We were lucky to catch up with Ingrid Dietrich recently and have shared our conversation below.

Ingrid , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today To kick things off, we’d love to hear about things you or your brand do that diverge from the industry standard

My name is Ingrid Dietrich. I am a Wix Expert, UX/Visual Designer and photographer based in Los Angeles, California and I am the owner of Ape and Droid Studios.
Ape and Droid Studios is a boutique design studio specializing in personalized, one-on-one customer service for small to medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations. Since 2010, we’ve built a reputation for creating unique, user-centered designs that bring brands to life, from logo creation to marketing materials and final web design.

As a user experience and visual designer, I prioritize understanding each client’s unique needs, offering a comprehensive service that ensures every aspect—from brand colors to website design—is seamless and impactful. Leveraging the user-friendly Wix platform, I provide clients with the knowledge and confidence to manage and update their websites with ease. Since 2018, I have been a Wix Marketplace Partner at the Legend Level.

My competitive pricing structure allows me to offer top-quality services to businesses of all sizes. For non-profits, I offer discounted hourly rates as a way to give back to the community, ensuring they have access to the tools and designs they need to succeed.

With over 70 highly satisfied clients, My business is committed to producing results that not only look visually appealing but also align seamlessly with my client’s business objectives.

In addition to my competitive pricing, several key practices set me apart and demonstrate how I’ve refined my services to better meet client needs:

Exclusive U.S. Clientele: I focus solely on working with clients within the U.S., which allows me to maintain better availability and avoid the challenges of dealing with significant time zone differences. Many clients have chosen to work with me after struggling with designers located overseas, who were difficult to reach. Recognizing this gap in the market, I decided to make this my niche.

Client Empowerment: I ensure that my clients have full control over their assets, including logins and passwords. Several clients have shared past frustrations of being unable to access their website credentials due to unresponsive designers. By prioritizing transparency and access, I give my clients the tools they need to manage their digital presence independently.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

I began my design journey in 2009 as a photographer, with my work being recognized by National Geographic, where I was published three times. I was also a semifinalist in National Geographic’s “Create It” photography contest and won two categories in NaturePBS’s “Fan Favorite Photo Awards.” As I photographed products for businesses, I quickly identified a growing need for professional graphic and website design, which led me to pursue design education in 2011.

Over the years, I have gained multiple specializations, including a Certificate in Photography from Otis College of Art and Design, a Certificate in Visual Design from General Assembly, and a Graphic Design Specialization from CALARTS. I also earned a Certificate in User Innovation from MIT, studied Typography at TypeEd, and expanded my expertise in User Experience Design, Website Design, and Human-Centered Design.

To further refine my skills, I acquired several Wix certifications: Wix Webmaster (2017), Wix Certified Trainer (2017), and Wix Certified Accessibility Specialist (2023). These qualifications have allowed me to offer comprehensive design solutions tailored to the unique needs of businesses.

I’m proud to have showcased my work in over 33 art exhibitions across Los Angeles and to have received a Certificate of Congressional Recognition for my curatorial contributions to the city’s art scene. However, what I value most is the ability to bring these diverse experiences and insights into my design practice, allowing me to consistently deliver high-quality work that benefits my clients.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

These are my main strategies:

1. Word of Mouth: Delivering high-quality work, providing excellent customer service, offering competitive pricing, and completing projects with quick turnarounds naturally lead to strong client recommendations.

2. SEO Success: After years of consistent effort, my organic SEO strategy is paying off. Clients now find me on Google by searching for “Wix Expert in Los Angeles.” Achieving first-page Google rankings without paid ads takes time and dedication, but the results are worth it. I also help my clients jumpstart their SEO efforts, ensuring their businesses get the visibility they deserve.

3. Referral Discounts: I offer a special discount to clients who refer me to others when their recommendation leads to a new project. As a thank-you, I provide them with a coupon that can be applied to their next website maintenance task or graphic design project.

4. Website Maintenance, Social Media, and Blogging Plans. My clients can subscribe plans that meet their needs. My plans may include: store updates, booking updates, updates and changes to the copy, photo/video galleries, website/business settings and much more. My clients can subscribe to weekly or monthly plans. This creates consistency and loyalty.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

These are the main ways I keep in touch with my clients and engage with them:

1. Blog Subscriptions Tailored to my Client’s Interests: I offer a free blog subscription that provides content specifically curated to align with my clients’ interests.

2. Personalized Check-Ins: I stay connected through occasional calls, emails, or texts to keep the communication open and ensure my clients feel supported.

3. Email Campaigns: I send out targeted email campaigns featuring new services, special deals, and updates to keep clients informed about fresh opportunities.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ingriddietrich.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ingriddietrich/
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/apeanddroid
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ingriddietrich/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ingrid-dietrich