Growing the economy on the Kāpiti Coast with a new business website design

Client

Kāpiti Coast District Council

Work

Website Design, Online Branding, UX/UI, Responsive Design, Effective Visual Language

Brief

We were tasked with designing a central information hub, dedicated to attracting new businesses to the Kāpiti district and supporting established ones. Focusing on the areas of Tech, Startup Community, Food & Beverage, Tourism, and Education. The website needed to be an extension of the Kāpiti Business team. It had to provide information to key audiences who are investigating a move to Kāpiti, provide updates and support to existing businesses, and be a positive light – a showcase for economic wellbeing, quality of ‘life & work’ and ongoing sustainability.

A MacBook Pro displaying a webpage titled "Success stories," with three stories visible. Next to it is a smartphone showing a different screen. The devices are placed on a textured surface with a blurred background.

A modern smartphone displays a webpage with the title "Welcome to the Kapiti Coast," featuring a serene landscape image. The text describes lifestyle benefits and connectivity of the region, appealing to businesses and residents.

A tablet displaying a webpage about the Economic Development Advisory Board, featuring portraits of six individuals. The tablet is on a green surface alongside earphones, glasses, a brown leather item, and a black notebook.

A smartphone on a dark surface displays a webpage about "Business Kqipili." The screen shows a woman placing sticky notes on a board, and text discussing the growth sectors and location benefits of Kqipili for businesses.

A laptop, smartphone, and tablet display a website titled "Welcome to the Kopiti Coast." The tablet shows a nature scene with a caption about lifestyle. The smartphone shows text about "our proven success.

A smartphone displaying a website about achieving the ultimate life balance. The screen shows an image of two cyclists, a headline, and a block of text on a yellow background. The phone is angled against a dark backdrop.

A collage of website pages showcasing various business and event themes. The layouts feature images and text, including landscapes, a campfire gathering, and people speaking at events. The design emphasizes about us and stories.

Person typing on a laptop on an airplane, displaying a website featuring cyclists on a trail against a mountainous backdrop. The interior of the airplane, including a small window, is visible.

A person views an events website on a laptop and smartphone. The laptop screen shows a lively outdoor scene with people, while the phone displays detailed event information. A gray coffee mug is on the table nearby.

A smartphone and a tablet displaying content from the Business Kapiti website interface. The tablet screen shows sections such as the Māori Economy, Events, and Economic insights. The smartphone has a similar interface with smaller text.

A person using a laptop on an airplane tray table. A website featuring an outdoor image is displayed on the screen. Seats and airplane windows are visible in the background.

A person uses a laptop and holds a smartphone, both displaying the Kapiti Business website. The screen shows images of people at an outdoor market.

A tablet displaying a welcome screen for the Kapiti Coast Business website with a scenic image and text, placed on a wooden table next to a smartphone showing an orange and green app screen, and a partially visible laptop keyboard.

Tablet displaying the Business Kapiti webpage featuring a team section with five individuals' headshots and descriptions. Surrounding items include a pair of glasses, a leather case, a notebook with a pen, and earphones on a green surface.

The objectives

After exploring the user pathways and understanding the needs of businesses small and large, the Wonderlab team designed a modular website that rolls out the welcome mat to all.

The goal

The Council’s most recent ED Strategy focuses on Tech, Startup Community, Food & Beverage, Tourism, and Education. Ensuring these audiences are catered for – satisfying at least the top three needs for each – meant a new web hub was needed. Improving easy access to information, keeping visitors on the site, the new website has to attract new business and by extension, increase employment opportunities across the district.

The process

Developing ‘user personas’ and journey mapping them with the team at the Council allowed us to zero in on user needs. It provided us clear next steps from the get go. A full set of wireframes ensured a sanity check of our thinking at each step. We could then confidently move to a full set of UX/UI designs for the client to explore and test, before prepping for the build of the site.

The outcome

After 9 months work, this labour of love went live and the public has embraced it. The ED team is proudly sharing it at events and online channels. Their latest EDM announced “Putting Kāpiti on the Map.” Celebrating the launch of two key digital channels for Kāpiti: The Business Kāpiti and Visit Kāpiti websites. Business Kāpiti serves as a resource hub for local businesses, fostering connection and growth while also acting as a magnet to new business.

We’re excited to see where the journey takes them – already the Kāpiti Tech Cluster has gone global, a startup pilot has ignited innovation and youth employment has been boosted, with 17 young people transitioning into local jobs.
Go Business Kāpiti!

Go to Business Kapiti website