Try setting them up as caravans for some time their trading skill improves and they give you a regular profit too ..in a few days
Maybe its just the location is not suitable form some caravans buy the workshops produce something more required and obviously stay out of war or you villager parties keep getting killed ... may be appoint a governor with good trade skills not sure about the last part
I guess should have waited for 6-8 months before starting with the game the early access seems too incomplete ...i can't even take armour from my prisoner Lord ...Why they did away with even the most basic features of Warbrand is beyond my understanding
But then why should I fight wars and defend other Lords fiefs if there's no benefit
If you visit the city on foot there are seperate weaponsmith and armorer I dont know why they didn't give it in the settlement menu