How to Build A Better Website... the Story of Hiwassee Builders
For more than 60 years, Hiwassee Builders Supply has been serving contractors, craftsmen, architects, and building designers for every kind of commercial and residential construction project. Their local values, skilled craftsmen, and ability to deliver projects on time have contributed to their success. However, they felt their current website didn’t represent who they were or what they offered customers. That’s when they came to us.
They were looking for a site that showcased their craftsmanship and expertise; one that brought added value to their customers; and highlighted the sophisticated technology the company had added to their manufacturing process. Maycreate’s design director went to work on a site map and wireframes. Ease of navigation was a must. He structured the site on a grid that was oriented to the phases of building and construction. The structure was also designed to streamline search, getting visitors to the information they needed, quickly and efficiently.
The color palette he created supported Hiwassee’s brand personality. It consisted of “woody, earthy” tones, a deep green, and a rustic orange, “the call-to-action color.” The type font he selected, Halyard Display, was bold and sturdy, a sign of strength. Our client also wanted their story to be more inviting with a touch of human interest. Since we’d scheduled an extensive photo shoot, we decided to let the photography lead visitors through the site, capturing their craftsmanship and care, as well as the pride they took in what they do.
When it came to the site’s copy/content, our senior creative director and copywriter, led the effort. The brand voice was assumptive, addressing their years of experience and expert knowledge. It told the story of their commitment to builders; how to ask the right questions about projects; and how they served as an expert extension of their crews. Through Hiwassee’s knowledge and skill, they helped builders complete their projects with very successful outcomes.
Trusses were another key copy point of Hiwassee’s brand story. You can’t build a floor, roof, or walls without them. We wanted to highlight the company’s unique manufacturing process, which employs sophisticated software that allows their skilled truss designers to present 3-D renderings of an entire house or building. This gives builders or their clients the opportunity to work through any potential problems, eliminate mistakes, and present an accurate expectation of the project prior to fabrication, saving both time and money.
In addition, we conducted an extensive 3-day photoshoot with our staff photographer. Our client wanted to bring a sense of scale to all they do while accentuating that local touch, and their hands-on, down-home focus of those who work at Hiwassee. Finally, Hiwassee Builders asked us to find a special way to demonstrate the importance of their connection to the local community. Photography was the answer. Candid shots of Hiwassee employees and customers engaged in meaningful conversations proved to be the perfect solution.
To visit the Hiwassee site, click here. If you’d like to find out more about how we could build an effective website for your company or organization, call or email John Wagoner.
jwagoner@maycreate.com, (423) 255-9961