Hill Bottom Properties is a leading real estate and property development company in Ethiopia, offering a wide range of residential and commercial properties across the country. The goal of this project was to develop a modern, responsive, and user-friendly website that would enhance the company’s digital presence and provide a seamless experience for users searching for properties or learning more about the company’s services.
As the front-end developer, I focused on transforming the design vision into a fully functional and interactive website by implementing clean, efficient, and scalable code. My task was to ensure the website was fast, responsive, and optimized for all devices while providing an intuitive user experience.
Outdated and Non-Responsive Website
The previous website for Hill Bottom Properties was not optimized for mobile devices or tablets, which greatly impacted the user experience. With an increasing number of users accessing the internet via mobile devices, the lack of a responsive design was a major issue.
Slow Load Times and Poor Performance
The website had significant performance issues, including slow loading times and unoptimized assets. This not only frustrated users but also negatively impacted the site's SEO ranking and user retention.
Cluttered User Interface
The old website had a cluttered interface with inconsistent visual elements, making it hard for users to navigate and find information. The poor layout and lack of structured content hindered users from easily accessing property listings or company details.
Low User Engagement/Calls to Action (CTAs)
The site did not effectively encourage user interaction. There were limited opportunities for users to engage with the brand, such as scheduling property viewings, signing up for newsletters, or submitting inquiries. The lack of clear CTAs resulted in missed conversion opportunities.
Inconsistent Code Structure and Maintainability Issues The existing codebase had poor organization and lacked modularity, making it difficult to maintain and scale as the company grew. This created challenges for future updates and improvements.
Mobile-First, Responsive Front-End Development
To address the need for a responsive design, I implemented a mobile-first approach, ensuring that the website adapts seamlessly across all screen sizes, from smartphones to desktops. I used flexible grid systems and media queries to ensure an optimal user experience on any device, improving accessibility and increasing user engagement.
Optimized Performance and Fast Load Times
I optimized the website’s performance by implementing techniques such as lazy loading for images, minifying CSS and JavaScript files, and using content delivery networks (CDNs) for faster content delivery. These optimizations significantly reduced loading times and improved the overall performance, resulting in a smoother user experience.
Clean and Modular Code Structure
I wrote clean, modular code using HTML5, CSS3, and JS to ensure the website’s maintainability and scalability. The code was structured using best practices such as component-based development, which allows for easier updates, debugging, and future expansions. I utilized version control (Git) to manage code updates efficiently.
Improved User Interface and Navigation
I used CSS3 animations and hover effects to enhance interactivity and engagement. The navigation was simplified with a clear, hierarchical structure that made it easy for users to explore property listings, read about the company, and contact agents.
