How to create a website for an artisan

If you are a craftsman and want to make your products known online, creating a website can be the first step towards achieving your goal. A website will help you showcase your business to the world, present your products and services, and increase your online visibility. In this article, we will see how to create a website for craftsmen using Framework360.

What is Framework360?

Framework360 is the first complete digital marketing platform that will assist you in creating and managing your own website through numerous but intuitive screens and windows, providing total autonomy of choice and enabling digital marketing. This indeed gives you access to a customization section with all the tools needed to configure your personal site.

How to register on Framework360

To create your website on Framework360, you must first register on the platform. You can do this for free by following this link:

https://www.framework360.com/try-free/. Once you have completed the registration, you will have access to the private area where you can start customizing your website.

How to create a website on Framework360

After creating an account and registering your environment, you will be able to generate a website using the theme generator, which utilizes artificial intelligence, and begin to customize and manage your site preferences in an easy and intuitive way thanks to the navigation menu on the left.

Once the website is created, you will need to choose a theme from those available. You can use one of the predefined themes or create a customized one according to your needs. After selecting the theme, you can start editing the contents of your website using the block visual builder.

In this phase, you can insert texts, images, videos, and all the elements you wish to present your business in the best possible way. You can also add pages to describe your products and services or create a blog section to share news and curiosities about your sector.

Once you have completed editing the content, you can publish your website online so that it is visible to your customers and online users. Moreover, Framework360 will allow you to create digital marketing campaigns to promote your website and online business.

• You can create campaigns with automations;
• You will be able to send newsletters to your customers;
• You can use remarketing features to reach visitors who have already viewed your website;
• You can monitor visits to your website and user activities to understand how to improve your online presence.

We recommend exploring all the features offered by Framework360 to create your website and promote your online business. With a bit of effort and creativity, you can reach new customers and grow your business in the digital world.

Identifying website goals

Goals are the foundation of a successful website. Before you start creating your website, you need to identify what the your main goals.

In general, the objectives of a website for a craftsman can be multiple:

• Sell your products online;
• Promote offline business;
• Show photos and descriptions of your products or services;
• Provide information on contacts and the company's location.

For each goal, it is important to define key metrics that allow you to evaluate the achievement of the goal itself. For example, if one of your goals is to sell your products online, key metrics could include the number of website visits, conversion rate, and average order value.

This way, you will have a clearer view of the actions to take to reach your set goals.

Remember that the objectives of your website must be clear, measurable, and realistic. Moreover, they should align with your overall business strategy. Once you have defined the objectives for your website, you can move on to the next phase: choosing the right keywords.

Keywords

Keywords are the words or phrases that users type into search engines to find information on the web. Finding the right keywords for your website is crucial for ranking well on search engines.

Incorporate your keywords into your site's content in a strategic and natural way. Do not force the use of keywords, but include them where possible in a way that is consistent with the context.

Furthermore, use keywords related to your products or services, so as to broaden the semantic field of your website. For example, if you run a craft business that makes custom furniture, in addition to main keywords like "custom furniture", you could also use "personalized furnishings", "artisan carpentry" and so on.

Remember that correct use of keywords helps improve the positioning of your website on search engines and therefore increases the visibility of your online business.

Choosing a domain name

The domain name is the web address through which users can access your site. It's important to choose one that is easy to remember, short, and descriptive.

Choose a name easy to remember

Opt for a domain name that is mnemonic, meaning easy to memorize. If your business already has an established and recognized name, try to use it as the basis of your web address. Alternatively, consider abbreviating the name or creating a compound word.

Choose a short and descriptive name

Keep the name short, as this will make it easier to type and less prone to typos. Also, ensure that the chosen name is descriptive of your business. For example, if you are a craftsman who makes wooden furniture, you might opt for "woodenfurniture.com" or "craftsmanshipXXX.it". This will help users immediately understand what you offer on your site.

Check the availability of the domain name

After choosing the perfect domain name, check its availability on platforms like GoDaddy.com or Register.it. If not available, you will need to find another option or try modifying the chosen name slightly.

Choose the right extension

The extension of a domain is the final part of the web address, such as .com, .it, .net. If you are an artisan operating solely in Italy, the .it extension might be the best choice. However, if you plan to expand your business in the future, you might consider using a more general extension like .com or .net.

• Remember that the domain name is one of the first elements that visitors will see of your site and can influence their decision to stay or go elsewhere.
• Choose a name that's easy to remember and descriptive, check its availability, and choose the right extension for your business.

Selecting a hosting platform

After creating the website, it is necessary to select a hosting platform to publish it online. There are various options to choose from, but it is important to find one that best suits the needs of the craftsman.

