Case Study: Website Redesign and Custom Applications For A Local Nonprofit

The Goal

Our client–a prominent, local non-profit organization focused on promoting the playing of chamber music–was ready for a website redesign. They wanted something more modern, with a streamlined layout and better flow. Some content needed to be transferred from the old site to the new website, but they also had the goal of greatly expanding available content after the website redesign. 

They had some examples of what they liked (always very helpful!) and wanted to include a hero video on their new homepage. Besides the new website itself, our client also wanted to switch from paper tickets for performances to an electronic ticketing system–this would save a lot of time spent printing and mailing. As we would come to find out, this goal would require some special accommodations. Our client would also still need access to their old site for various administrative purposes until everything was successfully navigated and the new performance season was in full swing.

The Strategy

In general, our client’s existing website had some pages that appeared cluttered, disjointed, and a bit busy. They wanted a cleaner aesthetic and we were happy to get to work for them. 

Because our client sells tickets online, we knew that we’d be utilizing Shopify to build out their new site. This would give us options for how to handle ticket sales while also incorporating the client’s other requests and building them an all-around smoother and more modern-looking, easy-to-use site. We also needed to include a “Make a Donation” feature that would be obvious to site visitors and simple for them to utilize. 

Our Shopify experts got busy, examining options and lining up needed information to ensure that the client’s new website met all their needs and offered smooth navigation on any device. All the while, our team was in constant communication with our client. Our contact was great to work with, and always available–that makes the process so much easier for all parties involved. After plenty of back-and-forth, we were able to nail down some key data needed to complete the site build. Edits and additions were put in place, and just a few months after initially agreeing to build their new site, we could present a finalized mockup for client approval. 

The Results

Our team redesigned the site on Shopify’s platform and implemented a digital ticketing system using their built-in capabilities. That said, we did need to tweak the standard offerings to get the client precisely what they were looking for. In the end, the new design was fresh, modern, and offered website users a streamlined layout with a better flow–perfect! We also put together an easy-to-follow video tutorial so that our client could quickly swap out images, captions and performance listings on their always updating and changing schedule–it was important that they could have this ability. Thankfully, Shopify is fairly easy to use, even for those who are not very tech savvy.

So, what was the final outcome? After a lot of conversation and editing, we were able to create a fresh, new website that would be recognizable to our client’s customer base, but easier to use and featuring a modernized layout and navigation options. We built in additional sections that our client can add to in the future, furthering their goal of becoming a source for reliable and authoritative information about chamber music. And most importantly, we enabled an easier, less hands-on way to sell tickets to their events. All in all, we’re proud of our work and our client is thrilled with their updated look!

The Takeaway

While it all seems pretty simple on the surface, there was actually a lot to take away from this project. First of all, we cannot overstate the value of using Shopify to build ecommerce websites, and the value that a team of Shopify experts brings to Alt Media Studios offerings. Shopify is great for increased conversion rates and repeat sales, but it’s also a key way to stretch marketing dollars. Even more so if your website is set up and managed by a developer and digital marketing agency. We can utilize the power of this convenient platform to custom design available apps to work for your specific needs. Otherwise, you could easily end up spending more on third party apps, missing key options that would benefit your business, and at the same time paying for things you don’t really need. Provided templates and drag/drop features will only get you so far–to get the most out of a Shopify website, you need to work with experts who understand the platform deeply and can manipulate it to best serve your business. Shopify definitely opens up new opportunities for extended website functionality, but only Shopify experts can tailor these one-size-fits-all solutions to better suit a client's needs and vision.

Case in point–we needed to custom develop a Shopify app to fulfill the specific and unique wants of the customer–the exact online ticketing experience that they were looking for. The same goes for the “Make a Donation” feature on the site. We developed a customized experience in the store with no additional monthly fees or out-sourced app management. If you want to use Shopify for your ecommerce business–and we’d heartily recommend that you do!–you want to be sure that you have the professional experience and support that comes with a full-service digital marketing agency. This will make the most of your investment and ensure that you get exactly what you want and need out of your website. 

Another key takeaway is to be open to communication and ready to listen to the experts. When someone other than our point of contact reached out with some ideas that didn’t make sense when seen through our professional lens, our client wanted to know our thoughts. We were honest, they were grateful, and in the end, everyone compromised and moved forward. That’s really the name of the game when it comes to a stellar agency/client relationship–we have to be able to talk freely with each other. When you work with Alt Media Studios there will always be mutual respect and you will always have the ultimate say, but we really appreciate the opportunity to share our hard-earned knowledge and expertise–this is why you chose us, after all! And who knows, you might just benefit your business by lending an ear.

Your Digital Marketing Agency in Cleveland

When it’s time for a website redesign, you want to work with experts who get you, get your business, and are ready to put in the work for your success. That’s exactly what you’ll find when you work with the professional team at Alt Media Studios. We’ll build you a great website, sure, but we’ll also customize every feature for ease of use, efficiency, and, most importantly, to meet your business goals and needs. Contact us today to learn more about our services and get started on your journey to an enhanced online presence.