When you launch a new website, you should feel like Cinderella stepping into her glass slipper — a perfect fit.

Yet one of the most common themes I hear in design consultations goes something like this:

I want my website to be beautiful and appealing, but I need it to work for me. From what I’ve seen and heard, I can’t have both. So what do you think I should do?

Would Cinderella wear her crystal pumps if they gave her a blister? Would she don hightops with her gown instead? We all know she would not. And neither should you.

Whether you’re getting a brand-new, made-from-scratch, custom-to-the-last-detail website, a polished Wordpress-ized version of what you already have, or anything in between, it should have that Goldilocks just right-ness — with no bears in sight. And naturally, for me to make that happen, I start by getting to know you. So pull up a chair and get ready to tell me your story.

Strategy sessions: Getting to know you (and your business)

Every just-right website starts with a strategy session. We meet up — on the phone, or in person if you live in the Portland, Oregon area — and we chat about you, your business, your vision, your stucknesses, your design sensibilities, your current website and branding, your fairytale ending and the path that will get you there.

After our chat, I’ll send you a proposal and timeline for how we can best work together and start collaborating on your website right away. Then, with your new website scheme in tow, we’ll move into the design studio, where I’ll translate the brilliant ideas in your head into a simple, effectual, beautiful website.

Is your style more homespun DIY than silver platter?

I have a special flavor of strategy session specifically for go-getters like you. We’ll figure out exactly what you need to spin your business into gold — no more, no less. More invites overwhelm; less brings frustration. A strategy session helps you balance present needs and future dreams so your website can grow with you — and so you can DIY with clarity and confidence.

In a DIYer Strategy Session, we’ll chat about all the same things — but instead of a proposal and timeline, you’ll get real, practical solutions that you can use to grow your website. After our session, I’ll give you five magic beans to plant the perfect website foundation:

1. a sitemap for your website
2. style keywords that define what your website should convey about your business
3. two layout wireframes for your homepage
4. an inspiration board of colors and imagery that resonate with your business and your audience
5. three next-step ideas to get your project rolling

What you do with these magical seeds is up to you. Whether you DIY merrily away or recruit a talented friend (whom you can pay in baked goods) to do website customizations or hire me for additional design and consulting, you’ll have the direction you need to ensure that your website represents you, your voice and your vision.

The Allie Aesthetic: Simple. Effectual. Beautiful.

Just because something is as useful and reliable as your favorite pair of running shoes doesn’t mean that it shouldn’t be every bit as lovely as that legendary slipper.

We should be able to delight in the everyday — the tools we use, the people we encounter, the stories we tell — and this drives my desire to make the web both usable and beautiful.

I’m devoted to design as storytelling. I’m passionate about the emotional response to design. I’m deeply committed to design that does its job, that is responsive and communicative, enchanting and appropriate, accessible and unassuming. And I believe that everyone — from solopreneurs to international organizations — needs and deserves good design.

It doesn’t matter if the scope of our project totals $500 or $50,000. We’ll pursue that just-right website with creativity and collaboration regardless of budget.

Speaking of collaboration…

Chances are, you don’t want to hire someone to strategize and design your website and then never talk to them again. You need a partner in crime, a madcap sidekick for future escapades.

I’ll be the Bonnie to your Clyde, the Meg Ryan to your Tom Hanks, the Jiminey Cricket to your Pinocchio. That might mean ongoing consulting, periodic updates or helping you steer your ship in a new direction. It might mean something else entirely. We can fill in the what when the time comes. Just know that the who is you and me, and the how is together.

Let’s get started!

Does it sound like we could make a beautiful website together? Come introduce yourself and we’ll get this show on the road.