About Army & Navy Stores

Westcliff Army & Navy Stores, established in 1950, has a long-standing reputation for delivering quality goods at affordable prices, from clothing and accessories to camping gear and workwear. This family-run business prides itself on passing savings on to customers by sourcing products in bulk and negotiating discounts. Their website extends this commitment, offering a wide range of products with the same values of quality, affordability, and exceptional service.

The Opportunity

Westcliff Army & Navy Stores aimed to transition from a traditional retail model to an efficient online store to:

Reach a broader audience across the UK and expand online sales.
Provide a modern, user-friendly platform for customers to browse and purchase items easily.
Showcase a constantly updated range of products, especially in the army clothing, camping gear, and workwear categories.
Enhance the mobile experience, catering to customers shopping on various devices.
Optimize SEO to improve search rankings and attract organic traffic.

The Solution

Smart Web Agency developed a robust, visually appealing e-commerce site for Westcliff Army & Navy Stores, powered by Shopify. The solution focused on:

Shopify Integration: A complete e-commerce solution with secure payment options, inventory management, and easy updates for new products and deals.
Simple Navigation: Easy-to-access categories for quick browsing, helping customers find exactly what they need, from footwear to camping accessories.
Shop Pay Integration: Allowing customers a fast, convenient checkout experience.
SEO and Marketing Optimization: Optimized product listings and content to improve search rankings, attract organic traffic, and convert visitors into customers.

Software Stack

E-commerce Platform: Shopify for easy management and scalability.
Secure Checkout: Shop Pay integration for a streamlined and secure payment process.
Database Management: Ensuring secure and efficient product and customer data handling.
Google Tag Manager: For detailed analytics and tracking to gain insights into user behavior and optimize sales strategies.
Storefront Enhancements: Integration of various product showcases, including rotating new stock displays and highlighted deals.

Core Features of the Platform

Intuitive Navigation and Search: Customers can quickly filter products by category, price, and more.
Customer Reviews: Built-in review system to enhance trust and help customers make informed decisions.
Product Highlights: Sections for new arrivals, popular items, and featured deals, emphasizing Westcliff’s constantly updated inventory.
Newsletter Signup: Integrated email marketing option to inform customers of promotions and new product arrivals.

Mobile First Approach

Recognizing that many users browse on mobile devices, the website was designed with a mobile-first approach, ensuring:

Responsive Design: Products display perfectly on all screen sizes, from desktops to smartphones.
Quick Load Times: Optimized images and content for fast loading on mobile.
Seamless Mobile Checkout: Customers can easily complete purchases on mobile, enhancing the shopping experience and conversion rates.

The Result

Since launching the redesigned website, Westcliff Army & Navy Stores has successfully reached a wider audience and driven sales through improved accessibility, user-friendly navigation, and optimized SEO.

Key Metrics

30% increase in online revenue within the first quarter of launch.
40% growth in mobile transactions, benefiting from the mobile-first approach.
50% increase in returning customers, reflecting strong user satisfaction.
20% rise in organic traffic due to enhanced SEO.
1 industry award for e-commerce design and user experience.

Conclusion

The Westcliff Army & Navy Stores website now serves as an essential digital storefront, blending tradition with modern convenience. Smart Web Agency handled the development, design, and SEO, resulting in a secure, user-friendly, and highly responsive platform. This digital transformation has allowed Westcliff Army & Navy Stores to maintain its family-oriented values while expanding its reach and meeting the needs of today’s online shoppers.