I’m excited to announce the new iteration of Urban Explorer today! Last fall, the site celebrated its sixth anniversary and I thought it was a fitting time for a fresh new look.
Some of my website redesign goals included giving it a clean, welcoming look and offering better organization for users. This includes an improved mobile experience. I also wanted to feature larger photos and have greater ability to customize the site.
To gain the customization functionality and analytics insight I wanted, I had to move from WordPress.com to a self-hosted site. After speaking with a developer, we agreed that I had enough know-how to move the site myself. You guys, this ended up being a BIG project. It wasn’t a completely smooth transition, but I learned a lot along the way and am proud of the results.
Along with the site refresh, Urban Explorer also got a branding update! The original logo was hand drawn by my very talented sister back in 2010. The new logo was created by Brooklyn-based designer, ceramicist, cat mom, and all around boss Diana Q. I’m thrilled with it!
I hope you’ll find that Urban Explorer is easier to navigate and more visually appealing while still highlighting all the travel, arts, and culture stories you love. We’re still working on some tweaks and would love to hear your feedback at [email protected]. Thank you so much for your support! I’m excited to start the new year with this new site and continue sharing adventures together. – Jessica
Jessica Mlinaric founded Urban Explorer in 2010 to inspire curious travelers by highlighting history, culture, and hidden gems in Chicago and beyond. She is the author of ‘Secret Chicago’ and ‘Chicago Scavenger.’ Jessica has visited 20+ countries and 30+ U.S. states. She has more than 16 years of experience as a marketing strategist and works as a freelance writer and photographer.
