Collaboration between Boatique
About Our Client

What is Boatique?

Boatique is an online marketplace that brings together luxurious and innovative interior and exterior products inspired by the superyacht industry. With a simple registration process, different brands can upload their products in the Boatique website from where customers or businesses can directly buy multiple products related to the Superyacht industry.

Overview

We had to rescue a stranded project

Boatique wanted to develop a functional eCommerce website for the Superyacht industry. The Boatique team consists of current and ex-yacht crew who have first-hand experience in sourcing products for their yachts. These products include beach setup supplies, watersport accessories, items for interior and exterior decorations, and many more.

They understood the challenge of searching different places for the perfect products. That's why they wanted to create a custom website where different items would be readily available.

The client initially worked with a developer who did not cater to requirements of the website development and had also left it half-developed. This was the main pain point of the client who was left with non-functional website. There were API issues and nothing was working.

Project Goal

Develop
a new functional
eCommerce
website

Build an efficient
form to support
multi-vendor
registration

Find the right
technology
to buid the website

Meet all
the client's
requirements

Requirement

The quest for a functional website

Katherine, the CEO, and founder of Boatique approached Virtual Employee in hopes of getting an eCommerce website that would cater to the needs of their audience.

Our solution was to find the right technology to build a functional eCommerce platform, incorporate proper coding and manage the entire website development process from scratch. To meet the requirements, we identified that customization would play a significant role in the development process.

And here's how we did it.

Boatique Homepage Structure
Proposal

How we rode out the storm

We chalked out a plan on how to create the perfect website. We ensured that we were always on the same page as our client and she has been raving about VE ever since:

By evaluating the client requirements, we understood how we needed to proceed for developing the eCommerce platform.

We had to ensure vendors would face no errors in uploading the products to the Boatique website and customers could easily purchase their selected items. We had to ensure the website had filters for respective products, the purchase and cart options were easy to use among others. Therefore, to enhance the website's functionality, we needed to install as well as build customized plugins.

Before we proceeded, we first had to select the right technology.

Technology

We mapped our ‘technical’ goals

WooCommerce

WooCommerce helped in easy customization of the theme and plugins which played a key role in enhancing the website's functionality. We completely revamped and redesigned the existing homepage of the Boatique website.

Solution

We set sail with a plan

We developed a carefully crafted plan as per Katherine's requirements. Since the developer who worked on the website before left the development halfway, we decided to start the process from scratch since it was facing issues on multiple fronts.

Server Migration

Hosting Migration Service

The first thing we did was migrate the website to a new server. Since the previous developer informed the client that they would delete the website from the server it was on, we immediately made this our priority. We migrated it to a different server to avoid any failures and security concerns.

Task 01:

Website Development & Design

Code

The development of the Boatique website was done using WordPress. Since it is a multi-vendor website, we ensured vendors could access the site without any issues. From options of vendor approval to vendor rejection, everything was done from scratch.

We built the site on WooCommerce because of its multiple advantages. We selected the Barberry theme which is a modern WooCommerce theme since it helped in maintaining a responsive UI/UX and gave it an aesthetic touch.

Task 02:

Plugin Installation & Customization

Boatique Vendor Registration

One of the focal points of this project was to customize various plugins to increase the feasibility of the eCommerce platform. We executed essential customization and coding, especially for the shipping and product categories.

  • The shipping option was customized as per vendor requirements
  • The Currency per Product plugin for WooCommerce Pro helped in setting and displaying prices for WooCommerce products in different currencies.
  • We incorporated a Vendor Registration portal so that vendors can easily apply to register and upload their products.
  • A Reward Point System based per product was integrated using YITH WooCommerce Points and Rewards Premium plugin.
  • A “Get A Quote Option” for all products was incorporated using YITH WooCommerce Request a Quote Premium plugin.
  • We added the Smart Slide 3 Pro plugin to add versatility to the chosen WordPress theme. This visual builder helped in creating sliders, blocks, full-page slideshows, videos, and other page elements for a truly dynamic website.
  • We developed customized product pages for a few vendors using custom coding.
  • To maintain website visibility in SERPs and enhance search results, we incorporated the SEO plugin called Yoast.

Apart from these major integrations, other important plugins from Mailchimp to WooCommerce Frontend Manager were incorporated for increasing the website's functioning. With necessary API integration and customization, the eCommerce platform was equipped to the brim.

Task 03:

Live Chat

Tidio- Message

We ensured a streamlined communication process for the customers of Boatique with the vendors. By integrating the Tidio chat plugin, we made sure that Boatique could now engage with customers and website visitors in real-time, send targeted messages, and earn new leads.

With its chatbots option and various useful features, the company could manage its audience 24x7 without ever having to leave them on standby.

Task 04:

Filter Options

Boatique- Filter options

With products from different brands, we developed individual filters for them as per their requirements. For every category, be it interiors, exteriors, kitchen supplies, watersports accessories, or beach setup, relevant filter options were incorporated such as color and pricing options.

Different filters for products and categories made it easy for the potential audience to narrow down their choices and select the products when purchasing from Boatique.

Task 05:

Admin Work

Boatique-Dashboard

Lastly, VE was also involved in admin work for this project. We maintained the important documents regarding the vendors, uploaded products to the website, and updated them whenever required. When handing over the project, we provided Katherine with the necessary data sheets that would help them with future admin work.

Task 06:

Result

We promptly reached the shore

Boatique website in desktop and mobile

Although Katherine came to us with a non-functional website, we transformed it into a fully functional multi-vendor platform.

From choosing the right technology to incorporating the required plugins, customizing them, and developing the overall website, VE was involved in every process. With a streamlined plan of action, we delivered the project within the deadline, exceeding client expectations. Our skilled resources made it possible to seamlessly reach the end goal and Katherine agreed,

…in terms of skills, I’m blown away.
I can’t believe how efficient the team is, what a wealth of knowledge they bring to the team…
Nothing’s impossible with them.
Our Resource

Meet our captain at the helm

VE delivered the results that Katherine wanted in a quick span of time. Our organized and well thought-out approach helped in reaching the desired project outcome.

Aastha Bhagat- Senior Wordpress Developer

Aastha is a talented developer with 6+ years of experience. She is skilled in WordPress and can enhance the software and build custom websites. With project lead experience, she is able to handle simple to complex projects and seamlessly execute diverse projects.

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