The Golfi Property Management project aimed to design a user-friendly platform that simplifies property management. Through a modern, intuitive design, I focused on delivering a seamless user experience for both landlords and tenants while ensuring a highly functional site to meet the client’s business needs and future growth.
WEB DESIGN UI/UX DESIGN BRANDING WORDPRESS LANDLORDS RENTERS
JUNE 2024
Case Study of Golfi Property Management — Custom Website Design & Development
Every great project begins with understanding the client’s goals and vision, and this was no different. We kicked off by identifying the main objectives for the Golfi Property Management website: create a clean, easy-to-use platform where landlords and tenants could seamlessly interact with listings, learn about the services offered, and connect with the Golfi team. The key project goals included maximizing user engagement, providing hassle-free navigation for landlords and tenants, and implementing a robust MLS property listing integration.
During this phase, I spent time getting to know the business and its target audience, which laid a solid foundation for the next stages. Rob wanted a site that embodied his team's dedication to excellence, while also simplifying property management for clients across Niagara, Hamilton, Halton, and Brantford.
After the discovery, we dove into creating the site’s architecture and user experience (UX). I focused on developing a solid UX plan that would work for both landlords and tenants while reflecting the Golfi brand. This involved in-depth competitor analysis, crafting user personas, and designing a comprehensive sitemap.
With minimal revisions after the presentation, the sitemap was approved, and it set the stage for the next steps. The project flow was clear, and the user journey from finding property listings to contacting the Golfi team was refined and simplified to make the entire experience intuitive and user-friendly.
Once the structure was in place, it was time to focus on the look and feel of the website. I created two distinct creative directions and presented them to Rob and the team. This stage was crucial in helping the client visualize the brand direction we were taking, and it allowed them to see how the new Golfi Property Management brand could come to life online.
Rob chose one of the two concepts, and from there, I started designing both mobile and desktop layouts. The goal was to ensure that the designs were responsive and dynamic without straying too far from the client’s preferences. The home page concept was the starting point, and we built everything around that core design.
In the UI phase, we combined elements from Concept #2 into Concept #1, creating a hybrid design that retained the structure of the first concept while incorporating creative touches from the second. We also refined the colour scheme and branding elements to give the site more "pop" based on client feedback.
Over 30+ design artboards were created in Figma, covering both mobile and desktop versions. The design included custom graphics, patterns, and photography edits in Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, and Lightroom. A fully functional prototype allowed the client to interact with the site before development, ensuring the user experience aligned with the project goals.
Additionally, I conducted user testing via User Brain, which received a 92+ user engagement score, providing validation that the site was on the right track.
The development phase was both intricate and rewarding. The key highlight was the seamless integration of a third-party MLS (property listing search) service, syncing Golfi-managed properties across Ontario directly to the website. This ensured that all listings were automatically updated in real-time, providing users with the most accurate and up-to-date information.
In addition, I developed a custom CRM plugin within WordPress, allowing the Golfi team to manage all their site leads and communication in one central location. This tool helped streamline their workflow, enabling them to maintain control over customer interactions directly from their site.
Other technologies and tools used during development included WordPress, HTML/CSS/JS, Google Analytics integration, and custom property search functionality for non-MLS properties. The development process ran smoothly with minimal client revisions.
The Golfi Property Management website launched on June 10, 2024. From the moment it went live, it was clear that the project was a success. We met every goal—user engagement skyrocketed, the feedback from clients was overwhelmingly positive, and the MLS integration worked flawlessly.
To wrap up the project, Rob Golfi himself provided a glowing testimonial, praising the seamless process and the fantastic outcome. The project had truly been a rewarding experience for all involved, and I was proud to have been part of such a dynamic transformation.
