Lara and Robert, the owners of Great Bagel & Bakery, approached me to give their outdated website a modern refresh that aligned with their newly updated brand and location design. Their Lexington, KY-based business, cherished by city-savvy regulars, thrives on a strong sense of community. They wanted their website to reflect this welcoming atmosphere, making visitors feel at home while educating them about the importance of whole foods and supporting local businesses.
In addition to creating a site they could easily update and maintain, they aimed to improve their calls-to-action, driving more online orders for food and catering.
the challenge
The previous website lacked the functionality for the owners to make updates, resulting in outdated content. Additionally, not only was the design misaligned with their new branding and in-store aesthetic, the website not mobile responsive.
the process
To ensure the new website aligned with Great Bagel & Bakery’s brand and business goals, I began with a thorough discovery process.
First, I had Laura complete intake forms to provide insight into their business—its history, offerings, mission, vision, and unique selling proposition. I then guided a discussion to uncover why they needed a new website and their top three goals for the redesign. I also asked how they wanted visitors to feel when interacting with their brand and website. Their response: welcome, enlightened, comfortable, and fed.
Next, I conducted industry and audience research, identifying their primary customer base—predominantly women in the Lexington, KY area, aged 20-44, with interests in wellness and an active lifestyle.
With a newly designed logo, brand style guide, and a collection of high-quality food and interior photography from a recent photoshoot, I had a strong foundation to bring their vision to life.
Using Figma and Adobe Photoshop, I crafted the website design through multiple iterations until Laura and Robert approved the final version. I then developed the site in WordPress, utilizing Elementor and Style Kits to establish a scalable, global design system.
the result
The new website features a modern aesthetic with subtle animations that align with their refreshed branding and the updated interior design of their brick-and-mortar shop. Strategic calls-to-action are integrated throughout the site to encourage customers to place online orders. And responsive design ensures the website experience carries over to mobile devices.
