About Me
Kristin Renée
Since 2001, I’ve been helping people realize their dreams by creating their own space on the web to flourish. My clients come to me on a variety of adventures – from boutique commercial real estate firms and gourmet food trucks, to teachers, antiques dealers, documentary filmmakers and mobile veterinarians.
If you have a dream of running your own show, putting your wares out into the world, or giving your business an online facelift, I can make that happen in a way that feels inspiring, natural and exciting.
I don’t see myself as just a designer, but someone who can truly guide you toward how you want to be in the world as an artist, pratictioner, small business or service provider.
To learn more about how I can make your online dreams a reality, please visit my services page or contact me with any questions. Let’s build something magical together!
My experience
I’ve been building websites for 25 years, and each project holds a special place in my heart. Showing a client their new site for the first time and hearing that gasp of joy when their dream has become a reality – that’s why I get out of bed in the morning.
The journey here started after graduating from Boston University with a B.S. in Journalism in 1998. I worked as a Content Developer at a digital creative firm in Boston. My client portfolio included IBM, Verizon, Campbell’s, Royal Caribbean, Symantec and others. I developed, researched and wrote web content, advertising copy and weekly newsletters for these clients.
I was also responsible for formatting web pages. I quickly fell in love with HTML + CSS, a combination of languages that shape the web. CSS was new at the time, but has since become the gold standard for website creation.
I built my first website in 1999 using hard-coded HTML/CSS and an FTP client. While many web designers focused on the easier path of “drag and drop” website building, I rolled up my sleeves and dug deep into HTML/CSS. This method gave me full creative control over the outcome.
In 2007, I leveled up my skills in the University of Washington’s Multimedia Design for the Web program. I started building on the WordPress platform when I discovered I could empower clients to update their own content without knowing any code. I haven’t looked back and design exclusively with WordPress now.
I absolutely love creating stable, elegantly-coded websites. Using that skill to help people launch their online dreams is my passion, mission and vocation. ♥
Reach out and let’s build something magical together!
Platforms I use
Tools of the Trade
The platforms and tools I leverage are the ones that get the job done as cleanly, simply and reliably as possible. My web projects make use of the following technology:
- WordPress
- HTML + CSS
- DIVI
- Yoast SEO
- WooCommerce
- ConvertKit
- Podia
WordPress
I build exclusively using the self-hosted WordPress platform. This gives me full control over expressing your dream, and guarantees your site will upgrade elegantly and stay relevant.
810 Million websites are build on the WordPress platform – nearly 50% of the web.
WordPress provides an excellent user experience for both you and your audience.
If you have a website built on another platform that you’re not comfortable editing, migrating to WordPress could simplify your online presence. Reach out to chat about how that could make your worklife easier.
WooCommerce
Ecommerce sites require skilled handling, and WooCommerce integrates seamlessly with WordPress and popular themes.
I don’t use external shop services which require you to give up control over your design, use their hosting services, or depend on their algorithm for your products to get exposure.
When you keep your sales in-house with a cleanly designed WooCommerce site, you have total control over what you show the world, and how you make that happen behind the scenes.
Testimonials
Kristin is a WordPress expert who knows how to get things done. She's thorough and asks great questions before getting started so that she understands exactly what the client needs. She is smart, diligent, creative and responsive.
Kristin has created three different websites for me and I've found her to be super organized and easy to collaborate with. If you're looking for a great website designer, look no further, Kristin is it!
Working with Kristin seems like more of a creative process than a static cut and paste project.
She was open to all my ideas and visions for my site and business. Kristin was (and continues to be) clarity in my creative ideas and transforming them into a successful marketing tool.
She is easy to work with, provides results in a timely manner and has an ability to keep my ideas at the forefront without taking over the project. She shows that she works for the client.
Kristin was honest with all my suggestions and let me know if they would or would not work in that context. I was completely proud of the finished product!
Kristin changed my life. Back in 2016 I wanted to start a blog about my passion, Tiki Culture. I had no idea how to get started. Kristin set up my blog using Wordpress and hosted my site. Now I'm one of the biggest bloggers in the Tiki community and I have a YouTube channel. If I walk into a Tiki bar anywhere in the country, someone knows me. I have Kristin to thank for that!
She took the time to make sure the site worked for my specific purposes, and she supported me while I was learning how to take it over and add new content and communications.
She has multiple possible angles and solutions to share with you to help you reach your desired outcomes. Kristin is willing to help with the new technology and ensure that you can actually use your website as intended.
Want to work with me?
I'm currently accepting new projects for winter 2024. Please reach out so we can discuss making your dream a reality! All initial project consultations are complimentary. Contact me to set up yours now.