Web Redesign & E-Commerce Dev for Coffee Shop
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Web Design
- $10,000 to $49,999
- Jan. 2017 - Ongoing
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 5.0
- Cost
- 5.0
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
"When you talk through things with [them], [they’re] going to give you all kinds of great ideas."
- Other industries
- Erie, Pennsylvania
- 1-10 Employees
- Phone Interview
- Verified
weCreate built a WordPress e-commerce site that allows customers to design their own products, with a total of 54 million possible combinations. They also developed a loyalty program and provided SEO services.
SEO and data tracking services have led to invaluable insight into consumer demographics. weCreate’s web design has led to a dramatic increase in the amount of time users spend on the site. The team offers expert guidance on digital best practices and how to put marketing ideas to best use.
A Clutch analyst personally interviewed this client over the phone. Below is an edited transcript.
BACKGROUND
Introduce your business and what you do there.
My business is Out of the Grey Coffee, an organic coffee roaster. We use customizable coffee, single origins from around the world, and we make 39 different blends. We have 179 named flavor concoctions. Part of our business is flavored coffee, so we have lots of coffee.
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What challenge were you trying to address with weCreate?
We have a very strong business, but it’s either B2B or within one of the cafes. We’re trying to get that online, to create that feel and customizability online. We started with another company that put together a website for us. It was probably one of the worst experiences we could possibly have.
The first website was supposed to have a customizable feature to it for flavored coffee. For example, if a customer wanted vanilla cookie or chocolate caramel coconut, they could do it. They could name it and describe it. Then there’s the single-origin side, and all these different aspects to this website. It just wasn’t coming together. It wasn’t even the look or any of that. In fact, I was the one uploading photographs and typing the descriptions because it just wasn’t going to get done.
Once we got that part done as close as reality would allow, we wanted to add a feature that allows users to receive points for a purchase. We call it the Bank of Java. When a customer creates, names, describes, and then shares a coffee blend, they receive a certificate from the Bank of Java and start earning points, or “beans,” to use for anything on the site. When people start to purchase what you created and shared, then you earn bonus beans.
SOLUTION
What was the scope of their involvement?
I have a buddy who did a free website for one of the cafes, and that was a much better site than the one I spent $6,000 on. When weCreate came in, they had to fix so much stuff. I think they had to fix a lot more than they thought they would just to get on a solid platform to do what I asked them to do. I don’t know if they necessarily knew what they were getting into.
When weCreate came on board, they said they would do this share feature and the Bank of Java. They tightened up a few issues the site had going on. I have more that we’ll be doing on the site, too, but we’re going to do it in phases. The first version was an absolute nightmare, but version 2.0 with weCreate was awesome.
The next part we’re going to do will allow users to upload something with meaning. When they create a coffee from about 54 million combinations of ingredients, name and describe it, then they’ll be able to upload something. For example, if you’re making a coffee for your parents, you can upload their anniversary picture, or one from when they were dating. You’re uploading something that has meaning for you. You have control of what that bag looks like in the front. People are going to love that. Once the coffee is gone, no one’s going to throw away that bag. That bag has sentimentality to it. Customers can create something unique for themselves, a gift, or for their company.
weCreate redesigned our WordPress site completely. The old site wasn’t even on a stable platform. Things would break or wouldn’t update; they would just be all out of whack. It took Zack a lot to just get on a solid foundation to build what he was commissioned to do. They were more than fair with me, doing everything they did.
We did some keywords for SEO. People are coming to the site, and I’m making money from it, but we’re trying to get it all down so that it functions perfectly, it’s smooth, has the automation and technology, and is just a great user experience. It’s still not there, and there’s a lot more we need to do. We aren’t putting a ton of money toward SEO because when people find us, they’re repurchasing. I have people who have purchased 15 times in just 6 months. We’re trying to get the experience right before we really start selling it to the world.
How did you come to work with weCreate?
We have 10 cafes in downtown Erie, along with other places. Zack, weCreate’s co-owner and creative director, visits one of our cafes. I kind of knew him, but I wasn’t sure I wanted to work with someone I knew, and he’s a young guy. I decided to go with a supposedly highly reputable local firm, but they subbed everything out. They had no control or anything, and it was a really bad experience.
For version 2.0, I talked to a lot of people to determine who I could hire. I knew the future of my business was on the line. weCreate’s name just kept coming up. I interviewed four different companies, and weCreate was the only one that asked any questions. In our conversation, they weren’t just listening to what I said; they tried to understand what I was trying to do and then make it better. They helped me clarify what I was trying to do. After sitting down with them, I knew they were the one. I can’t believe we have a gem like weCreate here in Erie, Pennsylvania.
How much have you invested with weCreate?
We’re a little over $9,000 right now. We’ll be investing another $9,000–$10,000 for version 3.0.
What is the status of this engagement?
The project began in January 2017, and our relationship is ongoing.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
Could you share any evidence that would demonstrate the productivity, quality of work, or the impact of the engagement?
My online customers are primarily female, and they use the customizable part of our site more. Since most of my in-store customers are men, I would never have thought that.
We haven’t really focused on SEO, but we are tracking where our customers are located. I first got a customer in Kansas City, and now I have a lot of customers in Kansas City. It’s gone from one customer to 11 in a matter of a couple months. I know that, when we’re able to put money toward SEO and marketing, it’s going to go viral — especially the share features and the customizable coffee.
Before weCreate got involved, people were on the site for an average of 11 seconds. They hit the page and just left. Now, it’s 1000% different. People are actually purchasing. An average order is when someone purchases a couple café flavors, they create something, and then they get maybe a single origin. They’re trying to get the free shipping we offer for orders over $50.
How did weCreate perform from a project management standpoint?
They were awesome. They’re always refining my ideas. I couldn’t speak more highly of how they’ve handled everything. We generally communicate by email or phone, but we also have in-person meetings. I was able to see what the website would look like before it was up, and that was very helpful.
What did you find most impressive about weCreate?
They did what they said they were going to do, which was amazing. They helped me clarify what I wanted to do. I’m a coffee guy — not a tech person. A lot of the things I know now, I learned from dealing with them.
Are there any areas weCreate could improve?
Nothing is inexpensive, but I feel they’re fair. I wish I would have dealt with them first. I would be so much further than where I am now.
Do you have any advice for a potential client of theirs?
Come with your great ideas and bring a notepad. When you talk through things with Zack, he’s going to give you all kinds of great ideas. If you can have him working for you, I don’t think you could do better.
RATINGS
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Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
"<p>They did everything they said they would — and even more. My experience was almost beyond words.</p> "
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Schedule
5.0On time / deadlines
"<p>They met or beat every deadline.</p> "
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Cost
5.0Value / within estimates
"<p>Good technology is not inexpensive. They over-delivered on what we agreed upon.</p> "
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Willing to Refer
5.0NPS
"<p>I know they’re in high demand. I would definitely refer them, but I want them to continue to work on my site.</p>
