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Case Study
Graham Website Redevelopment
Client: Graham
Industry: Distribution, Retail
Duration: 2 weeks
Project Overview
Graham, a well-known provider of plumbing and heating supplies, required an urgent redevelopment of their website to resolve numerous issues with their existing platform. The goal was to create a simple yet effective website that included essential functionalities such as a Find a Retailer feature, Account Application, and Careers section. Additionally, the project involved a comprehensive migration plan, including redirects and a hosting change, to ensure a smooth transition and minimal downtime.
Objectives
- Redevelop the website to resolve existing issues and improve overall performance
- Implement a Find a Retailer feature
- Develop an Account Application section for new customers
- Create a Careers section to attract and recruit talent
- Ensure the website is user-friendly and accessible
- Execute a seamless migration plan, including redirects and hosting change
Google Lighthouse Scores
1
Performance
1
Accessibility
1
Best Practices
1
SEO
Key Features and Functionalities
1. Find a Retailer
We implemented a user-friendly Find a Retailer feature that allows customers to easily locate the nearest Graham retail outlets. This tool provides detailed information on store locations, contact details, and directions, enhancing the user’s shopping experience and driving in-store visits.
2. Account Application
To streamline the process for new customers, we developed an Account Application section. This feature enables potential customers to apply for a trade account online, simplifying the onboarding process and improving customer acquisition.
3. Careers Section
We created a comprehensive Careers section to help Graham attract and recruit new talent. This section includes job listings, detailed descriptions of available positions, and an online application form, making it easy for candidates to apply for jobs directly through the website.
4. Migration Plan
Redirects: To ensure that existing URLs were correctly redirected to the new website, we developed a comprehensive redirect plan. This included mapping old URLs to new ones, setting up 301 redirects, and testing the redirects to ensure they worked correctly. This step was crucial to maintaining SEO rankings and ensuring a seamless user experience.
Hosting Change: The project included migrating the website to a new hosting provider. We selected a reliable hosting solution that offered better performance, security, and scalability. The migration process involved:
- Setting up the new hosting environment
- Transferring website files and databases
- Configuring the server settings
- Testing the website on the new host to ensure everything functioned correctly
- Updating DNS settings to point to the new server
Testing and Validation: Post-migration, we conducted thorough testing to ensure that all functionalities were working as expected. This included checking all redirects, testing the application forms, verifying the Find a Retailer tool, and ensuring that the Careers section was fully operational.
Challenges and Solutions
Urgent Redevelopment Needs
The existing Graham website had numerous issues that needed urgent resolution. We prioritised understanding the critical problems and implementing quick fixes to stabilise the site while simultaneously working on the redevelopment.
Simple yet Effective Design
Given the urgent nature of the project, we focused on creating a simple yet effective design that met all the essential requirements. This approach ensured a rapid development timeline while delivering a functional and user-friendly website.
Ensuring Accessibility and Usability
To provide a seamless user experience, we ensured the website was easy to navigate and accessible to all users. We implemented best practices in web design to enhance usability and ensure a positive user experience across all devices.
Seamless Migration
The migration plan was executed meticulously to avoid any downtime or loss of data. By setting up proper redirects and changing the hosting environment efficiently, we ensured that the transition was smooth and transparent to the users.
Results and Feedback
The redeveloped Graham website was launched successfully within a tight timeframe, addressing all critical issues and significantly improving overall performance. The new features, including the Find a Retailer tool, Account Application section, and Careers page, have been well-received by users. The migration was seamless, with no significant downtime or issues reported. Feedback indicates that the website is now more reliable, user-friendly, and effective in meeting customer and business needs.
Results & Metrics
Conclusion
The urgent redevelopment and migration of Graham’s website successfully resolved numerous issues and significantly enhanced its functionality and user experience. By integrating essential features such as the Find a Retailer tool, Account Application section, and Careers page, and executing a thorough migration plan, we delivered a robust digital platform that supports Graham’s business operations and customer engagement. The positive reception and improved performance post-launch underscore the success of the project and our commitment to delivering impactful digital solutions.
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Graham
Graham, a well-known provider of plumbing and heating supplies, required an urgent redevelopment of their website to resolve numerous issues with their existing platform. The goal was to create a simple yet effective website that included essential functionalities such as a Find a Retailer feature, Account Application, and Careers section. Additionally, the project involved a comprehensive migration plan, including redirects and a hosting change, to ensure a smooth transition and minimal downtime.