Building approachability into a flexible, candidate-first recruitment website

Project: Foundations. Website.
Client: XCL
Industry: Recruitment
Date: 2023

Challenge

XCL Group is one of the leading recruitment agencies in Huddersfield and Oldham. As with most recruitment businesses, its website is an indispensable front-end tool to help find the right person, for the right job, at the right time. Every time.

We originally created XCL’s website, so when Ewan Gallagher, Director, and Jodie Woodhead, Regional Manager, returned to us in 2023, the brief was clear: they needed a more flexible platform that could keep pace with constantly changing job listings, growing content demands and a clear shift in audience focus.

Strategy

Creating rapport with a simplified user experience

The most significant change was strategic rather than technical. XCL wanted the website to speak more directly to candidates, with jobs and opportunities leading the experience, and a tone of voice that felt genuinely approachable.

Whether candidates are looking for their first job or exploring opportunities for the next stage in their career, building rapport really mattered. So the site needed to feel human, clear and welcoming, reducing friction and helping candidates feel confident taking the next step to apply. This is about converting candidate enthusiasm and curiosity into actual job applications.

XCL website and navigation on iPhone
XCL website services on iphone

Solution

Confident, simple, contemporary.

We designed and built a fresh, contemporary website using a vibrant colour palette, with simplicity at its core. Candidates can now search by job or by sector, explore opportunities in their own time, and easily connect with a recruitment specialist.

Behind the scenes, we worked closely with Ewan and Jodie to finesse the user journey and develop a tone of voice that prioritises clarity, warmth and trust - turning approachability into a tangible part of the experience. This was very much about building trust and encouragement - with as few barriers to application as possible.

XCL Group Office and Commercial Recruitment XCL Group Engineering Recruitment XCL Group Construction Recruitment

Impact

More than just a jobs website - a hub for wider expert content

The result is a flexible recruitment website that genuinely puts candidates at the heart of the journey. It also gives XCL the freedom to publish a wider range of content, from blogs to its monthly newsletter, helping build longer-term engagement beyond the job search.

The site continues to evolve alongside the business - supporting connection, confidence and growth.

XCL Brand Typography

More Case Studies

Cookies

This site uses cookies that need consent.