Important considerations when choosing a hosting service:

• Budget: how much are you willing to spend? There are free or paid offers. Paid offers can provide more server space and more efficient technical support.
• Speed and performance: the web page loading time is a crucial factor that affects user experience. It is important to choose a hosting service capable of ensuring high speed and performance.
• Security: the security of user data and the website itself is a factor not to be underestimated. The hosting service must offer advanced security protocols, such as SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) which ensures a secure connection.

Technical support: one of the advantages of paid plans is the always available technical support. In case of problems or technical difficulties, having a dedicated team ready to assist can make a big difference.

In general, hosting options include shared, VPS (Virtual Private Server), and dedicated hosting. Shared hosting is the most economical option, but it means that your website is hosted on the same server as other websites, which can limit your site's performance. A VPS offers more performance and server space, but comes at a higher cost compared to shared hosting services. Finally, dedicated hosting ensures maximum speed and performance, but also has the highest cost.

Ultimately, choosing a hosting platform for your artisanal website requires careful consideration and evaluation of the different options available. It's important to find a balance between budget and performance to ensure an optimal user experience.

Planning the website structure

Before you start creating your website, it is important to plan its structure. This step will help you organize the content and navigation of the site effectively for your visitors.

1. Identify the goals of your website

First and foremost, ask yourself what the goals of your website are. Do you want to sell products online? Do you wish to promote your brand and attract new customers? Or do you want to provide information about your skills and services?

Identifying the goals of your website will aid you in choosing the right design and deciding which sections to include in your site.

2. Create a site map

Create a site map to visualize the organization of pages and their relationships with each other. Start with the homepage and then add other sections like "About Us", "Products", "Services" etc.

List any sub-sections or secondary pages that might be included as well, such as individual product pages or a contact page.

• Home
• About Us
• Products
  • Category 1
  • Category 2
  • Category 3
• Services
  • Service 1
  • Service 2
  • Service 3
• Blog
• Contact Us

3. Think about user experience

Think about the user experience of your website. Visitors should be able to easily find what they are looking for and navigate without issues.

Include a search bar, a clear navigation menu, and CTA (call to action) buttons to guide visitors towards desired actions like "Buy Now" or "Request a Quote". Also ensure that your site is mobile-friendly and accessible on all devices.

4. Write your website content

Now is the time to write the content for your website. Include relevant information about who you are, what you do, and why customers should choose you. Describe your products or services in detail with engaging images.

Remember to use relevant keywords to enhance the SEO (search engine optimization) of your website, but always write for your visitors and not just for Google.

By following these steps, you will have a solid foundation to create an effective website for your craft business.

Creating content for the website

After setting up the website design, it is important to create quality content that reflects the image of the craftsman and that is useful for the site's visitors.

What to include in the website content?

• About the company: on the "About Us" or "Our Story" page, you can include information about the company's history, its mission, and the values that set it apart. You can also add a section dedicated to the work team.
• Services offered: on the "Services" page you can list in detail the services offered by the craftsman, with clear descriptions and explanatory images. This way, visitors can immediately understand what skills the craftsman has.

artisan and why they should choose them.

Portfolio: creating a section dedicated to past work can be very useful to show users the quality of the artisan's work. It is possible to include photos of completed projects and detailed descriptions of the materials used and techniques applied.

Customer Reviews: adding a section with satisfied customer reviews can be a valuable element in convincing new customers to choose the artisan. Reviews can be included on a "Testimonials" page or on individual service pages.

Contact Information: inserting a section with the contact information of the artisan is essential to allow site visitors to get in touch with them. A contact form or phone numbers and email address can be included.

How to write effective content?

To create effective content, it is important to consider certain elements, such as:

• Tonality: choosing the right tone to communicate with potential customers is crucial. It's possible to use an engaging and fun tone or a more institutional one depending on the type of company and the image you want to convey.
• SEO: using relevant keywords within the text can help improve the website's visibility on search engines. However, it's important not to overdo it with keyword usage to avoid penalties from search engines.
• Simplicity: employing simple and direct writing, without technical jargon, can help users better understand content and make navigating the site more enjoyable.

Furthermore, creating original and high-quality content can help differentiate from competitors and keep user attention high. Using images and videos can be an additional valuable element to enrich the website's content.

Designing the visual aspect of your website

After setting up the content of your website, it's time to focus on the visual aspect. This is a very important phase as graphics and user experience play a key role in creating a successful website.

Choosing the right theme

Framework360 offers you a wide range of themes to choose from to customize your website. You can select a theme based on the type of business you want to promote or the audience you want to target. For example, if you are an artisan selling handmade products, you might opt for a theme that highlights the craftsmanship and creativity of your products.

Alternatively, you can also decide to create a custom theme using the advanced options offered by the platform.

Customizing the theme

After choosing the right theme, it's time to customize it. Framework360 provides you with a wide array of tools to modify and adapt your theme to your specific needs.

