Stran.store is one of the top players in the promotional products and branded merchandise industry. With a strong presence in a competitive market of over 30,000 companies in the U.S., Stran has earned its place as one of the top 50 distributors. The company has a proven track record of managing complex marketing programs across different industries. However, despite this success, Stran faced a challenge: the need to better manage multiple websites, all built on different and outdated platforms.
The industry itself calls for a unified, scalable platform that can handle various websites with specific needs and functionalities. For Stran, this meant finding a solution that could address those needs while also improving the overall customer experience.
Their goals were clear:
- Create a unified platform: Replace outdated platforms like Magento 1 and WebJaguar with something more efficient and flexible.
- Scalability and upgradability: Build a platform that could scale and adapt to future needs without constant updates and fixes.
- Better customer experience: Provide a smoother, faster shopping experience that would keep customers coming back.
The Solution: Adobe Open Source + PWA
After assessing their needs, we and Stran decided to go with Adobe Open Source and Progressive Web App (PWA) technology to rebuild their platform. The choice wasn’t random; Magento, in particular, is a strong platform for multi-site environments, and Stran had a good relationship with Magento from previous experiences. They wanted to take advantage of Magento’s capabilities while also modernizing their infrastructure with PWA technology.
Here’s what this combination brought to the table:
Key Benefits of Adobe Open Source + PWA:
- App-like experience: Features like offline access and push notifications helped make the website feel more like a mobile app, providing a smoother experience for users.
- Improved performance: The new setup improved website speed and stability, making the whole experience faster and more reliable for customers.
- Increased conversions and loyalty: With a faster and more seamless experience, customers were more likely to complete their purchases and return for future visits.
Implementation: Making It Happen
The implementation wasn’t just about replacing old tech—it was about building something better, something that could serve Stran’s needs today and in the future. The process involved several key changes and upgrades.
Key Enhancements:
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Order Approval Process:
- New fields, like “Order reason” and “Order denial,” were added to give managers more insight into the order approval process.
- Stran’s team could now easily track extra data, like reward points, gift cards, and fees, which helped with making better decisions.
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Custom Logic for Category Pages:
- Category pages were improved to show not only products but also additional CMS blocks with useful information, making it easier for customers to browse.
- This improvement helped customers find exactly what they were looking for more efficiently.
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Improved Site Navigation:
- Customers could now easily return to the same place on the site after viewing a product. This simple fix made browsing much more convenient.
- The minicart was also improved to show a quick summary right after an item was added, giving customers better visibility into their purchases.
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Streamlined Checkout Process:
- Changes were made to the checkout page, allowing admin users to manage text and content from the admin panel, such as footer text and copyright information.
- The success page, which shows after a purchase, was also updated to provide customers with a clearer confirmation of their order.
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Inventory Management Adjustments:
- We added a feature that allowed them to set minimum quantities of products available for purchase. This helped them better manage inventory levels and ensure customers only bought what was in stock.
Throughout the process, Stran worked closely with our development team, holding weekly strategic meetings to stay on track. The goal was to make sure everything was aligned with Stran’s vision, and the team provided all necessary documentation and estimates after gathering the required information.
Building a Long-Term Partnership
The collaboration between Stran and Zest Logic development team was built on clear communication and a long-term strategy. They set out with a 3-month plan to implement the changes and, after a successful rollout, discussed the potential for a partnership lasting 5-6 years.
The trust and transparency between Stran and our team were key to the project’s success. With a unified platform now in place, Stran could move forward confidently, knowing that they had the technical foundation to scale and adapt as needed.
The Results: A Transformative Shift
The results were immediate, and Stran saw real improvements across the board:
- Unified Platform: Adobe Open Source and PWA solutions replaced the old, fragmented platforms, bringing everything under one roof and making the system more streamlined and scalable.
- Improved Customer Experience: The updates to the order process, custom logic, and site navigation all contributed to a smoother and more enjoyable shopping experience for customers, leading to increased satisfaction.
- Stronger Strategic Foundation: The clear strategy and close collaboration between Stran and its Zest's team ensured that the project was a success. This strong partnership sets the stage for ongoing improvements and growth.
Conclusion
Stran’s journey to a unified e-commerce platform is a great example of how adopting the right technology can transform a business. By embracing Adobe Open Source and PWA, Stran overcame the limitations of its previous systems, enabling a more efficient, scalable, and customer-friendly platform. The partnership with our development team not only solved immediate challenges but also set the company up for future success.
In today’s fast-paced e-commerce world, Stran’s story proves that with the right technology and a strong, strategic partnership, businesses can achieve long-lasting results and remain competitive for years to come.
