A Website with Purpose

Answering the "Why?"

I needed to address some new goals and quite a few missed ones. I couldn't accomplish this with a simple re-alignment… I needed a complete overhaul that had a plan and displayed my work professionally.

Needless to say, the changes had been slow going. I fell into the common rut of being your own client, never being pleased with the outcome. Always making those extra tweaks because of a new ‘bright’ idea.

My husband can attest to the fact that I started working on my portfolio changes over 2 years ago. Each time I was un-happy with the outcome.

Why the Concepts Failed

What I found lacking in all of the concepts was a purpose. They didn’t address the ‘Why?’ They were simply pretty and reflected the mood I was in while creating them. Somehow as my own client I had become too focused on the design and lost sight of what is truly important to a website.

Every website has a why to address. Sometimes it has several. Everything on my website needed to be geared for my audience and designed to confirm why I am the right hire. I needed to build the trust that I was a professional and I needed to address common client concerns.

Using the below questions to keep me in line, I focused on my content and was able to give my website a clear purpose.

Changes in the Right Direction

A New Name

I needed to change my portfolio name from Simple Reborn. It was an obscure way to say that I create simple and usable sites that are not boring. Long winded, right? Basically I need a name that reflected who I am now and one that will grow with me. It needed to be something memorable, simple, professional, and yet still laid back. Drum roll please, the new name is Sacurry. Notice the play on my name?

I felt that with this change it would be easier to remember and say. I also chose to use my name because I want to build my client’s trust. I’m a person and just like everyone else, I care about what I put my name on. My name is more than a who I am. It is my reputation as a professional. With this change I am hoping that it will be another way to show my clients that I care and that I will do everything I can to help meet thier goals.

A New Design

A few of the concepts I created were flashy and focused on the latest trend. I refocused on one of my design princples… keep it simple. I chose to use a design that didn't draw away from work.

A Focused About Page

I have the skills to do more than just web design and development, but I really felt that I needed to focus on the services I was passionate about. With focused services I was able explain why I love doing what I do and why.

I don't like tooting my own horn and felt that this was a great place to let my clients speak on my behalf. Having a client's recommendation is a better way to build trust.

Made It Easily Manageable

ExpressionEngine is by far my favorite CMS (Content Management System). Having purchased a freelance license with the Fusion Ads 2010 Holiday Bundle, it made the license a bit more afforadable for my small business. I have always felt that an ExpressionEngine purchase is always a smart investment. I could go in length about the reasons, but I will save that for a rainy day.

With all of these changes I am proud of the final outcome and hope to see some good results. There are still alot of tweaks to the design and code that I would like to see. But as they say “All things in good time”.

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