Project Summary
SBZ Corporation is a global manufacturer and distributor of specialist products for the oil industry.
Their old website was slow, outdated, and unloved. They needed a modern, eye catching website, which better reflected their industry position.
We delivered a fast, user centred WordPress website offering a bold first impression. We implemented smooth user journeys for their various user groups, based on our earlier research.
We made sure the website is easy to manage, and has a much stronger product focus. A Support plan with us, ensures the website is kept up-to-date and well maintained.
Key Features
- Website Discovery & Strategy Workshop
- UX Design
- WordPress Web Design
- WordPress Web Development
- WordPress Support, Maintenance & Hosting
Challenge & Objectives
SBZ Corporation came to Impact for a website redesign and redevelopment, as their existing site was looking very dated, and failed to represent the growth their business had achieved. They also needed WordPress support, as WordPress Core and plugins had not been kept up-to-date on their previous website.
The site gave a poor first impression. For first time visitors it was unclear what exactly it is that SBZ Corporation does. It also didn’t reflect their global presence, and lacked clear calls to action.
The website lacked a lot of useful information on their products, and much of the information that there was, was out-of-date. Overall it was not very engaging, with little imagery or areas of visual interest. SBZ Corporation wanted a website that better reflected their product offering and global reach, along with a more modern and engaging design.
There was a strong focus on speed, as they’d noted that most of their competitors had slow loading websites, and due to the video embedded within the hero area of their page, their existing site was very slow.
Key objectives:
- A bold first impression to capture a new user's attention
- Reflective of their global presence
- Modern and engaging design, with more visual interest
- Stronger product focus with more informational content
- Clear calls to action
- Fast loading site for advantage over slower competition
Solution
Tried & Trusted Process
We approached this project with our tried and trusted process. Beginning with a workshop to fully understand the needs of the business and their users, and what they needed from their new website.
Once all of the research and information gathering was complete, we were able to map out user journeys, creating wireframes and prototypes for SBZ to review and test. Once signed off, we moved onto visual design making use of imagery to improve engagement and readability.
First Impressions
The homepage gives those arriving there a clear explanation of SBZ’s offering, products and their international presence. This is backed up by the use of flag icons to accompany the phone numbers in the header, along with maps and country information on other areas of the site.
Informational Pages
The client worked with us to provide their new promotional video for the homepage hero, which we implemented in a way that did not interfere with site speed, as their previous video hero had.
We created products and services areas on the site, giving the individual products their own informational pages. New search optimised copy was created with the expert input of SBZ, providing users with what they need to know, and giving SBZ a better chance or ranking for searches for terms related to their products and services.
These new sections also make it much easier for their site to grow with them. We made sure it is easy for their team to update, adding new products and services. This ease of use for the SBZ team applies to all areas of the website.
Greater Transparency
We added a news and events area for them to keep their audience updated on their latest company, product and event news, and a meet the team page with contact information, to create a more personal and approachable feel.
Performance & User Journeys
We made sure the site was fully optimised for performance, keeping it quick, outperforming their competitors.
Most importantly we created clear calls to action across the site, giving users clear onward journeys and next steps.
Technology & Plugins
- Gravity Forms - to manage form data and personalisation
- Integrated with Mailchimp - for easy email automation
- Elementor - for easy on-brand page building for the SBZ team
- Yoast - for ongoing SEO efforts
- ACF - for custom post types used to manage various areas
- Twitter feed integration
Find out more about the plugins and custom integrations we’ve created here.
