Week 4: ITS A WRAP

 

For a long time, my online presence has been all about Homes by Harshaw. That’s my business, my brand, and what I’ve built from the ground up. But I wanted a space that wasn’t just about real estate. I wanted a site that showcased me—my creativity, my journey, and everything I’ve built beyond just selling homes. That’s why I launched DesigningErica.com.

This site is where I can be a little more personal, a little more creative, and show a side of my work that doesn’t always fit under the HBH umbrella. And because I hate websites that are clunky, hard to navigate, or just boring, I made sure everything is engaging, easy to use, and packed with clickable links so you can get where you need to go without a hassle.

The Heartbeat of the Site: The Homepage

The homepage is where it all comes together. Everything ties back to it, and everything leads you back to it. I wanted it to be bold, direct, and straight to the point with:

• A banner at the top linking to key pages
• Striking visuals right up front
• Quick links to my resume and my story
• A strong social media presence at the bottom with clickable links to my TikTok and YouTube
• Closing collages of pictures showcasing my work

I wanted people to land on my site and instantly get what I’m about. No fluff, no unnecessary clicks, just a clean, high-energy experience that reflects who I am.

➡ Check it out here: DesigningErica.com

My Story & Social Media Connections

I don’t do generic bios. The My Story page isn’t just a rundown of my career—it’s real. It’s my journey, how I got into real estate, and what led me to where I am today. It’s not just about what I do, but why I do it.

I also made sure every single social media account is linked and fully clickable. No hunting for my handles, no broken links, just one tap and you’re connected. There’s even a Contact Me section with a clickable email, phone number, and website because I hate when reaching out to someone feels like a scavenger hunt.

➡ Read My Story & Connect With Me Here: designingerica.com/about-5

My Portfolio & Blog: Showcasing the Work That Built My Brand

My portfolio isn’t just a bunch of projects thrown together. It’s living proof of how social media has completely transformed my real estate career. My content is my portfolio. The work I put into digital marketing and branding is what helped me grow Homes by Harshaw, and I take a lot of pride in that.

I also created a blog to go deeper into my brand identity, break down my content strategy, and document the process week by week. If you’ve ever wondered what goes into building a real estate brand online, I lay it all out.

➡ Portfolio & Blog: barnaby-design.blogspot.com
➡ Resume Download https://www.designingerica.com/_files/ugd/7d70c7_30171930d4d34ecf8562ec56a3ac213d.pdf 

Making It Easy: Clickable Links & Simple Navigation

I don’t like complicated websites. If a site is hard to use, people just leave. That’s why I made sure every single link on my site is clickable and actually takes you where you want to go—no broken pages, no unnecessary steps.

Each section has its own dedicated space, making it effortless to move around and find exactly what you need. No guessing, no frustration, just a smooth experience from start to finish.

This site is me, my work, my journey, my creativity—all in one place.

Let me know what you think, and if you haven’t checked it out yet, head over to DesigningErica.com and take a look.

Week 3, The Design Continues

 

This week has been all about building my website; honestly, I’m pretty happy with how it’s coming together. What started as a basic setup now feels like me—not just a site but an honest look into my mindset, journey, and everything that’s shaped where I am today.

What I’ve Done So Far

One of the most significant changes I made was adding a clickable link to another landing page on the home page. This dramatically improves SEO and lets me track engagement, which I wanted to focus on. Instead of just throwing a page up and hoping for the best, I can see how people interact with the site and what’s working.

I also wrapped up my welcome section—kept it short and straight to the point. The goal was to set the tone immediately, letting people know this isn’t just another real estate page but a behind-the-scenes look at who I am and how I got here.

The story section took the most time because I wanted it to feel real, not just a stiff timeline. It describes my journey from the military to real estate to building my own business. I rewrote parts to make it flow better and sound more like me—not just a professional bio.

I also added a complete contact section with all my social media links and ensured my email and phone number were clickable so people could reach out instantly. My résumé is now downloadable from the site, making it easy for anyone to check out my work.

What’s Next?

I know a website is never really “finished,” so over the next two weeks, I’ll tweak things to ensure it flows how I want it to. One thing I might adjust is navigation, just to ensure everything is seamless and easy to navigate.

