Coaching & creative services in one place

You can build a great business and stay sane doing it. Get the design, words, and strategy your small business needs in one stress-free experience.

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Web Designer | Copywriter | Strategist | Author

Part coach. Part creative.

Hi, I’m Heidi Zwart, founder of StoryMatters.

A decades-long entrepreneur, I spent hundreds of hours figuring out web design on my own. It was frustrating.

So, I created StoryMatters for small business owners like you to get web design, words, and strategy that work together to grow your business. It’s the smoothest path to a great website.

With a Master’s in Counseling and a background in coaching, I understand people at a deep level. I don't just “make websites.” I hear themes and patterns in your story others might miss. In the end, you get a website that looks and sounds like you.

It’s a fast, fun, and highly relational experience.

I invite you to experience a hassle free way to build a strong business and reputation with design, messaging, and strategy that work together like they should.

schedule free call →
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How StoryMatters makes web design as easy as it should be.

Problem solving is in our DNA.

We know how frustrating it is to need a website and feel overwhelmed by decisions.
StoryMatters is a smoother way to get a website that perfectly represents you without the stress. 

Here are our foundational beliefs… and how they help you.

Web design shouldn’t be so complicated.

You get better design, messaging, & strategy when one person does it all.

Web design shouldn’t be so expensive.

You can get a professional website at a fair price.

Web design shouldn’t take so long.

You can get a website from start to finish in as little as one week.

Why Small Business Owners Choose StoryMatters

Hear how easy it’s been for small business owners to work with us.

“From start to finish Heidi put me at ease working through what can be a bit overwhelming when just starting a business. It really encompassed who I am at my core.  She not only created a beautiful, functional, and personal logo and website for me but inspired and encouraged me along the way.”

— Lindsey Book | Lindsey Book Real Estate

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Why work with a person instead of relying on AI?

Your small business is personal and your brand should be, too. Why settle for sounding like everyone else?

An experienced coach and creative uncovers your:

  • Story and strengths, and makes it feel like you

  • Authentic voice, and infuses it with your personality

  • Client’s struggles, and brings years of professional insight

  • Expertise, and blends it with empathy

  • Custom look, and makes it feel fresh

Your work and reputation is much too important to leave in the hands of AI. Say goodbye to generic copy and design with a website that looks and sounds exactly like you.

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We’re BIG fans of small businesses

  • Christa Foss Real Estate Homepage Design & Copy

    Christa Foss Real Estate

  • Affinity Tax Website Design Package

    Affinity Tax

  • Covey Events

  • Lindsey Book Real Estate

  • Overflow Enneagram Coaching's homepage featuring custom design and copy

    Overflow Enneagram

  • Foss Media

  • Laurie Healy

  • Track, a financial advisors, website design and Storybranded copy

    Track

  • Citizens Against Sex Trafficking (C.A.S.T) a mission oriented nonprofit's website design and copy editing

    Citizens Against Sex Trafficking (C.A.S.T)

  • Covered with Christ, a Christian nonprofit, website design and Storybranded copy

    Covered with Christ

  • Landing page for Kristen Blake Wellness Heal from Within program

    Kristen Blake Wellness

  • The Reteat Space, a mission-driven retreat space, website design and Storybrand copy

    The Retreat Space

  • Cashability

  • Intero Tax

  • Wendy Woodbury Homes

  • Kyle Zwart Media

FAQ’s about working with StoryMatters

  • We work with small business service providers — not e-commerce or large-scale businesses.

    Some of our best fit clients are:

    • Realtors

    • Financial professionals

    • Creatives

    • Home service providers

    • Coaches & consultants

    If you’re a relationship-driven small business owner that who loves to serve people, let’s talk!

  • 1 - 4 page websites are perfect if you are primarily a word of mouth or referral business. These kind of sites are a good fit for:

    • Realtors

    • Photographers & Videographers

    • Musicians

    • Financial professionals

    • Home service pros

    If you need or want advanced SEO, we may not be the right fit.

  • Absolutely! We’ve designed dozens of sites for happy clients in a single day.

    Here’s how it works:

    Useour simple Prep Guide to provide info and gather text, photos, and preferences about your design.

    Then, we meet for a 60-90 minute Review + Copy Session to capture your website copy.

    Your Design Day includes 3 meetings about 45 minutes each, with live edits.

    Typical Schedule (shorter for 1-page sites):

    • 9am: Review your homepage and set the direction of interior pages

    • 12pm: Review progress and edits

    • 3pm: Final edits and site handoff

    Your site is ready to launch when you are!

  • With 30 years of coaching experience, I quickly capture the essence of your brand and turn your words into clear, concise copy. Discover our website copywriting packages and how we craft compelling content that resonates with your audience.

    If you’re not familiar with StoryBrand, that’s okay. We guide you through it in our call!

  • The visual design is beautiful and it’s easy for you to make edits once your build is complete.

    If you have a site on another platform or on an older version of Squarespace, we’d be happy to upgrade, refresh, or redesign your site from scratch.

    See which of our perfectly-sized website packages is a fit for your business.

  • StoryBrand is proven marketing framework developed by Donald Miller that helps businesses clarify their message by using principles of storytelling to connect with their audience.

    The core idea is to position the customer as the hero of a story and the business as their guide. StoryBrand aims to simplify and clarify a company’s messaging, so people immediately understand how the business can solve their problems and improve their lives.

    Here are the seven key steps in the StoryBrand framework:

    1. A Character – The story begins with a hero, who is the customer, not the brand. This step defines the target customer and clarifies what they want or need.

    2. Has a Problem – Every hero faces a challenge or problem. StoryBrand categorizes these into external (practical), internal (emotional), and philosophical (value-driven) problems that the brand’s product or service addresses.

    3. Meets a Guide – In this narrative, the business becomes the guide who understands the customer’s problem and can help them succeed. The guide demonstrates empathy and authority to build trust with the hero.

    4. Who Gives Them a Plan – The guide offers a clear, simple plan to help the hero achieve their goal or overcome the problem. This could be a step-by-step process, a checklist, or a road map.

    5. Calls Them to Action – This involves motivating the hero to take the next step, which could be purchasing a product, scheduling a call, or signing up for a newsletter. A strong call to action is critical for guiding customers forward.

    6. Helps Them Avoid Failure – StoryBrand emphasizes the stakes by clarifying what negative outcomes the customer can avoid by using the product or service, underscoring the consequences of inaction.

    7. Ends in Success – Finally, the story concludes with a clear picture of the success the customer will experience if they choose to engage with the brand. This helps customers envision how the product or service will improve their lives.

  • Yes! Don’t let budget concerns stop you from reaching out—we’re here to help. Contact us to discuss how we can create a stunning website for your nonprofit or ministry.

  • StoryMatters is based in the Twin Cities of Minnesota, but we work with clients across the country. Get started with a free consultation to see how we can help your business thrive online, no matter where you’re located. Skol! 🏈

Web design as easy as it should be.

Experience a stress free way to get design, copywriting, & story-driven strategy that work together to grow your small business.

schedule free call →