Website Development
Crafting Your Online Identity: Tailored Websites for Small Businesses
An impactful website is one of your most powerful marketing tools. On Trend designs and builds responsive, streamlined websites with great content.
Once your website is created, I offer ongoing development to continue building your key communications and keep your website current. I can also provide ongoing management of your website, if desired. Updating frequently with content and images organically improves search engine indexing.
Website Features
- Full Site Customization
- Responsive Design
- Content Strategy
- Full Development Collaboration
- Responsive Design
- Brand consistency
- Responsive Design
- Full Site Customization
- Content Strategy
- Development Collaboration
- Brand Consistency Throughout
- Streamlined Navigation
Website Design Process
Initial Consultation
I provide a 30-minute no-fee consultation to discuss your website project and get a sense of you and your business. At this time, we also talk about your vision for design and content. If you are interested in moving forward, I will send a proposal. If you like the fee and terms, I will email a contract outlining everything agreed upon in the proposal.
Design Stage
The project starts with a deposit of one-half of the total balance. Upon receipt of your signed contract and deposit, we will meet to discuss design elements that incorporate the look and feel of your brand. Your existing logo will be included in the header of your website, unless you request a new logo. In that case, a separate design fee would apply.
We will collaborate to select the perfect fonts and brand colors. I will source graphic elements and photography for consideration in your new website.
If you are unsure of the look you want, let my expertise help you find your personal style and realize your vision. I encourage you to find inspiration by browsing other websites to find design themes and ideas that appeal to you. Please feel free to include color swatches, photos, your business card and other materials in your consultation.
Content
You have the choice of providing your own content or letting me create it, based on what I learn about your business. You can also provide content in rough, bullet-point format, and I will and edit and polish it for you.
Your logo can be emailed in AI, PDF or EPS format.
Build-Out Stage
During this phase, I will build your website, incorporating all the elements we have chosen together. After build-out is complete, we will meet again to review the new website in draft form. Modifications to content and design will be made at this time, according to input received from you.
Final Stage
After modifications are complete, we will meet for a final website review.
At this point, your website is ready to go live and the remaining balance will be due at this time. Upon receipt of payment in full, the website will be migrated to its final hosting plan and published on the internet.
I offer an optional one-hour tutoring session on how to manage your own website, which is included in the project. You also have the option of retaining my services to manage and update your website on an ongoing basis.
Ongoing Development
You may choose to continue to develop your website with more content. This is a great way to achieve organic search engine optimization. Regularly adding photography, blogging, updating or creating new pages are great ways to help your website achieve better organic indexing.
Follow the link below to schedule a website consultation.
Website Case Studies
Industry: Information Technology/Library Science
About: LION is a full-service consortium of over 30 public and academic libraries in Connecticut, offering library technologies, technical support, internet services, digital services, and other benefits.
What We Did: I gathered input from Executive Director Joe Farara and certain board members to guide my design direction. I was able to transform LION’s dated website into a modern, sophisticated site by choosing a modern WordPress theme with a clean, branded feel, tweaking the existing logo, introducing new brand colors and fonts, and streamlining functionality.
I also collaborated with the clients to create new copy and service areas that clearly show how LION adds value, while ensuring brand voice consistency throughout the website. I tasked LION with finding a compelling tagline, and I believe they delivered expertly.
LION wanted to showcase their member libraries with a directory. We created a Dropbox account to streamline the transfer of marketing collateral, images, and copy. I dedicated a page to the directory and created it in grid style, with image, contact information and website address listed for each member library.
LION made things seamless by sending information and making decisions expeditiously. This allowed me to launch the website within a prompt timeline. Joe and his team were a pleasure to work with.
Industry: Information Services
About: The Preston Public Library has served the needs of Preston residents since 1898, offering information, programming, online resources, and sponsored events.
What We Did: Director Diane Deedy contacted me through a referral. She had been working toward board approval for a new website for ten years. We started with a new logo, new brand colors, and a brand-new buildout. The previous site was terribly dated and did not function well. It also did not reflect all the services the library has grown to offer.
Diane provided copy and images. I installed a fun gallery on the Youth page. I also researched events applications to find one with iFrame capability that could be embedded on both the home and events pages. I found a great app and installed the necessary code to support its functions. This code automatically updates event listings as they are added, deleted, or expire.
Industry: Child Enrichment
About: Since 2007, Treehouse Players has been providing in-school and summer arts programs for children to explore developmentally appropriate play in fun, play-focused settings.
What We Did: Founder/Owner Amy Forbes needed an updated website. The original website was dated and overdeveloped to the point it had become convoluted with information and confusing to navigate. It also lacked cohesive branding throughout.
