Hi! It’s nice to meet you.
Mercedes Marie Cruz is a senior web designer and design lead, web project manager and automation enthusiast, currently based in Canada.
I’ve been creating and managing websites for over 15 years, and I still get giddy thinking about how my self-taught hobby of building fansites and personal blogs actually turned into a full-time career. Those early days of creating websites with my best friend—complete with Google Ads and affiliate links—feel like a lifetime ago, but they laid the foundation for everything that followed.
I joined a web agency where I eventually became one of the co-founders, learning invaluable lessons in leadership, mentorship, and teamwork.
When I migrated to Canada, I left the corporate life behind and took the leap into freelancing and running my own business. The biggest benefit from this is that I get the opportunity to directly work with business owners and have a better understanding of their business goals. A few years after, I get to publish my first book Web Design Optimization for Non-Techies on Amazon. after I noticed the struggles my clients face in improving their websites using simple to understand steps.
Eleven years later, I continue to provide value, and clients keep coming back. Being a freelancer gave me the flexibility I needed, which then led me to grow and build relationships with clients which gave me the opportunity to learn about automation and technology beyond web design.
Working alongside other web professionals gave me an overview of SEO, marketing, analytics, and more. Initially, AI brought nothing but concern—will it take over everything? But I’ve realized that AI is a tool, not a replacement. Strategy, empathy, and the human element remain essential.
After reflecting on my journey, I’ve identified the core values that drive my work: Authenticity Still Matters (human connection trumps artificial intelligence), We Learn from Everyone (collaboration energizes me), and I Want to Make Web Design Fun Again (the best projects happen when passion meets purpose).
I’m currently taking on new clients and would love to hear about your project. Please include as much information as possible about your goals, timeline, and budget.
Hi! It’s nice to meet you.
Mercedes Marie Cruz is a senior web designer and design lead, web project manager and automation enthusiast, currently based in Canada.
I’ve been creating and managing websites for over 15 years, and I still get giddy thinking about how my self-taught hobby of building fansites and personal blogs actually turned into a full-time career. Those early days of creating websites with my best friend—complete with Google Ads and affiliate links—feel like a lifetime ago, but they laid the foundation for everything that followed.
I joined a web agency where I eventually became one of the co-founders, learning invaluable lessons in leadership, mentorship, and teamwork.
When I migrated to Canada, I left the corporate life behind and took the leap into freelancing and running my own business. The biggest benefit from this is that I get the opportunity to directly work with business owners and have a better understanding of their business goals. A few years after, I get to publish my first book Web Design Optimization for Non-Techies on Amazon. after I noticed the struggles my clients face in improving their websites using simple to understand steps.
Eleven years later, I continue to provide value, and clients keep coming back. Being a freelancer gave me the flexibility I needed, which then led me to grow and build relationships with clients which gave me the opportunity to learn about automation and technology beyond web design.
Working alongside other web professionals gave me an overview of SEO, marketing, analytics, and more. Initially, AI brought nothing but concern—will it take over everything? But I’ve realized that AI is a tool, not a replacement. Strategy, empathy, and the human element remain essential.
After reflecting on my journey, I’ve identified the core values that drive my work: Authenticity Still Matters (human connection trumps artificial intelligence), We Learn from Everyone (collaboration energizes me), and I Want to Make Web Design Fun Again (the best projects happen when passion meets purpose).
I’m currently taking on new clients and would love to hear about your project. Please include as much information as possible about your goals, timeline, and budget.