Window Ware is still ringing in the changes and delivering a best-in-class browsing experience with a brand-new website that comes 20 years after they introduced the very first e-commerce site for fabricators.
Two decades ago, Window Ware led the way in revolutionising how fenestration professionals sourced and ordered their hardware with the introduction of the first e-commerce site created specifically for fabricators. Fast forward to the present day and Window Ware is still finding new ways to advance the online customer experience with a brand-new website that gives fenestration companies greater access to the products, features and information they really need.
Forces for change
“Constantly advancing technology, an ever-evolving World Wide Web and changing customer needs means even the most polished website is never truly finished, explains Window Ware’s Head of Internal Sales and Marketing, Sarah Binns. “That’s why we never stop learning from our online visitors – whether they’re customers, brand partners or colleagues – to ensure our website is working perfectly and ticking all the right boxes.”
“So, when an essential upgrade of our e-commerce platform necessitated a major behind-the-scenes rebuild of our website, we saw it as the perfect opportunity to overhaul the front-of-house too and add in some the features our customers had been asking for.”
With the help of e-commerce and digital design marketing agency, Xigen, Window Ware began planning and laying the groundwork for the website upgrade at the start of last year. As part of those preparations, the marketing team invited customers to give their feedback about the existing website via a series of email surveys. The results were combined with all the comments and suggestions the team had already gathered in the course of daily interactions with customers to create a must-have list of new features and enhancements. With an agreed roadmap of requirements, work on the website forged ahead to the finish line.
“Rebuilding a website during a pandemic had its challenges,” revealed Sarah. “But determination, teamwork and communication kept us on track.” She goes on to say, “Coronavirus has taught us just how important our website is both to us and our customers. More business than ever is now conducted online because it is convenient and COVID-safe. And during uncertain times in the midst of lockdown last year, our website provided customers with a constant and accessible source of information. We’re confident the new website will do an even better job of supporting fabricators in this ‘new normal’ way of working.”
New features overview
Improved website navigation with intelligent drop-down menus has been designed to help visitors find exactly what they need faster and easier, whether they’re looking for the latest multipoint door lock or an electronic copy of the Window Ware catalogue.
Enhanced product filtering ensures visitors can quickly narrow down their product selection according to a range of attributes more logically and effectively. This will come in very handy considering there have been hundreds of new product lines added with something to fulfil virtually every criterion. There are also more product resources available to download, with the library still growing day by day to build a one-stop source of technical specs, routing preps, certifications and supporting product documentation. More detailed product descriptions provide all the key features and specifications up front to ensure customers can make fully informed product selections.
For registered B2B customers who log in to their trade account, a more intuitive account dashboard provides time-saving shortcuts to best-selling hardware, new products and clearance lines. Plus, they now have instant access to their best discounted prices – no need to wait for custom quotes!
The much-loved grid display is back by popular demand and now set as the default view on product pages! According to feedback, customers preferred this arrangement rather than the dropdowns because it made it easier to see all the available product options at a glance and zero in faster on the variant they want. As Sarah commented, “Whatever works best for our customers, works best for us too!”
Last but not least, fabricators who manufacture tilt and turn windows will appreciate the enhanced T&T kit generator which has been optimised to make configuring and ordering best-fit hardware assemblies more accurate and simpler.
The new and improved Window Ware website is LIVE and ready to serve at www.windowware.co.uk.
Window Ware is one of the UK’s largest suppliers of window and door hardware, factory tools, fixings and consumables. They’ve been delighting fabricators for over 30 years with award-winning service, dependable deliveries and proven technical support. Fully adjusted to a ‘new normal’ and COVID-safe working practices, Window Ware continues to provide a safe, reliable source of the very best hardware solutions. For more information, call 01234 242724, email sales@windowware.co.uk, or visit www.windoware.co.uk.