Category: Insights

Why We Design Websites for Desktop First

why shepx designs websites for desktop first

shepx assumes that many websites we build are going to be viewed on a mobile device first.Despite that, we design every website as a desktop-first experience. That may seem counterintuitive, but desktop-first design sets the foundation for the most effective user experience across all platforms – desktop, tablet, and phone. There are three reasons why […]

Is the WordPress Drama a Gift in Disguise?

The WordPress ecosystem has been thrown in disarray these last four weeks. A business dispute between Automattic, the company behind WordPress.com, and a popular hosting service, WP Engine, has unsettled the web development community and eroded trust in Automattic’s leadership. If you need a brief catchup on the WordPress drama, you can find a timeline […]

more plugins = more risk

You know how phones and tablets have apps that add extra features and benefits? Likewise, plugins are like apps for your WordPress website. Websites built on WordPress use plugins to add features, specialized functionality, and specific experiences for visitors. Third-party developers make these plugins, so they cost less than had the same functionality been created […]

the most important website question

When creating a website, one vital question is often not asked: Are we making a transactional or an informational website? The answer to this changes the entire process. transactional websites A transactional website is what we see with e-commerce. Here, everything happens on the site, from curiosity to conversion. The brand uses marketing to bring […]

The Website Redesign Process: Three Crucial Steps for Success

shepx-insight-hero_website-redesign-process

Ask any seasoned website pro, AI chatbot, or search engine, “What is the website redesign process?” you will get a task list with a lot of agreement on what steps to take. The good news is that a website redesign process is agreed upon across many channels of authority, so you can trust that it […]

top of the world: website hero area best practices

shepx blog: website hero best practices

We all scroll. There exists no website in which a person lands and does not scroll. A better way to understand the top part of a webpage is to see it as a greeting between two people. It’s the “hello” followed by a handshake or fist bump. When we meet people, we give them time […]

How to use AI to get your website ready for Black Friday and the Holidays shopping season

AI tools like ChatGPT can be highly effective in optimizing a website for Black Friday and the holiday shopping season. Here are several ways they can contribute: Content Creation and Optimization Copywriting for Promotions: Generate compelling promotional content for product descriptions, landing pages, email marketing, and social media posts. This includes crafting catchy headlines, persuasive […]

How an improved website user experience enhances brand revenue

In the dynamic landscape of online business, a user-friendly website is not just a digital storefront; it’s a powerful tool that can significantly impact brand revenue. beyond aesthetics An improved website user experience (UX) goes beyond aesthetics; it’s about creating seamless interactions that engage and retain customers, ultimately driving sales and revenue growth. First impressions […]

When should a brand switch to a premium website hosting provider?

when to switch to premium website hosting by shepx

Switching to a premium website hosting provider is a significant decision for any brand, reflecting a need for enhanced performance, security, and support. Brands should consider this upgrade under several conditions. Here are three signs for when to switch to a premium website hosting provider: Your Website Is Objectively Slow The speed of your website […]

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experience better

case study for

jm burns steel supply

objective

The brand specializes in sourcing carbon based coil and sheet stock, and process all material at ISO certified processors prior to delivery. 

customer persona

buyers

Steel suppy is a business of relationships and jm burns steel supply wanted the website to give buyers a sense of the competency and personality they will be working with.

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 4 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 3 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization
“Dan and his team were great to work with. They were patient, insightful, and very creative in helping to achieve a more modern, and user friendly website that reaches a further base then the last web site. I highly recommend Dan!”

JUSTIN ROBBINS – CEO, JM BURNS STEEL SUPPLY

case study for

diversified steel trading

objective

Showcase a woman-owned steel trading business that has carved out a reputation of quality service.

customer persona

buyers

Steel trading is a business of relationships and DST wanted the website to give buyers a sense of the competency and personality they will be working with.

customer persona

credential agencies

As a woman-owned business, DST wanted the website to showcase the credentials awarded and by doing so, show new credentialing agencies of the brand’s trustworthy nature.

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 4 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 3 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization

“jane, the owner, has created a brand that is a force to be reckoned with in a heavily male-dominated industry. crafting her brand’s website was a true honor to see come to life.”

dan crask – shepx

case study for

benanova

objective

the website needed to be the handshake between academic scientific innovation and the capitalism marketplace. 

customer persona

investors

As a startup, BENANOVA needs investors. Investors want a website that showcases the brand’s expertise and reason to invest.

customer persona

Buyers/procurement

Benanova’s offerings are very niche and it was important that their solutions be attractive to the niche buyers who are looking for what they create.

our role

ux and ui design customer personas website development

timing

design: 4 weeks development: 3 weeks

specs

mobile, desktop, and tablet design wordpress optimized for speed and security

“building the benanova brand was rewarding because we were entrusted to first craft their visual brand identity and then apply it to a robust website.”

dan crask – shepx

case study for

half day cafe

objective

To eat at the half-day Cafe is a vibe unto itself. The goal was to give website visitors an experience consistent with what they’ll get during their meal.

customer persona

locals

The people of Cincinnati live and support their vast number of independent restaurants like Half Day Cafe.

customer persona

visitors

Those visiting Cincinnati either know in advance or find out quickly of the great food scene. Discovering new independent restaurants is a priority for them.

