Transatlantic Alliance: Website Refresh from MichMex Guides and Encode Collaboration

Carlos Alanis, the creator of MichMex Guides, a professional and experienced tour guide in the State of Michoacán, México, has had a website hosted by Encode for many years. However, as of late, he felt like he needed a refresh over his online presence and contacted our team enquiring about a Website Refresh. Encode was excited to take on the project and swiftly developed a revamped iteration of Carlos' site.

Why Your Business Needs a Website Refresh Every Few Years

A website refresh every few years isn't just a trend—it's a necessity. Refreshing your website ensures that your brand remains competitive, relevant, and user-friendly. A website refresh goes beyond visual appeal. It can impact everything from user experience to search engine rankings. Find out why a website refresh is pivotal to continued online success.

Though still functional, Carlos' original site was ageing with clear bugs and errors in foundation and design. In short, it was ready for a rebuild:

Goals and Key Requirements

The refreshed website needed to serve as a central hub for Carlos' business, meeting his primary goal of providing information to potential tourists and making the booking process seamless. As Carlos frequently hosts clients from Mexico, the United States, and other countries, one of the critical requirements was to create a multilingual site in both English and Spanish.

To achieve this, the website refresh was guided by several key goals:

Multilingual Capabilities

Using the Polylang plugin, we created each page in both English and Spanish, allowing users to switch between languages effortlessly. This update not only improves accessibility but also broadens the potential audience for MichMex Guides. Furthermore, we translated the homepage into German directing users with key information and intuitive access to the other English translations.

A Website Refresh and Enhanced User Experience

To optimise the user journey, Encode focused on creating a structured, intuitive layout. From the homepage to individual tour pages, each section was designed to be engaging and easy to navigate. Furthermore, with Encode's fast, reliable hosting, the website's performance is streamlined, resulting in a smoother and more enjoyable user experience.

Improved Visual Storytelling

The updated website leverages high-quality images and carefully designed layouts to tell the story of Michoacán's beauty and culture. Each page is crafted to engage visitors visually, offering an immersive experience that gives a taste of Carlos' tours before they even begin. This approach helps build excitement and connection with potential clients.

Improved Design and Functionality

The refreshed MichMex Guides website is built with Encode's core values of security and professionalism. The site now features SSL/TLS certificates for data encryption, safeguarding user information and reinforcing trust. Additionally, the website is hosted on Encode's dedicated server, ensuring consistent performance and reliability.

The aesthetic of the site also received a significant update. We incorporated a fresh orange to reflect the beauty of the Monarch Butterfly, the colour scheme now featuring a vibrant green and a bold orange. Carlos' logo was simplified for a modern look, and we maintained the butterfly motif to tie the design to Michoacán's heritage.

Custom Features for Better Engagement

Several custom features were added to enhance user engagement and make the site a more effective tool for Carlos' business:

• Newsletter Sign-up: To foster long-term relationships with visitors, a newsletter sign-up form was added to the blog page. Integrated with Groundhogg via Forminator, this feature allows Carlos to send targeted emails to his audience, keeping them updated with tour offers and news.
• Currency Converter: Understanding that many of Carlos' clients come from outside Mexico, we added a currency converter that automatically displays tour prices in USD, helping international visitors understand costs easily.
• Custom Post Types for Tours: Using Secure Custom Fields (SCF), each tour is structured as a custom post type. This separation of tour content from standard blog posts and regular pages allows for a more organised backend and provides Carlos with a straightforward way to update or add tours.

Client Education and Empowerment

One of Encode's objectives was to empower Carlos to manage his site independently. To achieve this, we provided user guides and training sessions that covered essential WordPress features, including how to create and edit posts and tours to allow complete control. This support ensures Carlos can confidently make updates to his website, manage content, and communicate effectively with his clients.

The Power of a Website Refresh

The refreshed MichMex Guides website was completed within a month, meeting all of Carlos' requirements and exceeding his expectations. The site now serves as a hub of information and contact platform as well as an efficient landing page for his social media, business cards, and client emails, offering a robust platform that supports his business goals.

Mich Mex Guides Site Gallery

Homepage

Carlos' Bio

Homepage Navigation

About Page

Tours Page

Morelia Tour Page

Blog Page

Contact Page

A website refresh is an opportunity to modernise your digital presence, improve functionality, and better serve your audience. For MichMex Guides, this refresh means a professional, accessible platform that reflects Carlos' expertise and enhances his clients' experience.

Ready to elevate your website? Contact Encode to learn more about our Expert WordPress Web Designers and how we can help bring your vision to life.

Yours,
Jacob Batchelor.