AHL Web Design

Atlantic Home Loans, a mid-sized home loan company with about 200 employees, aimed to refresh its online presence to appeal to the emerging millennial home buyer demographic. The project involved designing and developing new websites for the parent company and its child entities, ensuring a cohesive and modern online experience.

Role / Contribution

Front End Web Developer

Company

Atlantic Home Loans

Programs Used

Wordpress, Photoshop, Adobe XD, Divi

01.

Goal

The primary goal was to update Atlantic Home Loans’ web presence to better appeal to millennials. The project was prompted by a rebranding effort and the need to create separate websites for new child entities under the Atlantic Home Loans umbrella. Key challenges included launching the websites in a timely manner with minimal issues and ensuring they adhered to the new brand guidelines while still being user-friendly and appealing.

02.

Process

After receiving the initial briefing, I envisioned a web design strategy focused on simplicity, ease of navigation, and a visually appealing aesthetic that would resonate with millennials. The design process included several stages:

  • Research: We conducted thorough research on design trends that appealed to our target audience and performed A/B testing to gauge user preferences. This research significantly influenced our design choices and overall approach.
  • Mockups: Initial mockups were created using Adobe Experience Design, ensuring that the visual elements and user interface were both modern and intuitive.
  • Front End Build Out: Using Photoshop for design elements and WordPress, HTML, and CSS for development, we began building out the front end of the websites.
  • Iteration and Testing: Each feature was rigorously tested and iterated upon to ensure functionality and user experience were optimal.
  • Website Launch and Maintenance: The final step involved launching the websites and providing ongoing maintenance to address any issues that arose post-launch.

One particularly innovative technique we employed was dynamic navigation that adjusted based on the user’s entry point to the site. For example, if a customer received a link from a salesperson, all call-to-action buttons would direct the user back to that specific salesperson. If a user entered the site through a general search or directly, they were assigned to a sales team member dynamically.

03.

Results

The web design project was a significant success for Atlantic Home Loans. The new websites not only established a stronger online presence but also allowed for dynamic content targeting, providing a more personalized user experience. Additionally, the introduction of an all-Spanish sub-site expanded the company’s reach to a Spanish-speaking demographic, further widening their market.

The feedback from both the sales team and customers was overwhelmingly positive, and the new sites played a crucial role in enhancing Atlantic Home Loans’ digital footprint and marketability. Overall, the project achieved its goals and contributed to the company’s ongoing growth and success.