Executive Summary: This case study examines the process of redesigning and optimizing an online shop website for a local business in Moncton, New Brunswick. The website faced issues due to unnecessary plugins and a lack of maintenance, which caused significant problems for the business owner. After a thorough discovery phase to identify pain points, the website was fully redesigned to be responsive and visually appealing. The project concluded with providing the owner with the necessary training to manage the site effectively.
Introduction/Background: The client, a local business owner in Moncton, New Brunswick, was struggling with her online shop website, which required a thorough polish and maintenance. The website’s performance was hindered by unnecessary plugins that were causing functionality issues and complicating the management of the site. The business owner needed a solution that would not only fix these issues but also enhance the overall look and feel of the website.
Problem/Challenge: The primary challenge was to identify and resolve the issues that were causing the website to underperform. This included removing problematic plugins, improving the site’s design and responsiveness, and ensuring the website was easier for the owner to manage.
Objectives: The objectives were to:
- Conduct a thorough discovery phase to identify pain points and bottlenecks in the website’s performance.
- Redesign the website to be fully responsive and visually appealing.
- Provide training to the business owner to enable her to manage the website more effectively.
Approach/Methodology: The following steps were undertaken to achieve these objectives:
- Discovery Phase: Conducted a comprehensive review of the website to identify the main issues causing problems for the business owner, including the impact of unnecessary plugins on site performance.
- Website Redesign: Redesigned the website to be fully responsive, ensuring it worked well across all devices. Visually appealing content was added to enhance the user experience and better represent the business brand.
- Plugin Optimization: Removed unnecessary plugins that were interfering with the website’s functionality, streamlining the backend for better performance.
- Training and Support: Provided detailed training to the business owner on how to navigate the website dashboard, manage content, and maintain the site effectively.
Solution: The solution involved a complete website redesign, focusing on improving responsiveness and visual appeal, along with the removal of problematic plugins. The project was completed with comprehensive training sessions to ensure the business owner could manage the website independently going forward.
Results/Outcomes: The project yielded positive results:
- Improved Website Performance: The website’s performance improved significantly after the removal of unnecessary plugins and the redesign, making it easier for the owner to manage.
- Enhanced User Experience: The website’s new design was visually appealing and fully responsive, providing a better user experience for customers.
- Client Satisfaction: The business owner was highly satisfied with the results, particularly the improvements in website management. The training provided equipped her with the knowledge and confidence to handle ongoing site maintenance and content updates.
Conclusion: This case study highlights the importance of thorough discovery and targeted website optimization in resolving performance issues and enhancing user experience. By addressing the specific pain points and providing the necessary training, the project not only improved the website’s functionality but also empowered the business owner to maintain and grow her online presence effectively. The successful redesign of the online shop website underscores the value of a user-centric approach in digital projects.
