Web Design for Hotels: A Case Study Review

The Client 

Westville Hotel is a 4-star boutique hotel located in Enniskillen, a charming town in the idyllic County Fermanagh. The hotel offers a choice of rooms or apartments, and welcomes guests into a pleasant and comfortable stay. It’s ideal for both business travellers and tourists seeking a comfortable and luxurious experience in Enniskillen. 

The Challenge

In order to enhance the digital performance and online reputation of Westville Hotel, we set several objectives, based on their frustrations and future goals.

Create an Accessible Website

The client’s website was previously inaccessible for internal updates. This limitation made it impossible for the hotel staff to update content or make necessary changes independently, forcing them to rely heavily on third-party services. Such dependence not only slowed down the process of keeping the website current but also added extra costs and complications for the hotel.

Security Vulnerability

Another concern was the security vulnerability presented by the old theme of the website. The outdated theme not only posed risks of potential security breaches but also lacked the capability for essential backups. 

In the hotel industry, where customer data security is paramount, this poses a substantial risk to both the hotel’s reputation and the safety of storing guest information.

Need for a Refresh

The visual appeal and user experience of the hotel’s website were also severely lacking. The outdated theme did not represent the hotel’s brand effectively and was not inviting to potential guests. A clear, intuitive navigation was absent, making it difficult for users to find the information they needed. 

These challenges highlighted the need for a comprehensive overhaul of the website, focusing on accessibility, security, and a refreshed, user-centric design to align with the standards expected in the hospitality industry.

Our Approach 

In addressing the challenges faced by the hotel’s website, our approach was multifaceted and aimed at enhancing performance, user experience, and security, while also empowering the client with the ability to manage their website more effectively.

Updated Website Theme

The first step in our strategy was to update the website’s theme. This was a crucial move as no further optimisation could be effectively implemented without this foundational change. The new theme was selected and customised to significantly improve the website’s performance, enhance user experience, and bolster security measures.

To add a unique and engaging touch, especially during festive seasons, we incorporated seasonal features such as falling snowflakes. This not only improved the visual appeal of the website but also created a more immersive experience for users, reflecting the hotel’s attention to detail and hospitality.

Intuitive Layout

With the updated theme in place, we focused on creating an intuitive layout for the website. This involved redesigning the structure to ensure that information was easily accessible and navigation was straightforward. A well-thought-out layout is key to retaining visitors and converting them into guests, as it allows them to find what they need with minimal effort.

Header and Footer Update

We revamped the website’s header and footer, ensuring that these crucial elements were both aesthetically pleasing and functional. The updated header and footer included essential links, contact information, and quick access to key pages, improving the overall navigational experience of the website.

Custom ‘Blocks’ for Easy Updates

To give the client greater control and flexibility over their website, we implemented custom ‘blocks’. These blocks allowed the hotel staff to easily update and edit various parts of their website, such as the Rooms page, Wine and Dine page, Explore page, etc. 

The ability to create or delete these blocks as needed provided the client with a simple yet powerful tool to keep their website current and dynamic.

Training Resources

Understanding the importance of client autonomy in website management, we provided the hotel with comprehensive training resources. These resources were designed to help them learn how to easily edit, update, and add new content to the website, including blog posts to sustain their SEO efforts. 

By equipping the client with these skills, we ensured that they could maintain the effectiveness of their website long-term without being overly reliant on external support.

Our approach was tailored to not only address the immediate needs of the hotel’s website but also to empower the client for future website management, ensuring a sustainable and secure online presence.