We are excited to announce the launch of a newly re-designed website for CRUZ Tequila, a local company that produces an ultra premium tequila with a uniquely soft flavor profile. CRUZ approached us wanting to update their online hub with a fresh look, and develop a brand presence that invited users to find out more about this distinctly different tequila.

While the old site contained a lot of valuable information, the design was cluttered and the site flow was unorganized. We wanted to take the existing content and present it in a more engaging and accessible environment.

CRUZ Tequila has a broad range of clientele, from punk rockers and rodeo fans to affluent doctors and animal lovers. We wanted their site to speak to everyone, so we created a presence that was fun, honest, and approachable to a wide range of people.

After months of research on the adult beverage industry, we structured the content to highlight several important elements for the end-user including drink recipes, spirit awards, and where to purchase CRUZ Tequila. The end result is a site that offers clean, easy-to-access content that can be comfortably built upon over time.

To compliment the website design and overall painless navigation, we set CRUZ Tequila up with a content management system to make updates on the fly. The CMS gives CRUZ the ability to edit most aspects of the site, most importantly their upcoming events and list of retailers.

All that being said, what are your impressions of the new CRUZ Tequila website? Love it? Hate it? We’d love to hear your feedback in the comments section.

If you think the Cruz Tequila website rocks, and want us to help out with your next web design project, drop us a line.

Recently, we launched a new website for Great Caterer’s of Iowa, a catering company based in Pleasant Hill, Iowa that specializes in BBQ. When they approached us, their existing site was difficult to navigate and felt as though it had been pieced together instead of thoughtfully designed. We wanted to improve the flow of content throughout the site, as well as create a more visually compelling website design.

We began by condensing the main navigation options and re-organizing the flow of content throughout the site to be more user-friendly. We removed unnecessary content that was cluttering the site, such as weather widgets, a search bar and event specific menus that were more confusing than they were helpful.

Once the site map was worked out, we developed a wireframe that was more suitable to the functionality we were looking for and began thinking about the design. A style was created that blends the formality of the catering company with the friendly, laid-back BBQ cuisine they are best known for serving.

We limited the color palate, focusing on blending formal event catering with casual backyard BBQ. The majority of images on the site were replaced with impressive photography that represents Great Caterer’s style and selection. We kept the interior pages clean and accessible, with text that is easy to read and graphic elements that enhance the user experience.

Overall, we feel that the site better represents the company, while functioning in a way that is easy for users to find the information they need and get in contact.

This past week, the crew at Splinter Creative launched a slick new website for a family of local bars and restaurants, Dos Gringos Mexican Cantinas. The site aimed at collectively displaying information about the (4) locations, providing up-to-date info on specials and events, and making it easy for their ever-faithful patrons to connect with Dos on various social networks.

On the new Dos Gringos website design, you’ll find it’s easier than ever to find exactly what you’re looking for. Trying to find directions to the closest Dos Gringos location? Curious if they’re pouring your favorite drink specials this evening? In the mood for some late night grub? Want to scope out the menu with your co-workers before lunch? Or perhaps you need to setup a party for Larry’s 30th birthday after work on Friday? All this and more can be accessed with just a couple clicks and a few minutes of your time.

Complete with a super easy, “my Grandmother could do it” content management system, Dos Gringos can now access their site and update it from any computer, anywhere. This permits both the marketing personnel as well as the owners to make changes to specials, the menus, photos, and more, all with a simple internet connection. A huge asset indeed for such a fast-paced company.

The biggest hurdle with this project was determining the best way to organize the content. While every Dos Gringos has a happy hour, serves food, and pours tasty beverages, every location doesn’t offer the exact same specials at the exact same times. After doing some research and beating up a few layouts in house, we determined it would be most effective to post an all-inclusive specials page, along with some location specific tidbits that went into more detail… And judging by the analytics over the first couple weeks, it seems patrons are now easily navigating through the site to find the content they want.

All in all, we were able to have some fun with the design and content, and it was a pleasure bringing the new site to life. The hardest part was fighting off the day-dreams of being on the patio at Dos, munching some nachos, and sipping on some coronas. Damn distractions, no wonder it took an extra week to complete

Let us know your thoughts on the design and navigation in the comments below. We’re always open for a good rogering.