Ultimately, creating a fully functioning website that represents you takes months to perfect. It's impressive that we’re doing all this in a few weeks. It’s coming together, and I’m excited to see how it evolves.

Check it out here: www.designingerica.com

Let me know what you think!

Weely Design Blog #2

 Making good progress this week on my website! I've been working hard on the design elements, especially focusing on getting the headers right and nailing down the color scheme to match my style and professionalism. The intro picture is finally up, giving the homepage a nice, welcoming vibe. I also added my two favorite social media links because Wix only allows two without upgrading my subscription, making it super easy for people to connect with me.

On top of that, I've started working on my résumé, which is still in a very rough draft. This is actually something I've been meaning to do for a while, so I'm glad this class is pushing me to stop procrastinating and finally get it done. I really want my professional story to stand out, so I'm taking my time to highlight all my experiences and skills clearly.

As I update my website, I'm publishing the changes, so feel free to follow along. When I created HomesbyHarshaw.com, it took me two months to get everything fully set up, so I'm excited to see what I can accomplish with designingerica.com in these next two weeks. I know it won't be on the same level as a product that took two months, but it'll be a great start. Keep checking back as I continue polishing everything up—I can't wait for everyone to see the finished product!

I want to share some pictures I took this week, kind of like a week in my life, hope you guys enjoy

You've Seen the Professional Side- Here's the unedited One

 Most people know me as the real estate agent behind Homes by Harshaw, but this site? This is different.

I already have a business website that focuses on real estate—listings, market insights, and helping people buy and sell homes. That’s my professional side.

But this? This is the behind-the-scenes version.

This site is where I show the real me—my thoughts, my process, my design choices, and everything else that doesn’t fit into a polished sales pitch. There is no fluff, no filters—just me, my work, and my voice.

What’s the Point of This Website?

Let’s be REAL—this started as a class assignment for my Self-Promotional Website project. Still, I’m using it as an opportunity to create something that actually feels like me.

• Not just another portfolio – This isn’t some boring “Here’s what I’ve done” page. It’s about how I think and what I bring to the table.
• A brand that’s real, not robotic – I want this site to show the person behind the work.
• This is a place for my unfiltered thoughts. Business-me is great, but let’s get into the real-talk side of things.

How I’m Designing This Website

• Platform: Wix – Because I don’t need a headache. It’s easy to use, gives me control, and lets me design the site exactly how I want.
• Color Palette: Black, Red, and Gold – Strong, bold, and high-impact. Black for sleek professionalism, red for energy and passion, and gold to add a touch of sharp confidence. This also helps tie in my Business as it is the colors I designed.
• Typography: Clean, Strong, and No-Nonsense – I like bold, attention-grabbing fonts that make a statement. Expect big headers, clear text, and a layout that makes sense.
• Layout: Minimal but Impactful. There is no clutter or distractions. Just a strong, clean design that puts the focus where it should be—on the message.

What’s Going on This Site?

• Homepage – First impression needs to be bold, direct, and straight to the point. If people don’t get what I’m about in the first five seconds, I’ve done it wrong.
• About Me – Not the cookie-cutter “I’m passionate about helping people” fluff. I want this page to feel real—who I am, what I believe in, and why I do what I do.
• Portfolio – More than just past projects. I want to highlight the people I’ve worked with, the problems we’ve solved, and the wins we’ve had. This isn’t about just homes—it’s about the experience.
• Blog – I’m not here to write the same generic real estate articles you see everywhere. This is where I’ll talk about branding, Business, and the real things people need to know.
• Résumé – More than just a list of my experience. I want this section to show how my real estate and military background shape how I work, how I problem-solve, and how I help people make wise decisions.
• Contact—This is simple, direct, and free of unnecessary forms. It's just a way for people to reach out if they want to connect.

What’s Next?

• Locking down my homepage layout
• Fine-tuning typography and colors
• Starting my first blog post on branding and authenticity

This is just the start. Over the next few weeks, I’ll build this site into something that’s actually me—not just another portfolio but a space that reflects my voice, style, and genuine personality.

More updates coming soon—let’s see where this goes.