E-Commerce Development for Building Materials Retailer
- Branding E-Commerce Development Search Engine Optimization
- $10,000 to $49,999
- Aug. 2023 - Ongoing
- Quality
- 5.0
- Schedule
- 4.5
- Cost
- 5.0
- Willing to Refer
- 5.0
"EMBARK’s project management has been outstanding from start to finish."
- Other industries
- Cardiff, Wales
- 11-50 Employees
- Online Review
- Verified
EMBARK has developed a WooCommerce website for a building materials retailer. The team has integrated Stripe payments, set up Google Merchant Center, and implemented a local SEO strategy.
Thanks to EMBARK, the client has a fully operational e-commerce platform, a modern brand identity, and a digital strategy driving sustained growth. The team's expertise and strategic approach have made the transition smooth and highly effective. EMBARK is responsive, communicative, and attentive.
The client submitted this review online.
BACKGROUND
Please describe your company and position.
I am the Owner of WBS Builder's Merchants
Describe what your company does in a single sentence.
Sell building materials to the general public and trade customers
OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE
What specific goals or objectives did you hire EMBARK to accomplish?
- Launch the first ever WBS Builders' Merchants ecommerce website
- Offer Local Delivery (postcode-level) at different rates to South Wales customers
- Offer Click & Collect to customers
- Increase organic traffic
- Increase low domain authority as identified in our Digital Roadmap Workshop
- Make it easier for customers to contact us
SOLUTION
How did you find EMBARK?
- Online Search
- Referral
- Clutch Site
- Other
Why did you select EMBARK over others?
- High ratings
- Close to my geographic location
- Pricing fit our budget
- Great culture fit
- Good value for cost
- Referred to me
- Company values aligned
- Other
How many teammates from EMBARK were assigned to this project?
2-5 Employees
Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.
We engaged EMBARK to help us transition from a static informational website to a fully functional eCommerce platform. For over 75 years, we have operated successfully with traditional in-person sales, but we recognised the need to modernise and provide our customers with an online shopping experience.
Beyond launching an online store, we needed a complete digital transformation to support long-term growth, enhance customer engagement, and improve our internal operations. This project included eCommerce development, branding, automation, digital marketing, and operational enhancements.
Scope of Work & Key Deliverables
1. ECommerce Development & Online Sales Platform
• Built a WooCommerce-based eCommerce store, allowing us to sell online for the first time.
• Integrated Stripe payments with flexible payment options, including Klarna Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL).
• Set up and optimised Google Merchant Center product feeds for Google Shopping visibility.
• Implemented free shipping thresholds to encourage higher order values.
• Created a custom sales dashboard for tracking revenue, customer insights, and business performance.
Branding, Visual Identity, & Digital Assets
• Designed a new logo, typography, and brand guidelines for a professional and consistent identity.
• Organised and managed a full-day professional photoshoot, creating high-quality digital assets for use across our website, social media, and marketing materials.
• Ensured branding consistency across all online and offline customer touchpoints.
3. Digital Marketing & SEO Strategy
• Conducted SEO research and competitor analysis using Semrush, improving our search rankings.
• Implemented a Local SEO strategy, making it easier for customers to find and engage with us online.
• Automated Google Reviews and responses, improving brand reputation and boosting local search rankings.
• Managed Google Ads PPC and Google Shopping campaigns, increasing traffic and sales.
4. Customer Experience & Engagement Enhancements
• Integrated AI-powered customer service tools to improve response times and support efficiency.
• Added Crisp chat functionality, allowing real-time customer interactions.
• Implemented email, SMS, and push notification marketing automations to increase engagement and recover abandoned carts.
5. Operations & Logistics Enhancements
• Developed clear delivery options, including click & collect, postcode-based shipping, and dynamic delivery date estimations (e.g. Delivered by Fri 7 Mar if ordered before 4pm today).
• Created Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to improve efficiency in order processing, customer service, and logistics.
6. Security & Infrastructure Upgrades
• Migrated from Office to Proton Business Suite, improving security, reliability, and internal communications.
• Implemented 2FA authentication and Proton Pass for Business, strengthening our security framework.
7. 12-Month Growth Plan
• Developed and executed a 12-month 360° Game Plan, outlining a long-term strategy for digital growth.
• 12 months post-launch, we met our Year 1 revenue target, adding £100,000+ in additional online sales.
Thanks to EMBARK, we now have a fully operational eCommerce platform, a modern brand identity, and a digital strategy driving sustained growth. Their expertise and strategic approach made this transition smooth and highly effective.
RESULTS & FEEDBACK
What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?
