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Web Design Services

About My Services

I specialize in designing portfolio websites for composers and musicians. These websites are built with long-term sustainability, accessibility, affordability, and user control as their foundation. This page outlines the services I provide and the philosophy that guides the work.

My Philosophy and Approach

Your website is more than just an online business card — it’s a space that visually communicates your musical style, identity, and professionalism. I aim to design websites that are visually aligned with your music while remaining functional for users like booking agents, ensembles, presenters, and publishers.

My philosophy centers around three pillars:

Long-Term Sustainability
I use structured templates optimized for large catalogs and multiple media files. As your body of work grows, your website should grow with it. If your site can’t display your full catalogue in a digestible way, it may become a barrier to your visibility and opportunities.

Accessibility
Accessibility means two things:
- Making sure users can easily find and access information and files.
- Ensuring those files are readable, viewable, and navigable — regardless of device or visual ability.

This includes implementing light/dark modes, mobile-responsive layouts, screen-readable text, intuitive search and navigation, and a thoughtful use of colors and fonts that accommodate color blindness and digital legibility.

Affordability
You will only need to pay for services negotiated between you and me, your annual domain fee, and your server subscription — often cheaper than DIY platforms like Wix or Squarespace, which frequently charge premium fees for storage, embedding, and additional customization.

Why Function Comes First

I’ve seen many composer websites that prioritize flashy aesthetics but fail basic usability tests — hard-to-read text, poor navigation, minimal organization, and a complete lack of media embeds.

One common pitfall is listing works on a single long page with no sorting or file access — no audio, no score, no program notes. This frustrates presenters, programmers, and collaborators who are trying to understand your work. Even the most interested party is unlikely to email you for materials if a more accessible composer’s site is just one click away.

DIY site builders — and a general lack of awareness about web accessibility and design — are often to blame. I aim to combat that with sites that are usable, beautiful, and representative of who you are as an artist.

Aesthetic Considerations

Every project includes a collaborative aesthetic process. We’ll work together to:

  • Choose fonts that reflect your personality and are legible across devices (see Google Fonts)
  • Select color palettes that align with your personal or artistic brand (see Coolors for examples)
  • Reference visual art or aesthetics that resonate with your music to develop a cohesive design
  • Use logos, images, and layout strategies that reinforce your unique identity

Functional Considerations

The websites I build prioritize accessibility, clear organization, and user-friendly navigation. This includes:

  • Search bars and navigation menus
  • Embedded videos, audio, PDFs, and links
  • Logical tagging systems to sort repertoire by instrumentation, length, or theme
  • Mobile responsiveness and alt text for accessibility

Practical Utility

I believe websites should be used regularly. I often direct performers and collaborators to my own site to download scores and recordings. Given how many musicians now rehearse from tablets, your site should be easy to use on mobile and optimized for in-the-moment access.

Technical Implementation

The websites I build use a combination of tools:
- HTML for structure
- CSS for styling
- JavaScript for functionality

I generate your site using MkDocs, a lightweight and modern static site generator.

This section is here to give you transparency about what goes on behind the scenes — not to overwhelm you with jargon. In later chapters, I’ll walk you through what these tools do, how your site is assembled, and how you can take full control of the process if you choose to.

You’ll also receive access to the original MkDocs files used to generate your site. With the help of tools like rsync, you’ll be able to update and maintain the site independently — should you ever wish to take the reins.

Note: None of this technical knowledge is required to start working with me. But should you want long-term independence, this guide will walk you through it.

Long-Term Vision

The goal is to give you ownership over your site. Should we stop working together, this documentation will empower you to manage updates, troubleshoot issues, and evolve your site with confidence.

A Final Word on Branding

Branding might feel like a dirty word — but let’s face it, this is a business. The goal isn’t to sell out, but to communicate clearly who you are as an artist. A clean, coherent, and functional site is part of how you present yourself to the world.

Simplicity, elegance, and accessibility — in both structure and tone — are at the core of what I provide.