Project Spotlight: clareharlow.co.uk
I realised recently that I haven’t worked on that many children’s author websites, and it’s actually a real shame because it’s honestly so much fun (especially as a mum myself)! I absolutely loved working on Clare’s website recently, and so I’m really excited to be sharing a little more about it for my latest project spotlight.
The Brief
Clare Harlow writes magical middle-grade novels, and her books have been shortlisted for multiple awards.
However, when she approached me she hadn’t yet got around to setting up her author website. She knew she needed one though - especially as she does lots of events across the country, and wanted somewhere schools and libraries could find her online and easily get in touch.
Clare has the most beautiful covers (like most children’s authors, I have to say!) and wanted a website that reflected the overarching theme of her books: the magic of the tide. So of course, we had to go with a blue background, with subtle waved lines used to delineate the different sections of the site.
Clare also wanted to have an engaging News page that she could update herself and so we used the blog functionality + a summary block to create a kind of vertical magazine-style effect. Finally, I used a few seaside elements to add interest to the pages.
I love that with children’s authors we can have a little bit of fun and I really loved the font I picked for the headings: Almendra, which echoed the books covers.
Scroll down to see more of Clare’s website and find out more about how she found our project.
Clare’s Verdict
“Charlotte came highly recommended, so my only big hesitation was cost. I can honestly say it was worth every penny. Charlotte is so helpful and thorough. The site includes everything I asked for, and I’m fully equipped to edit it myself as and when I need to.”
The Post-launch Q&A
How do you feel about your completed website?
It's everything I wanted it to be, and I could never have made it happen without Charlotte. Better still, Charlotte has given me all the info I need so that I can quickly and easily update the site whenever I need to.
Before working with Charlotte Duckworth Studio, when it came to my website I felt …
Sorting out a website was lurking on my to-do list for months, and I was actually starting to feel quite stressed about it. Social media has changed so much that I can no longer rely on any one platform to reach my readers. I knew I needed my own site, but I also knew I didn't have the energy, patience or confidence to learn to build one myself.
What fears or hesitations did you have before deciding to work with Charlotte Duckworth Studio?
Charlotte came highly recommended, so my only big hesitation was cost. I can honestly say it was worth every penny. Charlotte is so helpful and thorough. The site includes everything I asked for, and I'm fully equipped to edit it myself as and when I need to. I was also anxious that I didn't have a clear enough vision for the style/look, but the prompts in Charlotte's pre-design questionnaires helped me narrow things down, and then Charlotte worked her magic and turned my vague ideas into the gorgeous finished product.
How do you expect your new site to change things for you?
As a middle-grade author, a lot of my time is taken up with events, and I'd previously been getting enquiries scattered across various social media platforms from people wanting to know where I was next appearing or how they could book me, or simply wanting to know more about my books. Now, all of that information is in one easily accessible place.
For someone on the fence about working with Charlotte Duckworth Studio, what would you say to them?
Just go for it. You won't regret it.
Is there anything you were really hoping would be included in your website design package?
I don't think so. Maybe an extra week (so three, rather than two) to ask questions after the completed design. I managed to book a slot at a time when I wasn't on deadline, so I was able to check whether my follow-up questions were answered in the build-your-own-website videos, but at a busier time I might have had to send across a list of questions that you'd actually already answered on the course.
Is there anything you feel could have been done to improve your experience?
Well, I could have started writing my copy sooner, because it was way more time-consuming than I expected, but I think you were really clear that the prep would take quite a while.
Would you recommend Charlotte Duckworth Studio to a friend who also needed to build an author website?
Without reservation. I've already been recommending Charlotte to my writer friends.
Want me to build you a website?
My streamlined yet personal approach, perfected over the past 6 years of building websites for ambitious authors just like you, means I can create your dream author website without overwhelming you with tech jargon or confusing decisions, supporting you throughout the whole process and gently guiding you with my expertise.
Find out more, then get in touch. I would love to hear from you!
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