Web Design:
Sylvan Lake RV – Sylvan Lake, AB
Doug and the team at Sylvan Lake RV have been in my corner since the early days. Back in 2016–2018, while I was working full-time at the dealership, I was still new to the web design game. At the time, I found a “cookie-cutter” WordPress theme that got the job done and met their needs. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a starting point.
Fast forward nearly 10 years, and it was clear the site needed a full redesign, something that better reflected their pre-owned RV business and gave us more flexibility for future updates and maintenance. The goal this time around was to create a more customized design that looked modern, functioned better, and was easier to manage. I worked closely with Doug to build something that supports their business now and well into the future.
Project Details
Client: Doug
Date: February 2025
Skills: Web Design
Visit: https://sylvanlakerv.com/
Number of Pages
Initial Turnaround Days
Conceptualize
When I first built the Sylvan Lake RV website, I was working full-time at the dealership and used a pre-built WordPress theme. It served its purpose but had limitations. The theme restricted customization, making it challenging to control individual elements and achieve the desired modern aesthetic.
Recognizing these constraints, I initiated a redesign focused on creating a more visually appealing site with enhanced control over design elements. The goal was to develop a website that not only looked better but also provided a more intuitive user experience.
Create
The redesign process began with a thorough review of the existing content. Collaborating with the client, we streamlined the site by reducing the number of pages, eliminating redundancies, and focusing on essential information. This approach improved navigation and made the site more user-friendly.
Key Focus Areas for the New Design
- RV Inventory Overhaul:
- The old setup relied on small images and basic slide shows, which didn’t give users a real sense of what each unit looked like. I replaced them with larger, high-quality images and added actual video walkthroughs instead of static slideshows.
- Each listing is now easier to browse, with clean layouts and all the important information right up front, pricing, features, photos, and specs so users can find what they’re looking for without digging.
- Clean, Modern, Functional Design:
- The original site felt dated. It needed a visual and structural refresh to match how people use websites today. I updated the layout with a clean, modern look that reflects Sylvan Lake RV’s brand and makes navigation simple.
- Fonts and colours were updated for better readability and a more polished appearance. I also made the layout more responsive across devices, so whether you’re on a phone or a desktop, everything works and looks the way it should.
- Content Audit and Streamlining:
- Over the course of nearly 10 years, the site had collected a lot of extra pages and content that no longer served a purpose. I worked with Doug to review what needed to stay and what could go. We trimmed the site down significantly, focusing only on pages and content that are useful and relevant.
- This helped improve load times, made updates easier to manage, and created a better experience for visitors by eliminating distractions and dead ends.
The result is a leaner, sharper, and more effective website, built to showcase inventory, support day-to-day operations, and reflect the current state of the business.
Communicate
The final product effectively communicates Sylvan Lake RV’s commitment to quality and customer satisfaction. The redesigned website presents information clearly and concisely, making it easy for visitors to find what they need. The enhanced imagery and streamlined layout convey professionalism and attention to detail, aligning with the dealership’s values.
By focusing on user experience and brand consistency, the new website serves as a powerful tool for engaging customers and promoting the dealership’s offerings. It reflects the owners’ vision of providing the best possible viewing experience, ensuring that visitors feel confident and informed when exploring the site.