If you have a passion for arts or crafts, then you likely have a high dose of creativity as well! Approaching projects with an imaginative outlook, letting your creative juices flow… does that ring a bell?
What if I told you that same outlook is exactly how you could approach the creation of a website? Yet many artisans and crafters I’ve talked to are intimidated by the idea. Lots of very talented artists don’t think they have what it takes to create an online showcasing of their talents.
So here’s a dash of encouragement and inspiration: Give it a try, using the easy-as-pie WordPress platform. In fact, this very website you’re reading now, Handmade in PA, relies on the strength of the popular WordPress blogging platform. What’s the difference between a blog and a website? Blogs are more or less online journals where you’re posting updated content on your home page. You could easily create either a blog or a website to showcase your artistic skills.
What are the benefits?
- Widen your audience and customer base
- Share behind-the-scenes photos and insights as you create, helping your customers appreciate your talents
- The ability to provide contact information for online orders
- “Networking” with like-minded artists on WordPress by following and commenting on their websites
- Creating a core marketing presence
Many artists overlook that last benefit; creating a core marketing presence (a website) is essential to a successful marketing campaign of any type. All of your marketing should flow from your website–that’s Marketing 101. Think of your blog or website as “home base.” If you have a Facebook business page, an Etsy shop, a Twitter account, etc–they should all link to your website for more information. If you don’t have that core presence, you’re missing out on the very heart of your marketing efforts.
If you’re entirely new to WordPress, click here for an awesome primer directly from WordPress. All WordPress blogs or websites are built using the same platform, yet you can chose from various themes to make your website or blog unique. Lots of features are customizable, so even if hundreds of people use the same theme, no two websites would look identical. Plenty of WordPress themes are free–so you could conceivably create a website that was entirely free–while themes labeled as “premium” will cost you a few dollars.
Here are a few example of themes I think especially lend themselves to artists and creative types:
This theme, with its beautiful illustrations, reminds me of fraktur, Pennsylvania Dutch folk art.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
A colorful paisley design lends itself to tie-dye or retro-style crafts.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
With a “woven” fabric style background, this theme offers several options for colorful themes, named Banana, Blueberry or Dragon Fruit. (Mmmm….)
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
Creators of whimsical children’s crafts may enjoy using this playful theme.
Image may be NSFW.
Clik here to view.
For further inspiration, check out a few PA artists and crafters who have already developed WordPress website:
Art on the Square (Kennett Square)
If you too have a WordPress blog or website based upon your artistic talents, leave a comment below and share your URL!
Enjoy exploring the possibilities with WordPress… Happy Creating!
Image may be NSFW.Clik here to view.
A writer and photographer at heart, Karen Hendricks owns Hendricks Communications offering public relations, marketing and related services. A native of the Philadelphia area, she has called Gettysburg home for 20+ years. Karen earned a BA in Communications from Lock Haven University, and she pens the series An Eye for Art. Follow her on Facebook, tweet with her @KarenHendricks9 or check out her blog project Off the Merry-Go-Round.
