Christian Non-Profit Website Design for The SpeakUp Conference

Project Highlights

Design

The SpeakUp Conference redesign was an exciting challenge — to transform a large, complex website into a fast, organized, and inspiring digital home for Christian writers and speakers. The original site had grown over the years to include dozens of pages and event details, making it slow to navigate and difficult to maintain.

We focused on creating a light, bright, and engaging design that captures the spirit of the conference while dramatically improving usability. The refreshed layout not only reflects the professionalism of the SpeakUp team but also provides a smoother path for attendees to register, explore sessions, and connect with mentors.

Theme / Page Builder

The site was rebuilt using the Kadence Theme and Kadence Blocks Pro, a combination that allowed us to deliver both speed and flexibility. This move eliminated bloat, reduced load times, and simplified the backend so their team can easily update content in the future.

We also integrated dynamic schedule pages, faculty profiles, and a streamlined registration process, all while keeping the design cohesive and consistent with their brand mission.

About SpeakUp Conference

Founded by Carol Kent, the SpeakUp Conference is a premier Christian writers and speakers event dedicated to helping communicators sharpen their message, expand their ministry, and connect with others who share their calling.

Hosted annually, the conference serves hundreds of attendees with workshops, keynote sessions, and one-on-one coaching. Its heart-centered mission and faith-based values shine through — and the new website now matches that mission visually and functionally.

Before the redesign, the site was heavily content-driven but slow, outdated, and difficult to navigate. With the new structure, the SpeakUp team can easily guide visitors to what they need most — whether that’s registration, resources, or faculty introductions.

Initial Challenges

When the team reached out, they had clear goals for the redesign:

• The website had become huge and slow, making updates difficult.
• Visitors struggled to find the right information quickly.
• The backend was overly complex, requiring technical help for small changes.
• The conference brand deserved a fresher, more uplifting look that aligned with its mission.

“Our website was huge and slow in navigation. We knew it was time to invest in something that would be faster and easier to navigate.”

Deciding To Hire DIY Dream Site

The SpeakUp team discovered Katy through a trusted referral — and that personal connection made all the difference.

“Katy came highly recommended from a trusted friend, and she did not disappoint. The wonderful recommendation from a trusted friend was enough to make the decision.”

What Rachel Loves Most About The New Site

“I love the brighter, lighter feel to the whole website. I like the ease of finding things, and the simplified manner in making any changes on the back end.”

The new design offers both beauty and practicality. From mobile users browsing session schedules to administrators updating faculty lists, every detail was optimized for clarity and efficiency.

Transformation In Their Organization

“The response to the new website has been great, and I hope people find it simpler to navigate. We expect to sell out this year.”

The redesign improved not only the user experience but also organizational momentum. Faster performance and simpler workflows have freed up their team’s time to focus on ministry rather than maintenance.

Favorite Part Of Working Together

“Katy was always quick to respond to any questions or concerns. She was easy to work with, and always came up with great ideas and work-arounds for problem areas.”

Katy’s mix of technical expertise and collaborative problem-solving helped turn a complex rebuild into a streamlined, enjoyable process.

What Surprised Them Most

“I enjoyed Katy as a person, and I now count her as a friend.”

That personal connection and care for her clients is what makes the DIY Dream Site experience unique — a partnership rooted in trust, communication, and shared success.

Final Thoughts From Rachel

“The slowness of our old website was driving me crazy! I’m loving the ease of movement and the ease of updating the back end of the new website.”

“Excellent value. Katy gives high value for the investment.”

“If you’re on the fence, just do it. You won’t regret it.”

The SpeakUp Conference website is now fast, visually inviting, and built to grow — empowering the team to continue equipping Christian communicators for years to come.