GBHH

Overview

For this project, I was commissioned by Sheila, a long-time client for whom I had previously maintained two WordPress sites, to create a dedicated promotional website for her cottage rental.

The project began as a Squarespace build in July 2023, just before I started the IDP program. It was my first fully client-led freelance project and played a major role in sparking my interest in web development. In April 2025, I rebuilt the entire site from scratch, coding it manually to give it more flexibility, performance, and control over deployment.

I handled the full scope of the project - from branding and layout design to coding, deployment, hosting, and DNS configuration.

Problems

1. Platform Limitation (Squarespace): The original site needed to be up quickly, but Squarespace’s template limitations made it difficult to implement certain features Sheila wanted, such as a custom image gallery and calendar.

2. No Previous Website for the Cottage: GBHH didn’t have an online presence prior to this. I had to create everything from scratch including the layout, structure, content flow, and visual identity.

3. Technical Management: Sheila didn’t have experience managing domains or hosting, so I took full responsibility for the technical side of the project. This included purchasing the domain, setting up DNS records, and configuring hosting to ensure a smooth and reliable experience.

4. Responsive Design: The site needed to work well across devices for both older users and young vacationers - requiring a clean, intuitive, mobile-friendly design.

Research

To help GBHH stand out, I checked out other Ontario cottage rental sites, mainly cottagesincanada.com, to see how they showcased photos and listed features. I also looked at Airbnb and VRBO to get a feel for the kind of wording and vibe that connects with people looking for a cozy getaway.

Process

1. Initial Build (2023 – Squarespace):

• Designed and launched a multi-page promotional site using Squarespace 

• Focused on quick deployment to get the site live before peak rental season

• Created clear sections: Amenities, Rates, Gallery, Availability and Contact

2. Full Custom Rebuild (2025 – Manual Code):

• Rebuilt the site from the ground up with a focus on performance and full control

• Designed a flexible layout in Figma, then developed using HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

• Implemented image optimization and lazy loading to improve load times

3. Deployment & Hosting:

• Registered and managed Sheila’s domain

• Configured DNS records and migrated to a shared hosting provider

• Deployed using DirectAdmin and monitored for uptime and performance

The new Grand Bend Holiday House website is a polished and professional online presence for the cottage rental, featuring:

• Fully Responsive Design: Works smoothly on phones, tablets, and desktops, offering a modern experience for all visitors.

• Custom Booking Calendar: Integrated with Google Calendar, allowing Sheila to easily manage bookings and availability in real-time.

• Custom Photo Gallery: Highlighting the charm of the cottage and surrounding area through optimized imagery.

• Clear Booking Info & Amenities List: Easy-to-scan layout that helps guests find the information they need quickly.

• Optimized Codebase: Lightweight, fast-loading site with improved SEO

Reflection

This project was a pivotal moment in my web development journey. What started as a quick job building a site on Squarespace eventually sparked my interest in developing websites, leading me to pursue the IDP program. Key takeaways: 

• Gained a solid understanding of full-stack development, from design to deployment

• Strengthened my client communication skills while managing an independent freelance role

• Gained hands-on experience managing DNS, hosting environments, and performance optimizations

• Reinforced the importance of responsive design and clean, semantic HTML

I’m really proud of how this project grew with me, evolving into a polished and professional web presence for Sheila’s rental property. It perfectly reflects her personality and the warm, inviting atmosphere of the cottage. Going forward, I plan to build a backend and CMS, allowing Sheila to easily upload and manage her photos independently.