Project: Advanced Crates Website Redesign
Advanced Crates is a UK-based manufacturer specialising in plastic boxes, injection moulding, and crate design. With years of expertise in the industry, they approached us to update their outdated, Flash-based website.
Initially, the project was intended to be a straightforward refresh, but it quickly evolved into a comprehensive overhaul, incorporating a complete e-commerce solution.
One of the more unique aspects of the project involved using 3D CAD files to create product images. Due to logistical challenges, such as limited space and time for studio photography, this approach allowed us to showcase their products online efficiently.
The website is in beta, and we continue collaborating with Advanced Crates to develop a user-friendly inventory management system that aligns with their operational needs.
Update 2024
After the website went live, we assisted Advanced Crates in launching a complete e-commerce platform, including a quoting system. The inventory featured new and used crates in various colours. However, in 2022, due to challenges primarily attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic and rising transportation and personnel costs, the parent company Pluscrates went into administration, and its assets were sold off.
I was retained to help transition the website to align with the new owners’ business and other associated websites and update the product range. A significant part of this work involved implementing a new table-based delivery cost system. For new crates, courier charges were calculated by weight, while larger items like cages were delivered using the company’s vehicles. Though a significant undertaking, we successfully integrated this new system.
