Wishing you happy holidays!

Our office will be closed on December 23rd and will reopen on January 9th. For any inquiries, you can send them to team@virtualinnovation.co.nz
* All of your emails will be answered once we return.
 We wish you the very best for the Festive Season and a Happy New Year! See you in 2023! 🎇🎄🚀

7 Strategies to create an impressive website for your Manufacturing Business

7 Strategies to create an impressive website for your Manufacturing Business

Blog

Virtual Innovation – Who We Are!

At Virtual Innovation, we pride ourselves on being the creative geniuses of the digital world, based in Auckland.

We’re never afraid to take risks and experiment with new ideas or technologies in the quest for the best result.

Whether it’s a new website design for a client or just adding an innovative feature to an existing website, we’re the Web Agency that is always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Our clients are enthusiastic about our work because they’re aware that when they reach out to us, we provide something extraordinary and unique.

If you’re hunting for a website design team that’s ahead of the trends, then look no further! We are here to deliver cutting-edge solutions and exceed your expectations.

Get ready to be amazed! We at Virtual Innovation New Zealand have the capability and passion to help you reach your goals. What are you waiting for? Let’s get started now!

Through our experience of crafting over 20 digital websites for New Zealand companies in the manufacturing and construction industries, we have acquired valuable insights into what key strategies can lead to impressive results.

In this post, we would like to share with you at least seven of these techniques, which when implemented, create remarkable websites that will stand out from your competition.

 

IntroductionManufacturing Company

In today’s digital landscape, having an online presence is essential for any business -manufacturing businesses included.

A website provides useful information to your existing and potential customers, like what products you provide, where they can buy them, and how they can contact you. Plus, it’s the best way to get your message out there without spending too much money on marketing.

Let’s explore why manufacturing businesses need a website.

If you’re in the manufacturing business, then you know how important it is to have a strong online presence.

Your website is often the first impression potential customers will have of your company, so it must make a good one.

But what exactly goes into making a great website for a manufacturing company?

The first step you need to get right is to engage with a Web Agency that not only possesses local knowledge but also has the experience and is attuned to the manufacturing sector’s unique needs. That’s where Virtual Innovation excels.

 

Differences between Manufacturing & Retail Business websites
Manufacturing & Retail Business websites

In Virtual Innovation’s experience, most web agencies tend to group business websites together and up until now articles on business digital transformation have tended to focus on retail business websites, which we know are certainly different from what a manufacturing business needs.

We think the key differences between websites for manufacturing and retail can be summarized as follows:

Purpose
A manufacturing business website needs to focus on showcasing the company’s products and capabilities to potential distributors, suppliers, and other stakeholders.

While a retail website is primarily designed to sell products directly to consumers.

Content
Manufacturing websites need to include technical specifications and engineering drawings, case studies and whitepapers, and information on the company’s history, philosophy, and values.

Retail websites tend to feature detailed product descriptions, images, and customer reviews, along with information on shipping, returns, and customer service.

User Experience
Manufacturing websites may be more information-intensive and technical, with a focus on providing detailed product information to engineers and other technical stakeholders.

Retail websites are designed to be user-friendly and easy to navigate, with a focus on making the purchasing process as seamless as possible.

Marketing and Promotion
Manufacturing websites may emphasize thought leadership, industry expertise, and quality assurance, with a focus on building trust and credibility with their potential customers and society as a whole.

Retail websites may use techniques such as email marketing, social media, and search engine optimization (SEO) to drive traffic and increase their sales. Note: SEO also plays a part in manufacturing websites as you will see later in this article.

E-commerce
Manufacturing websites may have limited e-commerce capabilities or may direct customers to work with a distributor or resellers to purchase their products.

Retail websites typically have a fully integrated e-commerce platform, allowing customers to purchase products online.

Overall, the key differences between a manufacturing website and a retail website reflect the different goals and audiences of each type of organization. This is extremely important for a web agency to acknowledge if it is to produce a website that will perform to a manufacturing business’s expectations.

 

Our 9 Strategies for the best Manufacturing Website

1. Make It Look ProfessionalMake It Look Professional
We know first impressions are everything when it comes to your website, so we make sure it looks professional.

This means using clean fonts and a simple design that is easy to navigate and showcases the products you offer.

While visuals are an important part of a website, the written content is just as valuable.

Unless you have a trained copywriter on staff, investing in professional writing services can ensure that your message and information will be crystal clear to all who visit.

After all, there’s no point in having a stunning website if it doesn’t effectively communicate what you want people to know!

2. Feature Your Products Front & Center
When visitors come to your site, they should immediately be able to see the products you offer.

Put your product images and descriptions front and centre on your home page, so customers know what they can find on your site.

3. Show Off Your Expertise
In manufacturing, having an online presence with a website opens up your business to new opportunities and connections.

An effective website should bolster your manufacturing company’s reputation by highlighting your expertise in the field by displaying customer testimonials, awards, certifications and success stories. Such measures to demonstrate trustworthiness will go a long way in helping potential customers and suppliers connect to you.

