Welcome to the Success With Jewelry podcast, hosted by Laryssa Wirstiuk and Liz Kantner, two experts passionate about helping independent jewelry artists thrive.
Welcome to episode #179! Liz sits down with Alyssa Downey, owner of Amp'd Designs, a brand and web designer with over a decade of experience helping small businesses build websites that don't just look beautiful — they work for everyone who visits them. Alyssa studied at Pratt Institute, has worked at NYC design studios, as an Art Director at a high-end print company, and in the Art Department at Atlantic Records, and has been running her own design business full time since 2018.
In today's episode, Liz and Alyssa break down website accessibility in a way that actually makes sense for independent jewelry brands — not the intimidating technical version, but the practical one that helps you make sure the customers who want to find you and buy from you actually can.
In today's episode, Liz and Alyssa cover:
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What website accessibility means and why it should be a priority for every jewelry brand
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The legal side of accessibility — and why it's worth paying attention to even as a small business
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The most common accessibility mistakes Alyssa sees on jewelry websites
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Why heading structure matters way more than most designers realize (and it's not just about design)
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Text legibility, tiny fonts, and script typefaces — what's hurting your website and what to do about it
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Color contrast explained: how to check yours and what to do if it fails
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Alt text: why it matters for both accessibility and SEO, and how to write it correctly
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How to audit your own website for accessibility without hiring a developer
In the bonus segment for Insiders only, Alyssa shares the accessibility fixes she sees jewelry websites need the most — including a live look at a few well-known jewelry brand websites — and where to start if this all feels overwhelming.
Learn more about Amp'd Designs: https://www.ampddesigns.com/Follow on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ampd_designs
Liz Kantner works with independent jewelry artists to help them find their unique voices and succeed in today's marketplace. With over ten years of experience in jewelry marketing and sales, Liz offers consulting services and digital strategy. She's also the founder of the Stay Gold Collective, a private group providing live training, industry insights, and personalized feedback. Learn more at https://www.lizkantner.com.
Laryssa Wirstiuk is the founder and creative director of Joy Joya, a digital marketing agency for the jewelry industry. She's the author of Jewelry Marketing Joy and the creator of JoyDeck, a platform designed to make marketing accessible for jewelry makers and designers. Discover more at https://joyjoya.com.
Tune in to hear Liz and Laryssa share valuable insights, tips, and strategies for success in the jewelry industry!