Building Corporate Credibility with Website Clarity

Project Overview

ADOWA came to us with a unique challenge that required a strategic dual-platform approach. The decision to create two separate websites stemmed from the need to speak to two distinct target audiences effectively. Having one website was causing significant issues with students obtaining the information they needed when they needed it, while also failing to establish the professional credibility required for their property development business.

We developed ADOWA Property Developers as their corporate platform and ADOWA Living as their dedicated student-facing website for residence applications and management.

The Challenge

ADOWA faced several key challenges that made a single-website approach ineffective:

• Conflicting audience needs - Corporate stakeholders and students required completely different information and user experiences
• Student accessibility issues - Students couldn't easily find relevant information when mixed with corporate content
• Tight timeline - Student applications needed to be processed within a few months before students moved into residences
• Professional credibility - Need to establish ADOWA Property Developers as a trustworthy company in the property development sector
• High traffic periods - Expected surge in student applications during enrolment seasons
• Connectivity challenges - Students in remote areas across South Africa with limited internet access
• Language barriers - Multilingual student base requiring inclusive communication

The original single-website approach was creating confusion for both audiences. Students were getting lost in corporate information when they simply needed to find accommodation details and application processes, while business stakeholders couldn't easily assess ADOWA's professional capabilities when navigating through student-focused content.

ADOWA Property Developers - Corporate Platform

We built a professional corporate website specifically designed to establish ADOWA Property Developers as a credible company in the property development space. This platform focuses entirely on presenting their expertise, track record, and professional capabilities to corporate stakeholders, potential partners, and business contacts.

The corporate site features a clean, professional presentation that builds trust and credibility without the distractions that come from mixing student-focused content. We incorporated ADOWA's corporate identity throughout the design, ensuring consistent branding that reinforces their professional image. The platform showcases their development projects, company values, and business approach in a way that resonates with corporate audiences.

ADOWA Living - Student Platform

The student-facing website was built using Webflow with a custom CMS system, designed specifically to address the information and accessibility needs of students. This platform serves as the primary interface for student residence applications during critical enrolment periods, ongoing communication with current residents, and information access for prospective students.

Custom CMS and Content Management

The custom CMS we developed allows ADOWA to easily add new properties as they're developed, update content without requiring technical support, and manage applications efficiently during busy enrolment periods. This system gives them complete control over their content, enabling real-time updates that keep students informed about availability, application deadlines, and residence information.

Performance and Accessibility Optimisation

We optimised the student portal specifically for low-bandwidth environments, recognising the connectivity challenges many South African students face in remote areas. The site is built to load quickly even with limited internet connectivity, ensuring that students can access crucial information and complete applications regardless of their location or connection quality.

During peak application periods, Webflow automatically handles increased traffic, preventing slowdowns or crashes when students need access most. This was particularly important given the tight timeline ADOWA faced for processing applications before students moved into residences. The separation of this platform from corporate content means students can quickly find the information they need about accommodation options, application processes, residence life, and support services without navigating through irrelevant business information.

Multilingual FAQ Database

We developed a comprehensive FAQ database specifically for the student platform to provide immediate answers to common questions about accommodation, applications, and residence life. This proactive approach builds trust and empowers students with the information they need before they even have to ask.

The database was translated into isiZulu, isiXhosa, and Sepedi to serve ADOWA's multilingual student base more effectively. This translation project represents an important commitment to inclusive digital experiences, ensuring that all students, regardless of their preferred language, can access accurate information about ADOWA's services and processes.

Results

The dual-platform strategy has delivered practical results by solving the original problem of conflicting audience needs. The corporate platform has successfully established ADOWA Property Developers' professional presence in the property development sector, providing a credible foundation for their business development activities.

The dedicated student platform has enabled smooth application processing during enrolment periods and significantly improved accessibility for students across South Africa, including those in remote areas with connectivity challenges. Students can now quickly access the information they need without confusion, leading to more efficient application processes and better user satisfaction.

The custom CMS has increased operational efficiency for ADOWA's team, allowing them to manage ADOWA Living effectively while maintaining the distinct experiences each audience requires. The multilingual FAQ Database continues to improve student engagement and support, building stronger relationships with their diverse student community.

Students can now quickly access the information they need without confusion, while corporate stakeholders receive the professional presentation they expect. The custom CMS has increased operational efficiency, and the ongoing multilingual FAQ project continues to improve student engagement and support.

Looking Forward

This partnership demonstrates how separating digital platforms based on distinct audience needs can solve real usability problems that impact business operations and user satisfaction. By creating dedicated experiences for corporate credibility and student services, we've helped ADOWA serve both audiences more effectively while eliminating the confusion that came from trying to serve everyone with a single platform. The success of this dual-platform approach has positioned ADOWA for continued growth, with the infrastructure and systems in place to scale both their property development activities and student accommodation services. The ongoing multilingual expansion reflects our shared commitment to serving South Africa's diverse student population with the respect and accessibility they deserve.