After all, manufacturing is a field that requires not only quality products but also reliable relationships. With an effective website, your manufacturing company can achieve both sides of this equation.

4. Use High-Quality ImagesHigh-Quality Images
Using high-quality images is a great way to make your website look more professional and attractive.

Just as a chef cannot whip up delicious dishes with poor ingredients, you won’t be able to create an exceptional website without top-notch visuals; the value of high-quality imagery is simply undeniable.

Creating videos of case studies is a smart, persuasive way for your company to explain complex concepts and ideas.

Don’t forget to showcase your team who are responsible for the excellent products you produce.

Photos of your team members and key individuals will make your website human, giving it a friendly and approachable touch.

If you don’t have access to professional photos of your products, consider investing in stock photos that will help showcase what you offer.

5. Focus on the Visitor/Customer Experience
The visitor experience is one of the most important aspects of your website, so we make sure that you focus on making your site easy to use and navigate. We’ll help with that!

Whether your manufacturing business is large or small, it’s essential to have a well-organized structure that visitors can understand and navigate effortlessly.

Having worked on websites with 8 products to ones with 150 products, we know just how crucial it is to plan the user experience when organizing product pages.

We recommend that you take a step back and view this aspect from the perspective of your site visitor and ask yourself:

How will they search? What matters most to them? Is our site easy for them to navigate?

At Virtual Innovation we believe by making you consider these questions, we make sure your website provides an intuitive flow that will meet your visitor/customer needs.

We will take care of crafting menus and other navigation elements to support this process, and ensure your website’s pages load quickly, as well as provide advice and an outside perspective on your processes to help create the right balance.

6. Share Resources & InformationFAQ
Manufacturing visitors and customers often have specific needs or questions, so make sure your website provides the resources they’re looking for to support them.

This may include Product Specifications, a Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) section to answer common questions and regular How-To articles.

Specifically, you should understand that visitors to your website will often be overwhelmed by the amount of information displayed, leaving them questioning how relevant the information is to their needs. This is why having an FAQ section on a manufacturing website can be so beneficial.

Visitors or existing customers who have questions or concerns about your manufacturing processes, materials, and products can find reliable answers in a concisely organized format, allowing them to make quick yet informed decisions.

Having this type of resource readily available at any time boosts your customer’s confidence and trust not only in your company but also in its products.

So, a FAQ section on your manufacturing website demonstrates that your company values transparency and takes customers’ interests seriously.

In addition, to improve efficiency, the placement of product specification documentation on your website that is easy to download and easily updated by your company, saves hours of answering and sending out responses to visitor/customer emails.

7. Qualify Your Leads to Reduce Wasted Time
As a manufacturer who sells its products to the public, it’s not just about growing your customer base through website visitors – it’s also about optimizing time and maximizing efficiency for your company.

To help your website visitors/customers, we suggest that you will benefit from including more insightful questions on forms that you may want to use to gather visitor/customer information.

As an example, one of our soundproofing manufacturer clients, based in Auckland, included a field on their enquiry form that enabled a prospective customer to upload photos or even a video that demonstrated where they needed the acoustic insulation.

By leveraging this approach, they have been able to eliminate any project that doesn’t align with their business goals or isn’t important enough for them to pursue.

Those living in Auckland will know all about the daily traffic congestion and how much time such a strategy can save!

8. Automation & Integration
By integrating website automation and integration into your existing manufacturing processes, your company can reap numerous benefits.

For instance, you can use it to connect your website with your social media feeds so that your customers can have access to up-to-date information whenever they visit your website or view a feed on their profile, in particular services such as Instagram can be used as a fantastic live photo gallery of your products.

Additionally, integrating your website with your Customer Relationship Management (CRM) software will allow your company to capture and track customer interactions and better tailor your services towards your customer’s needs.

Finally, utilizing automated sign-ups for newsletters will help your company keep your customers informed about new products or company updates, efficiently and effectively.

Overall, website automation and integration are important assets for your manufacturing business to consider, to ensure you keep up with the evolving digital trends.

9. Plan for SEO from the startSEO Strategies
It is essential to identify your website’s intended audience as soon as possible since this will determine the SEO strategies that will need to be executed for your company.

Consequently, it will also guide your website’s content structure and sitemap creation.

Generally, search engine optimization (SEO) will provide your business regardless of size with the opportunity to gain exposure and increase your web visibility.

It will empower your manufacturing company to easily communicate its products and services, build relationships with your customers and attract potential new buyers through targeted organic search engine traffic.

Moreover, SEO helps you as a manufacturing company convey your branded stories to showcase your unique identity and messaging in comparison to your competitors.

Furthermore, SEO can be used to craft your website structure to boost customer service and build credibility, which will generate trust from your customers and make your company stand out as an experienced industry leader that offers reliable manufacturing services.

 

Conclusion

Finally, we suggest that it’s essential to keep your website updated with fresh content regularly. This will show visitors that you’re active and invested in your online presence and that will keep them coming back for more.