I started by integrating brand colors throughout. I removed the stark green background hue to let accent colors on the page pop and to allow for easier readability as well. The client provided all copy and images. For animation, I enabled childlike motion capability on headings, such as wriggling, sliding, and swinging, to enhance the brand image. I also installed a fun gallery on the Gallery page and enabled camp registration through Google Docs integration so the client would no longer have to sign parents up individually. Overall, this was a very successful upgrade to the original website on a budget that worked for the client.
Industry: Aquarium and Pond Sales and Service
About: Dan’s Water Worlds, LLC is a full-service aquarium design, installation, and maintenance company serving homes and businesses in the maritime area of Connecticut and surrounding areas.
What We Did: Owner Dan Brasel had built his own website on Wix, and like many DIY’ers, he ran into tech challenges and abandoned the project. The result was a rudimentary two-page site with low-resolution graphics and an unprofessional look.
I brought in a new logo and brand colors and designed the site to have an underwater feel. I recommended some professional photography of his installations to showcase the color and beauty of aquarium life. Dan hired a photographer, and the result is a captivating home page gallery. This was one of my favorite projects. Dan continues to be a client, for not only website development but other projects as well.
Industry: Non-Profit Sector
About: These sister agencies work interdependently to provide housing and vocational support for adults with developmental disabilities in the lower Connecticut Valley. Their mission is to enhance quality of life for the individuals they serve by providing safe, compassionate, and supported housing and vocational support within integrated community settings. Brian House and AVP together have provided over 35 years of service to the community.
What We Did: The sister agencies did not have a website, so this was a brand-new website buildout. Director of Planning Dawn Parker brought in a graphic designer, which really streamlined the development process. From the new logo and branding, I was able to pull the colors needed to ensure brand consistency, integrating the brand colors into my design while delineating their brand message and mission. I also chose a complimentary font and highlighted happy residents with impactful image galleries.
Industry: Writing, Poetry
About: A known author and award-winning poet, George Bradley has authored seven books. George needed a website to showcase his body of work and promote his latest title, Late Montale.
What We Did: I felt George needed an elevated website, and he concurred. I selected stately fonts and colors and, to personalize the site, added unique elements like the home and contact page backgrounds, which showcase his book titles. I reduced the image opacity for better readability. I also added links to his biographies on the Poetry Foundation, Wikipedia, and Penguin House websites, as well as Amazon links to each of his book titles, so visitors can purchase books online.
Industry: Intuitive Healing
About: Dawn-Dyanna Dhyanna, M.A. is an intuitive, poet and healer. Dawn-Dyanna helps clients heal from traumas and emotional injuries by offering counseling, insight, support, and guidance.
What We Did: Dawn-Dyanna did not need a new website buildout. She had existing framework, but the messaging did not clearly reflect what she does. We collaborated to re-design her website one page at a time to hone her content and messaging.
Working within her current framework was somewhat limiting and did not allow me to implement all the design elements I would have liked to, but the end result is still a solid product, reflecting her love of color and mystical imagery, and accomplished within her budget.
Industry: Building
About: Park Roway is a full-service construction supplier for large-scale industrial, commercial and municipal projects in greater Connecticut.
What We Did: Ed Bartlett brought me to meet the team, and it was clear they were unhappy with the current site layout. I started fresh with new framework. I polished up their look and added some simple project images as a home page slider. I outlined their product offerings, installed a contact form, and created a portfolio page to highlight recent projects.
Ivoryton Library
Industy: Information Services
About: This 150-year-old public library in the heart of Ivoryton offers wide programming and services for the community, as well as a rich history.
What We Did: The board approved a new library build-out to replace a very antiquated and poorly functioning website. The new website includes a designated page on the history of the building, as well as Ivoryton, links to books written by a local author on the history of the area, links to their online catalog and digital resources, and a beautiful historic gallery based on well-preserved vintage photography. I brought in a graphic designer for an updated logo and implemented vintage fonts throughout for that historic feel. I also created a Support page with several options so patrons and community members alike can choose a way to support that works for them, no matter the income level.
Industry Food Manufacturing
About: Merlo’s Fine Foods is a fast-growing condiment start-up selling cocktail sauces in major grocery stores throughout New England, such as Big Y, Shop Rite, Stop and Shop, and upscale seafood markets across New England.
What We Did: Frank Merlo, creator of the cocktail sauce line, started humbly in his own kitchen and has grown his business exponentially since he started. Frank did not have a website but had some professional graphics ready to go. I started there as a baseline and built the website with the existing logo colors. I built a seven-page website and created a directory grid of all locations where his sauces can be purchased.
Industry: Jewelry Design
About: Christine Barclay is a boutique jewelry designer who sells her creations on Etsy, in local shops, and at crafts fairs.
What We Did: Christine needed an online store and product photography of all her jewelry creations. I also created a gallery to showcase her body of work. I designed the site with WordPress and added WooCommerce to the buildout for online store capability.
