Scout Design Co.

Scout Design Co.

Killer WordPress Websites

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We work with lifestyle brands to create killer websites that reflect how far they’ve come

Scout is a web design + development studio based in Denver, Colorado serving clients worldwide

You have a vision for your brand… we’ll help get you there.

We work with passion-fueled dream chasers ready to take business to the next level. Offering web design, WordPress development and on-going maintenance – we’re the web partner you want in your corner.

We believe in intentional design and a foundation in strategy. Every design decision we make has meaning. We want your brand to tell your unique story.

We believe design can cultivate connection. We want your website to resonate with all the right people. And we truly believe in the beauty in simplicity.

Meet the Founder

hi, i’m caitlin

Since I can remember I’ve found myself drawn to art and design. My Dad was an artist and free-spirit that taught me expression through creativity and the beauty in simplicity. With these values in mind, I create unique websites for creatives and entrepreneurs driven by their passion.

After receiving a BA in Graphic Design and Marketing from a Boston college I moved to San Diego and held several different office jobs. I remember counting down the minutes until 5pm thinking “this can’t be it for me”. My creativity and personal growth felt stunted. I started freelancing on the side creating logos and websites for anyone that would hire me. A few years later, I took a leap of faith and launched Scout (named after my Dad’s favorite literary character) and haven’t looked back since.

I truly believe everyone deserves to make a living doing something that they love – and I’m here to help you do just that.

ready for a website that
drops jaws? let’s chat.

book a discovery call

stay in touch @scoutdesignco_

My biggest pet peeve on Instagram...⁠ ⁠ When y My biggest pet peeve on Instagram...⁠
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When your bio link leads me somewhere other than your website! ⁠
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I can't tell you how frustrating it is to be taken to a sales page or a calendar link and there's no where else to go. Nothing else to click. No way to learn more about you or your services. ⁠
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I understand you may want to promote a launch or share a podcast interview you did - and you still can! But use an INSTAGRAM LANDING PAGE.⁠
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Create a separate page on your website with quick links to your top content. This way users can access ALL the important parts about you and your business. ⁠
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Include a Calendly link, your course sales page, your latest blog post, your free download - share it all! Make it easy for both seasoned and new followers to find what they're looking for. Not everyone is going to be ready to book a call or join your course just yet. Have content for them too. ⁠
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If possible, avoid LinkTree and create this page directly on your own website. LinkTree is probably my second biggest pet peeve and I'll tell you why:⁠
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👉🏼 You're letting a third party be the middle man between your audience and your own website. ⁠
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✨ By using your own site as your IG landing page you’re boosting your own SEO and can track exactly how many people are coming to your site from your profile. ⁠⠀⁠
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👉🏼 It's boring and looks like everyone else. ⁠
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✨ Having your own IG landing page lets you stand out and stay on brand. ⁠
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Creating your own IG landing page is pretty easy with most website platforms and totally worth it!⁠
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Is it time for a new website?

Here are 6 ques Is it time for a new website?

Here are 6 questions to
 ask yourself to determine if it’s time. 

1. Are you embarrassed to send potential clients to your site? 
If you don’t believe your site is worthy, why would anyone else?

2. Is your website current with what you offer and who you help?
Don’t confuse (or loose) potential buyers with out of date or missing information. It should be SUPER clear what you offer, who it helps and how to work with you.

3. Does your website reflect your level of expertise?
THIS IS A BIG ONE! If you’re charging premium prices but look like a budget service provider, there’s a disconnect happening with our audience that could be costing yo

4. Are you getting inquiries from dream clients?
If the inquires you’re getting aren’t from people you dream of working with, you’re not resonating with the right people.

5. Are you happy with you site stats?
What’s you bounce rate looking lite? If people aren’t sticking around, they probably aren’t buying from you.

6. Is your site meeting its goals? (Does it have goals?)
Your website should have a primary and secondary goal and a strategy in place to help you meet those goals.

