Helping Small Businesses Succeed Through User-Centered Design
About Small Business Projects
Working with small businesses is often where the most rewarding challenges lie. These projects may not be as large-scale, but they offer unique opportunities to provide impactful UX improvements that can significantly transform how a business operates online. Whether it’s simplifying complex processes, improving user engagement, or streamlining e-commerce, I’m passionate about helping small businesses thrive in an ever-evolving digital world.
Role
Digital Marketing, SEO, Web development, Graphic design, Brand guidelines, UX development
A jack of all trades, always exploring new and exciting ways to support small businesses. Sometimes, it's refreshing to build something from the ground up for someone.
Freelance
Project Highlights
Helping Wander Flowers Grow
Challenge: Transform a local real estate business into a user-friendly online presence for first-time home buyers in Denver.
Solution:
I designed a simple, modern rustic website that was easy to navigate for both users and the business owner. To help the business grow, I integrated SEO-focused content such as a blog about new ownership in Denver and accessible contact information. The website, built on WordPress, also featured location maps for homes and a user-friendly back end with reusable templates. This allowed the business to scale its online presence while maintaining a personal touch.
UX Impact:
- Increased User Engagement: The blog and location maps helped attract and retain first-time home buyers.
- Ease of Use: Simple back-end management allowed the owner to update content with minimal technical knowledge.
- Personalized Experience: Key information was easy to find, enhancing trust with potential customers.
Unscrambling the Web for Prox.io
Challenge: Revamp a complex, underperforming website for an influencer eCommerce platform.
Solution:
After inheriting an incomplete project, I rebuilt the site’s front and back end to improve speed, security, and ease of use. I focused on creating a seamless user experience while keeping the design in line with the established brand. This allowed the internal team at Prox.io to manage the site moving forward without external help.
UX Impact:
- Improved Performance: The site was rebuilt to be faster and more secure, providing a better user experience.
- Streamlined Management: A user-friendly back end made content updates easy for the internal team.
- Brand Consistency: The design followed established brand guidelines, ensuring a cohesive user experience.
Igniting Rusty Flames’ Growth
Challenge: Expand a local candle company’s market nationally by improving the e-commerce experience.
Solution:
The website was initially built using Shopify within WordPress, but it lacked the necessary customization for growth. I transitioned the site to WooCommerce to enable better tracking, shipping, and cross-selling options. Over time, the site grew to include clothing and home furnishings, driving significant expansion for the brand.
UX Impact:
- Scalable E-Commerce: The switch to WooCommerce allowed for better inventory tracking and improved shipping options.
- User-Centered Navigation: Easy access to products of varying prices and sizes increased conversion rates.
- Growth Facilitation: The website was flexible enough to accommodate new product lines and expand the brand's reach.
Conclusion
Each of these small business projects demonstrates the value of user-focused design and how it can help companies at various stages of growth. By simplifying processes, improving usability, and streamlining e-commerce, I’ve been able to help these businesses make a bigger impact online and achieve their goals.