X Games

Work with a world-class brand like the X Games requires more than just a flashy design. It involves managing massive amounts of data, creating smooth user interactions, and ensuring the people managing the site can do their jobs without frustration. While this project was for a major name in extreme sports, the strategies we used are the exact same ones we use to help small businesses compete at a higher level.

This project was a collaborative effort completed in partnership with HDC. While working with their team on the second phase of this platform, we introduced new functionality that balances high-end performance with a manageable backend. These strategies are the exact same ones we use to help small businesses compete at a higher level.

How do API integrations improve a business website?

APIs allow your website to talk to other software, automatically pulling in data like live scores, inventory, or social media feeds. This keeps your site updated in real time without requiring any manual data entry from your team.

For the X Games project, we integrated new data points to display team rankings and leaderboards. Instead of just showing raw data, we stored this information as “Custom Post Types” within WordPress. This acted as a smart caching system. It meant the data was always available and easy to edit, even if the external source had a temporary hiccup. For a small business, this could mean syncing your booking software or customer reviews directly to your site so your visitors always see the most current information.

Why should you use custom animations like GSAP?

Custom animations guide a visitor’s eye to your most important information and create a premium feel that sets you apart from competitors. They turn a static page into an interactive experience that keeps people on your site longer.

Working with the HDC team, we used a tool called GSAP to create a horizontal stacking effect as users scrolled down the page. It feels fluid and intentional. In the world of small business marketing, these “micro-interactions” signal to your customers that you care about detail and quality. When your website moves with purpose, it builds trust before a customer even reads your first paragraph.

What is the best way to manage a complex website menu?

The most effective way to manage complex navigation is to build it directly into the tools you already know, such as the WordPress block editor. This avoids the need for clunky third-party plugins that often slow down your site.

Many websites use “Mega Menus” to show lots of options at once, but these are often a nightmare to update. For the X Games, we built a custom system that lets the client edit their large menus just like they would a regular page. We used a “Navigation Walker” to make sure the tech worked perfectly behind the scenes. This ensures that as your business grows and your services change, you can update your own navigation in seconds without needing to call a developer.