Bringing Foot Traffic to West Hollywood Local Businesses.

The City of West Hollywood, in partnership with Visit West Hollywood, launched WeHo Loves Locals to boost economic activity for neighborhood businesses, many of which were still grappling with reduced foot traffic and rising costs. While the initiative was well-intentioned, the first version of the website was little more than a static map of shops and restaurants. It offered limited engagement, minimal visibility for participating businesses, and failed to convey the energy behind the city’s investment in this program.

Our challenge was to transform the site into a destination that showcased local businesses, drove both resident and visitor spending, and captured the vibrancy of West Hollywood as a community.

We reimagined WeHo Loves Locals as a lifestyle-focused hub that positions the program less like a municipal service and more like a cultural brand worth exploring.The refreshed design introduces a retro-pop aesthetic with bold gradients, playful typography, and approachable visuals rooted in tourism best practices. A rotating hero carousel highlights the breadth of the program, giving participating businesses equal visibility while reinforcing the diversity of West Hollywood’s retail, dining, and cultural scene.Interactive features were central to the rebuild. Instead of a static list, the site now hosts:

• Dedicated business pages for more than 50 participants
• Curated staycation packages designed to showcase West Hollywood experiences
• Custom map designed to spotlight every business location

Every design decision was made to present the program as a consumer-friendly lifestyle brand while still honoring its civic roots. The experience invites locals and visitors alike to browse, discover, and participate, while helping the City and Visit West Hollywood deliver on their shared mission of strengthening the local economy.

This project was shaped by the collaborative spirit between Partywave, Visit West Hollywood, and Search Party, whose strategic input ensured that tourism marketing principles and the unique DMO–City dynamic were accounted for throughout the process.

The redesigned site elevates WeHo Loves Locals from a static directory to an interactive platform that reinforces the partnership between the City of West Hollywood and Visit West Hollywood. By combining distinct branding, gift card incentives, curated offers, and an intuitive digital experience, the program now feels lively, engaging, and true to the spirit of the city. The result is a platform that not only gives neighborhood businesses the visibility and support they deserve, but also helps position West Hollywood as a vibrant community worth exploring.

Some stats from the fall launch:

• Nearly 28,000 visitors in just a few weeks
• Local business referral clicks up 125%
• Average engagement time per user up 60%