Project Details:
Client: Robert Evans
Business: Evans Timber & DIY
Trade: Timber & DIY Merchant
Project: Website Design
Project Length: 4 Weeks
Outcome: https://evanstimberanddiy.co.uk/
Case Study Summary:
- The Challenge: Evans Timber had an outdated website with no e-commerce functionality and limited online customer engagement.
- Our Solution: We developed a modern e-commerce-style platform that enabled customers to browse and place orders online, with payments processed offline via phone.
- The Results: In its first year, the website generated £36,000 in gross sales, processed 305 orders, sold 5,895 items, and attracted 1,651 new customers, all without additional marketing.
— Evans Timber website Before and After 🔥 —
The Challenge
Evans Timber & DIY, established in 1958, is a well-known timber and DIY merchant in South Wales. Despite their long-standing reputation, their website had become outdated and lacked e-commerce functionality, making it difficult for customers to browse or place orders online. Robert Evans, now managing the business, wanted to modernise the website to meet growing customer demand while maintaining the personal service that had become a hallmark of the company.
The challenge was clear: transform an old, static website into a modern platform that allows customers to easily browse products, place orders, and communicate with the business—all without sacrificing the personal touch that sets Evans Timber apart.
— Evans Timbers original website pages 👆🏻 —
Our Solution
We revamped Evans Timber’s entire online presence by creating a modern, user-friendly website with an e-commerce structure. This allowed customers to browse over 200 products and place orders, while payments were handled offline to maintain the personal interaction Robert and his team valued.
Creative:
The website was designed with simplicity and functionality in mind. Our goal was to ensure that both trade professionals and DIY customers could easily find and order products. The site is also fully mobile-optimised, allowing customers to place orders on the go, which is especially important for busy contractors and tradespeople.
Here’s what we implemented:
Key Features Implemented:
1. 200+ Product Listings: We uploaded over 200 products across 7 main categories, ensuring that everything from timber to DIY materials was easy to find. Each product was categorised carefully to enhance user navigation and boost conversions.
2. Custom Category Pages: Seven category pages were created, along with a dedicated Sales Page for discounted items. This improved product organisation, making it easier for users to locate specific items quickly.
3. Seamless Ordering Process: We designed an intuitive ordering process. Customers can now browse the website, select products, and place their orders, with payments handled offline through phone calls. This system gave Evans Timber full control over the transaction process, maintaining the personal touch their customers appreciate.
4. WhatsApp Integration: To improve customer communication, we integrated a WhatsApp widget into the website. This allowed users to contact Evans Timber for any questions or updates on their orders, which was particularly beneficial for tradespeople who need quick and easy communication.
5. Logo Redesign: As part of the digital overhaul, we also refreshed the Evans Timber logo. The new design retains the company’s heritage while reflecting their more modern, digital approach. This helped position the business as a contemporary and reliable supplier in the timber and DIY industry.
Focus on User Experience
The website was built with a user-first mentality. It was designed to be simple and intuitive, ensuring that customers could easily browse, order, and get in touch with the business. The mobile-responsive design also made it easy for tradespeople to use the site while on the job, which is critical for a business that serves so many busy professionals.
The Results
The new Evans Timber website has been a major success, generating significant growth in its first year, all without any additional marketing or SEO efforts.
Key Results:
- £36,000 in gross sales from the website in the first year.
- 305 orders placed through the new online ordering system.
- 5,895 individual items sold.
- 1,651 new customers added to the business’s database, all of whom are now reachable for future marketing efforts.
- Evans Timber continues to receive high levels of customer satisfaction, with 196 5-star Google reviews, reflecting their reputation for quality and service.
These results highlight the power of a well-designed, user-friendly website in driving growth, even without aggressive marketing strategies.
Ongoing Relationship
Since the successful launch of the website, we’ve continued working with Evans Timber on an ongoing SEO and digital marketing strategy. This includes:
- SEO Optimisation: Improving search engine rankings for relevant timber and DIY-related keywords in South Wales.
- Email Marketing: Engaging the 1,651 new customers with targeted campaigns to encourage repeat business.
- Social Media Marketing: Developing a strategy to increase brand awareness and drive more traffic to the site.
Working with Robert Evans and his team has been a fantastic experience. Their dedication to maintaining the high quality and personal service that has defined Evans Timber for decades has made this project a true success. We’re excited to continue supporting them as they grow their business and expand their online presence.
Robert Evans
"Marketing for Trades did an incredible job with our website redesign. The new site has transformed how we interact with our customers online, and we’re already seeing fantastic results. It’s simple for our customers to use, and we love the fact that we can still maintain personal contact with them during the payment process. We’re looking forward to continuing our partnership with Marketing for Trades and seeing even more growth in the coming years!"