obelisk agency
What is it?
Website design for an apolitical boutique design agency.
Duration
3 weeks
Client
Obelisk Agency
Role
Visual design, research and analysis, server setup, development, marketing
This project was born at Obelisk Agency, a venture I created with my partner, Silvia. Together, we joined forces under the Obelisk name to offer high-quality services as a collaborative team.
We built the website with two things in mind: capturing the essence of our brand online and creating a portfolio that future clients could easily browse to understand our expertise and services.
The Challenge
We weren't just building a website; we were creating a digital handshake, one that embodies our brand and answers the unspoken questions every potential client has. It's not just about showing off, it's about building trust. And hey, if after checking us out they realize we're not the perfect fit, that's totally cool! We respect your time as much as we value ours.
Research & Analysis
In examining different agency websites, a distinct pattern became evident: larger agencies prioritize displaying their visuals based on their well-established reputation, whereas smaller agencies highlight their identity and approach to gain recognition. For Obelisk's website, achieving the right equilibrium between showcasing projects and presenting the company professionally without seeming egotistical posed an interesting challenge
Information Architecture (IA)
When developing the website, the aim was to attain extreme simplicity without losing engagement, highlighting crucial information while steering clear of a dull experience. The choice to exclude a header call-to-action was made because individuals tend to scroll while discovering new brands, enabling visitors to create an initial impression and determine whether to reach out based on that link. Navigation is subtly integrated into a tidy, full-screen burger menu, similar to mobile sites, preserving a neat and aesthetically pleasing landing page. Furthermore, the website provides exploration via scrolling segments that direct users to comprehensive "Read more" pages. Interestingly, the inspiration comes from visual design, encouraging the individual to skip wireframes and immerse themselves in the visual approach
Visual Design
The visual design effortlessly amplifies the brand, reflecting its fundamental values in every pixel. Visualize a refined Japanese garden - deep, natural hues inspire calmness, while neat fonts ensure smooth navigation. Every action, ranging from delicate animations to fluid page transitions, is crafted to enchant and direct your adventure, flawlessly integrating the website into a cohesive and engaging experience
Implementation
We chose WordPress for our website because it offers unmatched flexibility, customization, and affordability, while remaining secure and reliable. Its open-source nature and extensive community support make it easy to manage, even for beginners. By hosting it on a private server, I ensure smooth operations alongside other tools. Packed with features, WordPress powers nearly half of all websites globally, making it a proven choice for speed, security, and simplicity.
Takeaways
Developing successful landing pages requires a strategic method that extends beyond just technical details, emphasizing the creation of an inviting and user-friendly experience.
Know Your Audience: Start by relating to your perfect visitor. Reflect on their experiences, inquiries, and challenges. This insight aids in establishing a straightforward and instinctive route to conversion.
Emphasize Distinct Value Proposition: Determine what sets your offer apart and communicate it clearly without using complex language. Make sure the value offering directly responds to the needs and wants of the visitor.
Utilize Quality Visuals: Include professional photographs and graphics to improve appeal and credibility. An effectively crafted layout is aesthetically pleasing and enhances user experience by facilitating easy navigation of the page.
Test and Modify: Constantly try out various components, collect input, and refine based on information. This ongoing process guarantees that the landing page stays relevant and connects with your audience as time progresses.
Balance Clutter and Messaging: Start with a primary message to prevent overwhelming your visitors. Slowly incorporate additional elements as required, ensuring clarity and simplicity are preserved.
Utilize Tools and Resources: Take advantage of design services such as Ahrefs or Hotjar for assessment and testing, and think about employing website builders such as Squarespace or Wix for crafting visually appealing landing pages. Although professional designers can improve your page, you can also make impactful pages with the appropriate tools and education.
Study Effective Models: Examine successful landing pages to extract valuable lessons on what performs effectively. This hands-on analysis can offer important insights that can be applied to your own initiatives.
By emphasizing these steps, you can develop a landing page that not only adheres to technical requirements but also engages your audience profoundly, encouraging desired actions and building trust
Results
The encouraging responses from our colleagues were truly inspiring! We're considering their feedback seriously and have started examining visitor data to pinpoint areas that need enhancement. Moreover, we will be proactively pursuing additional feedback to ensure the website provides an outstanding user experience