5 Tips for Creating a Website

In a world full of likes, tik toks, memes and online shopping, there is no denying that we are living in the digital age. Some of us might be excited by that aspect- while others might not feel they are the most tech savvy. As crafters, many of us like using our creativity in hands-on ways, getting to create our masterpieces rather than typing them. But, in order to keep up with this world of technological advancements, we must be able to share those creations in ways that bring in good, recurring business.




While some craft just for fun, many craft as a business and are eager to find ways to reach customers both old and new. One of the best ways to attract, engage and convince customers to return is to create a website that appeals to them. Customers will take it all in, from the design and usability to the products themselves. You want to present yourself in a way that will catch their attention and keep them coming back for more. Website extraordinaire, Alicia Mattingly, shared “Having a website in this digital age is more important than you'd think. People want to be able to find you, shop from you, and inquire about your services from the comfort of their homes.”

So what does that mean? Creating a website from scratch can seem like a daunting task and overwhelm even the most up to date in the digital world, but it doesn’t have to be. Alicia hosted a Zoom event with 10 of our WallCutz crafters where she walked them through how to create and run a website. We know not everyone was able to be a part of this extraordinary event, so we wanted to use this blog to share just 5 of Alicia’s top tips on how to dive into creating your own website.

1. Develop A Digital Marketing Plan: The best way to start is to create a plan. As cliché as it sounds, this quote rings true – “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.” Breaking up a long, overwhelming list of to-dos into tasks that can be tackled is essential. Start with what your end goal is and create a plan that encompasses all of the digital marketing planning you hope to achieve.

2. A simple website can go a long way: We couldn’t agree with Alicia more! You don’t need a fancy, expensive website to get customers- just something that they can connect with. Don’t be afraid to start because it can’t be perfect. Start with the most basic, and add, edit and change that starting page as you go. Remember, it isn’t permanent.

3. Focus on 2-3 good pages, including a page to highlight some of your work, an About page section, and a Contact us page: Choosing just a few things to highlight will help consolidate your catalog of ideas. If your website is for your crafting business, focus on how you can highlight the products you want to sell most and utilize the additional pages that will connect customers to you. Again, you can always add more- but start small and build from there.

4. Make your site relatable. People like doing business with people: Customers want to know they are working with real people. Just like your products are one of a kind, you are too. Let them get to know you and feel a connection that will build a relationship that makes them want to come back any time they are in the shopping mood.

5. Practice makes perfect. Keep practicing.: We couldn’t have said it better ourselves. Technology is always changing, and all we can do is try to keep up. Keep practicing- and eventually, you will end up with your perfect website.

As one last bit of encouragement, Alicia shared the following: “My motto is, ‘You don't need an expensive website to make that happen.’ There are affordable options that will get you noticed! This is why I started my marketing business, to develop affordable ways to get small businesses the exposure they need to grow and be profitable. I've put this same plan into action with my crafting business. Growing, getting exposure, finding new connections, and developing a strong strategy!”

We love the products that we see you all make, and hope that this blog will inspire and empower you to share them with the world through a website. Whether you have been running your business for years or are just starting- now is the time to create your very own online presence in a way that represents you! Don’t be afraid to get started and just remember- practice makes perfect.

*If anyone would like to reach out to Alicia Mattingly, creator of these points and Consulting Specialist of Mattingly Marketing & Consulting, please feel free to contact her at: alicia@mattinglymarketing.com