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 2 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 4 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization

“we have had the great honor of building, growing, and protecting the half day cafe website since 2008. the honor is double because their food is incredible!”

DANIEL CRASK – SHEPX

case study for

berkshire advisor resource

objective

create a website that insurance professionals in need of specific data via forms can access quickly and easily.

customer persona

insurance professional

berkshire advisor resource is a specific insurance professionals’ go-to resource for help, so long as all of the information is provided efficiently. this puts a lot of emphasis on how customers interact with the website.

customer persona

data specialist

the data the insurance professionals provide has to be accessible in a way that is not a time-drain on the overall process so that the specialists can get the data in the right hands.

customer persona

berkshire staff

berkshire staff need a website that is a living, breathing tool between their customers and the valuable information they rely on. everything hinges on how well the website can collect and provide data.

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 2 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 4 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization

“They key to success with the Berkshire website was in the design of the forms. We did a deep dive into their forms and redesigned their flow for the most efficiency for everyone.”

DANIEL CRASK – SHEPX

case study for

simple fix handyman

objective

Resonate with homeowners who do not enjoy the required maintenance for their home.

customer persona

home owner

homes require on-going maintenance to prevent costly repairs, yet many homeowners are either uninterested or unaware of every point of maintenance a home needs. simple fix handyman is a handyman service designed to make home maintenance easy and affordable for home owners.

customer persona

property owner

property owners are all too familiar with the many needs for maintenance that their properties require. simple fix handyman is a service for property owners to outsource those needs so property owners have one less thing to take care of.

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 3 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 3 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization

“I have never had anything less than an extraordinary experience. shepx are phenomenal. I will never work with anyone else when it comes to building a website!”

Adam Markesbery –  Simple fix handyman

case study for

propsera it

objective

create a website that sums up the it services prospera provides while also making access to support easy.

customer persona

SMB

This customer is an SMB that is big enough to require dedicated IT but doesn’t want to have an in-house team. They want an IT team on-call to take care of what they need and on the lookout for what is coming.

customer persona

Business owner

Business owners who see the need and value of a prospera’s quality are people who have tried to manage IT themselves but found out it is very challenging. They need to see expertise in a short period of time.

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 2 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 4 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization

“prospera went from an underperforming website with a lot of pages to a single-page website that surpassed expectations because we took time to understand what prospera’s customers would find most valuable from their website.”

DANIEL CRASK – SHEPX

case study for

emilie d’agostino

objective

A website experience for a top tier copywriter, without blasting the reader with verboseness.

customer persona

Brand manager

Emilie works with a lot of brand managers and so we learned from her experience that they are usually short on time. They want a copywriter who can get to the point and do so with absolute clarity.

customer persona

Business owner

Business owners who see the need and value of a copywriter of Emilie’s quality are people who have tried to write concise content but found out it is very challenging. They need to see expertise in a short period of time

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 2 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 6 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization

“Knowledgeable, outgoing and strategic, Brand Shepherd is always up to date on technology and important business-building trends.”

EMILIE D’AGOSTINO

case study for

premier title group

objective

create a website that evokes the true in-person brand experience for this one-of-a-kind title agency.

customer persona

home buyers and sellers

the knoxville, tennessee real estate market is hot and premier title group goes to great lengths to ensure home buyers and sellers feel right at home.

customer persona

knoxville realtors®

a hot real estate market is keeps its heat in large part to the realtors® who create the best deals for everyone.

customer persona

banks and lenders

ultimately, all parties involved need lenders who know what they’re doing and premier title group set out to attract partnerships with knoxville’s best lenders.

our role

  • ux & ui design
  • customer personas
  • website development

timing

  • DESIGN: 6 weeks
  • DEVELOPMENT: 4 weeks

specs

  • mobile, laptop, and tablet design
  • built on wordpress
  • speed and security optimization

“ptg’s website was such a breath of fresh air because they truly wanted to disrupt what real estate title agencies typically feel like and do so with warmth and authentic joy. this is how a brand stands out in a hot market.”

DAN CRASK – SHEPX

let’s talk.

phone

(865) 233-8713

email

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