Van der Borden

A new home

The project entailed a complete redesign of their website, focusing on enhancing the user experience for property buyers, sellers, and renters. The goal was to modernize the website, making it more user-friendly, visually appealing, and responsive across all devices.

Understanding the Client and Their Needs

Van der Borden approached with the need to revamp their existing website, which had become outdated and lacked the functionality necessary to compete in today’s digital landscape. The previous site had several issues: a cluttered interface, confusing navigation, and a lack of mobile optimization. The primary goal was to create a seamless experience for users, whether they were searching for properties, learning about services, or seeking information about the company.

Identifying Key Challenges

The initial website had several shortcomings that needed to be addressed. Navigation was not intuitive, leading to high bounce rates, and the lack of a coherent design language made the site appear disjointed. Research indicated that users struggled to find relevant information quickly, and the site’s mobile experience was subpar, leading to a poor user experience on smaller screens. Key user groups included property buyers, sellers, and potential tenants, all of whom had distinct needs that the new design needed to cater to.

Concept Development and Ideation

The ideation phase focused on simplifying the user journey by restructuring the site’s navigation and introducing a clear visual hierarchy. Wireframes were developed to map out the user flow for different personas, ensuring that key information was easily accessible. The design concepts revolved around a clean, modern aesthetic that aligned with Van der Borden's brand identity. Special attention was given to the mobile experience, ensuring that the site was fully responsive.

Designing the New Experience

Moving from concept to design involved creating a cohesive style guide that encompassed color schemes, typography, and iconography that would be used throughout the site. High-fidelity mockups were created for all major pages, focusing on usability and accessibility. Interactive prototypes were developed and shared with the client for feedback. These prototypes helped to refine the user experience, ensuring that the design met all of the client’s requirements.

A Successful Transformation

The redesigned website was a significant improvement over the previous version, addressing all the initial challenges and meeting the client’s objectives. The new site featured a streamlined navigation system, an aesthetically pleasing design, and full mobile optimization. As a result, user engagement increased, with lower bounce rates and higher conversion rates.