(1888PressRelease)
May 04, 2009 - Local Encinitas positive apparel business, ZENsei, recently sought Durrani Design’s expertise for a challenge common to many online retailers - a growing business burdened by a website that is difficult to maintain and a web presence that does not fully capture the brand and merchandise being offered. Durrani Design’s team immediately got to work on the redesign focusing on the dual goals of helping consumers connect with ZENsei’s products the way they would in an actual retail store where they can touch, feel, see, and smell the merchandise, while creating a backend interface that is user-friendly enough that new products lines could be added quickly and easily - which is important in an industry where product lines change with the
seasons.
To that end, a new Flash site was created that showcases the engaging detail of ZENsei’s fashion and communicates the playful, light-hearted feel of their unique brand. Website visitors are treated to a virtual runway of each season’s collection. As models scroll by, the user is free to zoom in on any ensemble that catches their eye giving them a closer look at the intricate details found in ZENsie’s clothing line - from the pattern of the stitching to the texture of the fabric. The full screen view gives users a close, intimate look at the clothing that is rare in the online world. "Image is everything and online shoppers need to come as close to touching and feeling a product as possible or else you won't get the sale. As an online retailer, you need to overcome the obstacle of your customers not being able to experience your product like they can in a retail store." Says Joe McDonald, one of Durrani Design’s principals. The new layout Durrani Design has created for ZENsei is a definitive example of the design firm’s abilities to address the unique needs of individual clients and create a visual experience as close to the real thing as possible.
A website should be a tool a business uses to contribute to their growth, not a challenge to overcome. Rather than building on their existing backend, osCommerce, the team chose to abandon that platform in favor of MIVA Merchant 5.5, a shopping cart that is adaptable to changing needs and growing companies. Careful attention was given to ensuring the integrity of system files and maintaining security creating a system that will be easier to administer creating a more efficient business and fewer website-related headaches.
Durrani Design stayed true to their belief in rapid development, and had the site developed, up, and making money as quickly as possible. After a few months of work, the new ZENsei website was successfully launched and can be viewed at ZENsei.com.
Durrani Design’s creative and technical expertise came together producing a site for their client that portrays their brand in a more appealing way while offering the scaleable, user- friendly backend functionality that will grow with the business and help them move forward rather than holding them back.
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