First Things First

Kicking off a new website build starts with two key questions: What do you want your site to do, and what message should it send? For our salon client, the answer was a site that’s a hub for finding the business, browsing services and prices, booking appointments, shopping online, and showcasing staff and work—while feeling clean, professional, and high-end with a touch of whimsy. With 14 years in business, she knew her audience and wanted a welcoming vibe that says, “Relax, enjoy top-notch service, and leave refreshed.” Defining your site’s purpose and message is step one—your homework before we dive deeper in future posts!

To Refresh or Build New?

When a prospective client weighed updating her outdated, underperforming website against a full rebuild, cost was a concern—but so was functionality. Her current site, plagued by old design, stale content, poor SEO, and no mobile responsiveness, was about to sink further with Google’s Mobilegeddon update. After reviewing her needs, we opted for a fresh start, crafting a new site from scratch. Over the next few days, we’ll walk you through her journey—from initial talks to post-launch—highlighting key steps every business should consider, whether for a simple three-page site or a sprawling corporate platform.

So I have a blog. Now what?

Your website’s live, social media is buzzing, and your blog’s ready—but random posts won’t cut it. A smart blogging strategy tied to your marketing calendar can boost SEO and grow your online presence organically. Regular, keyword-driven content keeps your site dynamic and engages readers, driving traffic. Struggling for ideas? Take a cue from Starfire Web Design: identify keywords (e.g., “best dry cleaner” or “San Francisco laundry”), schedule posts around them, and weave in timely topics like holidays or specials. This keeps you organized, relevant, and on track for SEO success.

Staff Pages

Show off your team and build trust with your customers by building out Staff Pages on your website.

Extensions

Purchasing the extensions for you website domain can secure your branding.

Grace’s Cases Designs, Our Newest Client

GracesCases Designs, founded by Portland’s Grace Fross to solve her own knitting needle storage woes, has grown a loyal following online and in select stores. Seeking to expand beyond Etsy and Facebook, Grace tapped Starfire to craft a website with a blog for customer connection, a product showcase, and future eCommerce potential—all on a tight budget. We collaborated closely, refining her layout and logo to match her vision while keeping content organized and accessible. Her stunning, functional needle cases shine on the new site—perfect for knitters in your life. Check it out, and swing by our social pages to say hi this Christmas season!