Still supporting our very first client with their bespoke website development, 25 years on.
- seoBusiness has been helping First Tunnels achieve ecommerce success for a quarter of a century.
- We’ve been by their side as they’ve grown into a multi-million-pound business.
- We continue to deliver pioneering and innovative solutions for a pioneering and innovative client.
The brief
It’s 25 years since we began work with Altham-based First Tunnels. Originally a retailer of garden tools and equipment, today First Tunnels has evolved into a leading manufacturer of polytunnels, which are similar to greenhouses but covered in specially designed polythene rather than glass.
The company counts the NHS, Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall, Alan Titchmarsh and, more recently, Jeremy Clarkson as customers.
How seoBusiness delivered
Many things have changed over the last 25 years, especially online, with the internet looking virtually unrecognisable from the websites we browsed in 1998. As First Tunnels needs have grown and evolved, we’ve always been able to help them set the pace.
Here are some of the innovations we’ve delivered to help keep the company a leader in its field.
Building custom capabilities
We understand the importance of bespoke products. At seoBusiness, our customers want solutions tailor-built to their needs. And at First Tunnels, it’s no different.
So in 2009 we created a product configurator, an innovative piece of technology that allows shoppers to design and order custom design polytunnels. Built into the site, it allowed customers to purchase the perfect product for their specific requirements.
Promising speed, security and scalability
Technology is evolving at an incredible speed. A cutting-edge solution developed a few years ago may no longer cut the mustard in today’s competitive marketplace.
To solidify First Tunnels’ position as a market leader, we have regularly overhauled the site to be leaner, more secure and better equipped to grow with the company.
This is great for users of the website, great for search engine rankings, and ultimately great for First Tunnels’ bottom line.
Delivering added revenue generation
We have built a range of tools which help First Tunnels to better understand its customers, which in turn helps them deliver a higher standard of service.
These include a built-in feature which generates special offers and upsell opportunities, based on items currently in the customer’s shopping basket.
We also implemented Google and Facebook conversion tracking, so that First Tunnels can make smarter marketing decisions based on customer interests, motivations and shopping habits.
As technology continues to evolve, we’ll continue to provide the most up-to-date tools to help ensure First Tunnels maintains its edge over the competition.
The Feedback
Our website is our number one sales tool. Whether it’s an order received online, or browsing which leads to a phone order, it’s played a huge part in our growth throughout the years. It’s been invaluable to our success and seoBusiness has been a great partner throughout these 25 years.
They have always provided us with the safety, security and reliability we’ve needed to help grow our business. Their level of service, attention to detail and delivery is incomparable.
I would highly recommend them to anyone looking for a reliable eCommerce partner.
Sean Barker – Managing Director, First Tunnels
Final Thoughts
“We are delighted to have been able to serve First Tunnels for these last 25 years. Launching in 1998, we were one of the first companies to offer web development services and the fact that we can retain a client of the calibre of First Tunnels, even as the industry has evolved so much and as they have experienced so much growth, is something we are especially proud of.
“First Tunnels has a bright future ahead, and we look forward to working with them each step of the way.”
Latif Kothia, director, seoBusiness
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