Here’s a little secret: good design is little more than knowing how to line things up and which colors work together. There are a lot of people in this world who can make something pretty.
But I’m not here to focus on good design. I’m here to craft an absolutely amazing web. “Great” isn’t even a qualitative enough term. “Absolutely smashing” might be getting us there. So how do we go from pretty pictures to absolutely smashing design?
Users first. That means we want to make sure that the people who come to your website instantly know what your site is about, what they can do next, and what they should do next.
Goals, goals, goals. Every single web page should have a purpose. To drive customers your way, specifically to get them to call you, buy a product, fill out a form, sign up for your newsletter…whatever it is, the page should make it easy for users to accomplish this and make them want to take that action!
There’s a lot more to it, of course. Research, experience, great content and, yes, pretty pictures. That’s how you get the full package.
Sometimes you know what you’re trying to do, other times it’s all a little too technical or overwhelming to do on your own. I’m here to help. My Web Design process begins with us determining what your site’s goals are, getting the essential tools together, and building as solid a foundation of a plan as possible so we’re not architects working without a blueprint.
Whether you’re looking for the flat, clean look that the web seems to love these days or something a little more personalized, we can work together to get you the best site possible. Have a look at my work to see if you think we might be a good fit. I have extensive experience with branding, both working within existing branding guidelines as well as beginning to shape a brand from the straps of your boots and pulling up. We’ll assess what you want your site to do for you, what you want it to do for your users, and work the perfect blend of the two together. I also offer unlimited design revisions with my complete Web Design package.
Handcrafted HTML5 ensures your site will be built with tomorrow’s technology today, giving your new site not only longevity (a rare thing in the www.world), but a better than average chance of succeeding with the search engines right out of the box. Add to that baked in accessibility and support for all of the major browsers (that is, the latest versions of Firefox, Chrome and Safari, as well as Safari on iPhone and the most recent two versions of Internet Explorer), and you’re in a winx2 situation.
Furthermore, every step of the way your site will be built on open-source platforms—from PHP on your server to WordPress at your fingertips—ensuring that your code, and your data, is yours to do whatever you want with it. You’re never locked into a particular developer, hosting company, or proprietary platform.
For those clients who have an ongoing or larger budget, the opportunities for getting even more bang for your buck just start once your new site is complete.
Where a new site with leaner code and a more tailored design will get you showing up higher in the search results and more often, keep your users hanging around your site and direct them to achieve the goals you want, fine tuning everything is almost as essential as the initial process.
We tweak copy, imagery, button placement…big and small changes alike can have a massive difference on how likely people are to contact you, buy your products, or read more of your site.
The power of the world’s most widely used and user friendly Content Management System is packed into every site that I build. Create and manage your site’s content–including images, videos, maps, blog posts and more–from anywhere you can get online. No more waiting, no more expensive payments to make simple updates, just easy to use, powerful software built to suit. More on my WordPress services and experience.
Every site I create has SEO baked right into it, because I make every effort to ensure that your code is valid, meets Web Standards, and is organized properly to make it as easy as possible for Google and the boys to figure out just how valuable your content is. I build tools directly into WordPress to give you greater control over the fate of your website, and also offer free advice on how SEO works in general. And yes, I do XML site maps with every new site I build. Learn more about my SEO services.
Most of my clients write their own copy, but for those of you who just don’t feel that comfortable behind a keyboard, I’m there for you. I’ve been writing since my mom accidentally swallowed a typewriter while I was still in the womb, and have a bit of a knack for it. Just ask!
Whether you just want the basics–your Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, Google Plus, etc. pages to be automatically updated for you based on your site’s content–or are looking for a full service social networking strategy and implementation (i.e., I keep up your social networking sites, actively growing you friends and followers), I do social networking.
Heck, I can even create you your own mini-social network.
Google Analytics is included with every site I build, giving you even more control over your site’s destiny. Who is visiting which pages, where should I focus my efforts, where do my users come from, how long do they stick around for, are they viewing my site from their computer or iPhone? All of these questions and more, plus Adwords integration, reporting and so many additional tons of advanced features, you’ll feel like gravity itself.
I also offer “Analyzing your Analytics” services, where I can view your site’s stats and see where you’re weak and where you’re strong, helping you to focus your efforts or rethink your strategy altogether.
I am available to provide support to all of my clients indefinitely after the completion of a project. Whether you just need a quick email helping to explain how something works, or you require a few hours of coding to provide some additional functionality, we’re good to go. I’ve been doing this Web Design thing for over 15 years now, and it’s been good enough to allow my family and I to travel extensively, plus keep us all in food, shelter and fun times, so I won’t be going anywhere anytime soon. Have a question? Just ask!
Nathan has been great to work with. Responsive, straightforward, and clear. Highly recommended on all counts!