Ranking in Top 3 for multiple, non-branded, keywords (e.g. "Cardiff building supplies")
The results of our digital transformation with EMBARK have been tangible, data-driven, and impactful. Over the past 12 months since launching the new platform, we’ve seen steady, sustainable growth that has exceeded our expectations.
Key Measurable Outcomes:
£100,000+ in additional online revenue in Year 1, surpassing our Year 1 target.
Increase in online orders – a significant rise in transactions compared to our previous manual order process.
Higher average order value (AOV) due to free shipping thresholds and improved upsell strategies.
Stronger brand presence – professional digital assets from the full-day photoshoot have improved how we showcase our business online.
SEO improvements – higher Google rankings for key industry and local search terms, leading to an increase in organic traffic.
Improved conversion rates – optimised user experience (UX) and checkout flow have led to a higher percentage of visitors converting into paying customers.
Google Ads & Shopping campaign success – better-optimised ads have led to higher click-through rates (CTR) and lower cost per conversion.
More efficient operations – automation, order tracking, and new Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) have significantly reduced manual administrative workload.
Enhanced customer service – Crisp chat integration and AI-powered automation have resulted in faster response times and improved customer satisfaction.
Stronger Local SEO & reputation management – automated Google Reviews & responses have led to more positive reviews and higher local search visibility.
Higher customer retention – personalised email, SMS, and push marketing campaigns have helped us increase repeat purchases and customer engagement.
The project has not only helped us launch a fully functional eCommerce platform but also positioned us for long-term digital growth. Thanks to EMBARK’s expertise, we have seen sustainable sales growth, improved operational efficiency, and a significantly stronger online presence.
We are thrilled with the results and continue to work with EMBARK to further refine and scale our digital strategy.
£10,000+ in monthly sales revenue month-on-month
Organic traffic increased from 1K to 1.8K in 3 months
Grown marketing subscriptions from 0 to 1K in 6 months
Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?
EMBARK’s project management has been outstanding from start to finish. They kept us updated in real time and made sure we always knew what was happening with the project. The Digital Roadmap Session at the start was a fantastic way to map out the entire project, set key milestones, and make sure both sides understood what was needed. It gave us a clear direction and helped us stay on track throughout the process.
They used Basecamp to keep everything organised, and it was really easy to follow. We received weekly updates detailing what had been completed, any new features added, and any areas that needed our input. If there were any bugs or refinements, they were flagged straight away, and the team kept us informed 24/7.
A major highlight was having access to a staging site, which meant we could see progress in real time, test new features, and give feedback as things were built. This made us feel involved and confident that the final product would meet our needs. We never felt like we were left waiting—EMBARK’s team was always quick to respond, making sure everything was clear and easy to understand.
What’s really exciting is that the launch was just the beginning. This isn’t a one-off project—it’s a continually developing platform, and the growth plan shows exactly where we are going next.
EMBARK doesn’t just build websites and walk away—they are invested in our long-term success. We have ongoing in-person consultations, regular strategy reviews, and a roadmap that keeps us focused on future improvements. Whether it’s new features, videos, screenshots, or refining our marketing strategies, we’re constantly evolving and improving.
Their structured but flexible approach has made the whole process smooth and stress-free. We never had to chase for updates because they proactively kept us in the loop. Knowing we have a long-term plan in place gives us confidence and excitement for the future.
What was your primary form of communication with EMBARK?
- In-Person Meeting
- Virtual Meeting
- Email or Messaging App
What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?
We moved to EMBARK from a large national SEO marketing company, and the difference has been night and day. The attention to detail, quality of work, and personalised approach have exceeded our expectations.
One of the standout moments was the Digital Roadmap Session. We had never heard of anything like it before and were initially skeptical, but it quickly became clear just how important it was in shaping the project. It gave us structure, clarity, and confidence in the process.
What makes EMBARK unique is that this isn’t just a “launch and forget” project. The growth plan is exciting, and we can see exactly where we’re headed next. Instead of just handing us a website and moving on, they’ve created a long-term strategic plan to keep improving, adding new features, and growing the business online.
Beyond that, the time, care, and expertise they put into explaining things to us in a way we actually understand has been invaluable. We’re not a technical team, but they’ve made everything clear, logical, and easy to follow. The communication, responsiveness, and genuine investment in our success set them apart from anyone we’ve worked with before.
EMBARK feels like a true partner, not just another agency.
Are there any areas for improvement or something EMBARK could have done differently?
Nothing that we can think of. We were delighted with the project and service that embark provided. Will definitely stay working with Embark.
RATINGS
-
Quality
5.0Service & Deliverables
-
Schedule
4.5On time / deadlines
-
Cost
5.0Value / within estimates
-
Willing to Refer
5.0NPS
