In today's fast-paced digital landscape, web designers are often tasked with creating websites that not only captivate visually but also function seamlessly across diverse, global audiences. Tackling a project for a high-profile client like City Football Group (CFG) requires a blend of strategy, creativity, and adaptability.
Recently, Brad Hussey hosted a webinar that pulled back the curtain on how a collaborative effort with Wix Studio achieved just that — and how strategic planning is the backbone of successful large-scale projects.
The webinar offered a rare glimpse into the behind-the-scenes intricacies of working on international projects, particularly one with a brand as recognizable as CFG, owners of Manchester City and numerous other football clubs. The session illuminated how design, planning, and communication all come together to deliver digital experiences that resonate globally.
The Power of a Strategic Start
Brad Hussey set the stage by emphasizing the sheer scale of projects like CFG's website redesign, a challenge that Wix Studio is uniquely positioned to tackle.
Welcoming attendees from all over the world, he highlighted Wix’s ability to streamline complex tasks for clients managing vast, diverse audiences. This served as both a reassurance to agencies looking to transition to Wix Studio and a testament to the platform’s global reach and scalability.
From the outset, the session was clear: large-scale web projects don’t just happen — they are built on a foundation of careful, strategic planning.
Collaboration in Action: The Wix Agency Team
Central to the success of the CFG project was the tight collaboration between the internal Wix Agency team and their client. Michal Mishan, a visual content strategist, and Roee Kuperberg, a lead strategist, were on hand to share their insights on guiding a project from conception to completion. They emphasized that the key to any successful project lies in the initial brief — it’s where the client’s vision is shaped into tangible goals.
Michal stressed that preparation is everything. A well-structured brief can act as the roadmap for the entire project, aligning expectations from the very beginning. It was clear that for a client like CFG, this approach was crucial to managing their multifaceted operations and ensuring that every aspect of their brand was reflected in the final product.
Revamping City Football Group’s Digital Presence
At the heart of the session was the CFG project, which involved revamping the digital presence of one of the largest sports organizations in the world. With Manchester City and a host of other international football clubs under its umbrella, CFG needed a website that not only showcased the scale of their operations but also enhanced user experience and storytelling.
The existing website presented several challenges, from a complicated UX to a lack of cohesive storytelling. The Wix team took these pain points head-on, starting with a detailed questionnaire that informed a comprehensive project brief. This, combined with strategic research, laid the groundwork for a total website overhaul that reflected CFG’s dynamic operations and global reach.
Why Initial Briefs Matter: Laying the Foundation for Success
One of the most valuable lessons from the webinar was the importance of the initial brief and early-stage research. Michal pointed out that these elements are the backbone of any large-scale web project. A well-crafted brief ensures that both the client and the design team are on the same page, minimizing the risk of scope creep and aligning expectations early on.
But it’s not just about meeting client demands. Michal explained that research should go beyond the immediate industry. For CFG, the team explored inspiration from outside the world of football to bring fresh ideas to the table, which ultimately helped them craft a more innovative and engaging website.
From Wireframes to a Stunning Final Design
Transitioning from ideas to execution is often the most challenging part of a web design project. Roee emphasized that after the sitemap and project scope were solidified, the next step was creating wireframes that would serve as the blueprint for the site. This high-level view of page flows and content hierarchy provided the clarity needed to move into the design phase.
One of the most exciting moments in the webinar was the comparison between the initial wireframes and the final website design. The transition from basic layout to polished, visually stunning website showcased how planning and design are intrinsically linked. The wireframes weren't just placeholders; they were the structural backbone that guided the creative process, ensuring that the final product was both functional and aligned with CFG’s brand vision.
Collaboration: A Continuous Process
The webinar also highlighted that building the website was just one part of the journey. Roee and Michal both emphasized that collaboration doesn’t stop at the design stage. Engaging with clients throughout the process, handling feedback, and making adjustments based on evolving needs are key to delivering a successful project.
For CFG, this ongoing communication ensured that the website stayed true to their vision, while also aligning with their branding and long-term strategy. It was a reminder that web design, especially for large clients, is a fluid, ongoing process that requires adaptability and a constant dialogue with stakeholders.
Final Takeaways: Strategic Planning as a Cornerstone
As the webinar came to a close, the live Q&A session provided further insights into the nuances of managing large projects. Attendees asked about maintaining brand consistency, optimizing site performance, and leveraging Wix Studio’s advanced tools to meet complex client needs. The recurring theme? Strategic planning is essential for handling large-scale web projects successfully.
For agencies looking to scale their operations and take on bigger clients, the lessons from Brad Hussey’s webinar were clear: start with a solid brief, invest time in research, and use wireframes as a strategic tool to guide the entire project. By doing so, you can ensure that the final website not only meets client expectations but also exceeds them.
In the ever-evolving world of web design, strategic thinking isn’t just an option — it’s a necessity. The CFG project was a masterclass in how detailed planning, collaboration, and creative execution can come together to deliver exceptional results on a global scale.