For Shoppers
How do I buy products?
It depends on the business. The more established businesses often have an Etsy shop or Website. All businesses listed have links to their Facebook page, where you can browse their products, and message them to place your order.
Why can’t I buy directly from the Island Crafted website?
Creating an E-commerce platform is extremely time consuming and costly. We wanted to create a place for businesses both big and small to be able to affordably advertise their products.
How do I search by specific cities/towns?
Go to the listings page, and type in your city or town in the search bar.
For Makers
Why do I want to be on an online directory?
With our professionally developed website, active social media accounts, and strong local SEO, your product will land in front of thousands of people looking for local businesses just like you. And with incredibly affordable rates, we give you amazing “bang for your buck”. Here are just a few of our top reasons:
Brand Discovery: Potential customers will discover your business while browsing the directory, without previously knowing you existed.
Connection with your target audience: Customers visit IslandCrafted.ca looking specifically for locally handcrafted product makers, like yourself!
Affordable Advertising: Anyone in business knows that advertising can be very costly. We know you don’t have a huge budget, which is why Island Crafted is less than $10.00 per month.
Improved Search Engine Impressions: We were developed and are maintained by a professional Website Developer; all pages in our directory are optimized for search engines and receive high rankings in user search results.
Boosted SEO on your own website: Inbound links (aka Backlinks) to your business’s website (from IslandCrafted.ca) help prove to Google that your site has high-quality content, which will rank your website higher in Google search results.
Brand awareness & “The Rule of Seven”: Did you know that it takes an average of seven encounters with your brand before a purchase will take place? Even if customers don’t click on your business the first time, they will see it and subconsciously remember it. Being listed in an online directory helps to increase your encounters with potential customers.
How do I get my business listed on Island Crafted?
Head over to the List With Us page to read over the pricing details and fill out the submission form. It’s an extremely easy and affordable process.
How much does it cost?
Good news, we have recently switched to a reduced one time payment model! For makers, it’s a one time fee of only $50.00. Click here for more details on pricing.
How do I pay?
Once we receive your submission, we will get your business listed ASAP. Once you have looked it over and are satisfied, we will send you an invoice via our secure invoice and payment system (we use Square). You can either pay through Square using a Visa, or pay by etransfer or cheque.
Who are you and do you really know what you’re doing? 😉
The creator behind Island Crafted is a Professional Web Designer and Developer living in Qualicum Beach. She will make sure that your custom page not only looks great, but that it is optimized for Search Engines as well.
For Makers
Does my product count as a “Craft”?
Was your product made on Vancouver Island and produced using your skill or ingenuity? Then it counts! This includes Visual Arts such as photography, graphic design, or filmography, and also food and beverage items, including food trucks.
Will I see more business by being listed on Island Crafted?
Business owners have mentioned that they see an increase in their sales once being listed on Island Crafted, although, as with most advertising, it is difficult to know which sales are linked to customers finding you on our website. We do not guarantee you will see an increase in your sales.
What do I need to provide to be listed on the site?
We need your business name, location, story, links to social feeds and/or websites, your logo, up to 3 images of your product, and a picture of you hard at work creating (if you want to add it).
What does my membership fee cover?
The fee covers us creating your custom page on the Island Crafted website and a “shout out” on the Island Crafted Instagram and Facebook feeds. We will also share any exciting news or new products you post about on your social feeds if you tag us in your post. Additionally, you become part of the Island Crafted team, a group of like minded individuals all with the same goals in mind as you – to support Vancouver Island small businesses and to promote Vancouver Island products as a whole.
Can I pay for more social media exposure on the IslandCrafted.ca feeds?
Absolutely! We offer sponsored posts for only $20.00. This fee is in addition to the one-time IslandCrafted.ca listing fee.
I still have questions!
Contact us by filling out the form here.