Website URL: http://www.markleymarine.com
Markley Marine, a cornerstone of Harrison Township’s boating community since the 1970s, approached me with a clear mission: bring their outdated website into the modern era with a premium, branded experience that reflects the lifestyle of their members. Known for offering everything from boat slips and boat sales to a full calendar of social events – their most notable event is the Parade of Lights, Markley Marine needed a digital presence that matched the vibrant and upscale character of its marina.
From Early 2000s: A Much-Needed Overhaul was in Order
Their previous website, stuck in the early 2000s and built in raw HTML, offered little functionality, a dated design, and no practical way for staff to keep content fresh. The team at Markley Marine knew it was time for a change—but the road to a modern site wasn’t without bumps.
The biggest hurdle wasn’t the design, photography, or development—it was the hardware / server hosting the website. The existing hosting environment was severely outdated, and while the new website required modern hardware to run efficiently, the client was not interested in upgrading or migrating to a more suitable server. This created limitations in performance, especially when traffic increased, often leading to database errors and slow load times.
Still, we pressed forward.
Strategy: Showcase the Lifestyle, Not Just the Location
One of the most exciting aspects of this project was the opportunity to capture and reflect the experience of being a Markley Marine member. The goal wasn’t just to display services—it was to tell a story. We wanted prospective members and guests to feel the environment: the sunrise on the docks, the energy of summer events, and the calm beauty of the water.
To capture this essence, I visited the property several times at different hours and lighting conditions. From real estate-style photos showcasing the grounds and facilities, to event photography highlighting the community atmosphere, my aim was to build a media library that brought the site to life visually.
I chose WordPress as the foundation for the website as the platform was building popularity and it was known for its stability. Its flexible content management system allowed me to create an intuitive backend that the office staff could easily use to post blogs, update announcements, and manage photo galleries. This was a key improvement, allowing the marina to stay connected with current and future members online.
In addition, I also used Cinema 4D to recreate their logo in 3D and using it in various places through their online presence – Facebook avatar, watermark on photos, and logo in the footer of the website.
Outcome: A Modern, Functional, and Beautiful Website
Despite the limitations of the server, the final product was a huge success. The design now reflects the premium, family-friendly lifestyle of Markley Marine. It’s visually rich, easy to navigate, and—most importantly—usable by staff without needing a developer’s help.
What was once a static, hard-coded website is now a functional tool that helps promote the club’s brand and culture.
Final Thoughts
The Markley Marine project was a reminder that sometimes the biggest challenge isn’t the creative work—it’s navigating constraints. While I couldn’t convince the client to invest in newer infrastructure, I still delivered a modern, visually-driven website that elevated their online presence and empowered their team to self-promote their marina more effectively.
It’s not just a website anymore. It’s a reflection of the marina itself: welcoming, refined, and full of life.
