Beyond Pretty: Why Strategic Web Design Is Your Hardest-Working Employee

Renee Ellis
8 hours ago
3 min read

Most people think a website is just a digital signboard. I believe it’s your most hardworking, 24/7, non-complaining employee, and it deserves to be built that way.

Hi, I’m Renée, and I started building websites before I even knew what UX stood for. At age 10, I was coding fan pages on Angelfire, then customizing my MySpace profile like it was a canvas. What started as a playful curiosity evolved into a profession rooted in strategy, psychology, and the power of digital storytelling.

Design Without Strategy Is Just...Decor

A pretty site will only get you applause, not conversions. My design philosophy is simple: if your website isn’t nudging the visitor toward action, it’s not doing its job. Like product placement in a retail store, there’s science behind layout, flow, and call-to-action that drives results.

That’s why I don’t just “design” - I strategize. Whether you're selling a product, service, or idea, your site should guide, inform, and convert with intention.

Tools I Love (and Why They Matter)

I work with platforms like WordPress, Showit, Shopify, and Wix — tools that give flexibility and scalability based on client needs. Each one serves a different purpose, and picking the right platform is like picking the right tool in surgery, it could save or kill the operation.

My Proudest Projects (Yes, They’re Name-Droppable)

One of the highlights of my journey was working with Jack Olesker, the writing mind behind some of our favorite cartoons, and Chris Nowinski, a former WWF wrestler turned neuroscientist and concussion-awareness advocate.

Their websites weren’t just projects, they were platforms to amplify meaningful missions. And that’s the kind of work that lights me up.

A Client Case That Quietly Crushed It

Take a recent project I did for an insurance company. They were spending thousands on ads... with nothing to show for it. Their site looked fine but wasn’t converting. We revamped it from top to bottom: streamlined messaging, modern visuals, and CRO best practices.

After launch? Call volume and bookings shot up. No gimmicks. Just good design grounded in human behavior.

My Web Design Process: No Cookie Cutters Here

Discovery Call - We meet to see if we’re a good fit (because yes, I turn down jobs now).
Deep Dive - We figure out what’s working and what’s not.
Plan + Build - A strategic, structured approach to design, including copy, SEO, and mobile-first layout.
Approval + Launch - You get full visibility and control.
Training + Support - You won’t be ghosted after the site goes live.

Mistakes Business Owners Make (Let’s Talk Tough Love)

They see their site as a billboard, not a team member.
They chase trends but ignore proven UX principles.
They don’t invest in CRO because they think it’s only for eCommerce. Spoiler: Every site should convert, whether that’s calls, bookings, or trust.

Web Design Misconceptions I Wish Would Die

All web designers are the same. (We’re not. Some do branding, others do dev. Few do strategy.)
Web design is one-size-fits-all. (Every business is different, and deserves a tailored approach.)
A redesign = results. (Only if it’s backed by strategy.)

What Gives Me an Edge?

My background isn’t just in design, it’s also in SEO, automation, and marketing. So while your site will look great, it’ll also rank, convert, and support your sales pipeline.

Accessibility Isn’t Optional

Every site I design considers accessibility, not just for compliance, but because it's the right thing to do.

Who This Is For

You’re a business owner who probably DIY-ed your site. Maybe it got you through the early days. But now it’s not converting, or worse, it’s repelling your ideal clients. That’s where I come in.

What People Are Saying

“Renée is designing my website, logo, and favicon, and she is the best web and graphic designer that I have come across so far! She is attentive to your needs, and she has the tools and knowledge to accomplish a lot fast, not to mention the ability to please, and deliver! I highly recommend her!”