As always Virtual Innovation gives you more than you expected.

At the beginning of this article, we aimed to give you an insight into 7 strategies for a great manufacturing website instead we gave you 9.

By following these 9 strategies, you can be sure your website will make a great impression on potential customers and help you build a more efficient business.

7 Strategies for a great manufacturing websites
If you are interested in an affordable website for your manufacturing business, utilising the strategies we have mentioned above, look no further than the awesome team at Virtual Innovation, your go-to Web Agency in Auckland New Zealand.

We will pull it all together for you. so please contact us, and make an appointment. We would love to chat about what we could help you achieve.

Thanks for taking the time to read our article. We hope it will help you reach your website’s goals If you have any further questions or need more assistance, please contact us.

Why A Web Designer Is Important For Your Business

Why A Web Designer Is Important For Your Business

Blog

Who We Are!

Looking for a team of Auckland-based WordPress website designers or Shopify web developers that can build beautiful websites.
You’ve come to the right place!

At Virtual Innovation, we’re like mad scientists who are always concocting something new and exciting.

From custom designs that draw customers in with their uniqueness down to adding innovative features that no one else has – our clients love us for it!

If you want to create a unique online experience, join us and let’s create something amazing!

We’re Virtual Innovation, based in Auckland and servicing clients New Zealand-wide, we can’t wait to show you what we can do.

 

Introduction

Looking for Auckland-based WordPress website designers or a New Zealand-based Shopify web agency can be intimidating, especially when trying to figure out where to begin and then grasp the full extent of what’s involved.

At Virtual Innovation, we understand that it can be challenging to locate a designer who truly understands your unique business and vision without bewildering you with incomprehensible jargon.

That’s why we’ve created this blog post – to answer some of the questions that you may have, but couldn’t fully consider satisfactorily, through lack of good straightforward information.

Our helpful guide covers various topics to provide you with the support and knowledge needed for a successful next step towards your website build, regardless of whether this is your business’s first move into the digital world or you aim to revamp your existing business website.

 

Why Do I Need a Web Designer?
Engaging a Web Designer

Engaging a web designer is essential to achieving the digital presence that your business needs.

Web designers have the expertise and experience to create a stunning web design for you, so your website appeals to both customers and search engines.

As leading web designers in Auckland who have worked with businesses across New Zealand, our web design professionals are up-to-date with the latest web developments and trends.

They can guide you through the process of creating an effective web design that will help grow your audience, increase conversions, and optimise user engagement.

A web designer is a true asset to your business giving your website the boost it needs to succeed.

 

How Do Web Designers Price Their Products and Services?

Web designers price their products and services differently depending on the complexity of the web design project.

A New Zealand web design company such as ours typically starts with an initial consultation to gain an understanding of your web design needs and will then provide pricing options based on the scope of work, the effort required, a timeline for completion and any additional web design or site hosting services that you may need.

Factors such as website development, copywriting services, content management systems and web hosting costs must be taken into consideration when our web design agency creates a web design package for our clients.

 

What Is the Difference Between Web Design and Web Development?

Web design and web development are two crucial components necessary to create one web page or a whole website.

Web design is the artistic creation of web pages, utilizing visuals and media elements, such as images, videos, typography and animation, to enhance your user’s experience.

On the other hand, web development is the coding and programming side of webpage production; web developers use a range of languages including HTML, CSS and JavaScript to bring web designs to life.

Most web designers in Auckland or throughout New Zealand will tell you that having a successful web presence needs both web designers and web developers working together cohesively for it to be effective.

 

What Makes a Great Website?

Creating a web design that resonates and connects with your target audience is the key to a successful website.

As web designers in Auckland, NZ, Virtual Innovation has extensive experience in creating web designs that are easy to use, informative, and attractive, as well as driving customer traffic through effective Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) techniques.

A great website should encapsulate all these things, as well as meet the needs of your business. It must provide an effortless user experience while delivering valuable content.

We strive to find the perfect balance between usability, aesthetics and function when it comes to web design – producing high-quality web designs that will keep your visitors engaged and coming back for more.

 

5 Things To Consider When Designing Your Website
Web Design

If you’re looking to create an incredible web presence for your business, it’s important to equip yourself with some key knowledge before you start to consider a possible design for your website.

Working with a web designer like Virtual Innovation can help ensure success and make the website creation process simpler and much faster.

Before beginning the web design process, there are five key things that you should consider:

  • Assess your company’s purpose and focus: many web designers will build sites based on current trends rather than what is most suitable for your business.
  • Consider the issues around usability; a good web designer will take steps to make sure visitors find it easy to navigate and interact with the site.
  • Then consider visual impact; look at other web designs that caught your eye and try to understand why they have had such success visually.
  • Think about your website content; the message you want to communicate to your potential customers has to be clear while also blending seamlessly with visuals and technical elements of the web design.
  • Finally, make sure you consider search engine optimization (SEO) – the arrangement of keywords throughout your website can be key for its success in SERPs (Search Engine Results Pages).

