Blue Gum Design and Build Relaunch
Aug 16, 2024
The Client:
In 2008, like many custom builders, Blue Gum Design + Build, under the leadership of Andrew Walton, started by tendering for architectural work. Despite spending countless hours on detailed tenders, success often eluded them due to their unwavering commitment to quality, which meant they were rarely the lowest bid. This architect-driven process left them out of vital client conversations, making tendering an exhausting and impersonal race to the bottom.
A pivotal transformation occurred in 2015 when Blue Gum Design + Build transitioned into a one-stop-shop design + build business. Already renowned for their building expertise, adding design capabilities was game-changing. By stepping away from the relentless tendering process, they gained the precious resource of time.
This newfound time allowed them to focus on deeply understanding their clients, dedicating themselves to designing, costing, and constructing beautiful homes within agreed budgets. This approach ensures exceptional quality and personalized service, making each project a true reflection of their clients' visions and needs.
Despite building a successful business through word of mouth, Blue Gum Design + Build recognized the necessity of attracting more leads from those unfamiliar with their work. Their old website was not generating enough new leads and struggled with low traffic and poor keyword rankings.
To better position themselves in both the local and incoming markets of Tasmania, they needed a robust digital presence. This includes ranking at the top for both architects and custom builders, and appealing to those planning to move and build in Tasmania.
Moreover, they needed to present a compelling image and narrative, showcasing the joyous outcomes they create for their clients, rather than merely stating they deliver homes on time and within budget—something every builder claims.
Andrew opted for a comprehensive plan to address the challenges faced by Blue Gum Design + Build's online presence. The plan included a Smarter Premium Level Website with full custom styling. We began with a Discovery, Strategy & Wireframe Session to align our goals. Custom styling was applied to the Project Builds and Primary Services pages.
Additionally, several modules were integrated to boost the website's features: Google Business Tools, SEO, Online Compliance, and Social Media Integration. To accommodate other out-of-scope requests, Andrew purchased a 5 Hour Time Block.
We began by requesting Andrew to complete our model website brief. This initial step was crucial for us to understand his preferences and requirements comprehensively. The detailed brief enabled us to tailor our approach to align perfectly with Andrew's vision for the new website.
Following this, we organised a comprehensive discovery, strategy, and wireframe session. This in-depth session allowed us to delve into Andrew's aspirations for the site and build a robust blueprint that would guide the design and development process. Andrew was very thorough and hands-on throughout the design phase, ensuring every detail reflected his vision. He also took the initiative to finalise the copy draft, making certain that the content aligned seamlessly with the brand's narrative and goals.
During the website preview meeting, we conducted live edits to guarantee the final product met Andrew's high expectations. This collaborative and strategic approach aims to elevate Blue Gum Design + Build's digital footprint, attract more leads, and present a compelling story that differentiates them from the competition.
Andrew expressed his satisfaction with the final outcome of their new website, stating that he is "very happy with the way things are now." This positive feedback underscores the success of our collaborative efforts to create a digital platform that truly reflects his vision and meets the needs of Blue Gum Design + Build.
Additionally, the new website includes a CRM system, making client communications seamless and further enhancing their ability to manage interactions and provide exceptional service.
The Before and After:
This is how the website displays on a PC
Before:
After:
The Praise:
I can highly recommend Smarter Websites. We weren't after a cookie cutter web site and the whole team at Smarter were very happy to help us achieve exactly what we wanted. Our new site is spot on, our search engine rankings have also increased, and our new CRM will be a very useful tool in converting leads to sales. The whole team are also very knowledgeable about what works and what doesn't. Their ability to explain that to a non tech client was very refreshing. Give these guys a call, you won't be disappointed.
The Package:
Services/Modules Used to Solve the Problem