avvale, we specialize in creating tailored websites that help businesses like yours stand out and succeed in the digital landscape.

FAQ: How long does it take to design and develop a craft store website?

The timeline for designing and developing a craft store website can vary based on your specific requirements. At Avvale, we work closely with our clients to create a customized project plan, ensuring timely delivery without compromising quality.

FAQ: Can you help with content creation for my craft store website?

Absolutely! Avvale offers comprehensive services that include content creation tailored to your craft store business. From engaging copywriting to compelling visuals, we ensure your website communicates your unique brand effectively.

FAQ: Will my craft store website be mobile-friendly and optimized for search engines?

Yes, Avvale places a strong emphasis on mobile responsiveness and SEO optimization. We ensure that your craft store website is accessible on all devices and ranks well on search engines, increasing your online visibility.

FAQ: What is the cost of designing and developing a craft store website with Avvale?

The cost of a craft store website varies based on factors like complexity, features, and customization. Avvale offers competitive pricing, and we can provide you with a personalized quote after discussing your specific needs.

FAQ: How do I maintain and update my craft store website after it's launched?

Avvale offers ongoing maintenance and support services to keep your craft store website up to date and secure. We make it easy for you to make content updates and provide assistance whenever you need it.

FAQ: Can I see examples of craft store websites Avvale has designed?

Certainly! Visit our portfolio page to see some of the stunning craft store websites we've created for our clients. We take pride in showcasing our successful projects as a testament to our expertise.

FAQ: How can I get started with Avvale's craft store website design services?

Getting started with Avvale is easy! Simply reach out to us through our contact page or request a consultation. We'll schedule a meeting to discuss your needs and provide you with a customized plan for your craft store website project.

FAQ: Do you offer e-commerce solutions for craft store websites?

Yes, Avvale can integrate e-commerce functionality into your craft store website, allowing you to sell products or services online. We'll ensure a secure and user-friendly shopping experience for your customers.

FAQ: What sets Avvale apart from other web design agencies for craft store businesses?

Avvale stands out thanks to our deep understanding of craft store industries, our commitment to client satisfaction, and our creative and technical expertise. We take a personalized approach to each project, ensuring your website reflects your brand and goals perfectly.