Working with a knowledgeable web designer like Virtual Innovation will lead to a successful outcome.

 

Which Colours Should I Use for My Website and Why?
Wordpress or Shopify

Whether we are designing a website for WordPress or Shopify, one of the most important decisions we support our clients with, is helping them to choose the right colours for their website.

Colours have a powerful impact on web design, so it is important to select your colours carefully and consider how they will affect a web page’s overall appearance.

When selecting colours for your web design, it is best to pick those that are both aesthetically pleasing and purposeful.

Using muted tones can create a tranquil feel, vibrant colours can bring life to a web page, and neutral tones can be used to bring focus to specific areas of content.

Along with considering the emotional response you want the colours to give your audience, also take into consideration how contrasting colours can create balance throughout the web page.

At Virtual Innovation, we understand how important colour decisions are, so we can help you find the perfect palette for your website.

Our team of Auckland-based professionals, with expertise in web design and development, will work with you to create an effective website that resonates with your target audience.

 

What is Responsive Design and Why Does My Site Need it?

Responsive web design is a design approach that creates a web page that adjusts automatically to the physical device it is viewed on.

This means web designers can craft websites for a variety of screen sizes and users can have the same positive interactive experience regardless of the device they are using.

As leading New Zealand WordPress and Shopify web designers we want to ensure that all the websites we create can reach as many people as possible, so to do that they must utilise responsive web design.

It enables us to create efficient and user-friendly web pages that set them apart from most other web designs.

Not only does this approach enhance our client’s user experience, but it also saves time and money in web maintenance and development costs due to its adaptability across different devices.

Simply put, responsive web design enhances any website’s overall aesthetic and usability, making it essential for modern web designers to incorporate it into their site designs.

 

What’s the Big Deal About Mobile First?
Mobile-First Design Philosophy

Web design with a mobile-first design philosophy has made web designers rethink the way they create web layouts.

With more and more web traffic coming from mobile devices, web designers are looking for various ways to maximize the user experience for all device sizes without compromising functionality.

This ‘mobile-first’ approach often involves designing for the smallest screen first and then including a number of flexible viewport sizes for medium to larger displays.
The New Zealand public has embraced mobile technology significantly, so as a leading Web Design agency in Auckland New Zealand, it makes total sense to emphasise to our clients that a mobile-first strategy of web design, will ultimately drive more conversions and enhance their user’s experience and thus allow them to achieve their business objectives.

 

Biggest Mistakes of DIY Websites
DIY Websites

Although it may seem like a breeze to craft your website yourself, numerous pitfalls and missteps can occur in the DIY web design process.

As experienced Web designers, we often see amateur web pages that have common issues such as outdated technology, out-of-date content, oversized images, too much text, and a lack of organization.

Furthermore, people who attempt to take the DIY web design route may pay a hefty price in terms of lost time and potential customers when they fail to include necessary information or utilize proper Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) practices.

It appears that do-it-yourself web design is not only a field that has great potential to make errors, but it’s also one best left to the professionals.

 

How Long Will it Take to Design & Build My Website?
Web Design Agency

Building a website can seem like an intimidating task, but our Auckland-based Web Design Agency is well-prepared to tackle any challenge.

Depending on its complexity, creating a website can take anywhere from a few days to a few months of effort.

Factors such as web design elements and page layouts, special web applications and plugins, and coding optimisation can affect the completion time.

But working with an experienced New Zealand-based Web Design Agency can help to make sure that your website is crafted quickly and effectively, so you can start using it for your business goals in no time.

 

The Single Most Important Thing About Your Web Design

As New Zealand Web designers, our focus has always remained on our client’s needs, and this is our single most important web design principle.

Our job as web designers is to create a web design, which focuses on the user experience.

When we create something with a customer-first approach – taking into consideration their goals, target audience and end purpose, it ensures that their website visitors come back often and make transactions more frequently.

Every webpage we create is built with usability and accessibility in mind.

We believe that as a leading New Zealand Web Design Agency, we must focus our efforts to ensure that our web designs are both attractive as well as responsive so that they can be accessed from many devices to give your customers the best experience.

 

Conclusion

Now that you’re aware of some of the key reasons to engage an Auckland-based Web Designer, it’s time to get started!

If you’re seeking more information or would like to speak with us about your particular requirements, we’d be delighted to assist.

Our team of professionals are among the finest in New Zealand and it would be our pleasure to help you launch a stunning WordPress website or a profitable Shopify eCommerce online store.

Ready to take your business to the next level?

Contact Virtual Innovation now and turn your vision into reality!

Your Shopify Web Agency In Auckland New Zealand

Your Shopify Web Agency In Auckland New Zealand

Blog, Shopify

Virtual Innovation – Who We Are!

At Virtual Innovation New Zealand, we like to think of ourselves as the mad scientists of the online world.

We’re always experimenting with new ideas and technologies, and we’re not afraid to take risks.

