Made in the Lehigh Valley – The Lehigh Valley’s Premier Shop Local Directory
Overview
Timeline: February 12, 2024 – Present
Website: https://www.madeinthelehighvalley.com/
Client: Genevieve (Gen) Terpstra
Made in the Lehigh Valley (MiLV) is the region’s only online directory built specifically for local makers, artisans, and small manufacturers in the Lehigh Valley, Pennsylvania. Founded in 2023 by Gen Terpstra, a former biology and chemistry teacher, the site serves as a bridge between local shoppers looking for handmade and locally-produced goods and the entrepreneurs who create them.
What brought us together
Gen reached out for consultation assistance to help optimize and troubleshoot various aspects of her WordPress site built with the Beaver Builder page builder. The site features a comprehensive maker directory, an events calendar, and extensive category-based navigation for shoppers to discover local artisans and products.
Key Accomplishments and Contributions
WooCommerce Subscription Payment Troubleshooting
Provided consultation support for diagnosing and resolving failed subscription payments through WooPayments (Stripe Express). When membership renewal payments began failing, I helped Gen identify the likely cause—expired credit cards from the previous year—and guided her through the process of investigating the issue within her payment platform. This proactive support helped minimize disruption to member subscriptions and maintain steady revenue flow for the organization.
CSS Customization for Product Category Displays
Worked on custom CSS solutions to improve the display of product categories on the shop pages. The site features a robust product directory with multiple categories, and I addressed layout challenges at narrower screen resolutions. While working within the constraints of the theme’s list-item structure, I explored various approaches to reduce container sizes and improve the browsing experience for shoppers exploring the maker directory.
Category Page Optimization
Implemented code snippets to suppress subcategories on specific category pages, such as the Gifts section, creating a cleaner browsing experience for visitors. This customization allows shoppers to focus on the products themselves rather than navigating through nested category hierarchies, making it easier to discover local makers and their offerings.
Online Business Consultation
Beyond specific technical fixes, I provide Gen with ongoing consultation support as she grows Made in the Lehigh Valley. This includes answering questions about WordPress functionality, advising on how to structure some functionlity, and helping troubleshoot issues as they arise. Having a reliable resource to turn to for web-related questions allows Gen to focus on her core mission—building community connections between local makers and shoppers—while knowing technical support is just a message away.
Customer Feedback
Related Links
Working with Ernie on Made in the Lehigh Valley has been incredibly helpful. When I ran into technical issues with my subscription payments or needed CSS customizations for the product displays, Ernie was always responsive and clear in his explanations. He takes the time to understand what I’m trying to accomplish and provides practical solutions that work within my existing setup. Having someone I can rely on for WordPress consultation gives me confidence as I continue growing this community resource
Customer Website: Made in the Lehigh Valley
About MiLV: https://www.madeinthelehighvalley.com/about/
Browse Makers Directory: https://www.madeinthelehighvalley.com/directory2/
Events Calendar: https://www.madeinthelehighvalley.com/events/
Join as a Maker: https://www.madeinthelehighvalley.com/join/
About the Site
The website madeinthelehighvalley.com serves as the Lehigh Valley’s premier shop local directory, connecting consumers with local makers, artisans, and small manufacturers. Founded by Genevieve Terpstra in 2023, the platform addresses a significant gap in the local economy: the difficulty of finding handmade and locally-produced goods online. The site has grown into a vibrant community resource featuring over 75 member businesses, an active events calendar, and regular social media engagement promoting local creators.
Services Offered:
- Maker Directory: Searchable database of local artisans, makers, and small manufacturers
- Membership Program: Free listings with curated profile pages, social media promotion, and event access
- Events Calendar: Comprehensive listing of craft shows, markets, and gallery events throughout the region
- Maker’s Conference: Annual event connecting makers with resources and networking opportunities
- Shop In-Person Guide: Directory of physical locations where shoppers can find local goods
- Business Partnerships: Sponsorship opportunities for supporting businesses to gain visibility
Approach:
Made in the Lehigh Valley operates on the philosophy that local makers deserve regional support and visibility without competing against global marketplaces and algorithmic search results. Unlike platforms like Etsy where sellers compete with thousands of others for attention, MiLV provides focused exposure within the local community. The site emphasizes building connections between makers, supporting budding creatives, and preserving traditional craftsmanship through a community-first approach that puts the Lehigh Valley economy first.
Member Experience:
Members consistently praise the organized, supportive approach to promoting local makers. As one member noted, “I appreciate that someone is donating their time to creating more resources for makers.” The platform has become an invaluable resource for shoppers seeking locally-made gifts, art, and artisanal products while providing makers with a curated space to reach their target audience without the noise of larger marketplaces.
Discover local makers and support the Lehigh Valley economy at madeinthelehighvalley.com.
