Your website isn’t just a digital business card—it’s your storefront, your marketing machine, and your primary customer connection all rolled into one. If your site falls short, it can feel like trying to run a business with the lights off.

That’s exactly what happened to a local retail store in Saskatoon, SK. They were once a thriving business, but their outdated, clunky website was doing more harm than good. Customers who found them online were leaving frustrated, and the store’s physical foot traffic was dwindling. As a result, the business was on the brink of shutting down.

But here’s the good news: they turned it around. How? With a total website overhaul. Here’s the story of how a new website became the lifeline they needed—and the engine of their future success.

The Problem: A Website That Was Holding the Business Back

When the retail store was first launched, an online presence wasn’t a huge focus. Most of their success came from their physical storefront—but over time, the way customers shop changed.

People began doing more research online before making purchases, checking out stores’ websites on their smartphones, and buying products directly through e-commerce platforms. Unfortunately, this business’s website had become a liability instead of an asset:

• Outdated design: The last website was built in 2012. Customers would visit the site but leave immediately due to poor user experience.
• Non-responsive on mobile: With more than half of web traffic coming from smartphones, their clunky desktop-only design drove mobile users away.
• No online store: Customers wanted the flexibility to browse and buy from home, but the site didn’t offer any e-commerce option.

Their digital presence, instead of boosting sales, was hurting them. Online sales were non-existent, and local customers struggled to find them in search engines. With fewer people walking through the door and no online income to fall back on, the business found itself in dangerous territory.

It became clear that their website needed to change—and fast.

The Solution: A Website Overhaul That Changed Everything

When they partnered with us, we knew the key to turning things around was to start from scratch. Here’s how we rebuilt their website into a powerful tool that fueled growth and ensured long-term success.

1. Modern Redesign with Mobile Optimization

First impressions are everything, and in the digital age, customers judge a business based on its website. If a site looks clunky or outdated, people won’t stick around. That’s why we completely redesigned the site from the ground up with a sleek, modern look.

But we didn’t stop there—we made sure the site worked flawlessly across all devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Now, no matter where customers accessed the site, they had a seamless experience. This eliminated one of the major reasons people had been bouncing off the site before.

2. E-commerce Integration: Unlocking a New Revenue Stream

Next, we added an online store to give them an additional way to generate income. This was a game-changer. Before, the store was limited to in-person sales—but now, customers could easily browse products online and place orders from anywhere, at any time. You can explore the eCommerce best practices we implemented.

This opened up a brand-new revenue stream. Suddenly, the business was no longer restricted by its location or operating hours. Even customers who weren’t close to the store could make purchases—helping them reach a wider audience and boost sales beyond local limits

3. SEO & Local Search Optimization: Be Found by the Right Customers

Having a beautiful, functional site is one thing—but if no one can find it, it’s useless. To make sure the business was visible to local customers, we optimized the site for search engines (SEO).

We focused on:

• Targeting local keywords that nearby customers were searching for.
• Ensuring the business appeared in Google’s “local pack” results (the top 3 businesses that show up when people search for products near them).
• Adding location-specific content and metadata so search engines could connect the business to relevant local queries.

This SEO work meant that customers who had never heard of the business before now found it right on Google’s front page—and more importantly, they clicked through to explore the site.

The Results: From Struggling to Thriving

The transformation was nothing short of remarkable. Within just six months of launching the new site:

• Online revenue surpassed in-store sales, giving the business a much-needed lifeline and creating new growth opportunities.
• Customer engagement skyrocketed, both online and in-person, as people now had more ways to connect with the store.
• The store ranked at the top of local search results, driving more foot traffic from nearby shoppers.

The website, which had once been a weakness, became the foundation of the business’s new success.

What started as a desperate attempt to survive became a path to sustainable growth. The business no longer relied solely on in-store purchases. With a functional website, they could now serve customers online, attract new ones locally, and grow revenue 24/7.

What’s the Lesson? Your Website Should Work as Hard as You Do

In today’s world, your website isn’t just an afterthought—it’s the most powerful tool your business has.

Whether you want to increase sales, attract local customers, or build new revenue streams, your website needs to do the heavy lifting. If it’s not driving results, it’s time to take a closer look.

Here’s the reality:

• An outdated website costs you sales.
• A poorly optimized site hides you from potential customers.
• A lack of e-commerce limits your revenue.

But with the right redesign and strategy, your website can turn things around—just like it did for this business.

Is Your Website Helping—or Hurting—Your Business?

If your website isn’t delivering the results you need, it’s time to stop settling for less. Imagine what’s possible with a site that’s built to attract, engage, and convert your audience.

💡 The key to your business’s growth might be just one redesign away. Let’s make it happen.

Ready to Build a Website That Works as Hard as You Do?

Your website should be your best employee—one that never takes a day off. Whether you want to boost sales, rank higher in search engines, or create new revenue streams, we can help you build a website that gets results.

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Let’s talk about your next steps today—and make your website the key to your future success.

A new website saved this business—and it can do the same for yours. You don’t have to struggle with outdated technology, disappearing customers, or shrinking revenue. With the right tools and strategy, your website can be the foundation of your growth. Are you ready to take the leap?