Looking like it’s time for a new website?  I got you. Head to the link in my bio to schedule a discovery call.
4 ways to make your website work FOR YOU. 1. Use 4 ways to make your website work FOR YOU.

1. Use a CRM -  a client relationship manager will help you track your leads and stay more organized. You can use a CRM (like my favorite, Dubsado) to automatically reply to inquiries, deliver and collect on invoices, send appointment reminders and more.

2. Use a scheduler - softwares like Calendly allow you to book consultation calls without all the back and forth emails. Set your calendar when you are available and let your potential client pick the time that works best for them. 

3. Deliver a freebie - opt-in incentives are a great way to grow your email list. I personally love and use FloDesk, but any email provider will allow you to set up a workflow and embed a sign up form on your website. When users sign up they automatically receive the freebie to their inbox and you have one more subscriber. 

4. Schedule your posts - if you’re using WordPress for your blog, you’ve got to take advantage of the post scheduler. Perfect for batch writing your content and setting it to auto publish on your schedule. 

I love helping clients to leverage the power of their website and automate areas of their business - saving them both time and money! If this is something that interests you, send me a DM.
Is your website performing as well as it could be? Is your website performing as well as it could be?⁠
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A routine website audit could help you:⁠
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👉🏼 rank higher on Google⁠
👉🏼 attract more aligned clients⁠
👉🏼 charge higher prices⁠
👉🏼 increase your sales⁠
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There are 5 main areas to focus on when performing a website audit. ⁠
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✨ Strategy⁠
The primary goal of your website it most likely to turn viewers into paying clients/customers. But what if they're not ready yet? Your site should have a secondary goal and easily lead users to take the action you want them to.⁠
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✨ Aesthetics⁠
Does your website make you look like a professional? Design matters. People are way more likely to buy from you if you have a modern, clean, on-brand web design. ⁠
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✨ Messaging⁠
Your website should make it painfully obvious what you sell and who it's for. Revisit the words you're using throughout each page and make sure you are talking right to your ideal audience. ⁠
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✨ User Experience⁠
The easier it is to use your website the better! Check everything is functioning properly including links, contact forms, newsletter signups, etc. Also make sure your navigation is simple and content is easy to digest. ⁠
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✨ SEO⁠
There are so many factors that go into SEO, but making sure you have the basics down will help you appear in more searches and therefore help get more people to your site.⁠
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Want to go deeper and perform your own website audit? I have a FREE Website Audit Workbook that will walk you through each of these areas and ask specific questions to help you improve your website today! Download the workbook at the link in my bio. ⁠
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#websiteaudit #seo #seoaudit #customwebsite #websitedesign #webdesigner #wordpresswebsite #wordpressdesigner #webdesign #websitedesigner #wordpressdeveloper #designstudio #webagency
There's still time to launch a stunning, new websi There's still time to launch a stunning, new website by the end of the year! I have several openings for October/November start dates for custom design and white label WordPress development. Use the link in my bio to book a discovery call and get started ✨
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#webdesigner #customwebdesign #wordpresswebsite #denverwebdesign #websitedesign #websitedesigner #wordpressdeveloper
There are so many different platforms to choose fr There are so many different platforms to choose from when it comes to building your website. WordPress is by far my favorite and here are just a few reasons why:

⭐️ Design Flexibility- WordPress isn't a template based platform so you can get a completely custom design with absolutely no restrictions. 

⭐️ Limitless Functionality - There's literally nothing WordPress can't do. With coding knowledge I'm able to manually add almost any functionality I need. There are also thousands of plugins to choose from to add certain functionalities from sliders, galleries, site security and speed, sign up forms, even e-commerce.
 
⭐️ SEO is easy - WordPress is built to make SEO easy for you. And with the Yoast plugin you have the ultimate guide at your finger tips how exactly to improve each post and page to rank higher in search engines. 
 
