Case Studies - A+ Blinds

Website Address: www.classyblinds.com

Technology: XHTML, CSS, Javascript, PHP, MySQL

Features

• Full listing of different types of blinds and shades
• Easy to use search tool on every page
• Immediate price quoting when selecting sizes and options
• Full e-commerce capabilities to allow online purchasing

The Idea
Expand the client's business by designing and developing an internet store front. Increase company's sales, validate the company's brand identity, and provide a central location for consumer's to find out information about different blinds.

The Proposition
Setup a system to allow visitors to select the blinds they need, quote them immediately, and allow them to pay online. Design an original logo, to replace their current one, in order to strengthen their branding.

Produce an administration tool for quickly, and easily updating blind pricing information, since the prices change regularly.

The Method
After the initial meeting, our design team set to work to come up with a clean, straightforward navigation in order to stand apart from other online blind stores.

Meanwhile our programming team began laying out the table design, back-end code and form interaction. Due to accurate data structure identification, and excellent initial communication at the onset, we immediately identified the data flow necessary to bring about the client's vision. Some of the challenges we faced was the intense Javascript coding necessary to unify the quoting process onto a single screen with no page refresh.

After the client approved the design for the site, we knew something extra had to be done to draw attention to the home page. Outside of scope and budget, we formulated a flash category listing, with eye-catching animation, in order to draw the visitor into the site, immediately.

An administration section was set up, for the client to manage all their products from a single screen, effortlessly. Through this tool, the client can add, and update information in the database directly. The admin tool was designed to be simple to use, as well as give the client direct control over all information on the site. Furthermore, when entering in test products, we realized the client needed a quick way to put pricing information directly from a spreadsheet into the site. Our development team resolved this issue by designing a csv upload in the pricing section, for a site administration to upload a file with the pricing information, which would update the entire grid, immediately. Streamlining this process saved the client incalculable amounts of time, when managing his internet store front.

So by having an in-house development team to go over and above the specified development process; and by entrusting our designers with streamlining all of the sites interfaces, we realized the client's vision, and exceeded their expectations of the final product.

At Present
Their site continues to increase in traffic and undergo SEO revisions. Customers can easily find and order blinds, and the store owner has no problem keeping it up to date.