Launching the New Earl Smith Distributing Website

January 6, 2025

Revamping a Legacy: How Behind Your Design Transformed Earl Smith Distributing’s Online Presence

At Behind Your Design, we’re always excited to work with businesses that share our commitment to quality and service. We’re proud to announce the successful launch of the new website for Earl Smith Distributing Company, a family-owned business that has been a pillar of Michigan's Thumb region for over 90 years. This project reflects our dedication to creating modern, user-friendly digital experiences that perfectly align with our clients' needs.


A Family-Owned Legacy


Founded nearly a century ago, Earl Smith Distributing has been a trusted distributor of beer, wine, and both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages. Their service area spans four Michigan counties: St. Clair, Sanilac, Tuscola, and Huron, with a customer base of over 600 retailers, including grocery stores, pharmacies, liquor stores, restaurants, clubs, and entertainment venues. Earl Smith Distributing’s longevity and leadership in the industry are a testament to their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

As the leading beer wholesaler in the Thumb region, their mission has always been clear: to provide high-quality products and exceptional service to their valued customers. This focus on excellence made them an ideal partner for Behind Your Design, as we worked to create a website that reflects their legacy while offering new functionality for today’s digital world.


The New Website: Modern, User-Friendly, and Engaging


The new Earl Smith Distributing website is designed with both aesthetics and functionality in mind. With a modern, clean design and intuitive navigation, the site offers a seamless experience for users across all devices. One of the standout features is the Brand Finder tool, which allows retailers and customers to easily search for their favorite beverages and see which counties in Michigan they’re distributed in.


"We wanted a website that not only looked great but also made it easier for our customers to find and purchase products," says Jessica Ropposch, SHRM-CP, a key team member at Earl Smith Distributing. "The new site has exceeded our expectations, and we’re excited to see how it will enhance our customer relationships."


Collaborating with a Great Team


Behind every successful project is a strong collaboration. Working with Earl Smith Distributing has been a fantastic experience, and their team’s input was invaluable in shaping the website’s design and functionality. The process was a true partnership, with feedback and suggestions driving key decisions along the way.


“We knew we needed a website that could scale with our growth, and Behind Your Design delivered exactly what we were looking for,” says Pete Dawson, IT Manager at Earl Smith Distributing. “The user-friendly features and sleek design have made a big difference for us internally and for our customers.”


A Portfolio of Beverage Industry Expertise


At Behind Your Design, we’re proud to have worked on several websites for businesses in the beverage distribution sector. Along with Earl Smith Distributing, we’ve had the privilege of designing and developing websites for the Michigan Beer and Wine Wholesale Association and John P. O'Sullivan Distributing. These projects showcase our deep understanding of the unique needs of the industry and our ability to create custom solutions that help our clients thrive in the digital world.


We’re thrilled with how the new Earl Smith Distributing website turned out and are grateful for the opportunity to collaborate with such a respected, family-owned company. The project was a true reflection of our commitment to delivering high-quality websites that meet the unique needs of each client.


If you’re looking to create a website that reflects your business’s values and serves your customers effectively, get in touch with us. We’d love to help bring your vision to life.

Visit The New Earl Smith Distributing Co. Website

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