Building a Complex Data-Driven Website

Building a Cutting-Edge Data-Driven Website: A Journey with The Shape Group and Nolan Group 

In today’s digital age, a website is not merely a digital presence but a strategic tool that can make or break a business’s success. We recently collaborated with Nolan Group to create a complex data-driven website that exemplifies innovation and user-centric design. The structured process is vital to the construction of a successful website. Here is the step-by-step process that took this project from inception to fruition. 

1. Research and Discovery 

The journey began with thorough research and discovery. Our team dove deep into understanding Nolan Group’s business goals, target audience, product range, product categories, and industry trends. This initial phase set the tone for the entire project by aligning the team’s vision with the client’s expectations. 

2. SEO Research and Competitor Analysis 

To ensure the new website would outperform its predecessor, we conducted in-depth SEO research. We identified inefficiencies and issues with Nolan Group’s old site and performed a comprehensive competitor analysis. This provided insights into emerging best practices and enabled the team to devise strategies to enhance the site’s visibility, user experience, visual layout, and search engine rankings. 

3. Thoroughly Scoping the New Site 

One of the critical steps in the project was thoroughly scoping the new website which was the outcome of the above 2 steps. This involved evaluating every aspect, from user experience and functionality to technical specifications, product alignment, swatches, and content. It also included a deep dive and stocktake of over 260 products, more than 60 brands, and 2,800 fabric swatches, across 10 categories. The Shape Group worked closely with Nolan Group to define the optimal menu structure, category alignment, streamline the customer journey, and showcase the product range effectively. 

4. Proposal and Tender Submission 

Armed with a comprehensive understanding of Nolan Group’s needs, we prepared a detailed proposal and quote as part of the tender process. This proposal outlined the project scope, timeline, deliverables, and the value the new website would bring to Nolan Group’s business. The competitive tender submission reflected our commitment to delivering a solution that aligned with the client’s goals. 

5. Design & Build of Complex Database-Driven Website 

The design and development phase marked the transformation of concepts into a tangible website. Our skilled team of designers crafted a visually appealing interface that seamlessly integrated with the complex database and intricate categorisation of the 10 product categories. Collaborating closely with Nolan Group, our development team ensured that the website not only looked impressive but also functioned flawlessly. 

“The Shape Group took us from an outdated website to a database driven website that offered a much better customer experience. 

The team methodically scoured and cleaned data to ensure the upload of our database was accurate and working efficiently with complex filters and inter-relationships between products, brochures, swatches and brands. 

Now our clients can filter through 260 products by colour, weight, width and more” – Jess, Marketing Manager, Nolan Group 

6. Launching the Innovation 

The launch of the new website was a culmination of research, gathering and cleaning data, product categorisation, creative design, and collaboration. Our quality assurance process rigorously tested the site across devices and browsers to ensure a smooth user experience. The website was optimised for speed, SEO rankings and performance, making sure that visitors have a seamless experience from the moment they land on the site. 

7. Tweak and Ongoing Content Updates 

Unlike the ‘set and forget’ approach, we understand that ongoing optimisation and updates are crucial. Post-launch, we closely monitor the website’s performance, analysed user behaviour, and made necessary tweaks to enhance user engagement and conversion rates. This proactive approach reflects our commitment to delivering a website that consistently met and exceeded Nolan Group’s expectations.  

The collaboration between The Shape Group and Nolan Group is a testament to the power of meticulous planning, research, and execution in the realm of web development. Building a complex data-driven website goes beyond the technical aspects; it involves understanding the client’s business, aligning with their goals, and creating a digital platform that resonates with the target audience. 

“The Shape Group Team were easily accessible for the duration of the project, expertly guiding us through the process and technical terminology we were unfamiliar with previously. 

Whilst we were working on this enormous project, The Shape Group team were warm, friendly, and knowledgeable throughout the whole process” – Jess, Marketing Manager, Nolan Group 

The success of this project reaffirms the idea that a website is not just a static online presence but a dynamic tool that can drive business growth when approached strategically. It’s a journey of discovery, innovation, and continuous improvement. Our expertise, combined with Nolan Group’s vision, has resulted in a website that not only stands out aesthetically but also delivers exceptional value to its users. As the digital landscape evolves, this partnership sets an example for businesses aiming to leverage the full potential of their online presence.