---
title: About
date: 2024-04-18T17:13:00-07:00
author: Ben Seigel
canonical_url: "https://versastudio.com/about"
section: Versa
---
# About

 

 ![](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/benMuseum2.jpg?v=1721947379)I'm a big fan of **website planning**, so much that I've written an [entire book](https://versastudio.com/book) about it, published by [Smashing Magazine](https://www.smashingmagazine.com/2018/02/comprehensive-website-planning-guide-part1/).

Whatever you're building, it's important to:

- Plan
- Design
- Build

In that order. If you skip step #1, you can imagine how your project will turn out.

[Check out work examples](https://versastudio.com/portfolio)

## Dedicated volunteer for nonprofits

My experience includes dozens of pro bono consults for nonprofit organizations via Catchafire, a brilliant platform which connects volunteers with organizations in need, as well as providing technical and marketing advice to [Music Portland](https://musicportland.org) and graphic design and marketing for the [Boise Neighborhood Association](https://bnapdx.com).

  ![Meara McLaughlin](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/mearaMcLaughlin.jpg?v=1722316380)  

### Community and nonprofit supporter

Ben has been proactive in supporting MusicPortland's efforts to sustain and grow our city's robust music scene. He has reviewed sites for accuracy, shared great marketing ideas, and helped us troubleshoot and fine tune our membership directory. I'm happy to recommend him for any prospective web project.

 - Meara McLaughlin · Frmr. Director, MusicPortland 

## Organizations I've supported

 ![Music Portland](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/musicPortland.png?v=1721945093) 

## Music Portland

Portland, Oregon

 

 

 ![Boise Neighborhood Association](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/BNA-logo.png?v=1721945197) 

## Boise Neighborhood Association

Portland, Oregon

 

 

 ![Hope House](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/HopeHouseLogoVertical.png?v=1721944726) 

## Hope House

Baraboo, WI

 

 

 ![Artportunity Knocks](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/artportunity.png?v=1721944326) 

## Artportunity Knocks

Atlanta, Georgia

 

 

 ![Pine Lake Fund](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/Pine-Lake-Fund-1981-Transparent.png?v=1721944346) 

## Pine Lake Fund

Plainwell, Michigan

 

 

 ![Trashmob](https://versastudio.com/assets/versa/trashMob.png?v=1721944361) 

## Trashmob

Washington State

 

 

 

  
[View the portfolio now](https://versastudio.com/portfolio)

## A little philosophy

Technology changes, but the fundamentals of communication don't. Many organizations, business owners and other folks promoting their mission, goods, or services have shifted much of their attention to social media, because these platforms are ubiquitous, and people spend a lot of time there.

While there is value in engaging with customers, constituents, volunteers, colleagues, etc. on social media, for most efforts, nothing replaces an easy to use, modern, up-to-date website.

Unlike social media, your website is a communications medium **you control**. When people visit your website, you can ensure they see the content that is relevant to their needs, uncluttered by ads, hashtags, autoplay video, and a thousand other messages competing for their attention.

Your website should serve as your **Single Source of Truth** for information you present.

Want to learn more? [Get in touch](mailto:bas@versastudio.com).