Every framing professional knows that a well-designed e-commerce website is a necessity. It’s your 24/7 storefront, a digital handshake with customers, and the key to reaching a broader audience. Whether you specialize in custom frames, ready-made options, or one-of-a-kind art pieces, having an online presence helps your business stand out from the crowd.
But what if you don’t have a degree in web development? You need a cost-effective, user-friendly solution that meets your frame shop’s needs.
If you’re ready to take your business online, follow these five tips to build a professional and profitable e-commerce website for your framing store and expand your reach.
It doesn’t matter if you’re a rookie or a seasoned pro — launching an e-commerce website for your framing store can feel overwhelming. While plenty of systems promise a quick and easy setup (some even for free), it’s hard to know if they’ll work for your business.
Don’t settle for a generic online store. You need a program designed for frame shops packed with the right features to showcase your craftsmanship.
Here’s what to look for:
High-quality images: Your website should support high-definition visuals to highlight your frames and custom work in detail.
Support for custom orders: Custom frames are your biggest moneymaker, so make sure your website allows customers to easily request and personalize their orders.
Secure payment options: An e-commerce website for your framing store should support as many payment methods as possible to make transactions fast, easy, and convenient.
No matter which software you choose, make sure its website-building tools are simple and intuitive. The best option lets you design a professional-looking site without needing expert tech skills or hiring a web developer.
Want more visitors flocking to your framing website? It’s time to master the art of search engine optimization (SEO). SEO increases your site’s visibility so you can attract more foot traffic. The better your SEO, the higher your search results rank, making your business the go-to spot for custom frames in your area.
To get started, focus on these key SEO tactics:
Start with relevant keywords: Begin by brainstorming keywords that your ideal customers are searching for, like “custom art frames,” “modern picture frames,” or “art frame shop in [your city].” Sprinkle these keywords naturally across your website in product descriptions, titles, and meta tags to give your site a direct line to Google’s algorithm.
Optimize featured images: Your online store will have photos of your stunning frames and custom services. Don’t let those visuals just sit there — make them work for you.
Use image SEO by giving your files descriptive names and adding alt text that showcases what makes your products stand out. This helps your images pop up in search results and improves your site’s overall SEO juice.
Set up a Google My Business profile and encourage happy customers to leave glowing reviews. The more local love your site gets, the more foot traffic you’ll see!
Master these SEO strategies, and your framing shop will be front and center when customers search for custom frames online.
If you have a picture frame visualizer at your physical store, you already know how beneficial it is — you can let customers see custom frame designs without the hassle of creating physical mockups. So, why not bring that same experience to your e-commerce site?
Show, don’t just tell: Create a gallery of incredible custom frames designed with your visualizer. It’s the perfect way to highlight your shop’s craftsmanship and showcase different combinations of materials, matting, mouldings, and picture openings. When customers see what’s possible, they’ll be more confident in their choices and more likely to buy.
Take it to the next level: Want to go beyond static images? Offer virtual framing consultations. Let customers upload their photos or artwork, then send them a personalized mockup and quote. It’s an easy way to provide a high-end, custom experience without them ever stepping foot in your shop.
Bringing your frame visualizer online transforms shopping into an interactive, confidence-boosting experience. That’s how you turn curious browsers into loyal buyers.
Getting more visitors to your website is great, but keeping them there long enough to make a purchase or reach out for custom framing services? That’s the real win. A well-designed website with a smooth, enjoyable user experience (UX) can positively influence your customers’ journey.
Think about it: 88% of visitors won’t come back if they have a bad experience on your site. A clunky layout, slow load times, or confusing navigation can send potential customers running for the exit. Don’t let that happen!
Here’s how to improve your site’s UX and keep visitors engaged (and buying):
Find and eliminate technical issues: Use your website analytics to spot technical issues like sluggish load times, broken links, or oversized images that slow things down. Fixing these can make a huge difference in keeping visitors engaged.
Make it mobile-friendly: Build your website with a responsive design and a touchscreen-friendly layout. Test it on various mobile devices, like smartphones and tablets, to make sure buttons and links are easy to spot and tap.
Create a pleasant layout: Design the elements on your e-commerce website to achieve a clean and consistent look. Avoid clutter or excessive categories, organize your product pages on a structured grid for readability, and use contrasting colors and dividers to make each section stand out and improve readability.
These small tweaks can have a big impact on your website’s user experience, keeping visitors engaged longer. The longer they stay on the e-commerce website for your framing store, the more likely they are to turn into paying customers.
Your product pages are the heart of your e-commerce site, but they’re not the only way to hook potential customers. Engaging content can spark interest, answer common questions, and turn casual visitors into loyal buyers.
To make the most of your content strategy, try these ideas:
Blog your way to more sales: A great way to attract customers searching for specific answers. Create blog posts and guides about picture frames — articles on choosing the perfect frame materials, the latest framing trends, or even tips for preserving artwork. Not only do these posts provide valuable insights, but they build trust and encourage visitors to place an order.
Let your work speak for itself: Take it a step further with video tutorials on simple but essential topics, like measuring artwork for custom frames or styling framed pieces in home décor.
And don’t forget social proof! Feature a gallery of user-submitted photos or showcase customer posts from social media. Let your happy customers do the selling for you by showing off their framed masterpieces.
With the right mix of content, your website becomes a trusted resource that keeps visitors coming back.
Your e-commerce website for your framing store is about creating an experience that draws people in and keeps them coming back. A well-designed site with easy navigation, beautiful visuals, and engaging content drives conversions and brings in more custom frame orders.
Upgrade your operations with LifeSaver’s point of sale (POS) software. With its built-in inventory manager, massive product image library, and frame visualization tools, launching and running your online store has never been easier.
Why wait? Start your free trial today to see how LifeSaver can support your online framing store.