Redesigning the XJS Soft Tops Club’s Website

Redesigning the XJS Soft Tops Club Website

When I first began redesigning the XJS Soft Tops Club website, my goal was simple — to create a space that reflected what makes the Club itself so special — elegance, heritage, and the shared enthusiasm of people who love their cars. Over the past month (October 2025), with the aid of modern technology I’ve completely redesigned the site, modernising its look and feel while keeping its traditional British character. What began as a simple tidy-up turned into a full digital restoration: a careful, detailed rebuild guided by design principles, usability thinking, and an appreciation of the Jaguar XJS soft tops themselves.

Starting Point – Time for a Refresh

The original website had grown organically over time, as most club sites do. It was built on WordPress, and while it worked, it had begun to show its age. The structure wasn’t intuitive, the styling was inconsistent, and new visitors struggled to know where to start.

I wanted to change that.

Most members joined — then rarely returned to contribute.

The aim was to make the site somewhere members would want to visit regularly: to browse new photos, read club articles, chat in the forum, and check upcoming events. It needed to feel alive and welcoming, with a consistent, high-quality presentation that matched the prestige of the Jaguar brand.

Defining the Goals

Before any redesign work began, after checking out recommended best practices, I set out a few guiding principles:

• Classic yet modern design – The site should feel as refined and timeless as the XJS itself.

 

• Consistency and clarity – Fonts, colours, and headings should create a coherent, calm experience.

 

• Community focus – The design should encourage participation, not just passive browsing.

 

• Accessibility and usability – Members of all ages and technical comfort levels should find it easy to navigate.

From those principles, everything else followed — the new layout, typography, buttons, spacing, and the tone of voice used throughout the content.

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