The Eye Center From DIY Website to Accessible, Modern Healthcare Platform

How The Eye Center Found Graceful Web Studio

The Eye Center first found Graceful Web Studio through Google while searching for expertise in website accessibility. What stood out immediately was not only the emphasis on WCAG 2.2 AA–aligned accessibility, but also the portfolio of healthcare and professional service websites that demonstrated clarity, trust, and thoughtful content structure. After reviewing previous work and accessibility-focused case studies, the team reached out to explore a full website rebuild.

From the very first conversations, it was clear that accessibility was not a checkbox for The Eye Center. They wanted a website that truly reflected the quality of care, professionalism, and legacy of their ophthalmology practice while ensuring all patients could access information easily and confidently.

Discovery, Strategy, and a Clear Plan Forward

Early meetings with the physicians focused on understanding the practice, its history in the Yakima Valley, and what they felt was missing from their existing DIY website. While the original site functioned, it lacked depth, clarity, and the content needed to fully represent the scope of care, experience of the physicians, and trust built over decades of service.

Based on these discussions, Graceful Web Studio developed a detailed rebuild plan outlining:

• A move to a more modern, flexible platform using Webflow
• Expanded and reorganized content to better tell the practice’s story
• Accessibility baked into design and development from the start
• A structure that would empower the team to manage updates internally

The plan and estimate were reviewed, approved immediately, and the project moved forward without hesitation.

Content Collection and Collaborative Wireframing

The content phase began by auditing and extracting what could be reused from the existing website. Much of the foundational information was already there but needed updating, restructuring, and expansion. Any missing content was collected collaboratively through discovery sessions, ensuring accuracy while improving clarity and patient understanding.

Wireframing was a hands-on, collaborative process. Together, we laid out page structure, refined messaging, and ensured the right information appeared in the right places. This phase allowed the team to visualize the site before development began and ensured alignment on both content and flow.

Development, Photography, and Empowerment Through Webflow

During development, The Eye Center invested in professional photography to ensure the website reflected the warmth, professionalism, and personality of the practice. These images were integrated throughout the site to create a welcoming, human-centered experience.

The website was built entirely in Webflow, and the team was invited to create their own Webflow workspace. This allowed the final stages of commenting, review, and edits to happen directly in the platform. Key areas of the site were transitioned into the Webflow CMS, giving the team the ability to make small updates and content changes independently without risking design or accessibility.

This approach empowered The Eye Center with true ownership of their website, not dependence on a developer for every minor change.

Accessibility, Testing, and Quality Assurance

Accessibility was treated as a core requirement, not an afterthought. The site was audited and tested to align with WCAG 2.2 Level AA accessibility best practices, including:

• Semantic structure and heading hierarchy
• Keyboard navigation and visible focus indicators
• Color contrast and readable typography
• Accessible forms and interactive elements

Testing was performed across multiple devices and screen sizes to ensure a consistent, inclusive experience for all users.

Advanced SEO and AEO Implementation

To support long-term visibility and authority, advanced SEO and AI Engine Optimization (AEO) strategies were implemented, including:

• Optimized page titles and meta descriptions
• Open Graph images for social sharing
• Structured schema markup
• A detailed FAQ section to support search and AI-generated summaries
• Implementation of an llms.txt file to support emerging AI discovery patterns

These enhancements ensure the site not only looks great, but performs well across search engines and AI-driven platforms.

Google Workspace Modernization

During the project, it became clear that The Eye Center’s internal communication tools needed modernization as well. Two physicians were using legacy AOL and Hotmail email accounts. Graceful Web Studio proposed a professional Google Workspace setup to centralize communication and improve security and workflow.

The team immediately approved the recommendation. A full Google Workspace environment was configured, including:

• Eight user accounts
• Multiple aliases for billing, patient inquiries, and general contact
• Shared inboxes to support team-based communication
• A clean, professional email structure aligned with the new website

This upgrade ensured the practice’s internal operations matched the professionalism of their new online presence.

Results and Client Feedback

The response from The Eye Center team was overwhelmingly positive. Debbie Ehlers, RN and Administrator, shared:

“This new website captures The Eye Center perfectly. It accurately reflects our mission, is easy to navigate, visually beautiful with the new photos, and includes all the important information our patients need.”

Dr. Richard Ehlers also left a public Google review:

“Crystal is a high energy, creative superstar with exceptional writing skills. We now have an amazing website that showcases our medical practice, giving prospective patients a confidence-enhancing view of our practice. We are more than happy with the website Crystal created.”

A Modern Platform for a Trusted Practice

Today, The Eye Center has a modern, accessible, and authoritative website that reflects decades of excellence in eye care. The site supports patients, empowers staff, and positions the practice for continued growth, visibility, and trust in the Yakima Valley and beyond.

This project is a clear example of how accessibility, strategy, and thoughtful collaboration can transform a digital presence into a powerful extension of a healthcare brand.