» TWO DECADES AGO , Window Ware led the way in revolutionising how fenestration professionals sourced and ordered their hardware with the introduction of the first e-commerce site created specifically for fabricators . Fast forward to the present day and Window Ware is still finding new ways to advance the online customer experience with a brand-new website that gives fenestration companies greater access to the products , features and information they really need .

FORCES FOR CHANGE “ Constantly advancing technology , an ever-evolving World Wide Web and changing customer needs means even the most polished website is never truly finished , explains Window Ware ’ s Head of Internal Sales and Marketing , Sarah Binns . “ That ’ s why we never stop learning from our online visitors – whether they ’ re customers , brand partners or colleagues – to ensure our website is working perfectly and ticking all the right boxes .”

“ So , when an essential upgrade of our e-commerce platform necessitated a major behind-thescenes rebuild of our website , we saw it as the perfect opportunity to overhaul the front-of-house too and add in some the features our

customers had been asking for .”

With the help of e-commerce and digital design marketing agency , Xigen , Window Ware began planning and laying the groundwork for the website upgrade at the start of last year . As part of those preparations , the marketing team invited customers to give their feedback about the existing website via a series of email surveys . The results were combined with all the comments and suggestions the team had already gathered in the course of daily interactions with customers to create a must-have list of new features and enhancements . With an agreed roadmap of requirements , work on the website forged ahead to the finish line .

“ Rebuilding a website during a pandemic had its challenges ,” revealed Sarah . “ But determination , teamwork and communication kept us on track .” She goes on to say , “ Coronavirus has taught us just how important our website is both to us and our customers . More business than ever is now conducted online because it is convenient and COVID-safe . And during uncertain times in the midst of lockdown last year , our website provided customers with a constant and accessible source of information . We ’ re confident the new website will do

an even better job of supporting fabricators in this ‘ new normal ’ way of working .”

NEW FEATURES OVERVIEW

Improved website navigation with intelligent drop-down menus has been designed to help visitors find exactly what they need faster and easier , whether they ’ re looking for the latest multipoint door lock or an electronic copy of the Window Ware catalogue .

Enhanced product filtering ensures visitors can quickly narrow down their product selection according to a range of attributes more logically and effectively . This will come in very handy considering there have been hundreds of new product lines added with something to fulfil virtually every criterion . There are also more product resources available to download , with the library still growing day by day to build a one-stop source of technical specs , routing preps , certifications and supporting product documentation . More detailed product descriptions provide all the key features and specifications up front to ensure customers can make fully informed product selections .

For registered B2B customers who log in to their trade account , a more intuitive account dashboard provides time-saving shortcuts to best-selling hardware , new products and clearance lines . Plus , they now have instant access to their best discounted prices - no need to wait for custom quotes .

The much-loved grid display is back by popular demand and now set as the default view on product pages . According to feedback , customers preferred this arrangement rather than the dropdowns because it made it easier to see all the available product options at a glance and zero in faster on the variant they want . As Sarah commented , “ Whatever works best for our customers , works best for us too .”

Last but not least , fabricators who manufacture tilt and turn windows will appreciate the enhanced T & T kit generator which has been optimised to make configuring and ordering best-fit hardware assemblies more accurate and simpler .

The new and improved Window Ware website is LIVE and ready to serve at www . windowware . co . uk