Case Study
Enhancing Online Presence for Stretch Boards
Project
Design and develop a hand-coded, mobile-friendly website, integrate a WordPress instance, and third-party e-commerce shop.
Background
Stretch Boards is known for shaping high-performance surfboards and tow-in boards for big wave surfing. The company's existing website was designed primarily for desktop users, but analytics revealed that over 40% of their website traffic was coming from mobile devices. Moreover, there was an outdated WordPress installation that required updating while preserving the existing content.
Challenges
Mobile Optimization: The primary challenge was to create a hand-coded, mobile-friendly website that offered an exceptional user experience for mobile users while maintaining the existing desktop experience.
WordPress Integration: Updating the obsolete WordPress instance without compromising the existing content, plugins, and functionality.
E-commerce Integration: Integrating a third-party e-commerce shop seamlessly into the customer experience.
Work
Stretch Boards entrusted me to this project because of my proven track record of attention to detail, creativity, and resourcefulness.
Attention to Detail: I carefully analyzed the existing desktop website to identify key features and design elements that needed to be preserved while optimizing the site for mobile devices. Every pixel and element was considered to ensure a flawless transition.
Creative Design: After using it successfully in other projects, I selected the Foundation 6 responsive framework as the basis for the site's structure. I hand-coded the website template to combine the company's branding with a fresh, contemporary look. The new design emphasized user-friendliness on both mobile and desktop platforms.
Resourcefulness: To ensure a smooth transition from the outdated WordPress installation to the new one, I used the latest WordPress features, plugins, and a robust database migration strategy. This ensured that all existing content, such as blog posts and team rider profiles, seamlessly transferred to the updated WordPress instance.
Consistency: One of the primary goals was to provide a consistent experience across multiple platforms. This required meticulous testing and debugging to ensure the site operated flawlessly on various devices and browsers.
Tools
- HTML, CSS, and JavaScript for frontend development
- Foundation 6 responsive framework for site structure
- WordPress for content management and integration
- Third-party e-commerce shop integration tools
Results
The project resulted in a transformation of Stretch Boards' online presence and an improved customer experience:
Improved Customer Experience: The mobile-friendly website offered an engaging and responsive experience for mobile users while maintaining the quality of the desktop version.
Creative and Branded Experience: The redesigned website portrayed the company's brand identity effectively, enhancing its online presence.
Successful Transition: The outdated WordPress installation was successfully updated, preserving all essential content and functionalities.
Consistent Cross-Platform Experience: The project ensured that users received a consistent and seamless experience across different platforms, which further increased customer satisfaction.