⭐️ Self hosted - WordPress is self-hosted which means you choose a third party company to host your website. This allows you to shop around for the best host based on your needs and budget AND you own all of you website content.
Your website needs to be 2 things:⁠ 👉🏼 Pre Your website needs to be 2 things:⁠
👉🏼 Pretty⁠
👉🏼 Strategic⁠
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One looses its power without the other. ⁠
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Good design will help you look professional but alone won't convert visitors into leads. A good strategy will help you reach your goals but not if visitors are clicking out the second they see your outdated design.⁠
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Your website needs to be BOTH pretty and strategic. ⁠
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This way you can:⁠
✔️ establish your authority as an expert⁠
✔️ stand out to viewers (aka potential clients)⁠
✔️ look professional⁠
✔️ charge premium prices⁠
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And:⁠
✔️ connect with clients you actually want to work with⁠
✔️ grow and email list you can continue to engage with⁠
✔️ book discovery calls on auto pilot⁠
✔️ increase your sales!⁠
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Wondering if your website is set up for success? Check out my latest blog post all about performing your own website audit - link in bio.
I don't think I've ever shared the meaning behind I don't think I've ever shared the meaning behind my business name...

I had been freelancing for years as Caitlin Emond Designs. When I decided to take my business seriously I wanted to name it something unique. 

I sat down to brain storm with my Dad. I was drawn to a one-word name and my Dad immediately came up with Scout. 

One of his favorite books was To Kill a Mockingbird and he adored the relationship the main character has with his daughter, who goes by the nick name Scout. Their bond resonated with him and reminded him a lot of our own. 

My Dad was my best friend and my #1 fan. He was a huge inspiration to me and I would have never started this business without his support and encouragement. 

It's so special to have a piece of him in the work I do 

(I'm also a huge book nerd, so the literary reference is pretty cool, too)

