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Acclaimed Wineries, Celebrated Vintners

Novelty Hill Januik

In my over 15 years of collaboration with Novelty Hill Janiuk, I’ve cultivated a deep understanding of their brand, ethos, and unique offerings. Having worked extensively in the wine industry, from small-scale operations to globally recognized labels, I bring a wealth of experience and expertise to the table. My journey with Novelty Hill Janiuk began with the design and development of their initial website, and it has been a privilege to witness and contribute to their growth over the years. This longstanding partnership has afforded me the opportunity to tailor digital solutions that not only showcase their tasting room and event space but also effectively drive sales and elevate their online presence.

About Novelty Hill Januik

Led by Mike Januik and his son Andrew, Novelty Hill Januik epitomizes dedication and craftsmanship, curating a remarkable array of wines that reflect their commitment to excellence and innovation. With their collaborative approach to winemaking and state-of-the-art facilities, they offer visitors an immersive experience. As they expand, Novelty Hill Januik remains a beacon of distinction in the Pacific Northwest wine scene.

The Challenge

The primary challenge faced by Novelty Januik was to enhance user interaction and streamline their online presence to better showcase their offerings. Despite being a prominent wine maker and event venue, the client sought to improve user engagement and facilitate seamless navigation across their diverse services. With three distinct wine label offerings, each with its own branding elements, the task was to seamlessly integrate these diverse aesthetics into a unified website. Additionally, the client utilized Nexternal, an eCommerce platform, which required integration with the existing site while maintaining consistent branding.

Moreover, the client’s revenue heavily relied on renting out their event spaces, necessitating a robust online platform to showcase these spaces and highlight past events. To further engage customers, a wine club section was essential, providing information on past and upcoming wine offerings. A blog was also desired to drive traffic to the site and announce promotions, while a dedicated team section aimed to personalize the brand and showcase the individuals behind the operation. Additionally, the website needed functionality for customers to sign up for tasting events or visit the winery for tastings, adding an additional layer of complexity to the project. Lastly, the client required a database to offer collateral for wine purveyors and buyers, creating a dedicated trade section for easy access to sales tools.

Project Roles

Project Management

  • Conducted discovery sessions to identify project requirements.
  • Managed internal & external teams to coordinate deadlines and deliverables.
  • Worked with stakeholders to provide project requirements, timelines and budgets

Team Leadership

  • Managed a cross-functional team of designers, developers, and content writers.
  • Conducted training sessions to empower in-house staff in updating the website.

Project Execution

  • Led end-to-end project management, ensuring successful testing and launch.
  • Conducted user surveys and interviews to help determine user personas and project requirements.
  • Collaborated on wireframe design, sitemap creation, and information architecture.

Design & Development Collaboration

  • Engaged in user interface design processes to enhance project aesthetics.
  • Collaborated on front-end development to ensure seamless user experiences.
  • Worked with Nexternal to build a matching store template.

Tools Used

Project Management

  • WebEx
  • Basecamp

UX/UI Design & Wireframing

  • Adobe XD
  • Adobe Photoshop
  • Adobe Illustrator
  • Slick Plan

WordPress Customization

  • Custom Theme Development
  • Custom Plugin Development
  • Advanced Custom Fields
  • Custom Post Types & Taxonomies
  • Dynamic Grids & Sliders
  • Google Map Integration
  • Booking Engine Integration
  • Integration with Wine POS Software
  • Gravity Forms
  • Campaign Monitor Email Integration

Web Development

  • HTML5
  • CSS3
  • PHP
  • JavaScript
  • MySQL
  • phpMyAdmin
  • Visual Studio Code
  • Adobe Dreamweaver

Accessibility & Testing

  • WAVE Accessibility Tools
  • Firefox Developer Tools
  • Google Chrome Developer
  • Cross-Browser Testing
  • UserWay

Analytics & SEO

  • GA4
  • Yoast SEO
  • Google Tag Manager
  • Google Search Console
  • Webmaster Tools

Solutions

  • Utilized fonts and colors from all the different labels to ensure cohesive branding across the website.
  • Integrated an image gallery into every page to visually showcase the client's offerings and enhance user experience.
  • Collaborated with Nexternal to design and implement their new template, seamlessly integrating eCommerce functionality.
  • Implemented various forms throughout the website to simplify the sign-up and communication process for potential clients.
  • Added an events calendar with options to book or reserve space for upcoming events, enhancing customer engagement and facilitating event planning.
  • Certainly, here's the revised bullet point: - Designed and developed a custom-branded newsletter signup feature, including the template used for newsletters, to enable users to stay connected and informed.
  • Developed a responsive website that is ADA compatible, ensuring accessibility for all users and compliance with accessibility standards.
  • Created a recipes section to complement different wines with food, providing added value to visitors and enhancing the overall user experience.
  • Integrated a team section, pulling team members' bios into relevant sections of the site to personalize the brand and highlight the individuals behind the operation.
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Case Studies