Web Development Case Study
Behind the Scenes of a Successful E-Commerce
Website Amidst the Pandemic
UX/UI Design &
Development
Responsive web
Shopify
E-Commerce Website
Development, Inventory
Management
Early 2020.
James McNamara, the owner of Go Mommy USA (a digital marketing firm), came to us.
All he told us about the project was this –
"The Essex County Sheriff's Department needs a website. They want to sell their merch to their employees. Help me make an e-com website."
James is a terrific marketer but has limited tech knowledge. He didn't care about Opencart or Shopify. He just needed to deliver the website. The project seemed simple. But what should have taken just 4 months dragged on for 7 months. When the pandemic erupted in early 2020, the project took a hit. James was forced to pause the project 4 times, amounting to a total of 3 lost months.
James had to stop four times. But he kept coming back to VE. And every time he came back, we hooked him up with the same developer. We ensured he did not have to work with new developers, and explain the project from scratch 4 times. Imagine the hassle.
Priyam Gupta, his developer at VE , single-handedly managed both tech and non-tech tasks for James. Tasks included web development, database creation, consulting the department, etc. The department really liked the website and working with James' team, aka our developer Priyam. A month later, they gave James 10 more Sherriff County websites project in the state of Massachusetts.
Go Mommy USA is a Boston-based local digital marketing company. They help businesses get high visibility via social media connections, local search rankings, and a well-planned review system. In recent years, they've branched out to website development as well.
The department needed a website with a simple interface & clearly listed product categories. The brief was short but clear – Using the website should feel like leafing through the pages of a book. Engaging and effortless. "Make it easy for the officers," he said.
A simple website – that is all he wanted. Developing a website is not the hardest part. It is often the least challenging part of the development process. The actual challenge is to find the right developer.
Challenge James Predicted
Finding a professional developer. Must have experience and good communication skills.
Challenge He Experienced
Finding a professional developer who can work remotely during the pandemic. Must have experience and good communication skills. & since the project was paused indefinitely and restarted 4 times – he needed someone with flexible availability. Someone who can stop and restart as per the requirement.
You'd say that's impossible. That's not how it works. Where would you find someone with that kind of flexibility?
Just where James found it – at VE!
That's the strongest benefit of VE – we go out of our way to try and give you the same developer again and again. VE made it possible for James to work with Priyam throughout the tenure of the project, who created the website with no point of reference. Worked out all the fine points of design and development with his expertise. It is always challenging to work with a non-tech client. But our developers are used to it. Priyam took full ownership of the project. He worked on the backend, front-end, and inventory management and communicated with James and Sherriff's department.
Project Duration – Feb 22 – Oct 22 (7 months with 4 breaks)
Platform – Shopify
Front-end languages – HTML, CSS, and JavaScript
Backend languages – Python, Ruby, PHP
Inventory Management – SANMAR
The project was meant to get finished within a month. But delay in approvals and multiple halts in the projects stretched it much longer.
Priyam used apps like YMQ to create product custom attributes. He used [insert app name] for inventory syncing, making it easier to update the inventory on SANMAR.
He ensured a breezy user experience by using various e-commerce principles like -
- Operational simplicity
- Clear data presentation via menus, catalogs, etc.
- Easy review and feedback interface
- Easily available general and contact information
When Priyam was asked to pause his work indefinitely, he often worked on side tasks like-
Creating logos in PNG and SVG from PDF files.
Product's CSV file from the catalog sent by James.
Fixing product images (removing backgrounds/adjusting sizes)
But when the pauses grew longer, James would stop the work until the next notice.
By the time the project ended, James had to say this about Priyam.
"Priyam, with his expertise, helped me design a beautiful site that my clients are delighted with. Now that they've enjoyed using the site, we will introduce that in 2023 to 10 other Sheriff's departments in Massachusetts."
The Essex County Sheriff Department needed 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's Department's branding should look– minimal, refined, and effortless.
The design concept, too, was an instant hit.
The employees of the Essex County Sheriff's Department love the look and feel of the website as it enhances their shopping experience.
Besides, it has 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 seconds!
Inspired by the e-commerce website's success, the Essex County Sheriff's Department has now decided to introduce it to 10 other Sheriff's Departments in Massachusetts.
The e-commerce website for the Essex County Sheriff's 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.
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
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