Bundaberg, a charming town known for its rum and the Great Barrier Reef’s southern gateway, has always been my home. I’ve always had a deep love for the place, and when I started my local café, “Aroma & Beans,” I was determined to infuse that Bundaberg charm into everything. But there was a problem—my café’s website.
The Website Woes
It started as a small annoyance. I’d get feedback from customers, mostly positive, but they’d occasionally mention how clunky the website was. “I couldn’t find the menu easily,” one customer told me. “It took forever to load,” said another. I knew I needed to do something about it, but I kept pushing it off.
Then, one Monday morning, I got an email that sent me into a panic. A popular travel blogger, who was passing through Bundaberg, had written a review of my café. But instead of just raving about our coffee, she spent a good chunk of her post criticizing our outdated website. “Aroma & Beans has the best flat white I’ve ever had, but navigating their website feels like being lost in a maze,” she wrote. That was it. I knew I needed a new website, and I needed it fast.
The Search for a Web Designer
With the urgency growing, I started my search for a web designer. I asked around, and a few names popped up, but they were either too expensive or too slow. I needed someone who could jump on this immediately. That’s when I remembered hearing about “Website Design Bundaberg by Roundhouse.” I had seen some of their work around town, and it always looked sharp and professional.
Website Design Bundaberg by Roundhouse
Email: bundaberg@roundhouse.cc
Phone: +61 1300 727 749
Url: https://websitedesignbundaberg.com.au/
B1088/157B Bourbong St
Bundaberg Central, QLD 4670
So, I decided to give them a call. Saul, the owner, picked up. I told him about my predicament—how I needed a website that was not just functional but also reflected the cozy, inviting vibe of my café. Saul listened carefully and assured me that they could help, and, most importantly, they could do it fast.
Meeting with the Designer
A day later, I met with Saul and his lead designer, Emily. They came over to the café to get a feel of the place. Emily was snapping pictures, jotting down notes, and asking all sorts of questions. “What’s the story behind Aroma & Beans? What kind of customers do you attract? What’s the most popular item on your menu?”
At first, I thought, “Why do they need to know all this just to build a website?” But then, as they explained, I began to see the bigger picture. Saul and Emily weren’t just building a website; they were creating an online experience that mirrored the real-life experience of walking into my café.
The Problems Uncovered
As we discussed, a few key issues with my old website became glaringly obvious:
- Navigation Nightmare: The old website had no clear path for visitors. The menu was hidden in a dropdown, and the contact details were buried at the bottom of the page. Saul explained how crucial it was to have a clean, intuitive layout. “People shouldn’t have to think about where to click next,” he said. “It should be obvious.”
- Slow Loading Times: Saul ran a quick test and showed me how slow the old site was. Apparently, large images and outdated code were causing the delays. Emily suggested optimizing the images and using a better hosting service to speed things up.
- Lack of Mobile Optimization: A lot of my customers browse on their phones, but my old website wasn’t mobile-friendly. Saul emphasized how important it is to have a responsive design, especially now that most people are on their phones. “A bad mobile experience can lose you customers,” he warned.
- No Social Media Integration: I was active on Instagram, but there was no way for visitors to see that on the website. Emily suggested adding an Instagram feed and social media buttons to make it easier for customers to follow and engage with us.
- Outdated Design: The old site had a very basic design that didn’t reflect the atmosphere of the café. Saul and Emily proposed a new design that incorporated the warm colors, rustic textures, and cozy feel of Aroma & Beans. They even suggested adding a virtual tour feature, so people could get a feel of the café before visiting.
The Redesign Process
Once we agreed on the direction, the team got to work. Saul kept me in the loop throughout the process. He’d send over wireframes and design drafts, and we’d have quick feedback sessions. I appreciated how flexible and responsive they were.
During the redesign, I learned a lot:
- Content is Key: Saul stressed the importance of having good content. It wasn’t just about pretty pictures; the text needed to tell the café’s story. We worked on rewriting the menu descriptions, adding a bit of history about the café, and even including customer testimonials.
- SEO Basics: I knew nothing about SEO, but Saul gave me a crash course. He explained how small tweaks like keyword placement, alt text for images, and even the structure of my URLs could help Aroma & Beans show up higher in search results.
- Importance of Analytics: Saul set up Google Analytics for me and showed me how to use it. Now, I could see how people were finding my site, which pages they spent the most time on, and where they were dropping off. It was like having a window into my customers’ minds.
The Launch
Finally, the day of the launch arrived. The new website went live, and the difference was night and day. It was sleek, fast, and most importantly, it captured the essence of Aroma & Beans. Customers started mentioning it almost immediately. “I love the new website!” one regular told me. “It’s so easy to find everything.”
The travel blogger who had criticized the old site even updated her post, praising the new design. I could almost feel the relief wash over me. The café’s online presence finally matched the quality of our coffee, and that was thanks to Saul and his team at Website Design Bundaberg.
The Aftermath
Since the redesign, business has picked up. More people are discovering the café online, and I’m getting more orders through our website. I also feel more confident about the future, knowing I have a website that can grow with my business.And if I ever need anything else—whether it’s updating the site or adding new features—I know who to call. Saul and his team at Roundhouse have earned my trust. They’re not just web designers; they’re partners in my business, helping me tell the story of Aroma & Beans to the world.