Whether it’s a new Shopify website design for a client or adding an innovative feature to an existing website, we’re the Shopify Web Agency that is always pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

Our clients love us for it! They know that when they come to us, they’ll get something unique and truly special.

So if you’re looking for a Shopify website design team that’s always ahead of the curve, you’ve found us!

We’re Virtual Innovation New Zealand, and we can’t wait to show you what we can do.

Today in this post, I want to talk about one of the products we use to create amazing eCommerce websites, Shopify.

Did you know that Virtual Innovation is a Shopify Web Agency?

When it comes to online shopping, few platforms are as popular as Shopify. And when it comes to Shopify Web Agencies in Auckland, New Zealand, few are as well-known as Virtual Innovation.

Virtual Innovation has been working with Shopify since 2017, and in that time, has helped countless entrepreneurs set up and grow their digital eCommerce businesses.

As Shopify experts, Virtual Innovation specializes in taking full advantage of Shopify’s capabilities for businesses large and small, including customizing stores and making sure they rank high on search engines.

In addition to being a key Shopify web agency, Virtual Innovation is also a highly respected speaker and blogger on the subjects of eCommerce and online marketing.

If you’re looking for a Shopify Web Agency with expert Shopify website designers and developers who can help you make the most of the Shopify platform, then Virtual Innovation is the company you need.

Are you considering an eCommerce website?

In today’s digital world, an eCommerce website is a must for any business that wants to stay relevant.

Not only does it provide a convenient way for customers to purchase your products or services, but it also gives you a platform to showcase your brand and connect with potential customers from all over the world.

If you’re not sure whether an eCommerce website is right for your business, consider the following benefits:

  1. An eCommerce website is open 24/7, meaning that customers can purchase your products or services at any time of day or night.
  2. A well-designed eCommerce website can increase brand awareness and build trust with potential customers.
  3. An eCommerce website allows you to reach a global audience and tap into new markets.
  4. An eCommerce website can help you to boost sales and grow your business.

With so many benefits, there’s no reason not to give an eCommerce website a try and this is where Virtual Innovation and our team of Shopify experts come in. Read on…..

Shopify History and Case Studies!

Since its launch in 2006, Shopify has become one of the most popular eCommerce platforms.

Its ease of use and flexibility has made it a popular choice for businesses of all sizes, from small startups to major brands.

While Shopify is known for its ability to power online stores, it can also be used to run brick-and-mortar businesses.

Some of the world’s most successful businesses have worked with Shopify experts to streamline their operations. Here are just a few examples:

  1. Everlane is an online retailer that sells high-quality basics and has been praised for its commitment to ethical manufacturing. Everlane was successful early on, and it has only continued to grow since using Shopify. The company now has over 200 employees and generates millions in revenue each year.
  2. Bonobos is an online retailer that specializes in menswear. The company was founded in 2007 and quickly became a hit with customers thanks to its focus on quality and fit. In 2012, Bonobos decided to use Shopify to launch a new online store. This move helped the company reach even more customers and boosted sales significantly. Today, Bonobos is a successful multimillion-dollar business.
  3. MVMT is a watch brand that was founded in 2013 to sell high-quality watches at an affordable price point. The company quickly found success by using the Shopify platform. Thanks to Shopify, MVMT was able to launch a sleek online store that attracted customers from all over the world. Today, MVMT is one of the most successful watch brands in the world, with millions in annual revenue.

These are just a few examples of businesses that have found success by using a Shopify web agency and their experts. Whether you’re running an online store or a brick-and-mortar business, Virtual Innovation’s Shopify web agency can help you streamline your operations and boost sales.

Why Shopify and Virtual Innovation?

Well, it all started when I was listening to my favourite podcast (other than my own) called How I Built This.

Tobias was interviewed about the journey he went on. He is someone who started out solving his eCommerce problem and used that experience to help others.

This is something that I do often, so it resonated with me. If you want to listen to this episode here you go:

It was a great listen and is also on apple podcasts.

Shopify – Key Features?

Shopify is a platform that provides eCommerce businesses with everything they need to get their business online and sell products.

You can rest assured that Virtual Innovation will take care of all the heavy lifting to get you up and running online.

Here are some of Shopify’s key features, which are important in the way they allow you to make the site your own and allow you to quickly respond to an ever-changing business environment;

  • Shopify website design is a user-friendly platform that makes an online store easy to maintain, with product updates and other maintenance.
  • There are a variety of templates to choose from, so you can find the perfect look for your online eCommerce store.
  • Shopify allows you to sell products in over 150 countries around the world.
  • You can manage your shop on the go, from anywhere that has an internet connection.
  • Shopify’s website design has built-in features that make processing payments and shipping orders easy.
  • Virtual Innovation has access to Shopify’s customer support team, which is available to us 24/7. This ensures that you get exactly what you need and your site is always available.
  • There are tons of customization options available, so you can create a store that reflects your unique brand.
  • Shopify’s website design integrates with major payment processors, so you can accept payments from customers around the world.
  • You get access to a huge library of stock photos and graphics, so you can add visual elements to your store without having to hire a designer.
  • Shopify’s website design allows you to sell digital products, physical products, and even services online.
  • You can manage your shop’s inventory and track sales in real-time.
  • Shopify’s website design offers a wide range of payment gateways including PayPal, Stripe, Apple Pay, and local New Zealand payment providers as well.
  • Shopify has built-in SEO (search engine optimization) features to help your store rank higher in search engines, to drive customers to your site.
  • It has a built-in shipping calculator to help businesses determine shipping costs.
  • It provides a fraud analysis service to help reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions.
  •  The Virtual Innovation Shopify website design pricing plans are affordable for small businesses.

