MX5 Parts NI is the go to specialist for Mazda MX5 enthusiasts, both private and professional. The owners developed a decades-long passion for the iconic roadster sports car into an online business for parts. On the recommendation of a recent Cornell client, MX5 Parts NI approached us to improve their online presence to remain competitive in an increasingly digital marketplace.
THE BRIEF
Industry:
AUTOMOTIVE SPARE PARTS
Client:
MX-5 PARTS NI
Involvement:
DIGITAL MARKETING
WEB DESIGN & BUILD
Visit:
With years of knowledge and experience, MX5 Parts NI often found themselves advising fellow owners of this cult classic car, and sourcing more and more parts, supplies and services to keep up with growing demand. It got to the stage where their online shop couldn’t keep pace with the wide range of parts and expert advice they were offering to their growing customer base. Their website was clunky and difficult to update, meaning they couldn’t get their full range of products online easily. MX5 Parts NI also felt their image needed an upgrade to reflect the development of the brand online to remain competitive.
Deliverables:
- Upgrade branding to better reflect the company’s unrivalled quality, value and expertise
- A new website to position them as the premier e-tailer for MX5 parts, servicing and advice
The client needed an eCommerce solution that was quick and easy to use, for the company and their customers. It needed to look good and offer a fun, easy, secure shopping experience for MX5 Parts NI’s loyal customer base. They had nearly 100 products across three models – the MX5 Mk 1, Mk 2 and Mk 3 – and also offered advice, maintenance, servicing and repairs. We therefore recommended a Shopify build.
Having identified the best platform, we worked first on their new logo. We simplified it, giving it a slick, eCommerce feel, utilising sharp, primary colours to make it bold and recognisable. Based on the client’s original branding, we stuck to reds, blacks and whites as we felt these colours were ideal for this proposition.
To help MX5 Parts NI visualise our ideas for the site, we created a visual representation of what it would look like. We got an idea of the products they wanted to sell and explored a range of potential brand options within the website visuals.
The clients were delighted with all of the options. Once they signed off their preferred designs, our creative team rolled out all of the page designs for sign off. Then our development team got to work on coding all of the approved pages.
As experts in their product, this client was in a position to provide all of the relevant copy. MX5 Parts NI handed over their database of products, including product titles, descriptions and imagery, which we uploaded and streamlined within the Shopify website integration.
We then completed a period of handover training so the client could make full use of all the apps and integrations. At their request, we set up WhatsApp messaging to allow them to be more responsive to communications regarding specific products.
Finally, using the relevant Shopify process, we transferred control of the site over to the client after final sign off, with Cornell remaining as collaborators. This allows us to give ongoing technical support, while Shopify is connected directly to MX5 Parts NI, giving them full ownership of their online business.
Initial results show the smart new website and branding has been well received by their core market. The client loves the look and feel of their new online shop, and how it portrays the brand.
They are finding Shopify easy and fun to work with, and are pleasantly surprised with how easy it is to add new products and categories themselves.
“The whole process of working with Cornell was quick and efficient, and we were very pleasantly surprised with how quickly they were able to complete the project.
They have not only demonstrably improved our online presence, but have been able to provide training and a clear and comprehensive handover of the new site. As well as this, we are also receiving training from Cornell which we are confident will improve our digital marketing methods and help us develop new employment opportunities.”
MX5 Parts NI