European Antiques, a well-established Auckland antiques dealer, sought to modernise their digital presence in 2018. Owner Meredith approached Orchid with the goal of transforming their outdated website into a contemporary platform capable of showcasing hundreds of exquisite antiques.
The Challenge
The project required more than aesthetic updates. The team needed to design a comprehensive upmarket website incorporating:
- Enhanced customer experience and engagement
- Improved product gallery with image zoom functionality
- Modern inquiry platform
- Future e-commerce capability
- User-friendly backend editing system
"We were delighted with the opportunities provided by Orchid to improve on our vision. We ultimately had a better solution than what we first envisaged." — Meredith
The Process
Development involved creating detailed mockups for client approval before coding — a strategy that conserved both time and resources. Communication occurred through in-person meetings, Skype, and phone calls to systematically address challenges.
Results
Google Analytics and Hotjar heatmap data revealed positive outcomes: customers engaged longer with products, browsed images more thoroughly, and increased social media sharing.
"Easy navigation and a better presentation of products through the new product gallery has been well received. Sales have resulted over the phone simply because the website photos now show the clear detail of antiques available for purchase."
Future Plans
Direct online purchasing functionality represents the next development phase for European Antiques' continued growth.
"A big thank you to the team at Orchid for delivering a fabulous new website."
