EyJ Handyman Website

I worked with a freelance handyman to create a brand, social media, and website. I conducted research from local handyman websites to see what theme other handyman websites have as a way to help maintain consistency. With the goal to attract more business, straying from a known template is not recommended, as well as working outside my comfort zone. With the research, I used my skills to also create a more social media presence - the client’s existing social media was presently unprofessional and had their personal life combined with his business which pulls the focus away from the presentation of the client’s business goals. Using GoogleSites I created the website upon the client’s request, the client was wary about paying for a domain and we agreed to use a well-known easy to edit and use web builder. 

Client: Freelance Handyman 

Project Goals: Create a professional brand, social media presence, and website to attract more business.

When figuring out what the website needed I needed to think about multiple things. 

Who is the audience? Can the owner of the business (my client) be able to update and add to the website as needed? How can I make it stand out without changing the current audience’s expectations?

I researched the different handyman websites found around the Austin area (as that’s where my client resides and works). I found the websites to be outdated and follow more of a mid-2000s trend. I took from the websites similar paths. With a general idea about what shape the website should take, I had my client send me a couple of pictures of ‘before and after’ so I could show off the content that they are able to produce in a much slimmer manner than other handyman websites. The audiences for Handyman websites tend to be those who are remodeling or recently moved - so the age range was from 20-50, and who live in Austin. 

Design Process

Audience Research: Identified the target audience as homeowners aged 20-50 in Austin.

Competitive Analysis: Analyzed existing handyman websites to identify common trends and best practices.

Branding: Developed a consistent brand identity, including a mascot and color palette.

Content Creation: Curated high-quality content showcasing the client's work and expertise.

I made a couple of drafts for the handyman website. I originally had multiple subpages, an about us page, a page for the contact information. Overall the website felt clunky and outdated - very similar to the other handyman websites. I decided to go with a google forum for requests for appointments so that way the client has an easy way to organize the information as appointment requests come in. Since it was also apart of the google suite it was able to be easily integrated into the actual website.

Design Elements

One-Page Layout: Streamlined navigation for easy access to information.

Mascot: Created a friendly and memorable visual representation of the business.

Project Showcase: Featured images and descriptions of completed projects.

Contact Form: Integrated a Google Forms contact form for easy appointment requests.

Social Media Integration: Linked to the client's Instagram and TikTok accounts.

The main challenge throughout this project was the language barrier. Having to do business through a colleague who translated the client’s requests made it difficult to reach an understanding on the client's side. My solution was to create a rough draft version of the website so they could see what they were agreeing to - and after a couple more sessions were able to come to an agreement upon the creation of their website.

Another big point of discussion was if we should be using a different web builder other than google. My client admitted to not being very ‘tech savvy’ and with that the ability to maintain a website was proven to already be a difficult task. GoogleSites is known for their easy accessibility for not just the consumer but the user as well.

Challenges:

Language Barrier: Communicating with the client through a translator.

Technical Expertise: The client's limited knowledge of website management.

Solutions:

Visual Demonstration: Created a draft website to clarify design concepts.

User-Friendly Platform: Selected Google Sites for its ease of use and accessibility.

I decided to do a one page website complete with a mascot. It has multiple projects displayed as well as instant access to the forum to request an appointment alongside contact information. As you continue to scroll down you will also see quick links to the different social medias (instagram and tik tok) to see progress on current projects. This allowed the consumer for ease of access of quickly learning what type of work the Client is able to do and to easily find means of contact.

Results

Professional Brand: Established a strong and consistent brand identity.

Enhanced Online Presence: Created a visually appealing and user-friendly website.

Improved Accessibility: Provided a platform for easy communication and appointment scheduling.

Increased Visibility: Promoted the business through social media integration.

By effectively overcoming language barriers through visual aids and clear communication, I was able to prioritize a user-centric design that catered to both the client's needs and their customers. Leveraging the power of Google Sites, I created a website that was not only easy to manage but also maintained a consistent brand identity across all platforms, ensuring a cohesive and professional online presence.

Key Take Aways: 

User-Centric Design: Prioritizing a user-friendly experience for both the client and their customers.

Leveraging Technology: Utilizing Google Sites for easy website management and integration.

Consistent Branding: Maintaining a cohesive brand identity across all platforms.