Let’s Expand on a Few of Shopify’s Features

Shopify can be integrated with major payment processors

As any eCommerce entrepreneur knows, having a reliable payment processor is essential for running a successful online store.

Not only do you need to be able to accept major credit cards, but you also need to have a system in place for processing returns and refunds.

Fortunately, Shopify’s website design allows it to be integrated with all of the major payment processors, making it easy to get started with accepting payments online.

In addition, Shopify’s website design also offers its own built-in payment processing system, which is perfect for small businesses that are just getting started with selling online.

Whichever payment processor you choose, Shopify makes it easy to get up and running quickly and start processing payments from your customers.

Shopify lets you manage your shop’s inventory and track sales in real-time

Shopify is the perfect platform for keeping track of your inventory and sales.

Not only does it allow you to see what’s in stock in real-time, but it also gives you insights into what’s selling and how much inventory you have on hand.

This is perfect for businesses that want to keep a close eye on their sales and inventory levels.

Plus, Shopify makes it easy to add new products and manage discounts.

So if you’re looking for a platform and a team that can help you manage your shop’s inventory and sales, our Shopify web agency is the perfect solution.

Shopify has tons of customization options available

Trying to stand out in the eCommerce world? Shopify’s website design flexibility is here to help.

With tons of customization options available, you can create a store that reflects your unique brand.

Whether you’re selling handmade goods or vintage finds, Shopify has the tools you need to give your customers a shopping experience they won’t forget.

And if you’re worried about getting overwhelmed by all the options, don’t be – our team of Shopify experts at Virtual Innovation is always available to help you get the most out of your online store.

Shopify has built-in Search Engine Optimization (SEO) features

As any savvy business owner knows, appearing high in search engine results is essential for driving traffic to your website.

But what many don’t realize is that a Shopify website design comes with built-in SEO features to help you rank higher and get more customers.

For starters, the Shopify website design automatically generates sitemaps, which makes it easier for search engines to index your site.

In addition, every page on your site is optimized for both mobile and desktop devices, so customers can find you no matter how they’re searching.

Because Shopify is a hosted platform, all of your pages are served from a single URL, which helps search engine crawlers index your site more quickly.

So if you’re looking to get ahead of the competition, be sure to take advantage of Shopify’s SEO features.

Shopify provides a fraud analysis

No one likes to think about fraud, but it’s an unfortunate reality of doing business online.

Thankfully, a Shopify website design provides a fraud analysis service to help reduce the risk of fraudulent transactions. Using data from your past transactions,

Shopify’s fraud analysis service can identify patterns that may indicate fraud. The service uses a variety of data points to flag potential fraudsters, and it’s constantly being updated to stay ahead of the latest scams.

In addition, the service can also help to flag suspicious transactions in real-time, allowing you to cancel the order before it’s shipped.

As a result, Shopify’s fraud analysis service is an essential tool for reducing the risk of fraud and protecting your business.

Shopify provides a built-in shipping calculator

For any business that involves shipping, one of the most important considerations is how to calculate shipping costs.

A Shopify website design provides a built-in shipping calculator to help your business determine shipping costs. This can be a valuable tool for your business, as it can help to ensure that you are not overcharging or undercharging for shipping.

This tool takes into account the weight of the products, the shipping destination, and the chosen shipping method. This information provides an estimated cost for shipping the order.

The calculator also offers a handy “compare” feature, which allows customers to compare different shipping options and choose the one that best meets their needs.

Whether you’re just starting or you’re a seasoned pro, Shopify’s shipping calculator can help you find the best way to get your products to your customers.

Shopify Partner Auckland New Zealand

Conclusion

All of the features of a great Shopify website design are important in the way that they allow Virtual Innovation’s Shopify experts to help you make your online store reflect your unique brand and personality.

Additionally, as a business owner, you must have an eCommerce website that can quickly adapt to changes in the marketplace.

The right Shopify website design created just for you, by a trusted Shopify web agency like us, Virtual Innovation, offers this and more.

If you want a well-priced, user-friendly eCommerce website, look no further than Shopify and the awesome expert team at Virtual Innovation, your Shopify web agency in Auckland New Zealand, to help you pull it all together – please contact us, we would love to chat. Here is a link to his calendar. 

