Modernizing a Local Legacy: The Griffith Bros. Service Centre Website
Griffith Bros. Service Centre is a family-owned auto repair shop serving South River and Sundridge, Ontario, since 1960. I designed the site in Figma and built it in Webflow, focusing on a clean, straightforward, and easy-to-navigate experience. The goal was to make key services easy to find while keeping the design professional and approachable. The layout is simple but effective, with a clear hierarchy that helps customers get the information they need without friction.
About the project
My role
I was responsible for designing the website in Figma and building it in Webflow. My focus was on creating a clean, easy-to-navigate layout that highlighted key services and aligned with the new branding.
Project duration
1 Month
Skills
Interactive prototyping
Web design
User research
Collaborators
Grant Burke Design
The problem
Griffith Bros. was using a templated tire e-commerce website that didn’t reflect their actual business as a service centre. The site was confusing for customers, with key information about their services hard to find. It also didn’t match the professional, family-owned image they had built over decades. A full redesign was needed to align the website with their real-world services and make it easier for customers to navigate and get in touch.
The goal
The goal was to redesign the website to reflect Griffith Bros.' family history and values, using new branding created by a graphic design team. The focus was on building a site that felt professional, trustworthy, and aligned with their long-standing reputation in the community.
Research Summary
Research was informal and based on conversations with the Griffith Bros. team and an understanding of their customer base. Most customers were local residents looking for reliable auto services, often accessing the site through mobile devices. The main needs identified were easy access to service information, clear contact details, and a trustworthy first impression that reflected the company’s long history in the community.
Pain points
Misaligned Website Content
The old site focused on tire sales, which didn’t match Griffith Bros.’ main services as an auto repair centre.
Hard-to-Find Information
Customers had trouble finding key service details and contact information quickly.
Outdated Visual Design
The template used didn’t reflect the professionalism, family history, or trustworthiness of the brand.
About
The layout was not optimized for mobile users, making it harder for customers to navigate on their phones.
Persona
Mike Thompson
Age:
45
Occupation:
Construction Worker
Location:
South River, Ontario
“I just want to find a local shop I can trust without having to dig around for basic info.”
About
Mike needs a reliable auto service centre he can trust, but the old Griffith Bros. website made it difficult to find service information, contact details, and a sense of the company’s reputation. Without clear, professional online communication, Mike felt unsure about choosing them for his vehicle maintenance needs.
Story
Mike has lived in the South River area his whole life. He’s familiar with local businesses and prefers to support family-owned shops whenever possible. He drives an older pickup truck that needs regular maintenance to stay reliable for his work.
Frustrations
Goals
Find a trustworthy, local auto service centre with clear information about services, pricing, and how to get in touch.
Journey map
This journey map outlines the typical experience of a customer visiting Griffith Bros. for the first time. It highlights the key actions, thoughts, feelings, and opportunities at each stage, from discovering the business online to becoming a returning customer. The goal was to design a website that supports a smooth, trustworthy journey from start to finish.
Digital wireframes
The wireframes were designed to create a clean, easy-to-navigate experience that highlights Griffith Bros.’ services and family history. The homepage leads with a clear hero section and quick actions for booking or learning more. Trust is built early by featuring the company’s story, followed by a simple service overview. The layout uses minimal text and supporting visuals to keep the flow easy to scan, especially for mobile users.
Prototype
Findings
About my findings
Through early feedback and testing, we identified key areas where the old website was falling short and validated improvements after the redesign. The findings were split into two rounds: one focused on uncovering major issues, and the second on confirming that the new design solved them.
