Introduction
Our client has been a trusted wholesale supplier of raw oils and plant butters in Oregon since the mid-1990s. With a focus on providing high-quality products to their customers, the company established itself as a premier supplier in the industry. They offer a wide range of raw oils and plant butters to various businesses, including skincare manufacturers, soap makers, and aromatherapy practitioners.
RethinkingWeb partnered with the client to design and deliver a comprehensive e-commerce platform that would effectively showcase their product range, facilitate wholesale ordering, and drive both online and in-store growth for this long-standing Portland-based business.
Problem Statement
The client faced the challenge of effectively showcasing their product range and providing convenient ordering options to their customers. They needed a comprehensive solution to develop a website that would serve as an online catalogue, facilitate wholesale ordering, and also provide information about their retail shop for walk-in customers.
Without a robust digital presence, the company struggled to reach new customers online and lacked a centralized platform to manage wholesale accounts efficiently. Potential buyers had no convenient way to browse the full product catalog, check pricing, or place orders remotely — limiting the business's growth potential and creating administrative inefficiencies for the team.
Solutions
RethinkingWeb proposed a solution to address the client's challenges. A user-friendly website was designed and developed to effectively showcase their product offerings, streamline wholesale ordering processes, and provide information about their retail shop. The key solution components included:
Website Design & Catalog
Collaborating closely with the client, a visually appealing website was designed with a clean and organized layout. The site served as an online catalog, featuring detailed product descriptions, images, and specifications to help customers make informed purchasing decisions.
Wholesale Ordering System
A secure wholesale ordering system was implemented allowing registered customers to browse the product catalog, view wholesale pricing, and place orders conveniently. The system incorporated order tracking, invoicing, and secure payment options to streamline the entire wholesale process.
Retail Shop Information
A dedicated section was included on the website to provide information about the client's retail shop — highlighting the location, operating hours, and the range of products available for walk-in customers, while showcasing the personalized shopping experience offered in store.
Responsive Design
The website was designed to be fully responsive, ensuring a seamless browsing experience for customers on various devices, including desktops, tablets, and smartphones — making it easy for buyers to order from anywhere at any time.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
The website's content and structure were optimized using SEO best practices. This included incorporating relevant keywords, meta tags, and improving page load speed to enhance search engine visibility and attract consistent organic traffic.
Secure Payment Integration
A trusted, secure payment gateway was integrated to provide a smooth and safe checkout experience for wholesale customers, ensuring data protection and compliance with industry standards throughout the transaction process.
Implementation
The implementation process involved close collaboration between the RethinkingWeb and client teams. Thorough discussions were conducted to understand their requirements, existing workflows, and customer expectations. The team then designed and developed the website and integrated the wholesale ordering system in iterative sprints, with regular checkpoints to ensure alignment with business goals.
Regular communication and feedback loops ensured a smooth implementation process, allowing the team to refine features and address any issues promptly. Prior to launch, comprehensive testing was carried out across devices and browsers to ensure performance, security, and usability met the highest standards. Post-launch, ongoing technical support was provided to help the client get the most from their new platform from day one.
Results & Achievements
The collaboration between RethinkingWeb and the client resulted in significant and measurable achievements, transforming the way the business engaged with both wholesale and retail customers:
Improved Online Presence
The new website provided the client with a strong, professional online presence — showcasing their product range and expertise as a wholesale supplier. The visually appealing design and detailed product catalog attracted potential customers and established credibility in the market.
Streamlined Wholesale Ordering
The implementation of the wholesale ordering system simplified the purchasing process for registered customers. This resulted in increased efficiency, faster order placement, reduced administrative workload, and improved overall customer satisfaction for wholesale accounts.
Increased Retail Shop Visibility
The dedicated retail section on the website improved the shop's visibility and attracted local customers. Clear information about location, operating hours, and available products encouraged more walk-in customers and boosted in-store foot traffic.
Enhanced Search Engine Visibility
The optimized website structure and content improved search engine rankings. This led to a measurable increase in organic traffic from potential customers actively searching for raw oils and plant butters, further expanding the client's reach across the region and beyond.
Conclusion
Through the successful design and development of a comprehensive e-commerce platform, RethinkingWeb helped this established natural products supplier transform their digital presence, streamline wholesale ordering, and increase both online and retail visibility. The platform empowered the business to reach a wider customer base, reduce manual processes, and deliver a professional, seamless experience to buyers across Oregon and beyond. This case study demonstrates how purpose-built web development solutions can solve real operational challenges and drive meaningful business growth — reach out to start a conversation about how we can do the same for you.
