Horreka E-Commerce

About

Horreka, a hotel amenities supplier, sought to create an e-commerce website to showcase their products with detailed information, including variations and pricing. While the brief seemed straightforward, the project had a unique requirement: users should not be required to register. Instead, the website needed to enable users to add items to a cart and complete purchases via WhatsApp. This process included generating invoices through WhatsApp messages or PDFs, ensuring an innovative and user-friendly experience.

Scopes

• Website design

• Brand analysis

• Competitor analysis

• Web development

• Content management system (CMS)

Challenge

The challenge was to create a non-traditional e-commerce platform that seamlessly integrated a WhatsApp-based check-out system while maintaining a user-friendly interface and adhering to Horreka’s brand identity. Additionally, the platform had to support detailed product categorization and filtering to improve the user experience.

Design Process

Phase 1: Brand Discovery & Collaboration

We collaborated closely with Horreka and their graphic designer to ensure the website design accurately reflected the brand identity. Regular communication and feedback sessions were key to maintaining consistency across all design elements.

Phase 2: Information Architecture

Working collaboratively with the client, we developed an information architecture optimized for integration into the CMS. Key elements included:

• Streamlined product categories for easy browsing.

• Intuitive navigation and filtering options to enhance the user experience.

Phase 3: Rapid Wireframing and Prototyping

To accelerate ideation, we employed a rapid wireframing approach:

• Low-Fidelity Wireframes: Mapped out the visual structure and user flows.

• Iterative Refinement: Integrated client feedback at each stage to refine the user interactions and navigation.
  This process ensured that the design remained user-centric while aligning with Horreka’s unique requirements.

Phase 4: WhatsApp Check-Out Integration

The WhatsApp Check-Out feature was designed to provide a seamless purchasing experience:

• Users could add products to their cart and check out directly via WhatsApp.

• The system generated invoices as PDFs or WhatsApp messages, including final price calculations.
  This innovative solution bridged the gap between a traditional e-commerce experience and real-time communication, offering convenience and reducing cart abandonment rates.

Final Phase: Development and Testing

In the final phase, our development team meticulously translated the design into a fully functional website. We conducted comprehensive testing to ensure compatibility across various devices and browsers, focusing on performance optimization and security measures. This thorough approach ensured a smooth and reliable user experience upon launch.

Impact

The Horreka e-commerce website successfully met the client’s expectations and introduced an innovative shopping experience:

• Client Satisfaction: Positive feedback highlighted the seamless integration of branding and functionality.

• User Convenience: The WhatsApp Check-Out feature simplified transactions and aligned with Horreka’s vision of a unique e-commerce experience.

• Enhanced User Experience: Intuitive navigation, streamlined product organization, and a user-centric design ensured ease of use.

• E-Commerce Innovation: The project demonstrated the potential of integrating real-time messaging platforms with e-commerce, setting a benchmark for similar future projects.

The collaborative approach and innovative solutions resulted in a highly functional website that successfully bridged e-commerce with real-time communication.