So You’ve Outgrown Your Website: Now What?

23 Jun So You’ve Outgrown Your Website: Now What?

As a craft business owner, your website is your digital storefront—the place where your creativity, hard work, and unique offerings shine for the world to see. 

However, just like your business, your website can reach a point where it no longer meets your needs or effectively serves your customers. 

Recognizing when you’ve outgrown your website is the first step toward taking your online presence to the next level. 

Imagine your website as a workshop. When you first start your craft business, a small, simple workspace is enough to get things done. Over time, as you grow, you add more tools, more products, take on bigger projects, and need a space that can keep up. Your website works the same way. If it’s outdated or can’t accommodate your growth, it’s time to upgrade.

Signs that you have outgrown your website:

1. Your website doesn’t reflect your brand identity or offerings anymore. Your services and brand have evolved, but your website hasn’t caught up.
2. You haven’t added to or changed anything on your website since you built it. It feels stagnant and outdated.
3. Your competitors’ websites look the same or better than yours. You feel like you’re falling behind.
4. Your website is not mobile-friendly and doesn’t support or integrate with new apps or technology.
5. Your website doesn’t provide any prospects or leads. It’s not serving as a marketing tool.
6. You’re hesitant to share your website. You don’t feel proud of it anymore. 

Do any of these signs sound familiar? If so, here’s what to do next.

1. Assess Your Current Website

Think of your website as your house. When the roof springs a leak or a window breaks, you need to take stock of the issues and address the problems. Similarly, assessing your website helps you identify what’s working, what’s not, and what needs to change to meet your current and future needs. And, as with home renovations, you may need outside assistance from a web developer to analyze your website and bring it up to speed. A web developer brings a fresh set of expert eyes to review your website and can see things you may not even know to look for.

Before making any changes, it’s essential to identify what’s not working. 

Ask yourself:

• Is the design outdated? Does your website reflect the quality and style of your craft business?
• Is it user-friendly? Do visitors find it easy to navigate, search, and shop? Do you have trouble assessing this yourself? Have a friend or family member take a deep look at your website and request that they be very honest with you.
• Is it scalable? Can it handle increased traffic, new product lines, or additional features you’d like to offer?
• Does it integrate with other tools? Think about email marketing, inventory management, chatbots, and social media integrations.
• Is it mobile-friendly? Over 50% of web traffic comes from mobile devices, so responsive design is non-negotiable.
• Are the content and information up-to-date? Are the address, phone number, and social media accounts updated and correct? Are the information and details on your website accurate, or do they need an update? Are there any news or changes in your business that need to be reflected on your website?
• Is it search engine optimized? Are you incorporating keywords and keyword-rich content into your website? Are you using alt text for images, header tags, and meta descriptions, which attract search engine indexers and boost your website’s profile in search results?

If you need help assessing your website, contact us for a strategic analysis of your website and overall online health. 

2. Define Your Goals

Every successful business starts with a clear vision. Upgrading your website is no different. As with planning a new craft fair booth, you wouldn’t start building without deciding what you want it to look like and how you want it to function.

Similarly, define your business and website goals so they will guide how you would redesign your website and meet your business needs.

What do you want your upgraded website to achieve? Be specific. Examples include:

• Increasing online sales
• Collecting more email addresses and building an email list
• Improving user experience
• Showcasing new product categories
• Streamlining operations through integrations
• Promoting generosity marketing initiatives, like educational content, tutorials, a blog, etc.
• Delivering a strong first impression to potential customers via colors, layout, and information delivery

Having clear goals will guide the redesign or migration process and ensure your new website serves your business effectively.

3. Decide Between Revamping or Starting Fresh

Let’s return to the house renovation metaphor. Upgrading your website is like renovating an old house. You can paint the walls and replace the flooring, but if the foundation is weak, it might be better to build something new. The decision to revamp or start a new website depends on your website’s current conditions, limitations, and your long-term goals.

You have two options to consider:

• Revamping: If your website is built on a scalable platform like Shopify or WordPress, and its core structure works well, a redesign, template change, or adding new plugins might suffice.
• Starting Fresh: If your website’s platform is outdated or doesn’t meet your needs, migrating to a new platform could be a better investment.

If you choose to start fresh, selecting the right website platform is crucial for supporting your business goals and operations. The tools and the setup you choose will depend on your needs and the type of work you do.

Craft businesses thrive on creativity, so your platform should offer flexibility and ease of use. Popular options include:

• • Shopify: Ideal for e-commerce-focused businesses, with excellent scalability and integrations.
  • Pattern by Etsy: For those who already sell on Etsy and want a standalone site.
  • Squarespace: Great for visually stunning designs and ease of use.
  • WordPress: Highly customizable, with endless plugins for advanced functionality.

• Square: Different from Squarespace; a plug-and-play builder to consider if you’re already using Square’s POS and invoicing systems.

Evaluate each platform based on your needs, budget, and technical skill level.

5. Invest in Professional Help

While DIY platforms make website building accessible, professional web developers and designers can elevate your site to a level that truly reflects your brand. 

A professional touch ensures your website is:

• Optimized for search engines (SEO)
• Mobile-friendly
• Fully integrated with tools and systems
• Aligned with your brand’s aesthetics

Need professional help in upgrading your website effectively? Contact Stitchcraft Marketing today for a website audit and actionable steps to enhance your online presence.

6. Plan for Content and Features

Imagine walking into a beautifully designed craft shop that’s empty. A great website isn’t just about design—it’s about the content that fills it. Your content is what connects visitors to your story, showcases your products, and drives actions for the customers to buy or engage.

Focus on:

• Effective value proposition on the homepage: Have a compelling message/story that clearly states who you are, what you do, and why they should do business with you.
• Clear and compelling product descriptions: Highlight what makes your crafts unique.
• High-quality images: Use well-lit photos that showcase your products in detail.
• About Page: Share your story to connect with your audience.
• Blog: Establish authority and engage visitors with tutorials, behind-the-scenes looks, and craft tips.
• Reviews and testimonials: Build trust with potential customers.
• Showcase your best projects and portfolios. This provides tangible proof of your skills and craftsmanship, helping potential customers envision the value they’ll receive.

7. Budget for Growth

Your website is an investment, not an expense. It’s like investing in a new set of crafting tools. The upfront cost might feel significant, but the right tools help you work more efficiently and produce better results. 

Allocate budget not just for the initial build, but for ongoing upkeep and costs like:

• Domain registration and hosting
• Plugins or app subscriptions
• Professional photography
• SEO and content marketing efforts – blogs, news, credibility marks, etc.

8. Test, Launch, and Iterate

Before you unveil a new craft product, you test it. Your website deserves the same attention to detail. Testing ensures your site functions seamlessly and delivers a great experience for your site visitors. Check for:

• Broken links
• Mobile responsiveness
• Page load speed
• User flow from homepage to checkout
• Search functionality

Once launched, monitor its performance and be prepared to make adjustments based on user feedback and analytics.

Your website should grow with your craft business, not hold it back.

Upgrading your digital presence can feel overwhelming, but it’s also an opportunity to showcase your growth and creativity. By assessing your needs, setting clear goals, and investing in the right tools and professionals, you’ll have a website that not only meets today’s demands but also supports your future success.

Ready to upgrade your website? Our experts at Stitchcraft Marketing can provide a comprehensive audit and personalized recommendations to ensure your site reflects your brand and meets your business goals.