Work

A New Web Presence for a Regional Powerhouse

Client

Gate City Bank

Industry:

Services:

A stylized photo of a Gate City Bank branch with a Gate City logo.

Gate City Bank worked with Blend on a total site overhaul — from discovery to development and launch. Now, with a new design and Optimizely implementation, their new site is ready to soar.

For over 100 years, Gate City Bank has dedicated itself to creating a better way of life for its community — both customers and employees. For a bank with a century-long history, a new website needed more than a quick coat of paint — and that’s where Blend came in.

Blend’s work with Gate City Bank began at the organization's heart: there are many moving parts within a bank community, and getting the right people on board as soon as possible is essential. Discovery focused on competitive research, design inspiration, and a complete set of wireframes and a proposed site map — all with a mind toward a clear and solid design and development plan.

Screenshot of the Gate City Bank home page at desktop width. Screenshot of the Gate City Bank home page at mobile width.

Gate City Bank's new homepage design.

Design focused on expanding Gate City Bank’s new marketing materials within the website, translating a bold new campaign into something accessible, usable, and web-focused. Icons and elements were paired with design best practices to balance familiarity and trust.

Optimizely was a perfect fit for an organization like Gate City Bank, which prioritized user and editor experience through some creative development ideas. Unique content challenges — such as token replacement and developing a system for disclosures — were folded into the editorial process in a way that paired technical power with editorial know-how.

Screenshot of the Gate City Bank business page at desktop width. Screenshot of the Gate City Bank business page at mobile width.

Clean header images and unique checklist styles.

What’s more, a complex content model — the site includes, for example, a fully categorized and extensible FAQ system to bring answers to customers where they need them — necessitated the rich features Opitmizely brings to the table.

In the end, Gate City Bank’s site reflects the spirit of Gate City Bank itself: community-focused, heavy on great features, and serious about taking care of your money. Like any bank community, there are many moving parts — and we’re proud to have gotten them all to work together within the site.

Project Results

  • Complete strategy and design based on past banking experience and consumer research
  • Unique development solutions to Gate City Bank’s unique content needs.
  • Complete design and development within Optimizely.
Screenshot of the Gate City Bank help page at desktop width. Screenshot of the Gate City Bank help page at mobile width.

An improved Help Center for financial education.

Related work.

We’ve done a lot of great things for a lot of great clients — including a lot of bank, credit union, and financial services clients. Check out more projects similar to this one.