The Exterior Living Company

The Exterior Living Company designs and builds custom decks, sunrooms, porches, and patios. When they approached Chek Creative, their goal was clear: they needed a website that reflected the quality of their services, showcased their portfolio visually, and performed exceptionally across devices.

Building a website for ELC wasn’t just about creating an online presence for the new business—it was about creating a digital showroom that could convert browsers into happy homeowners. Using Webflow, we built a custom solution that balanced aesthetics, speed, and usability—ensuring The Exterior Living Company could manage and update content seamlessly without active developer involvement.

Managing Media-Heavy Content without Compromising Speed

The project presented several key challenges:

1. Performance vs. Visuals: Large, high-quality images of outdoor spaces were essential for engaging potential clients. However, handling these visuals without slowing down the site posed a significant challenge.
2. Content Flexibility: The team needed an easy way to update the portfolio and highlight seasonal services or promotions. A rigid backend could limit their ability to evolve over time.
3. SEO & Mobile Optimization: The site needed to rank well locally and deliver a smooth experience across devices, especially given that a significant portion of traffic would come from mobile searches.

These challenges required a tailored Webflow solution—one that was optimized for performance without sacrificing visual appeal.

Our Approach: Why Webflow Was the Right Choice

Webflow was the perfect platform to deliver design flexibility, CMS-driven updates, and built-in performance tools. Here’s how we approached the build:

Key Decisions and Architecture

• Custom CMS Setup: We built dynamic project pages to showcase various portfolio items with image galleries, service descriptions, and testimonials.
• Lazy Loading Implementation: To improve page speed, we implemented lazy loading for images, so media loads only when needed.
• SEO-Ready Architecture: We optimized the site’s metadata, structured content, and local SEO strategy to enhance organic search visibility.
• Mobile-First Design: The site was designed with a mobile-first approach, ensuring it looked just as polished on smartphones and tablets as on desktops.

Tools, Integrations, and Key Functionalities

• CMS-Driven Portfolio Management: We used Webflow’s native CMS, allowing The Exterior Living Company to easily update content and showcase new projects.
• SEO Optimization Tools: The site leverages Webflow’s built-in SEO features like clean URLs, schema markup, and optimized metadata.
• Image Optimization: We implemented WebP image formats to ensure media assets were compressed without quality loss.
• Google Analytics Integration: Real-time tracking of traffic sources, engagement, and site behavior enables The Exterior Living Company to monitor performance effectively.

Design & User Experience: Crafting a Visual Journey

The focus on UX/UI design was critical, as the site needed to evoke the same sense of luxury as the outdoor spaces it represented. Our design emphasized:

• Immersive Visuals: Full-width hero images and clickable image galleries encourage users to explore the portfolio.
• Minimalist Navigation: We created an intuitive menu structure, ensuring visitors could quickly browse services, view project galleries, and request consultations.
• Responsive Design: Each page was designed to adapt beautifully across all devices, ensuring a consistent user experience whether viewed on mobile, tablet, or desktop.

Here’s a look at the project gallery on mobile:

(Insert gallery screenshot here)

Development Process: Collaborative and Milestone-Driven

Chek Creative worked closely with The Exterior Living Company throughout the development process. Key milestones included:

1. Initial Design Mockups: After the discovery phase, we presented several high-fidelity prototypes for feedback, ensuring the look and feel aligned with their brand.
2. CMS and SEO Setup: Midway through development, we ensured the CMS was configured for easy portfolio management and SEO readiness.
3. Performance Testing and Optimization: Before launch, we conducted performance audits, refining the lazy loading setup and compressing assets for speed.
4. Training Sessions: We provided hands-on training, so the client’s team could confidently manage updates on their own post-launch.

Results & Impact: A Website That Delivers Beauty and Performance

The Exterior Living Company’s new Webflow site is both visually stunning and technically robust, helping the business stand out and convert visitors into customers.

Key Performance Metrics

• 40% Faster Load Times: With lazy loading and optimized media, the site loads quickly across all devices.
• 20% Decrease in Bounce Rate: Visitors are spending more time exploring galleries and service pages.
• 15% Increase in Organic Search Traffic: Local SEO improvements are driving more qualified traffic.
• Increased Portfolio Engagement: Clients can now easily navigate through galleries, leading to more inquiries and consultations.

Next Steps: Ongoing Improvements and Future Growth

With the foundation in place, Chek Creative continues to support The Exterior Living Company with ongoing performance monitoring and SEO tweaks. In the future, we plan to:

• Introduce seasonal content modules to highlight promotions throughout the year.
• Implement advanced analytics dashboards for deeper insights into visitor behavior.
• Explore automation opportunities, such as appointment scheduling and email follow-ups directly through the site.

Summary

Chek Creative’s collaboration with The Exterior Living Company resulted in a visually stunning, high-performing Webflow website that effectively showcases their outdoor projects while driving business results.

By balancing aesthetic design, optimized performance, and easy content management, we created a site that reflects the company’s premium brand and attracts more clients. The Exterior Living Company now has a digital platform that grows alongside their business and supports future innovations.