So you've been making beautiful things — handmade candles, knitted scarves, custom jewellery, or maybe hand-poured soaps — and people keep telling you that you should sell them. The good news? They're right. And getting your small craft business online is much more straightforward than you might think. You don't need a tech background or a big budget. You just need a clear plan and the right tools. This guide will walk you through exactly what to do, step by step.

Step 1: Choose a Name for Your Business

Before you do anything online, you need a name. This might be the most fun part — or the most stressful! Here are a few tips to help you land on something good:

• Keep it short and memorable. Something people can spell easily after hearing it once.
• Make it relevant. A name that hints at what you sell helps customers understand your business at a glance.
• Check it's available. Search for it online to make sure another business isn't already using it.
• Think about your domain name at the same time. Ideally, your business name and your website address should match.

Once you've settled on a name you love, it's time to claim it on the internet.

Step 2: Register Your Domain Name

Your domain name is your address on the web — it's what people type into their browser to find you (for example, yourbusiness.ie or yourbusiness.com). Registering it early is important because domain names can be claimed by someone else at any time.

1. Search for your preferred domain. Head to Fagan Media's Domain Registration page and search for your chosen name to see if it's available.
2. Choose the right extension. If you're based in Ireland, a .ie domain can help build local trust. A .com is great if you plan to sell internationally. You might even register both to protect your brand.
3. Register as soon as possible. Once you've found an available domain you're happy with, don't wait — snap it up before someone else does.

Think of your domain as your shop sign. It tells the world who you are and where to find you. It's one of the best early investments you can make in your business.

Step 3: Set Up a Professional Email Address

Once you have your domain, you'll want a professional email address to match — something like hello@yourbusiness.ie rather than a personal Gmail or Hotmail account. This small detail makes a surprisingly big difference to how customers perceive you.

A professional email address signals that you're serious about your business. It builds trust, especially when you're reaching out to stockists, suppliers, or new customers for the first time.

1. Choose a Microsoft 365 plan. Microsoft 365 from Fagan Media gives you a professional email address using your own domain name, along with tools like Word, Excel, and Teams.
2. Set up your inbox. Once your account is active, you'll be able to send and receive emails from your business address on any device — phone, tablet, or computer.
3. Consider setting up a few addresses. For example, orders@yourbusiness.ie for customer orders and hello@yourbusiness.ie for general enquiries. This keeps things organised as your business grows.

Microsoft 365 also includes cloud storage through OneDrive, which is handy for keeping your product photos, invoices, and business documents safe and accessible from anywhere.

Step 4: Build Your Website

Your website is your online shop window. It's where customers can browse your products, learn your story, and get in touch. You don't need to build it yourself if that feels overwhelming — but if you're keen to give it a go, many website builder platforms are designed with beginners in mind.

At a minimum, your website should include:

• A homepage that clearly explains what you sell and who you are
• A product or shop page with photos and descriptions
• An about page that shares your story — people love knowing the maker behind the product
• A contact page with your professional email address

Good product photography makes a huge difference. Natural light, a clean background, and a few different angles can go a long way. You don't need a professional camera — a modern smartphone works perfectly well.

Step 5: Help Customers Find You with SEO

You could have the most beautiful website in the world, but if nobody can find it, it won't do much good. That's where SEO — Search Engine Optimisation — comes in. SEO is the process of making your website more visible on search engines like Google, so that when someone searches for "handmade soy candles Ireland" or "personalised jewellery gifts," your shop has a chance of appearing.

Here's how to get started:

1. Think about what your customers are searching for. Put yourself in their shoes. What words or phrases would they type into Google to find a product like yours? These are your keywords.
2. Use those keywords naturally throughout your website. Include them in your page titles, product descriptions, and image descriptions. Don't overdo it — write for humans first, search engines second.
3. Write helpful content. A simple blog or journal on your website — sharing behind-the-scenes updates, care guides for your products, or gift ideas — can help attract visitors and improve your search rankings over time.
4. Make sure your website loads quickly and works on mobile. Google pays attention to the experience your site gives visitors. A slow or hard-to-navigate site can hurt your rankings.
5. Consider professional SEO support. If you want to grow faster or feel unsure about where to start, Fagan Media's SEO service can help you put a proper strategy in place, so your business gets found by the right people.

SEO isn't a quick fix — it takes time and consistency. But the results are worth it. Unlike paid advertising, good SEO keeps working for you in the background, bringing in new visitors month after month.

Step 6: Start Spreading the Word

With your domain registered, your professional email set up, your website live, and your SEO foundations in place, it's time to let people know you're open for business.

• Share your website on your personal social media accounts and ask friends and family to spread the word
• Join local business groups or craft markets to connect with customers in your community
• List your business on Google — this is free and helps local customers find you
• Ask happy customers to leave reviews online — word of mouth is still one of the most powerful forms of marketing

You're Ready — Let's Get Started

Starting a business can feel like a big leap, but every successful shop you admire began exactly where you are right now: with an idea and the courage to take the first step. By registering your domain, setting up a professional email, building a great website, and investing in your SEO, you're giving your craft business a solid foundation to grow from.

The tools are there. The support is there. All that's missing is you.

Ready to take the first step? Explore these Fagan Media services to get your business online:

• Domain Registration — Claim your business name on the web
• Microsoft 365 — Get a professional email address and essential business tools
• SEO — Help customers find your business on Google

If you have any questions or aren't sure where to begin, the Fagan Media team is always happy to help. Reach out and let's build something great together.

Last Updated: October 16, 2026