Web Design & Development
Creating websites that work beautifully for both your users and your business—that's what drives everything we do at Block 81. We approach web design and development as more than just building websites; it's about crafting digital experiences that connect with your audience and deliver real results.
For over 20 years, we've been helping businesses bring their ideas to life online. Our process combines thoughtful design with solid development, ensuring every website we create is not only visually engaging but also functional, fast, and built to grow with your business.
Our Approach to Web Design & Development
Great websites start with understanding people. Before we write a single line of code or place a pixel, we dig into who your audience is and what they need from your site. This human-centered approach informs every decision we make, from the overall user experience to the smallest interaction details.
We believe the best solutions are often the simplest ones. That doesn't mean cutting corners—it means cutting through the noise to focus on what truly matters for your users and your business goals. Whether you need a marketing website that converts visitors into customers or a complex web application that streamlines your operations, we create solutions that are clear, effective, and easy to use.
Web Design That Engages and Converts
User Experience (UX) Design
We start every project by mapping out your users' journeys and identifying opportunities to make their experience smoother and more intuitive. Through wireframing and prototyping, we test and refine the structure of your site before moving into visual design.
User Interface (UI) Design
Our visual design process focuses on creating interfaces that are not only beautiful but also functional. We consider everything from typography and color theory to accessibility standards, ensuring your website looks great and works well for everyone who visits it.
Responsive Design
Your website needs to work perfectly whether someone's viewing it on their phone during their morning commute or on a large desktop monitor in the office. We design and build every site to be fully responsive, providing an optimal experience across all devices and screen sizes.
Conversion-Focused Design
Pretty websites are nice, but websites that help you achieve your business goals are better. We design with your conversion objectives in mind, whether that's generating leads, driving sales, or encouraging newsletter signups.
Development That Delivers
Frontend Development
We bring designs to life with clean, efficient code that ensures your website loads quickly and functions smoothly. Our frontend development focuses on performance, accessibility, and cross-browser compatibility, so your site works well for every visitor.
Content Managment Systems
We specialize in powerful, flexible CMS platforms that make managing your website content intuitive and efficient. Our primary expertise is in Craft CMS—as an official Craft partner with over a decade of experience—along with ExpressionEngine and other robust platforms, choosing the right CMS based on your specific requirements.
E-commerce Solutions
Need to sell online? We develop robust e-commerce experiences using Craft Commerce that handle complex product catalogs, pricing structures, and customer workflows. We also integrate with Stripe and other platforms to create shopping experiences that convert visitors into customers and drive sales.
Custom Development
Every business has unique requirements. We develop custom functionality, build API integrations, and create specialized features that extend your website's capabilities. Whether you need CRM connections, member portals, or custom business applications, we make it happen.
Technical SEO
We build SEO-friendly websites from the ground up, implementing clean URL structures, proper heading hierarchies, schema markup, and optimized meta data. Our technical approach ensures search engines can easily crawl and understand your content, giving your site the best chance to rank well in search results.
Performance Optimization
Fast websites provide better user experiences and perform better in search results. We build with performance in mind from day one, implementing strategic caching, optimizing images and code, and following technical SEO best practices.
Interested in learning more about our development approach?
Contact us to discuss how we can bring your vision to life with thoughtful design and solid technical execution.
Technologies We Work With
While we're platform-agnostic and can work with various technologies, we specialize in tools that deliver exceptional results:
Craft CMS - Our primary platform for content-driven websites
ExpressionEngine - Powerful, flexible content management
HTML5, CSS3, JavaScript - Modern web standards for reliable, accessible sites
Craft Commerce - Powerful e-commerce functionality
Various APIs and integrations - Connecting your website with your business tools
We choose technologies based on what will best serve your project goals, not what's trendy. This ensures your website is built on a solid foundation that will serve your business for years to come.
From Concept to Launch (and Beyond)
Discovery & Strategy
We start by understanding your business, your audience, and your goals. This foundation shapes every decision we make throughout the project.
Design & Prototyping
Through wireframes and visual design mockups, we create a clear picture of your website before development begins. This collaborative process ensures we're building exactly what you need.
Development & Testing
We bring the design to life with clean, efficient code. Throughout development, we test thoroughly to ensure everything works as intended across different devices and browsers.
Launch & Support
Going live is just the beginning. We provide training, documentation, and ongoing support to ensure you get the most from your new website.
Who We Work With
We've had the privilege of working with incredible clients across a wide range of industries. While we don't focus on a single niche, we particularly enjoy collaborating with brands in tech, manufacturing, sports, travel, and environmental sectors. Our clients include small businesses, non-profits, design agencies, and the occasional government organization—each bringing unique challenges that keep our work interesting and meaningful.
Why Choose Block 81 for Your Web Project
Personal Attention
As a small studio, we offer the personal touch that makes every project feel collaborative and seamless. You work directly with experienced professionals who understand both the technical and strategic aspects of your project.
Proven Expertise
With over 20 years of experience and official Craft CMS partner status, we have the technical knowledge and industry insight to deliver exceptional results.
Collaborative Process
We believe the best websites come from close collaboration between our team and yours. We'll guide you through every step of the process, ensuring the final product aligns with your vision and goals.
Long-term Partnership
We're not just here for the launch. Many of our clients work with us for years, evolving their websites as their businesses grow and change.
Ready to Start Your Project?
Whether you're launching a new business, refreshing an existing site, or building something completely custom, we're here to help you create a website that truly works for your business.
Every project starts with a conversation about your goals, your audience, and your vision. We'd love to learn more about what you're hoping to accomplish and explore how we can help make it happen.
Looking for specialized Craft CMS development? Explore our Craft CMS expertise or learn about our ongoing support and maintenance services to keep your site running smoothly after launch.
