We embarked on a project to redesign and develop a new website for Ocean Exmouth, a dining, bowling, and soft play venue, replacing their outdated site. The goal was to give Ocean greater control over their content and effectively cross-promote activities.
Approach and methodology
The new website aimed to increase Ocean's customer base by encouraging families to engage in multiple activities and fostering repeat visits.
We started by scoping the project to clarify all objectives and requirements through workshops and data reviews. Adopting a user-centred design approach, we involved end-users early through rapid prototyping and interactive wireframes. This method allowed us to refine the user experience, reduce risks, and produce a superior final product. User testing was conducted using Lyssna for remote testing against static wireframes and visuals.
Interactive prototypes for each template were created to agree on content hierarchy, confirm functionality, and enhance user experience. Visual design was integrated into the wireframe prototypes, ensuring consistency across various devices and screen sizes.
Development and integration
The new website was built on WordPress, selected for its flexibility, scalability, and cost-effectiveness. Gutenberg blocks provided a library of prebuilt elements that could be freely configured and rearranged on the page. Existing third-party services for booking (Mentor for bowling, BookWhen for soft play, and OpenTable for dining) were retained, with visual updates to align them with the main site. We streamlined the booking process within the parameters of these third-party systems, enhancing the user journey through improved signposting and enhancements.
The new website has significantly improved Ocean’s online presence, providing a robust, user-friendly platform that enhances operational efficiency and customer engagement. By focusing on user experience and seamless integration, the new site has become a vital tool in promoting Ocean’s activities and ensuring customer satisfaction.