Do you have a special meaning behind your business name? I'd love to hear it!
✨ NOW BOOKING brand and/or web design projects f ✨ NOW BOOKING brand and/or web design projects for Fall ✨⁠
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I have ONE spot left in September and TWO available start dates in October. ⁠
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Not sure if you're ready for a rebrand? Send me a DM, I'd love to chat!
✨ Brand strategy SIMPLIFIED ✨⁠ ⁠ Don't let ✨ Brand strategy SIMPLIFIED ✨⁠
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Don't let this buzz word scare you off from building the business of your dreams. ⁠
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✨  Should you develop a brand strategy before designing a logo? YES!⁠
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✨  Will a brand strategy help you reach your business goals? ABSOLUTELY!⁠
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✨  Is there a lot that goes into creating an effective brand strategy? OH, YEAH!⁠
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✨  Does it have to be hard? NOPE!⁠
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Brand strategy is connecting WHY you do what you do, WHO you do it for and HOW you do it differently and then communicating all of that through your visuals and messaging. ⁠
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Easy, right? 😉⁠
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Getting stuck developing your brand strategy? Shoot me a DM, I'd love to help!
Are you asking the RIGHT questions when defining y Are you asking the RIGHT questions when defining your ideal client? ⁠
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So often we think about demographics when it comes to our audience - their age, gender, location, income. But the truth is...⁠
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✨ DEMOGRAPHICS DON'T REALLY MATTER⁠ ✨⁠
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Instead, ask:⁠
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👉🏼 What does your ideal client value in their life?⁠
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👉🏼 What are they currently struggling with? ⁠
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👉🏼 How does that struggle make them feel?⁠
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👉🏼 How do they want to feel instead?⁠
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If you're struggling to connect with your dream client, it may be because you're focused on selling a tangible solution to an external problem. You're much more likely to resonate on a deeper level and make connections by shifting your focus.
Feminine and fun logo for a new food blog launchin Feminine and fun logo for a new food blog launching soon!
Unpopular opinion: you do not need a custom logo. Unpopular opinion: you do not need a custom logo. ⁠
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And every brand designer everywhere just fainted. Here me out! ⁠
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I absolutely believe in the importance of purpose-driven design - it's actually a core value here at Scout. But the idea that a simple or inexpensive logo won't help you reach your goals just isn't true. ⁠
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If you're not reaching your goals, it may not be your logo that's the problem. It's your strategy - or more likely, lack of one. A simple (but professional) looking logo can go a long way with an effective strategy backing it up. ⁠
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If you're struggling to grab the attention of your DREAM clients or totally lost when it comes to how to market your service, let's chat! ⁠
What do most brands do WRONG when it comes to thei What do most brands do WRONG when it comes to their strategy?⁠
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They position themselves as the hero. If you're familiar with Donald Miller's Storybrand Framework, you know this is a concept he preaches over and over again (and if you're not, check out his book Building a Storybrand, it's one of my favorites) ⁠
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You are not the hero in your client's story, they are. You are their guide helping them get from point A to point B - from how they're feeling right now to how they want to be feeling instead. ⁠
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Sorry to break it to you, but your client doesn't really care about your business beyond how it can help them solve a problem and make their life better. ⁠
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The client transformation is a big part of the brand strategy I cover with clients. By understanding your client's problem and their desired outcome you can insert yourself into their journey as the helpful guide. ⁠
✨ 5 key components to an effective brand strateg ✨ 5 key components to an effective brand strategy:⁠
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👉🏼 Your mission and values⁠
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👉🏼 Your ideal audience⁠
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👉🏼 Your positioning⁠
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👉🏼 Your messaging⁠
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👉🏼 Your marketing ⁠
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We dive deep into each of these areas when working with clients on brand strategy. And we lay it all out for you nice and pretty
Launch your rebrand or spankin new website by the Launch your rebrand or spankin new website by the end of the Summer! I have 2 spots left in July. ⁠
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DM me with any questions or book a free Discovery Call with the link in my bio 😊
Bright and fun moodboard with a feminine touch - c Bright and fun moodboard with a feminine touch - can't wait until this new food blog is live!
Here's a simple shift to reach your audience on a Here's a simple shift to reach your audience on a more emotional level....⁠
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Focus on the benefits of your offer more than its features. ⁠
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A feature of a new car may be its leather seats. But the benefit of those leather seats is a feeling of luxury. A feature of your coaching service may be access to you via Voxer. But the benefit of that access is a feeling of support and accountability for your client. ⁠
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Instead of focusing on what you can give your audience, focus on how you can make them feel. You'll resonate with your people on a deeper level and stand out from your competition.⁠
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Make a list of all the features of your product or service - the tangible things that make it great. Then translate each feature into a benefit - an intangible affect it has on your client or customer. Try to incorporate these benefits into your messaging, marketing and social posts and see the difference it makes.
All this talk about knowing your "why", but does i All this talk about knowing your "why", but does it even really matter? ⁠
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YES. A clear "why" will help you to resonate with your ideal audience on a deeper level. It's in our human nature to seek belonging and community. If you audience believes you value what they value, they are more likely to buy from you than a competitor. If you're not communicating your "why", then your audience will default to your "what" and you'll be stuck struggling to differentiate yourself from the rest. ⁠
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So how do you clarify your "why"? Think about WHY you started your business in the first place. Go beyond the surface. Financial freedom and a flexible schedule are solid motivators to dive into entrepreneurship, but what IMPACT do you want to make? What do you value? What's important to you? ⁠
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So tell me, what's your "why"? 👇🏼
Happy Friday!! ⁠ ⁠ I'm trying to get better at Happy Friday!! ⁠
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I'm trying to get better at showing my face around here. So here's a #fridayintroduction with 3 random fun facts you probably don't know about me⁠
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✨ I've lived in 3 different cities outside my home state of Connecticut - Boston, San Diego and currently Denver⁠
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✨  I was a college athlete and captain of my tennis team in ⁠
high school⁠
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✨  I've memorized every state capital. Not on purpose, I have no idea how - but quiz me! I know them all, I swear. ⁠
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