Project Overview

Silver Linings Goodies is a local Iowa cottage bakery focused on handcrafted cookies, seasonal treats, and community connection. The business needed more than a social media presence—it needed a dedicated home where customers could learn the story behind the brand, discover upcoming farmers markets, and eventually place online orders.

The challenge was creating a website that reflected the warmth and personality of the bakery while remaining simple enough to grow alongside the business.

The Challenge

Like many small businesses, Silver Linings Goodies relied primarily on social media to communicate with customers. While effective for sharing updates, it made it difficult for visitors to:

• Learn about the business

• Find upcoming market appearances

• Understand how to place custom orders

• Discover seasonal offerings

• Experience the personality behind the brand

The website needed to establish credibility today while laying the groundwork for tomorrow.

Goals

Business Goals

• Establish a professional online presence

• Increase visibility outside of social media

• Promote upcoming farmers markets and events

• Create a foundation for future online ordering

• Strengthen overall brand recognition

User Goals

Customers should be able to quickly:

• Learn about Silver Linings Goodies

• Find where the bakery will be next

• Browse products and offerings

• Request custom orders

• Follow along as the business grows

My Role

I led the project from concept through execution, including:

• UX Strategy

• Information Architecture

• Website Design

• Brand Identity

• Visual Design

• Copywriting

• Responsive Design

• SEO Planning

Design Strategy

Instead of building an e-commerce experience before the business was ready, I focused on creating a digital “home base.”

Every page answers one of three questions:

• Who is Silver Linings Goodies?

• Where can I find them?

• How can I order?

This allows the website to remain valuable today while being easily expandable in the future.

Information Architecture

The navigation was intentionally streamlined to reduce decision fatigue.

Navigation

• Home

• About

• Goodies

• Upcoming Events

• FAQ

• Contact

Future pages can be added without restructuring the experience, including:

• Online Ordering

• Gift Cards

• Workshops

• Game Nights

• Café

Branding

The visual identity communicates warmth, optimism, and community.

The branding incorporates:

• Soft rainbow elements

• Cloud motifs

• Friendly rounded typography

• Cookie-inspired illustrations

• Bright, approachable colors

• Handcrafted imagery

Rather than feeling like a commercial bakery, the experience feels welcoming, homemade, and joyful.

UX Decisions

Clear Calls to Action

Every section encourages visitors toward a next step without overwhelming them.

Examples include:

• View Upcoming Markets

• Request Custom Cookies

• Learn Our Story

• Contact Us

Storytelling

Customers don’t simply buy cookies—they support local makers.

The website uses storytelling to help visitors connect with the person behind the business, building trust before asking for a purchase.

Designed for Growth

Rather than rebuilding the website later, the structure supports future additions like:

• Online ordering

• Seasonal collections

• Event registration

• Loyalty programs

• Community gaming nights

• Café expansion

Outcome

Silver Linings Goodies now has a cohesive digital presence that reflects the personality of the brand while giving customers a central place to connect beyond social media.

The website successfully transforms a growing cottage bakery into a recognizable local brand with room to evolve alongside the business.

Key Takeaways

This project reinforced an important lesson: not every small business needs a full e-commerce website on day one. Sometimes the highest-value solution is creating a strong digital foundation that supports the business’s current goals while anticipating future growth. By focusing on storytelling, clear navigation, and scalability, the website positions Silver Linings Goodies for its next stage without adding unnecessary complexity.