Kristen's Koncepts
I have been brought in for special website security work, to recover from hacking attacks, to perform simple updates to content, and to do complete redesigns of websites. No job is too big or too small and I enjoy providing these services for my clients! Banking websites in particular are especially vulnerable to hackers and other cyber attacks simply because of the frequency with which bank websites are targeted. I understand that a successful bank website needs to not only present the public with a stylish and easy-to-use interface, but also must be fully protected against malicious threats, and must comply with all regulations governing web applications for financial institutions. When you put my specialization to work for your bank, you will be delighted with the difference you experience!
I believe that clients should be able to have a real working relationship with their developer. I do not utilize impersonal support ticketing systems or anything like that. I am always available to my clients via email, text, or phone call. Emergencies happen and you deserve immediate attention and resolution of your issues, not to have to wait in queue.
My experience in web design and development began in 1997 when I quickly learned that I could transfer my design skills over to websites fairly easily and the programming just came naturally. I have maintained my skills throughout the years and developed a specialization in WordPress. I first used WordPress when it was in pre-release beta and fell in love! Back then, there were no real themes or plugins, we had to hand-code everything ourselves! The availability of such a huge library of themes and plugins has simplified and sped up the development process compared to how it was back then.
I began working with financial institutions back in 2006 and have maintained a positive working relationship with the Community Bankers Association of Illinois. I understand the special concerns and regulations for banking websites.
Each person and each bank is unique, so why settle for a cookie-cutter website that looks almost exactly like everyone else? I will develop a custom site for you that fits into your fiscal needs and timeline requirements. From large-scale applications to more simple yet full-featured quick-start sites that can be ready within a week, I will create the site that you want and need. Utilizing my specialization in WordPress sites will ensure that you can easily publish updates yourself if you so desire, to keep important information up-to-date, such as interest rates that need to be updated regularly. As always, I am available to help you to get updates published or to show you how to do it on your own.
Meet Kristen: Your Web Development Professional
I am web developer with over 28 years of experience and a specialization in WordPress implementations for banks, including credit unions. I do create sites that are not for banks, but I do have specialized skills for financial industry websites. I have a background in DNS management, Linux Systems Administration (Red Hat Enterprise, specifically), and these experiences lend to strengthening my web development skills by helping me to understand and work with the processes and systems that support and drive the website. My first real employment as a web developer came after 9 years of freelance work, as Lead Web Developer for DBS, Inc (since bought out by and incorporated into LRS, Inc) in 2006. This is where I first began to build a relationship with Community Bankers Association of Illinois and Jenny Dial, Senior Vice President of Operations, as DBS was their main go-to company for IT services back then, including websites for their member banks. I discovered that I actually enjoyed working with community banks and CBAI and began honing my knowledge into that niche with State and Federal regulations, compliance needs, ADA needs, etc. It is all like a big puzzle and when you know where the pieces go and how they fit together, it makes for a strong and reliable website for banks in an industry that demands such an online presence, from the largest banking conglomerates down to even for the smallest of community banks.
DBS, Inc was owned and operated by a childhood friend of my husband, and he had asked us both to move from NC to IL to work at his company. We agreed and worked there for two years until my Mother-in-Law suffered a massive stroke. We moved back to NC to help take care of her during her recovery. I continued to work from home as much as possible but obviously I had to cut my working hours to care for my Mother-in-Law while her husband continued to work outside the home. During this time, I had a very difficult pregnancy but, as luck would have it, I could continue some of my work while on bed-rest. Not long after the birth of my son, I discovered that he has autism. I didn’t know how severely he had been impacted at this time, but his needs did require additional time and focus from both me and my husband. I continued to work from home as much as possible during his earliest years. As he has gotten older, I have been able to work more and more until I am back to full time work, albeit still from home where I can be available to him.
As I have gotten able to work full time hours again, I have experienced something that was totally foreign to me in the workspace before: ageism! I have actually been told by more than one potential employer that my skills and experience are perfect, but they just couldn’t justify investing in hiring me when I would reach retirement age much sooner than their fresh-from-college applicants. And so I have continued working as a contractor, providing web development and maintenance to banks in need, at some of the best prices in the industry. Currently, the only official affiliation that I have maintained is with CBAI through Jenny. She has become a very solid and trusted friend over the years, as well as a reliable and trustworthy professional associate. Through her, I have become an associate member of CBAI and provide discounted services to their member banks.
I did mention that I charge some of the best rates in the industry. I also provide personalized attention to my clients, all of whom I am on a first-name basis with. It’s not about the big bucks for me. It’s about supporting the community banking industry and trying to make enough to pay the bills at the same time. I have a small client base currently but to be honest, I like being able to respond to my client’s questions or requests within minutes rather than days. And I like that they can trust me enough to ask me questions not related to web development and they know I will be 100% honest and as helpful as possible. They like that they know I am on their side, I don’t nickel and dime them to death on development charges, and I don’t overcharge for services that really shouldn’t cost that much! The benefit to being an independent contractor is that I can set prices that both me and my clients feel is fair.