WordPress Developers Based In Auckland New Zealand

WordPress Developers Based In Auckland New Zealand

Blog, WordPress

Introduction (From a group of great WordPress Developers👋)

WordPress is a popular content management system that can be used to create websites.

WordPress is open-source software, which means it is free of ongoing licence fees. It also offers many features and plugins that make website creation and management cost-effective in the hands of our WordPress Developers based in Auckland New Zealand.

We are WordPress developers based in Auckland New Zealand that work with companies across the country. We have a long association with WordPress as a cost-effective developers tool that has led to satisfied business clients in Auckland and all over New Zealand. The following is a bit more about WordPress and what it can do for your business.

WordPress Design and Development Auckland New Zealand1. What is the history of WordPress?

WordPress was first released in 2003 as a tool for creating blogs. In the years since it has become one of the most popular content management systems for all types of website development.

It is open-source software, which offers many features and functional plugins to make website creation and management easy.

WordPress was founded by Matt Mullenweg and Mike Little. Mullenweg is still the lead developer, and after turning WordPress into a global phenomenon with over 60 million websites built.

If you want to know more I suggest you listen to the Tim Ferris podcast where he speaks to Matt Mullenweg who is a close friend about the history of WordPress. You can hear it here.

To be honest they go off topic a lot and end up talking more about the antarctic and great life tips than WordPress.

2. How is WordPress different?

When we started our business journey, we were conscious that New Zealand is a nation of small and micro businesses – including self-employed businesses. Defined as those with fewer than 20 employees.

That’s why we chose WordPress as our go-to developer’s tool so that we were able to deliver cost-effective outcomes for our business clients.

  1. It should be noted that WordPress is different from other content management systems in several ways.
  2. It is open-source software, which means that people from around the world contribute to its development.
  3. There are no ongoing licensing fees for business clients.
  4. It offers a wide range of features and software plugins to make website creation and management applicable to any business situation.
    Another advantage of WordPress is its flexibility. It can be used for any type of website, from a simple blog to a complex e-commerce site. There are thousands of themes and plugins available that our Auckland developers can use to satisfy your needs.

The big takeaway here is it is open source so once our developers have built your site, you own the website. Many other website development platforms like Wix etc.. actually own your website. Tread carefully.

3. What to look for in a New Zealand WordPress developer?

WordpressWhen looking for a WordPress developer, businesses in New Zealand should ensure that the developer has a good understanding of the platform and how it can be used to deliver value to their business clients.

The WordPress developer should also be able to work with the business to understand their needs and provide empathy to help them achieve their goals.

Essentially a WordPress developer should also be able to provide training and support to ensure that the website is maintained and updated as needed.

As Auckland-based WordPress developers, we have a strong understanding of New Zealand and the way businesses in New Zealand operate, together with proven experience as New Zealand-based

WordPress developers, with a proven track record of delivering value to their clients.

4. How do we as WordPress developers deliver Value to your business?

WordPress is used by our developers in New Zealand to create websites and deliver value to our business clients.

It is an efficient website development platform that allows for ease of customisation and scalability, making it a popular choice for New Zealand businesses of all sizes.

Our developers can use WordPress to create customised themes and plugins that meet the specific needs of our clients, and the platform’s flexibility ensures that businesses can grow their websites as their needs change.

In addition, WordPress is affordable and easy to use, making it a cost-effective option for your business. Overall, WordPress is an excellent platform that enables us to deliver value to you.

5. How does your business prepare for a WordPress website?

As one of the pre-eminent WordPress website developers in New Zealand, we have learned that preparation is key to delivering the best website experience possible, for our business clients.
A website is a valuable business asset for any New Zealand company, regardless of size or location.

When working with our WordPress developers to create your website, there are a few key things that your business should keep in mind.

First and foremost, businesses should be clear about their goals for the website and what they hope to achieve. We as WordPress developers will need this information to create a site that meets your business’s needs.

Secondly, your business should, where possible provide our WordPress developers with as much content as you possibly can.

This includes text, images, and other multimedia content. The more information our WordPress developers have, the better they can create a website that is both visually appealing and effective at meeting your business’s goals.

Please note however that we understand that it is difficult to expect you to be a proficient writer of website text content, therefore we offer, as part of our service, our ability to write website content for you.

After a simple question-and-answer consultation with you, where we attempt to extract the essence of how you view your business and how it operates, we will attempt to create unique and compelling content that will drive clients to your new site.

Of course, you will be engaged throughout this process and have final approval of any content that gets added to your new WordPress website.

Finally, businesses need to exercise patience during the WordPress site development process.

Creating a website takes time and requires input from both our WordPress developers and you the business owner.

By working closely with our WordPress developers and providing them with all of the necessary information, your business can ensure that the website is not only beautiful but also effective in helping your business reach its goals.

6. Hosting your New Zealand WordPress website?

We mentioned above that WordPress is a popular content management system that enables the creation of a simple informational website, blog or eCommerce site, via our Auckland-based WordPress developer services, right here in New Zealand.

