Katelyn Brooke

Recent Changes at Katelyn Brooke Designs

business· Design Work

14 Jan

In case you hadn’t noticed, my website has been down for the last two weeks while I planned my business strategy for 2013 and made some much needed updates to the site.  I’m pleased to announce that it is back up and running- let me know show you around!

KBD What's New

Updated Home Page

The overall look pretty much remained the same, but I felt like it was time for a change, so I updated the slider layout and played with the footer widgets a little bit.  I also ironed out some of the mobile responsive bugs that had previously been there.  Go over and click around for yourself!

Simplified Services Page

This was the thing that took me the longest- not because of the design, but because of what it had to say.  I knew that this year I wanted to raise my prices so that I could afford to spend more time perfecting each project that I work on.  I also decided to go towards a more personalized quote approach for each project, so I’ve simplified the packages that I’m offering to allow for some more flexibility when I quote my clients.

This leads me to perhaps the biggest change for my business: I’ve decided to stop offering blog designs for Blogger.  This was a hard decision for me, because I know a large segment of the blogger population uses it, and as I’ve said before, I think Blogger really is the right platform for a lot of people.

However, in reflecting on 2012, I really want to have a better life/work balance this year.  Starting last February, I contracted as a WordPress blog designer for a larger blog design company, which was a really great experience- I got to work with clients who I never would have been able to, and I really learned the ins and outs of WordPress.  In addition to the 35 blog designs that I did for Katelyn Brooke Designs, I designed an additional 25 blogs. I just finished my last client through them last week.

60 clients a year meant that I had more than one client per week, and that pace just wasn’t sustainable for me.  But in order to do less, I needed to raise my prices, and in order to do that, I need to be an expert at what I do.  And as 2012 came to a close, I knew that designing and coding for WordPress was what I wanted to pursue exclusively.  To ease this transition, I’ve compiled a little list of great designers who work with Blogger, so if you’re in the market don’t hesitate to email me!

I want to thank you guys again for your continued support.  I couldn’t do this without all of you- including my clients, friends, and readers! (And my family, of course!)  I’m so excited to see what 2013 brings for my business and my blog now that I’m finally ready to go!

I’d love for you to head over and take a look at the changes!  If you see anything that’s messed up, PLEASE let me know!

34 Comments

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Comments

  1. Allyssa says

    January 14, 2013 at 3:11 pm

    It looks great!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 14, 2013 at 4:29 pm

      Thanks Allyssa!

      Reply
  2. Lisa // Elembee says

    January 14, 2013 at 3:57 pm

    Great job, congrats!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 14, 2013 at 4:29 pm

      Thanks Lisa! It feels good to have it up, finally!

      Reply
  3. Anna says

    January 14, 2013 at 4:04 pm

    I love the look, nice and clean! Good luck with your new ventures :) I am very jealous of people who can design websites!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:47 am

      Thanks Anna :) I’m excited but it was definitely a little nerve-wracking putting it up yesterday!

      Reply
  4. Kaity says

    January 14, 2013 at 4:20 pm

    I really love your design style, Kate, and I wish you and your business all the best for this coming year (and any year in the future!). I think you do great work and I consistently find myself admiring the designs you post. hopefully 2013 will be a great year for Katelyn Brooke Designs!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:48 am

      Thanks Kaity, you’re so sweet! Here’s to a year full of growth! :)

      Reply
  5. Elizabeth says

    January 14, 2013 at 4:25 pm

    Looks great, Kate! I can’t wait for my site to be transformed by you.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:48 am

      Thanks Elizabeth- me too, I’m so excited to work with you!

      Reply
  6. mark allman says

    January 14, 2013 at 4:47 pm

    I wish you well. Your name looks so crisp. Looks great. Is there a special technique for that?

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:49 am

      Thanks Mark! I drew my name on a Wacom tablet, and then adjusted the outlines a little in Illustrator to get the exact shape that I wanted.

      Reply
  7. Chloe says

    January 14, 2013 at 5:14 pm

    Congrats! Good on you for making those changes to help your business and expertise grow.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:49 am

      Thanks Chloe! I’m excited!

      Reply
  8. jessie says

    January 14, 2013 at 5:34 pm

    Congratulations on the updates!
    Do you mind sharing which blog design company you contracted with to do WordPress blog designs?
    I would really appreciate it, I have been designing sites for a while and I am always exploring my options for work. Thanks so much. :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:55 am

      Thanks! I’m not sure that they’re looking for anyone right now, but if you email me I can send you the link!

      Reply
  9. rita says

    January 14, 2013 at 5:49 pm

    the site looks great! congratulations on re-focusing for 2013!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:50 am

      Thanks Rita!

      Reply
  10. Betsy Transatlantically says

    January 14, 2013 at 7:21 pm

    it looks fantastic – and I really do love how everyone’s moving to quality over quantity. that’s how you get the most out of life! congrats, lady :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:51 am

      Thanks Betsy! I totally agree, and I’m glad there were so many great examples out there for me to see that this was the right direction for me to take! I’m crossing my fingers that it goes smoothly- so far, so good! :)

      Reply
  11. Katie Price says

    January 14, 2013 at 7:45 pm

    Congratulations Kate!! I’m so excited for you and your big leap! Wishing you nothing but the best :)

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:56 am

      Thank you so much, Katie! :)

      Reply
  12. Jeannine @ Small & Chic says

    January 15, 2013 at 7:18 am

    I’ve been watching all the changes you’ve been making over the last few months and am so happy that you are doing so well! Congratulations!!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 10:29 am

      Aww, thanks Jeannine! Thanks for sticking with me since the very beginning! :)

      Reply
  13. Eliza St.Clair says

    January 15, 2013 at 8:33 am

    Congrats, my dear! I bet it was a little nerve wracking raising your prices – but I’m so glad you believed in yourself enough to do it! Your work is always so great – I know this year is going to hold wonderful things for you :) xoxo, eliza

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 9:52 am

      Oy, definitely! Thanks Eliza, you’re always so supportive- it means a lot to me! xoxo

      Reply
  14. Sandy Cooper says

    January 15, 2013 at 10:24 am

    Love the new look…and I, for one, am so happy you contracted with the “larger blog design company” because that’s how I found you. :) Hope your business takes off in ways you never dreamed and that you love every minute of it.

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 15, 2013 at 10:27 am

      Thank you so much, Sandy! I am too- I got to work with so many wonderful people, you included! I’m glad we connected :)

      Reply
  15. Karen says

    January 15, 2013 at 5:32 pm

    Kate – I’m glad for your exciting new plans – you’re wonderful at what you do and great to work with. All the best!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 18, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      Thank you so much, Karen! :)

      Reply
  16. Shelby Gibbs says

    January 17, 2013 at 5:07 pm

    Love your new site! I have been following you now for a couple of months, I am preparing to launch my blog on March 1st, and you have been a great resource for me! Keep up the Awesome work!!

    Reply
    • Kate says

      January 18, 2013 at 4:20 pm

      Thanks Shelby, that’s so exciting! I’m glad that it’s helpful :)

      Reply
  17. Amber says

    January 18, 2013 at 12:19 pm

    Congrats! I love looking at the work that you do!

    Reply

Trackbacks

  1. 2013 in Review says:
    December 31, 2013 at 5:10 pm

    […] this post, but I’m happy to say that I definitely  made progress on them.  I also made some major updates to my site and touched on the hard […]

    Reply

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