Township of Esquimalt

Modern, user-friendly economic development website launched for a growing West Coast community

The Township of Esquimalt, located within Greater Victoria on Vancouver Island, is home to more than 17,000 residents. Known for its strong sense of community, thriving local economy, and proximity to downtown Victoria, Esquimalt has been steadily growing as a hub for business and innovation.
To support local entrepreneurs, attract investment, and highlight the Township’s unique advantages, Esquimalt launched a new economic development website. The site acts as a central resource for businesses, investors, and community members, providing tools, data, and information to help them explore opportunities in Esquimalt.

WhyEsquimalt.ca

Services Provided

  • Accessible Design
  • User-focused Design
  • Website Design & Development
  • Website Hosting
  • Website Support

The Challenge

Esquimalt sought a dedicated digital platform that could:
  • Showcase the Township’s economic opportunities
  • Provide accessible resources to local businesses and prospective investors
  • Highlight key sectors, community strengths, and available supports
  • Inspire confidence in choosing Esquimalt as a place to invest, work, and live
The Township needed a website that would be informative, inclusive, and engaging, while reflecting the community’s identity and long-term vision for sustainable growth. Similar to other municipal website redesign projects, the challenge was to deliver a site that balances usability with storytelling.
Desktop and Mobile screenshots of the WhyEsquimalt.ca homepage
Desktop and Mobile screenshots of the WhyEsquimalt.ca homepage

The Solution

Upanup partnered with the Township of Esquimalt to design and develop the Why Esquimalt website. Built on a user-first approach, the site emphasizes clarity, accessibility, and ease of navigation.

What we delivered:

  • A modern, mobile-friendly design aligned with Esquimalt’s brand
  • Streamlined navigation for business, investment, and community resources
  • Sector highlights to showcase opportunities in technology, green industries, tourism, and more
  • A resource hub with guides, reports, and links to key business supports
  • Integration of engaging visuals and storytelling to highlight Esquimalt’s community strengths
  • Strong accessibility and usability features, applying inclusive design best practices
  • Access for local businesses to manage their own listings
This approach ensured the site is not only a promotional tool, but also a practical resource for businesses and residents alike.
Desktop and Mobile screenshots of the WhyEsquimalt.ca business directory.
Mobile screenshots of the WhyEsquimalt.ca business directory.

The Results

The new website provides the Township with a powerful tool to:
  • Promote economic development by attracting investors and supporting local businesses
  • Strengthen community identity by showcasing Esquimalt’s advantages and opportunities
  • Enhance accessibility for all users with a clear, inclusive design
  • Support long-term growth by offering up-to-date, easy-to-use resources
Community leaders have celebrated the launch:

“This website will help showcase our community as a great place to live, work, and do business. It’s an excellent resource that reflects Esquimalt’s strengths and opportunities.”
— Barbara Desjardins, Mayor of Esquimalt News Release

"The website acts as a 24/7 digital storefront for Esquimalt and will grow to house the Investment Prospectus and highlight new and exciting projects in Esquimalt."
 — Terése Finegan, Manager of Economic Development - Video Interview

Related Work

Are you curious to see more projects like this one? We’ve selected a couple relatable case studies which you can find below.

View All Case Studies