Company Name: Paintblush PTY LTD
Client Name: Ashley Low
Location: Singapore
Website (Pre-migration): paintblush.sg
Service: Squarespace to Shopify Migration
Paintblush PTY LTD is an art studio in Singapore that offers painting workshops, private sessions, and corporate team-building events. Their Squarespace website lacked scalability, customization options, and functionality to handle the growing customer base. To improve their platform’s flexibility and user experience, they opted to migrate to Shopify.
Migration Goals
- Enhanced User Experience: Simplify the booking and navigation processes.
- Custom Functionality: Add features such as event scheduling, appointment booking, and membership management.
- Scalability: Create a scalable site that can grow alongside the business.
Development Process
1. Initial Assessment and Planning
We began with a detailed analysis of the Squarespace site, understanding Paintblush’s business model, services, and required functionalities for the new Shopify platform. Our goal was to enhance usability and customization in the migration.
Key Components Analyzed:
- Current Features: Workshop bookings, event scheduling, and content management.
- Custom Needs: A more advanced booking system, event calendars, and membership features.
- Challenges on Squarespace: Limited customization and scalability.
2. Data and Content Migration
We transferred essential data, including workshop/event details, media assets, and customer information. We restructured content on Shopify to match the new design and functionality.
Key Steps:
- Data Structuring: Adapted content to fit Shopify’s schema.
- Shopify Collections: Grouped workshops and events into collections for easier navigation.
3. Design and Custom Theme Development
Paintblush wanted a fresh design that reflected their brand while making bookings and navigation simple.
Key Design Aspects:
- Theme Selection and Customization: We customized a minimalist Shopify theme to feature workshops, private sessions, and corporate services dynamically.
- Mobile Optimization: Ensured responsiveness for smooth mobile experiences.
- Custom Pages: Developed pages for workshops, private sessions, and corporate events.
4. Feature Implementation
We built custom features to meet Paintblush’s needs.
Custom Functionalities:
- Event Calendar and Booking: Integrated a calendar for upcoming workshops with booking options.
- Appointment Booking: Developed a booking system for private art sessions, linked to Paintblush’s calendar.
- Membership Portal: Created a portal for members to manage bookings, view content, and access discounts.
- Custom Checkout Process: Streamlined the payment process for workshop bookings.
5. Performance Optimization
We optimized the site for speed, ensuring smooth navigation.
Enhancements:
- Lazy Loading for Images: Improved page load times, especially on mobile.
- Code Optimization: Ensured clean, efficient code to minimize slowdowns.
- Third-party App Integration: Carefully integrated apps for functionality without compromising performance.
6. Testing and Quality Assurance
We rigorously tested the site to ensure it performed well across all browsers and devices.
Tests Conducted:
- Cross-browser Testing: Verified consistency across browsers.
- Mobile Responsiveness: Ensured optimal performance on mobile devices.
- Functionality Testing: Tested the event calendar, booking system, and membership portal.
- Checkout Testing: Ensured smooth payment processing.
7. Launch and Post-launch Support
We launched the new Shopify site with minimal downtime and provided ongoing support to resolve any post-launch issues.
Post-launch Actions:
- Bug Fixes: Addressed minor issues post-launch.
- Client Training: Trained the Paintblush team on managing the Shopify admin interface.
Key Results
- Improved User Experience: The new Shopify site provided a more intuitive interface, making it easier for customers to browse and book sessions.
- Scalability: Shopify’s flexibility allows Paintblush to add new features as the business grows.
- Custom Features: The event calendar, booking system, and membership portal improved customer management.
- Faster Performance: The optimized site led to smoother navigation and higher engagement.
Conclusion
Migrating from Squarespace to Shopify gave Paintblush PTY LTD a flexible, scalable platform to meet their growing needs. The custom development improved the customer experience and set them up for future growth in Singapore’s art space.
