From Ford to Ferrari: How We Transformed Harvey Woodcraft’s Website from Homemade to Professional
When Harvey Woodcraft approached me, they were in a tricky situation. They had paid someone to build their website, but the project had stalled. The site wasn’t finished, it wasn’t live, and it wasn’t showcasing the stunning handcrafted furniture and shelving systems that they’re so proud of. The design lacked polish and professionalism, and Harvey Woodcraft didn’t know how to move forward.
Their unfinished website was like a car stuck in the garage—potentially useful, but not going anywhere. They needed someone to take the wheel and turn it into a Ferrari: sleek, stylish, and high-performing.
This case study is about how we transformed their site and how, if you’re feeling like your website isn’t quite hitting the mark, you can achieve the same transformation—with a little help from a professional.
The Challenge
Harvey Woodcraft’s original attempt at a website wasn’t doing justice to their brand. The design was inconsistent, key features of Squarespace weren’t being used to their full potential, and there was no clear structure or messaging to guide visitors. For a business offering bespoke, high-quality products, the site needed to reflect their craftsmanship and attention to detail.
The Solution
Working with Harvey Woodcraft, I rebuilt their website from the ground up. The new site is clean, visually striking, and easy to navigate. It reflects the brand’s premium feel and showcases their work beautifully. Each page was carefully structured with clear messaging, consistent design, and attention to detail, ensuring visitors immediately understand what Harvey Woodcraft offers and why they’re the best at what they do.
The Outcome
The final result speaks for itself: a sleek, professional website that truly reflects the craftsmanship and quality of Harvey Woodcraft’s products. While the site has only just gone live, it’s now equipped to make a strong first impression on potential customers and support the growth of their brand.
Could Your Website Use a Makeover?
If you’ve started building your own website or had someone inexperienced do it for you, don’t worry—you’re not stuck with a site that doesn’t feel right. With the right approach (and a bit of professional help), you can turn things around and have a website that looks and performs like a dream.
Tips for Making Your Website Look Professional
Here are some of my top tips for turning a website from homemade to slick:
1. Clear and Consistent Design
Stick to a simple, cohesive colour palette and font pairing. Avoid mixing too many styles—it can make your site look chaotic.
2. Understand the Platform
Know how to use your website platform (like Squarespace) properly. Take time to learn its features, or hire someone who already knows how to use them.
3. Well-Configured Headers and Sizing
Properly sized headings, subheadings, and body text create a hierarchy that makes your content easy to scan.
4. Good Spacing
Don’t crowd your content. Use white space to give your pages breathing room and a polished feel.
5. Clear Messaging
Communicate your value proposition clearly. Tell visitors who you are, what you do, and why they should care within seconds of landing on your site.
6. Add a Favicon
That little icon in the browser tab may seem minor, but it’s an easy way to make your site look professional and on-brand.
7. High-Quality Imagery
Use sharp, well-lit images that showcase your work. Avoid blurry photos or those with distracting backgrounds.
8. Consistent Navigation
Make sure menus and links are easy to find and use. Confusing navigation can drive visitors away.
9. SEO Basics
Optimise page titles, meta descriptions, and alt text for images. This not only helps search engines but also gives your site a polished look.
10. Mobile Optimisation
With most users browsing on their phones, your site needs to look great and function seamlessly on mobile.
The Best Advice? Hire a Professional
While these tips can help, the easiest way to ensure your website looks and performs its best is to hire a professional. That’s where I come in. I specialise in transforming websites from homemade to high-end. If you want a website that reflects your brand and drives results, get in touch. Let’s turn your Ford into a Ferrari.