You can change the colors, images, and typographic style of your website with just a few clicks. Moreover, you can also add widgets and plugins to enhance user experience and enrich the content of your site.

Mobile responsive design

Make sure your website is optimized for viewing on mobile devices. Most people use their smartphones or tablets to browse the internet, so it's crucial that your site adjusts perfectly to all types of screens.

Framework360 offers a responsive design, ensuring perfect display of the website on any device.

Testing and evaluation

After customizing the theme and setting up all the content, it's important to test the website before going live. Framework360 provides tools to check the page loading speed, accessibility, and usability of the site. This way, you can ensure that your website functions correctly and provides a good user experience.

Furthermore, always keep an eye on your website's statistics to monitor visits and assess the effectiveness of your content and digital marketing strategies.

Add features to your website (e.g., e-commerce, bookings, contact form)

After creating your craft business website with Framework360, you might want to add additional functionalities that are useful for your clients. Here are some options you might consider:

E-commerce

If you wish to sell your products online, you can add an e-commerce section to your website. Framework360 offers tools to create an online store, manage orders, and ship products.

• Add photos and descriptions of your products
• Create product categories
• Set up payment and shipping options
• Manage orders from your control panel

Bookings

If you offer services that require appointments or bookings, it is possible to add this feature to your website. For example, if you are a hairdresser, you can allow customers to book an appointment directly from your website.

• Create an availability calendar
• Allow customers to select an available date and time
• Receive notifications when bookings are made

Contact form

A contact form is an easy way for visitors to your website to get in touch with you. You can create a custom contact form and place it on your Contact page.

• Create a custom contact form
• Receive notifications when someone submits the form
• Keep track of customer inquiries

In addition, Framework360 offers many other features that you can add to your website, such as online chat, newsletters, and automated marketing campaigns. Explore the available options and choose the ones that best suit the needs of your craft business.

Optimizing your website for search engines

Once our website has been created, we must ensure it is visible on search engines like Google. This is crucial to increase the visibility of our online business and attract potential customers.

Use relevant keywords

Keywords are the phrases or words that users type into search engines to find what they are looking for. For example, if you are a craftsman specialized in making silver jewelry, some of your keywords might be "silver jewelry", "silver creations", "silver craftsmanship" and so on.

Include these keywords in various parts of your website, such as in the page title, in the meta description, in the image tags, and within the site content itself. However, be careful not to overuse keywords: excessive use can lead to penalties by search engines.

Create quality content

Search engines give more importance to websites with relevant and frequently updated content. A good idea is to create a blog on your website where you can post useful and interesting articles about the world of silversmithing or about your products, naturally including the keywords mentioned above.

Implement seo structure

Framework360 is equipped with a set of tools for SEO optimization, such as the sitemap generator and the ability to insert meta tags for pages. Make sure to use these features to indicate to search engines which are your important pages and what keywords are relevant for your website.

Link building

Link building is another useful technique to improve the visibility of your website on search engines. This strategy involves placing your website's link on other online pages, such as blogs or forums. By doing this, you will increase your online reputation and attract more visitors to your site.

• Insert the link of your website in the signature of your messages on forums or social groups.
• Write guest post articles on other websites and include a link back to your site.
• Seek collaborations with other craftsmen or professionals in the field who own a website and get them to include you on their sites.

By following these techniques, you can optimize your website for search engines, thereby increasing your visibility and attracting new customers to your business.

Testing and launching the website

After customizing the content of your website and setting up marketing features, it's time to test it before the official launch.

Check mobile device compatibility

In an era where most people access the web via smartphones or tablets, it's crucial to ensure that your site is optimized for mobile devices. Use Google's mobile compatibility test tool to check if your site loads correctly on all devices:

• Go to Google Mobile-Friendly Test: https://search.google.com/test/mobile-friendly
• Enter the URL of your site and start the test
• The results regarding the mobile compatibility of your site will be provided

Check your site's loading speed

Your website's loading speed directly affects the user experience. If your site is too slow, users might leave it before even viewing the content. Use Google's free PageSpeed Insights tool to check your site’s loading speed:

• Go to PageSpeed Insights: https://developers.google.com/speed/pagespeed/insights/
• Enter your site’s URL and start the test
• You will be provided with results regarding your site’s loading speed, along with suggestions for improvement

Launch your website

After testing your site and making the necessary changes, the time has finally come to officially launch it. To do so, follow these simple steps:

• Log in to your Framework360 account
• Click on the "Website" section on the left side of the screen
• Click on "Publish Site" to make your website visible online
• Share the URL of your new site with friends and family via social media or email.

Congratulations! You have just created and launched your professional website. Now you can promote your services and products on the Internet effectively and efficiently, reaching a wider audience compared to traditional marketing methods. Remember to always keep your website updated with new content and features to attract new customers and retain existing ones.