How Armature works

The useful parts of a creative website, without the usual clutter.

Armature brings templates, content, editing and website care into one managed system, so creative sites stay easier to update, easier to support and less dependent on fragile plugin stacks.

The parts you need, without the mess around them

Armature keeps the useful parts of WordPress, then removes as much friction as possible: fewer plugin decisions, fewer hidden settings and fewer places for a small creative site to become awkward to maintain.

Curated templates

Start from polished visual directions designed for portfolios, publications, studios and creative practices.

Structured content

Keep work, updates, pages and contact details in predictable places, instead of rebuilding pages by hand.

Simplified editing

Make normal updates without digging through WordPress clutter or relearning a sprawling builder each time.

Content stays organised

Armature is not just a collection of loose pages. Key content has a clear place, which makes the site easier to update, restyle, search through and extend later.

Projects / Work

For portfolios, comics work, covers, commissions, campaigns, sketches and visual projects.

Posts / Updates

For news, announcements, releases, appearances, blog posts and regular site updates.

Pages

For Home, About, Contact, FAQ, Press, Workshops and other static information.

Publications

Optional support for books, comics, series, release details, publisher information and buy links.

Events

Optional support for workshops, talks, signings, conventions and appearances.

Resources / Directories

Available for community sites where managed listings, useful links, guides or profile content are needed. Public accounts and complex directory tools are scoped separately.

Design choices without page-builder chaos

Armature is flexible, but deliberately not wide open. Choose from approved templates, palette options, font pairings and template parts while the site structure stays protected underneath.

That means the presentation can evolve without rebuilding the content, and the site can stay editable without asking every client to become a designer, developer or WordPress troubleshooter.

  • Choose a base template direction
  • Adjust colours, typography and button styles
  • Use approved layout parts
  • Keep the content structure intact
  • Avoid fragile one-off page designs

A calmer admin for everyday updates

Armature strips the admin experience back to the jobs people actually need, while hiding the WordPress clutter that can make sites feel fragile or confusing.

You can focus on:

  • Adding new work
  • Posting updates
  • Editing page copy
  • Changing featured items
  • Uploading images
  • Updating contact and social links

Armature keeps out of the way by avoiding:

  • Unnecessary theme clutter
  • Low-level WordPress tools
  • Full page-builder sprawl
  • Unmanaged plugin settings
  • Fragile custom layouts for every page

Managed, maintained and looked after

Armature is not just a design skin. The service includes the practical website care that keeps a small creative site running: hosting, SSL, updates, backups, security checks and clear support boundaries.

  • Managed hosting
  • SSL and scheduled backups
  • WordPress and plugin updates
  • Basic security checks
  • Contact route checks
  • Basic support

Email staying separate does not mean using a different email name. You can still use a professional address at your own domain, such as info@yourdomain.co.uk. It simply means the mailbox itself is handled through Google Workspace, Microsoft 365 or an existing email provider of your choice, rather than being bundled into the Armature website hosting. We can help with the setup and DNS records, while you keep ownership of the email account and licence.

Start simple, then add what the site really needs

Armature starts with the essentials most working creatives need: pages, work/projects, updates, contact routes and a managed technical foundation. Extra modules can be added when they are genuinely useful, rather than bolted on from day one. Larger organisational or community projects can be scoped separately when the site has a wider public role.

Armature Core

Core pages, work/projects, selected work, news/updates, contact routes and template-led design.

Armature Extended

Support for publications, events, workshops, enquiry flows, shop routes and broader creative-practice content.

Organisational projects

Separately scoped support for groups, networks, funded initiatives, resources, signposting, events and managed listings.

Ready to stop wrestling with your website?

Tell us what you’re building, what your website needs to do, and whether you’re starting from scratch or replacing something that no longer works for you.

Not sure where to start? Email us at armature@mathewkeller.com or send a quick WhatsApp message and we’ll help work out the simplest sensible route.