By Design
Web design insights, branding strategy, and no-fluff advice from San Francisco’s boutique digital studio. We write what we wish every client knew before they called us.
By Design · The 11:11 journal
Good design starts with better questions.
Field notes on websites, brands, and the decisions that make them work—written for people building something that matters.
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The 11-Point Website Story Audit
Is your website telling your story, or getting in its way? Eleven yes-or-no questions help you check your message, your visitor experience, and the details that keep your site working.
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Ideas worth stealing.
Questions worth asking.
Practical advice, contrarian takes, and lessons learned while designing for real businesses—not imaginary case studies.
Introducing Percensa: The Website Review We Kept Doing by Hand
For years we gave the same thing away: an hour spent looking at someone’s website the way a visitor actually would, and a short note about what to fix first. Useful, and impossible to scale. Percensa is that review, built into something that does. Seven independent specialists review your site across brand, UX, copy, design, behavior, creative direction, and conversion, and Resonīs turns their feedback into one prioritized plan instead of seven competing to-do lists. Here is how it works, why we built it, and what it deliberately will not do.
What a Restaurant or Hospitality Website Actually Needs
Nobody browses a restaurant website. They arrive with one question, usually on a phone, usually hungry. Here is the checklist we use for restaurants, cafes, bars, and hospitality brands: hours and menu as real text, reservations and online ordering that stay on your domain, allergen and accessibility details, a Google Business Profile that matches the site, and a private dining form that actually gets answered.
Designing with Empathy: How Human-Centered Storytelling Shapes Digital Experiences
In a world of algorithms and automation, one truth remains: the heart of every unforgettable digital experience is empathy. At 11:11 Designs, we believe the most powerful design goes beyond aesthetics. It forges connection, communicates purpose, and elevates brands through authentic stories. In 2025, as digital spaces become more immersive and nuanced, designing with empathy isn’t just good practice. It’s essential.
Beyond Pretty Pixels: The Business Impact of Intentional Web Design
Web design isn’t just about making things look pretty — it’s about building a strategic, user-centered experience that drives real business results. Discover how intentional design can boost conversions, build trust, and future-proof your brand.
Is Your Website Costing You Business? Here’s How to Tell.
Your website should be your hardest-working employee. If it’s not bringing in leads, building trust, or converting visitors into customers, it’s costing you. Here’s how to spot the warning signs—and what to do next.
Full-Throttle Elegance: Building KLLuxLimo.com from the Ground Up
We created KLLuxLimo.com from the ground up—design, structure, and copy—delivering a sleek, high-trust site for this emerging luxury transportation brand.
Building Managementertainment.com in GoDaddy Website Builder: Making It Work (and Then Some)
When nightlife legend Vlad Cood needed a fast, credible web presence for his new venture, Managementertainment, we built a bold, investor-ready site using the GoDaddy Website Builder. It wasn’t our usual playground—but with smart design, clear storytelling, and a little grit, we made it work (and then some).
A Fresh Spin on the Vintage Vibe: Revamping UpcycledDecor.com
A cozy vintage brand gets a digital refresh. We partnered with Upcycled Decor to reimagine their website—bringing warmth, clarity, and modern functionality to a beloved DIY destination.
The True Cost of a Cheap Website (And Why It Might Be Hurting Your Business)
A cheap website might look like a bargain, but it can quietly cost your business in lost traffic, credibility, and conversions. Discover why cutting corners online can hurt more than help—and what to do instead.
Why We Build on WordPress (And Why It Might Be Perfect for Your Business, Too)
We build websites on WordPress because it offers the perfect balance of flexibility, scalability, and ownership—everything a small to mid-size business needs to grow online. From SEO to customization, here’s why it’s our go-to platform (and why it might be yours, too).