WordPress is used by millions of people around the world, including many large organisations, such as The Guardian, Forbes, and The New York Times.

Our New Zealand WordPress developer services are designed to take the hard work out of, not only the physical creation of the website, with all the technical intricacies that this entails but also other essential activities such as;

  1. Domain name acquisition, and
  2. Hosting your website

Our WordPress development services can provide hosting services for your WordPress website in New Zealand, or overseas.

When making your hosting decision there are a few things you need to consider.

  1. If your clients are based predominantly in New Zealand then it makes sense to host your website locally.
  2. If you offer products or services to the world, then it may make sense to host your website overseas.

Many providers offer a hosting service, so you can be assured that our WordPress developer service will shop around and compare features and pricing that meets your needs.

For example, Hosting providers offer various plans that differ in terms of features and price. When selecting a plan, it is important to consider the needs of your website. For example, if you are expecting a lot of traffic, you will need a plan with unlimited bandwidth.

Whatever your hosting decision, rest assured that our New Zealand WordPress developer team will be there to offer the necessary advice. We’ve got your back.

7. Conclusion – what about the Future?

Our New Zealand WordPress developers are only too aware that your website will be a powerful tool that can help your business to reach a wider audience and generate more sales for you.

Your website will only be effective if it is well-maintained and regularly updated. Otherwise, your customers will quickly become frustrated with outdated written content or broken hyperlinks, and they will go elsewhere.

To keep your customers coming back, our New Zealand WordPress developers know it is essential to commit to ongoing maintenance and management of your website.

This includes regularly publishing fresh written content, fixing any broken hyperlinks or bugs, and ensuring that all of your contact information is up to date.

By allowing our New Zealand WordPress developers to make your new website’s maintenance their priority, your website will continue to run smoothly and your customers will keep coming back for more…..

If you’re interested in what we do or what we’ve blogged about above, please feel free to contact us at Click here and one of our New Zealand WordPress developers will be happy to provide a free consultation.

Our journey to creating carbon neutral websites

Our journey to creating carbon neutral websites

Blog

As world leaders return home from an intense fortnight at COP26 (The United Nations Climate Change Conference) in Glasgow, I’m inspired to consider how I can make a difference to the planet.

We’ve been told in no uncertain terms that the next nine years are our final opportunity to meet the terms of the Paris Agreement to limit the planet’s temperature rise to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. This decade, we are told, must be our decade of action.

I listened intently to the commitments and proposed solutions discussed and debated at COP26 and felt a mix of reassurance and concern at how we might achieve these goals.

There’s no doubt governments, multi-national businesses and global NGOs have major roles to play in orchestrating, encouraging and mandating the changes needed to address climate change, but this crisis can’t be ‘someone else’s problem’. Every single one of us has the potential to make a difference.

I’m committed to making mine, and I’ve decided to publish this blog on our website so that I can look back in 10, 20 and 30 years’ time, to track my progress and see how far we’ve come as a global community.

For many of us, the climate crisis can seem like just ‘another thing to worry about’. As we work our way through the significant disruptions of a global health pandemic, a housing affordability crisis and growing social inequality, it’d be pretty easy to put ‘address climate change’ on the back burner until a more pressing time.

But I’ve come to learn there’s isn’t a more pressing time. Because global warming is equal parts a climate crisis and a social crisis. Rising temperatures and extreme weather events put severe pressure on food availability, stability, access and use, threatening agricultural yields and the livelihoods of those who depend on them. There’s no time left to wait.

So, what is Virtual Innovation going to do about it? How can a small company in New Zealand, that already operates virtually for most of its business, help in a meaningful way?

For starters, we’ve been working towards more sustainable operations for some time now.

  • We run a virtual team – Even before Covid-19 we were always virtual. Our whole team works from home, meaning much less travel each day.
  • We’ve ditched physical business bards – We stopped printing these 5 years ago and we don’t own printers – another little plus.
  • We’re always innovating – We are always looking for ways to be better.

And now, we’re looking into what it will take to deliver Carbon Neutral Websites.

One thing we deal a lot with at VI is websites. We build, host and manage hundreds of them for clients around the world, so by ensuring they are carbon neutral, we can not only offset carbon emissions through our work, but hopefully inspire others to do the same.

A client, friend and leader in all senses, Dave Rouse of carbonclick.com, has been a real inspiration to me in this field. He and his team have created an ecosystem and simple application for helping people to offset their carbon emissions.

I’ll be taking inspiration and advice from Dave and looking into how we can offset the carbon emitted through the development and hosting of ours and our clients’ websites. I’ll be investigating how to make the web design process carbon neutral and looking for ways to allow ourselves and our clients to report the carbon savings of our work, using a carbon website calculator that can help share information like this…

Carbon Neutral Websites NZ Auckland

We plan to get to a place where we can offer carbon neutral websites to our customers and I’ll be updating our journey throughout 2022.

It’s not going to halt global warming on its own, but it’s a step in the right direction for us and our clients. Come join our journey!