Editor's Note: As we gear up for the new year, we’ve distilled our recent e-commerce guide into a simple 2-minute "Digital Health Check" quiz. Use this quick assessment to identify the "low-hanging fruit" on your website today, so you can start 2026 with a shop that is optimized for growth. 

Is Your Website Working as Hard as You Do?
A Simple Roadmap to Better Sales.

You spend hours perfecting your craft, but hidden friction points on your website might be quietly costing you sales. We know that for many makers, the "tech stuff" is the most stressful part of the job—and you don't have time to become a professional web developer just to run your shop.

We’ve turned the tactical insights from our E-commerce Optimization for Montana Artisans guide into a quick, 2-minute "Digital Health Check." 

This isn't a complex technical audit; it’s a jargon-free self-assessment designed to identify the "low-hanging fruit"—the high-priority, simple fixes you can make yourself this afternoon.

If you’d prefer a video summary of the ebook you can watch it here.

Take the quiz to find your score and get a clear list of easy updates (like tweaking your checkout settings or adding a trust badge) that will instantly reduce customer frustration and boost your bottom line.

The Montana Maker Digital Health Check Format:
Simple "Yes/No" questions.
Scoring: 1 point for every "Yes."

Section 1: The "Soul" (Story & Visuals)

The ebook emphasizes that authenticity is your main advantage over mass-produced goods.

The "At-a-Glance" Test: Do you have high-resolution photos that show your product clearly from multiple angles?

The Provenance Check: Does your site prominently display the "Made in Montana" logo (homepage or footer)?

The Story Check: Do your product descriptions go beyond size/weight to explain the inspiration or materials (e.g., "ethically sourced Montana sapphire")?

The Motion Test: Do you have at least one short video (15-60 seconds) showing the product in use or you making it?

Section 2: The "Engine" (Friction & Tech)

Every point of friction is a reason for a customer to leave.

The Speed Test: Does your website load in under 3 seconds?

The Barrier Check: Is "Guest Checkout" enabled? (Meaning: A customer can buy without creating a password/account).

The Thumb Test: On a smartphone, are buttons easy to tap and forms easy to type in without zooming?

The Transparency Check: Are shipping costs, return policies, and lead times visible before the customer reaches the checkout page?

Section 3: The "Connection" (Engagement)

Engagement often drops off after the product is added to the cart.

The Reminder Check: Do you have an automated email that goes out if someone abandons their cart (e.g., "Forgot something special?")?

The Social Proof Check: Can customers easily see reviews or testimonials directly on your product pages?

Score: 0 - 4 Points (Result: The Rough Gem)

Your work is beautiful, but your digital shop is hiding it. Right now, technical friction and a lack of visual storytelling are likely costing you sales.

• Fix the Friction: Prioritize mobile optimization and load speed. If people can't load the site on their phone, they can't buy.

• Claim Your Identity: Add the "Made in Montana" logo to your footer and checkout to build instant trust.

• Upgrade Photos: Invest time in professional-quality product photography. This is the single most critical investment for increasing perceived value.

Score: 5 - 7 Points (Result: The Market Ready)

You have a solid foundation! Your shop works, but you are leaving money on the table by not deepening the connection or closing the sale efficiently.

• Remove Barriers: If you haven't already, enable Guest Checkout. Don't force accounts on first-time buyers.

• Deepen the Description: Rewrite 3 of your top-selling product descriptions to include sensory language and the "story" of the materials.

• Capture the Cart: Set up an abandoned cart email sequence. This recaptures lost sales automatically.

Score: 8 - 10 Points (Result: The Master Artisan)

Your digital presence is powerful. You are effectively translating the magic of your craft into an online experience. Your focus now should be on scaling community and advocacy.

• Add Video: Incorporate 15-second "behind-the-scenes" or "product in motion" videos to further reduce return rates and increase engagement.

• Automate Reviews: Ensure you have an automated email sequence soliciting reviews after purchase to build social proof.

• Community Building: Use your newsletter to segment customers by interest and send personalized stories, not just sales pitches.

Did You Know? 

The 'Arts & Culture' sector contributes approximately $2.2 billion annually to Montana's economy—that's more than 3% of our state's entire GDP. In fact, recent data shows that the arts and cultural sector has grown at more than twice the rate of the total U.S. economy.

This means your personal artisan story isn't just marketing fluff; it is a driving force of our state's "Creative Economy," which now supports over 16,500 jobs across Montana.

More details: Montana Arts Council Economic Development

Till next time,

Montana Gateway