After going through several theme designs over the years, Kristy hired me to create a totally custom WordPress website exclusively for her. We also worked together to update her brand. Her priorities were minimal design, speed, and SEO.
Need your own custom website? My design process is incredibly efficient, so your site is completed quickly once your turn arrives. I sent Kristy’s website preview on a Monday. We made revisions Tuesday / Wednesday, with minor tweaks on Thursday. The final design was approved Thursday evening, and installed Friday.
Services Used:
If you are looking for a dedicated and professional blog designer select Christi Fultz. I have been blogging since 2012 and have gone through numerous blog designs and this one is by far my favorite. I loved Christi’s design process and her extreme patience with me when I had difficulty making decisions. She took my rough design that was laid out in a Google Doc and made it into a working website that reflected my brand. She was prompt in replying to my questions and worked with me until each part of the website was exactly how I wanted it.
Brand Design
Here’s a look at the “before” website design and header. Kristy wanted to keep her current fonts, paw print, and signature green color. She considered keeping her header, but wanted to see other options first.
To start the process, Kristy sent an inspiration palette with brighter pink blue, purple, and yellow colors to add to her green. I adjusted the suggested colors and provided a variety of options to start brainstorming. This part of the process should help narrow down the layout, but also the final colors.
The first round of revisions are based on Kristy’s specific feedback, mixing initial options 2 and 3.
For the second round of revisions, Kristy knew she wanted only green and black. She wanted to see 3B without the paw, as well as with a few different paw placements.
The final header design is 3B, with a slightly thicker border.
Color Palette
Because we had eliminated colors in the header, we needed to circle back to create a palette for the website build. I proposed #1 and #2 based on Kristy’s initial inspiration palette. Then I usually include a few other wild card options. Sometimes it’s hard to know what you want until you see options, so visuals like this almost always help get us down the right path. In the end we went with a palette of jewel tones Kristy found, inspired by #2.
Custom WordPress Website
Now it was time to build the custom site. Kristy sent a Google doc with website inspiration, which I used to build a site exclusively for her. The benefit to the Dynamic WordPress package vs the Plus Package is that designs are made completely from scratch for each client, which means nearly endless customization options. It’s kind of like building a custom home with an architect instead of picking pre-made floor plans from a neighborhood builder.
The website design process is similar to the brand process. Here’s her initial preview.
Then based on feedback, we refine to make the website perfect. At this point we adjust color placement, sizes, rearrange sections, etc.
Because the header felt small left-aligned, we opted to center the header and move the icons below it. We added a welcome section and moved the opt-in further down the page.
Mobile Responsiveness
The Dynamic package also includes an enhanced mobile experience. For this design, we opted to create a different mobile menu to maximize content space on mobile devices.
WordPress Store
I also built a custom WooCommerce store, with featured products above and the full store below. Product filter are applied to the sidebar.
Free Resource Library
An easy-to-update free resource library is a great way to grow your email list. This password-protected page will provide downloads to members only, once resources are loaded.
Is It Your Turn?
I love doing custom work and am passionate about helping small business owners bring their visions to life. Contact me if it’s time for your own custom WordPress website.
