Steven Tu

Steven Tu – Web Developer

I focus on compelling messaging and visual clarity to deliver your story on the web. Good design and cool tech should work transparently.

Overview

Are you working on your first book and looking to build a new website, or your existing website needs design refinement and additional features?


We'll explore and find the right solution that addresses your unique needs. I believe that having a good messaging strategy is the core component for effectively communicating with your target audience and achieving your marketing objectives. An effective messaging strategy includes clarify, simplicity, authenticity, emotional appeal, story telling, relevancy and call to action. A well thought out visual design theme and high performing website will re-enforce your marketing message.


I adapt to your working style, esthetics, and finding a solution that is uniquely yours. Trained as a designer and advanced into web development, I take on the full process design creation and build a custom and fully functional website based on that design theme. Unlike some other designers using pre-made templates, the designs I create for you are from the ground up and uniquely for your band.


You will be able to manage site content yourself, have some else do it, or I will provide the support once your site is launched. The same website can be built in different ways. As a highly experienced developer, I create total custom design themes instead using an existing template to make modifications. A custom built site not only is authentically unique in looks, the backend admin area is also configured in ways to make content editing very easy for site owners.


I offer a range of services which can be contracted as separate tasks or all together in a full solution package:


- Domain name registration

- Branding and theme designs that reflect your brand as an author

- Content structure consultation

- Website creation with a CMS (Wordpress, Shopify, Squarespace, or Wix)

- Newsletter signup form, contact list, email blasts

- Blog posts for inbound marketing

- Web hosting

- SEO includes strategic content, keyword placement, well written site code, and site performance optimization

- Google Analytics integration and data report analysis

- Site maintenance and updating


Every website I build is responsive and mobile device friendly - it's a standard feature, not an option. Site security and performance are also part of the package.

Services
Non-Fiction
Biographies & Memoirs Education & Reference Health & Wellbeing Medicine, Nursing, & Dentistry Music
Fiction
Cultural & Ethnic Historical Fiction Medical Thriller
Works with
Shopify Squarespace Weebly Wix WordPress
Certifications
  • BA in Fine Arts

Work experience

Self-employed

Feb, 2014 — Present

Design impactful digital experiences and create dynamic websites for corporate and creative partners across market sectors. As a freelancer I have the opportunity to work directly with clients as well as creative agencies developing a wide range of web projects with objectives in marketing, member directory, e-commerce, blogging, and education. Every website is built with custom solution that includes a CMS that allows clients to mange their own content, responsive design, search engine optimized, and analytics reports.

Projects

Mediation Toolbox

Mediation Toolbox is a resource guide developed by experienced family mediators for family mediators who are looking to improve their professional skills. The site offers visitors to purchase the product in downloadable PDF file using a simple payment form. Design theme calls for a refined look with soft and friendly feel.

Cello Teacher

Thomas Shoebotham is concert conductor and cello soloist based in San Francisco Bay Area. This is a simple two page website to market his cello lesson offerings. The design theme is elegant yet in playful ways that reflect his music.

The Last Man - a novel by Thomas Goodman

This is an author site selling his debut novel titled The Last Man. The novel is partly based on a true story of the 1927 Santa Claus bank robbery that took place in Texas. This simple one-page site shares the essence of the design theme created for the book cover in a muted color palette to invoke the feel of modern history yesteryear.

Expanding The Bench

Expanding The Bench is a non-profit initiative supporting diverse evaluators and funders of evaluation. The initiative aims to provide value, practice, and promote a culturally responsive and equitable evaluation ecosystem. The website boasts a membership directory with a search interface allowing members to connect each others. The design theme carries a wide palette of colors and visual elements in various shapes that reflect the diverse communities they want to connect with.

Alonzo-Fibonacci Sound Production

Promotional website and shopping cart for sound artist partners based in Bay Area and Berlin. Merchandise items are managed using Shopify e-commerce system with a custom design theme.

Substance Hawaii

None-profit Substance Hawaii's aims to help young adults to stay off substance addiction and discover the unique potential in each person and inspires them to focus on building their personal achievement. The site offers interactive quizzes for personality discovery and inspiring stories from those in the same situation. Site design takes on a vibrant and fun visual elements to get the audience excited about the subject and spring into action.

Virtual Health Network

Visually dynamic website created for The University of Texas Virtual Health Network. Telemedicine is relatively new field in healthcare services. The design theme here reflects dynamics of a promising and emerging technology.

Change Matrix

Branding and marketing website for ChangeMatrix - a women owned consultancy group who engages in exploration and inquiry to support leaders to set goals, define outcomes and manage change. I enjoy creating the conceptual illustration graphics that support the headings promoting the values and services ChangeMatrix offers. Part of the project, I also conceptualize the logo design.

Honolulu Community College

Website development includes content planning, design concept, Wordpress content management system implementation, and site launch. This is a rather complex website with heavy content. The main challenge is to engage prospect students and guide them to the information they are looking for with the goal for them to signup.

Steven has 3 reviews

Professionalism

Quality

Value

Responsiveness

Sala S.

Sala S.

Sep, 2023

Steven has a great eye for design
Thomas G.

Thomas G.

Jul, 2023

Steven had the technical competence to accomplish the requested tasks, and worked through many revisions where he and I could agree on how the website and the PDF Reader Magnet needed to look. As usual on these reviews, I've marked the value as 'average' because I think Reedsy charges too much simply to arrange the meeting between a professional and a client, and thus the overall cost of going ...
Read more
Sameem R.

Sameem R.

Jun, 2023

Hello to you out there, if you are reading this message, this means you have access to the world wide web! With Steven's help you would no longer be a spectator, but a performer with a real presence on this www. He will guide you as to the "how" you can make an indelible mark in this setting. He is flexible, economical, patient and willing to answer all your questions (alot to decipher through...
Read more

Professionals similar to Steven

Get a range of offers by requesting quotes from multiple professionals.

Peter Arendt

Peter A.

Designer and developer. I specialize in creating beautiful WordPress websites.

Vancouver, BC, Canada

99% reply rate

View profile
Mindy Johnston

Mindy J.

My specialty is knocking your socks off with an integrated design perfectly tailored to your style.

San Diego, CA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile
Elena Saygo

Elena S.

I'm interested in learning more about your work and exploring ways to tell a story on your website.

Seattle, WA, USA

100% reply rate

View profile