Spatola CPA Website Update Case Study

Spatola & Company CPA Inc is a firm based in California that specializes in accounting, tax planning, business consulting, and financial services for small and growing businesses.

Led by Shonty Spatola, the firm takes a strategic and proactive approach, helping business owners organize their finances, reduce tax burdens, and build a strategy to support long-term growth.

Project Overview

When the CEO of Spatola CPA approached me, his main goal was clear: to reorganize and present newly provided content in a way that was both clearer and more user-focused. He wanted the website to accurately reflect the company’s current services, values, and communication priorities while maintaining the branding and visual identity that clients already recognized.

My role was to transform these objectives into a digital experience that was intuitive, engaging, and aligned with best practices in website design.

Phase A: Working Agreement

The project began with clarifying objectives, expectations, and scope. The client provided all updated content, which would form the foundation for the redesign.

Together, we aligned on priorities, including improving usability, restructuring content, and adding new features such as a blog to support ongoing communication.

Phase B: Project Setup

Before starting the design and build, I conducted a detailed review of the existing website to understand its strengths and identify areas for improvement. This analysis highlighted opportunities in content hierarchy, navigation, and user flow.

Using the client-provided content, I developed a clear, logical sitemap that would guide visitors intuitively through the site, ensuring key information was easy to find and the overall journey felt natural.

Phase C: Website Creation

Envision & Design

I began by designing a refreshed homepage and layouts for all key pages, respecting the existing branding and creative direction while refining visual hierarchy, spacing, and typography. Outdated pages were removed, and new pages were added to support the client’s evolving needs. Each layout was designed to seamlessly accommodate updated content, ensuring that every section communicated effectively and enhanced the user experience.

Content Integration & Features

All content provided by the client was carefully integrated into the new layouts. A blog was added to share insights and updates, a contact form was implemented to make inquiries simple and direct, and a location map was embedded to make the company easy to find. Explainer videos and live reviews from Google and Yelp were also added to reinforce credibility and support services. Each feature was thoughtfully designed for usability, accessibility, and responsiveness across devices.

Build & Testing

The website was rebuilt on Squarespace, incorporating new assets and layouts while maintaining consistent performance and responsive design. Every page underwent thorough testing for readability, navigation flow, and interactive elements to ensure the site was both visually appealing and highly functional.

Launch

After final client approval, the updated website went live. Training and documentation were provided to ensure the client could confidently manage and update content independently.

Phase D: Results and Impact

The final result is a modern, cohesive website that preserves the Spatola CPA brand while delivering a smoother, more intuitive experience. Visitors can navigate effortlessly, access updated content quickly, and engage with interactive features like the blog, contact form, and embedded videos.

The redesign successfully achieved the client’s primary objective of presenting updated information effectively. Beyond that, it created a more user-centered, accessible, and impactful digital presence. The project demonstrates how thoughtful design, clear content organization, and strategic functionality can work together to deliver a meaningful online experience.

Before and After

After the update has been applied, the top section of the new homepage became lighter, presenting the value proposition with clarity and confidence. The certifications now appear immediately afterward, reinforcing the level of trust required for this type of service.

The list of services that appeared on the previous website was replaced by a new section that highlights the profile of the clients, the challenges they face, and how the company can help solve them, while also clarifying its way of working right from the start.

Detailed pricing information has been moved from the homepage into a new dedicated page, with more detailed information. A clear call to action directs the visitor to this pricing page.

The lower part of the homepage now includes access to a new blog section, presented as a learning center, giving the website owner an easy way to offer the visitor regular content updates. A static testimonial from the previous website was replaced by a plugin that is able to present in real-time the most recent testimonials that are submitted to Google and Yelp, increasing credibility.

The rest of the website was also updated to ensure consistency, clarity, and usability. Each new page was created with a clean layout, improved visual hierarchy, and a refreshed content structure. Each updated page was carefully rethought to support the company’s communication goals while delivering a smoother, more intuitive experience for the visitors.

Before and After Updating the Homepage

Takeaways

This project reinforced the importance of close collaboration with the client, especially when integrating newly provided content.

By focusing on the user journey and combining strategic design with the client’s goals, the Spatola CPA website redesign highlights how a website can be both visually cohesive and functionally effective, strengthening the client’s online presence and improving communication with their audience.  

Website available in: https://www.spatolacpa.com

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