Bella Boutique, a cherished local shop known for luxury gifts and Southern hospitality, needed to modernize its neglected website into a vibrant, sales-generating e-commerce platform.
Their goal was to enhance their online presence, grow revenue, and compete with a new boutique opening nearby, all while preserving their personable brand identity. The redesign included building a comprehensive digital inventory, refreshing the brand’s visuals and voice, and creating a user-friendly system that could be easily managed by a non-technical team.
As the design and strategy lead, I contributed to:
Branding and graphic design
Client communications and guidance
Industry research and sales strategy
Inventory and CRM creation and training
This project required a complete website redesign and brand refresh within a limited budget and urgent timeline.
With very few written records or technical expertise available, we needed to:
Conduct industry research to guide decisions about featured products and categories.
Build a scalable inventory management system from scratch.
Implement a modern e-commerce solution, including payment processing, shipping, and tax systems.
Bella Boutique’s existing website was outdated, with broken links, low color contrast, and an ineffective e-commerce setup.
The store relied on handwritten notes and memorized quotas for inventory management, making it difficult to translate their in-store success online.
We needed to:
Transform the website into a functional and visually appealing e-commerce platform.
Build a scalable inventory management system, identifying top-selling and high-revenue items.
Refresh the brand with modern visuals and a relatable voice inspired by influencer aesthetics.
Empower Bella Boutique to compete with a similar store opening across the street.
The site was designed with these audiences in mind:
Bella Boutique’s owner and team, who needed a system that was simple to manage long-term.
Local shoppers, especially women and teens, who browse for gifts and personal treats.
Gift givers, including kids and husbands, who need personalized recommendations.
The Process
1. Discovery & Strategy
We began by meeting with Bella Boutique’s owner to discuss project goals, motivations, and constraints. After outlining deliverables, we proposed a new brand identity featuring updated colors, typography, logo variations, and photography inspired by influencer brands like Magpies and Living with Landyn.
2. Brand Design & Revisions
Our initial palette and logo options went through several rounds of refinement to match Bella Boutique’s playful yet luxurious style. The final brand embraced bold but approachable aesthetics, balancing modern professionalism with the boutique’s warm Southern charm.
3. Web Design & Content Creation
During the web design phase, we revamped the site structure with intuitive navigation, appealing product categories, and personalized gift recommendations. We also captured new product photography and wrote optimized copy to reflect the brand’s personality.
4. E-Commerce & Inventory Build
Starting from scratch, we built a digital inventory of over 400 products, gathering images, descriptions, and data from suppliers. We identified top sellers and exclusive items to showcase and implemented an interlinked recommendation system to encourage upselling. The e-commerce setup included tax, shipping, and payment processing, all designed for scalability.
5. Testing & Training
Before launch, we rigorously tested functionality, including checkout flows and account creation, and incorporated user feedback. Finally, we hosted a training session to empower Bella Boutique’s team to manage inventory, fulfill orders, and keep the site updated.
The redesigned website transformed Bella Boutique’s digital presence, increasing online sales (from virtually none) and enhancing their visibility.
The updated branding and functional e-commerce platform allowed the boutique to better serve their loyal local customers and compete effectively with their new neighbor.
Key Takeaways:
A strong digital inventory system is crucial for scaling small businesses; AI or automation could streamline future data collection.
Personalization matters: features like custom recommendations and gift guides help replicate the in-store experience online.
Collaboration and clear communication with the client are essential for managing scope, budget, and timelines efficiently.
The new website and brand empower Bella Boutique to thrive both online and in-store while staying true to their reputation as a beloved community favorite.