Expertise
UX/UI Design &
Development
Platforms
Responsive Web,
Shopify
Deliverables
E-Commerce Website Development, Inventory Management
Product Sneak-Peek
Discover How a VE Single-Handedly Developed
A Sheriff Department’s Website from a Blank Paper
When The Whole World Came to a Standstill Our Client Found an Ally in His VE
James McNamara, the owner of Go Mommy USA Digital Marketing, was commissioned by the Essex County Sheriff Department with the task of developing an e-commerce website. The Department wanted to sell products like hats, hoodies, t-shirts, polo shirts, jackets, etc. to its employees; preferably on a single platform to simplify their buying experience and make the products available to one and all.
However, the COVID-19 outbreak wreaked havoc on James' plans. His search for a reliable web developer seemed interminable. His project was in danger of facing missed deadlines and looming uncertainty.
Enter a dedicated web developer from Virtual Employee, Priyam Gupta. Thanks to his sharp development acumen, skills, and experience, James has now successfully launched an e-commerce website for the Essex County Sheriff Department. The website delivered on all fronts – it is fast and responsive, has minimal yet appealing aesthetics, and packs a punch with its clear product imagery and descriptions.
James was completely won over by the website’s simplicity and multi-functionality. More importantly, he was thrilled to have found the reassuring support of Priyam in the midst of a global crisis when he had given up all hope.
Confident after the website’s success, James now plans to introduce the website to 10 more Sheriff Departments in the state of Massachusetts.
It was all because of what you were able to offer me with your expertise
,” says a grateful James.
An Idea Born Out of Simplicity To Make Online Buying Super Easy
At the core of James' requirement was a website with a very simple interface which listed all product categories and details distinctly. A simple e-commerce website that offered a hassle-free shopping experience.
Since the website was solely for the internal use of the Essex Sheriff Department, James also wanted a website which would showcase the branding of the department and yet be minimal in design.
Although there weren't too many products or collections to be listed on the website, James was eager to create an easy user flow for the employees of the Essex County Sheriff Department.
His brief was short but clear - the user experience had to be like that of leafing through the pages of a book, engaging and effortless.
- A minimal and sophisticated website aesthetics
- A simple navigation structure
- A product catalogue with detailed descriptions
- A clean e-commerce website interface with distinct product images
James’ Search for a Curated Website Left Him High and Dry in the Global Shutdowns
The Essex County Sheriff Department understood that they needed a more effective and centralized medium to sell their products.
Reaching out to each and every employee is a tedious task. So, they came up with the solution of setting up an e-commerce website. It would help them streamline their sales and speed up business operations, without compromising on customer convenience.
So, they opted for the next immediate solution, that is, to look for a website developer. But looking for website developers sometimes turns out to be tricky, especially for people who aren’t too technically aware of the finer nuances of web development.
James would look at scores of profiles of experienced web developers. But he found it hard to hire one as he wasn’t sure if they understood his requirements. He was on the lookout for someone who would identify and relate to his needs and translate them into a simple website.
A simple website – that is all he wanted. Nothing fancy, just an uncomplicated website that is user-friendly and easily navigable. But sometimes the simplest of tasks turn out to be tedious ones as an unpredictable event crippled the entire world.
The COVID-19 outbreak burst upon the scene, throwing the entire world in disarray, with country after country imposing indefinite lockdowns, eventually including the USA as well.
Along with its set of uncertainties and lockdowns, COVID-19 effectively also cast a huge shadow of doubt and delay for James’ plans. He knew he had to get the project going but was paralysed by business shutdowns.
Then by a sheer stroke of good fortune, he discovered Virtual Employee…
- An experienced web developer capable of leading a technically unaware team.
- A developer who understood minimal design aesthetics and simple design.
- A dedicated resource who would be able to work with him despite COVID lockdowns.
From Dreaming Up Big Ideas to Bringing Them to Life Despite COVID Standing in Their Way and Ours
Even though Priyam developed the website in a record time, it was not all smooth sailing for him. Right from the start, Priyam had to go the extra mile to interpret the technical aspects of James’ project.
As James was not aware of the nitty-gritty of e-commerce website development, Priyam had to rely on his own experience of working on similar projects. He would provide technical clarity to James so that both of them could be on the same page.
Soon enough, James started worked hand in glove with Priyam who, by then, not only understood the project requirement but was also giving his inputs.
Even though there was no clear point of reference to design the website, Priyam worked out all the finer points of design and development with his expertise.
But just when the project was about to hit the floor, it got stalled. The pandemic played spoilsport to James first and then the pauses grew long because of funding difficulties.
But this didn’t deter Priyam at all. He would come back to work on the website every time with equal dedication. Because it was his brain child after all! That’s the strongest and most powerful benefit of VE – you get to come back to the same excellent developer again and again, unlike freelancers who would likely have hopped onto another project by then.
Which is why, this wasn’t just a one-off project. James went on to hire Priyam as his dedicated developer for a few other projects in the months that followed.
- A non-tech client
- Lack of technical clarity
- No point of reference
- Ever expanding project duration
- Multiple pauses in the development phase of the website
How Our VE Ticked All the Boxes And Outperformed All Expectations
Developers build websites from scratch. That is a given. But to be the frontman of a non-technical team and bring them in sync with the technical aspects of the project is a different ballgame altogether!
And Priyam carried them all out with flying colors.
Sure, development is all about writing codes and putting new technologies together. But Priyam understood his real task from day one.
He wasn't merely developing an e-commerce website but was guiding James and his team through the digitization of their business model, step by step.
Priyam always kept the communication with James succinct and easy to digest. He went through all the descriptive ‘whats’ and ‘whys’ rather than the frenzied ‘hows’. This way he could explain the benefits and functionalities of his approach to James’ website.
And the result? James put his complete trust in Priyam. Together they came up with a website that is a class apart and makes buying products online a breeze.
The Sheriff Department's Merchandise Got a Dramatic Makeover
The Essex County Sheriff Department was in dire need of an e-commerce website, that too during a time when finding reliable resources was like looking for a needle in a haystack.
However, Virtual Employee came to the rescue and helped accomplish James’ goal.
Priyam delivered an e-commerce website that strikes the right balance between products, user interface, and ease and speed. The website is the closest representation of how a County Sheriff Department’s branding should look like – minimal, refined, and effortless.
The design concept too was an instant hit.
The employees of the Essex County Sheriff Department love the look and feel of the website as it enhances their shopping experience. Besides, it has a clear and easy navigation along with good site-wide search and sorting options. As a result, buyers find their desired products within a matter of a few milliseconds!
Inspired by the e-commerce website’s success, the Essex County Sheriff Department has now decided to introduce it to 10 other Sheriff’s Department in Massachusetts.
The e-commerce website for the Essex County Sheriff Department is thus a welcome change among most other government websites that are slow, unresponsive, and often difficult to navigate.
James and Priyam together created a website that is gradually pushing the bar of a government website’s user experience and accessibility.
And James Has Been Raving About His VE Ever Since
Priyam’s vast experience in e-commerce helped me design a beautiful site that is fitting for an Essex County Sheriff’s Department. Thanks Priyam for your dedicated support in these dire times.
James McNamara, Owner, Go Mommy USA Digital Marketing, USA
