The challenge
Two retail businesses based in Windsor, Ontario both operated physical stores with limited digital sales infrastructure. Orders often came in by phone; customers would call, describe what they wanted, and arrange pickup or local delivery through direct conversation.
The vape retailer already had an online presence, but it was dated and visually inconsistent, and that was only part of the problem. Day-to-day operations were equally fragmented: workflows for managing products, orders, and fulfilment were inconsistent, and the team needed clear guidance on how to actually run the store online — not just a visual refresh.
The convenience retailer had no website at all. There was no product catalogue online, no way to browse inventory, and no structured digital channel beyond phone orders.
The work started with the vape retailer. The results from that engagement are what led the convenience retailer to invest in a full build.
What we delivered
Vape retailer: BigCommerce redesign and operations
KometCode redesigned the vape retailer’s storefront on BigCommerce and put operational foundations in place so the team could run the store day to day without guessing. The brief went beyond look and feel: create a clean retail experience and establish consistent workflows for catalogue, orders, and fulfilment.
The engagement included:
- A clean, modern retail aesthetic that matched the quality of the in-store experience
- Improved product page layout and navigation for easier browsing across a wide product range
- Visual consistency across storefront, product listings, and brand touchpoints
- Consistent day-to-day workflows for adding products, updating stock, and managing orders
- Hands-on guidance so the team knew how to operate the store after handoff — not only how it looked on launch day
Convenience retailer: BigCommerce store built from scratch
The results from the vape retailer’s work were the reason the convenience retailer decided to invest in a full build. BigCommerce was chosen for two practical reasons: it is compatible with the in-store POS system they use, and the team was already comfortable operating BigCommerce from running the vape store — so there was no new platform to learn.
KometCode designed and built a full BigCommerce store from zero. The brief was simple: replace the call-in order workflow with a self-serve buying experience the store owner could manage day to day without technical support.
The build included:
- A structured product catalogue covering the full convenience inventory range, organised into browsable categories
- Checkout and payment flow configured for both local Windsor pickup and Canada-wide shipping, so existing local customers and new out-of-city customers could both place orders
- Mobile-first storefront design, optimised for customers browsing and ordering on their phones
- A clean, accessible backend so the owner could add products, update stock, and manage orders independently
On-page SEO
With both stores live, search visibility was the immediate priority. KometCode implemented on-page SEO across both sites:
- Title tags, meta descriptions, and structured headings optimised for product and category pages
- Image optimisation and alt text across the product catalogue
- Internal linking structure to support crawlability and keyword distribution
- Page speed and technical health review to ensure the sites ranked competitively
Local SEO
Both businesses are physical retail locations serving Windsor and the surrounding region. KometCode set up local SEO to capture search demand from nearby customers:
- Google Business Profile setup and optimisation for both brands
- Local keyword targeting for Windsor and surrounding Ontario communities
- NAP (name, address, phone) consistency established across business directories and citation sources
- Category and service optimisation on GBP to surface both stores for relevant local searches
Social media presence
Neither brand had active social channels before this engagement. KometCode established:
- Social profiles across relevant platforms for both brands
- Initial content to populate accounts and establish a consistent brand voice
- A repeatable content structure the business could continue independently after handoff
Results
- 50% sales increase in 3 months (vape retailer): after the BigCommerce redesign and operational setup, the vape retailer saw a 50% increase in sales within three months
- Online ordering from zero (convenience retailer): the call-in-only model was replaced with a functioning BigCommerce store; customers in Windsor and across Canada can now browse products and place orders without a phone call
- One continuous relationship: the convenience retailer invested in a full build because of the vape retailer’s results — same platform, same team familiarity, POS-compatible stack
- Canada-wide reach: the convenience store launched with Canada-wide shipping enabled from day one, expanding the customer base beyond the physical Windsor location
- Improved local search visibility: both brands gained local search rankings for Windsor-area retail searches through Local SEO and Google Business Profile optimisation
- Social presence established: both businesses moved from no digital presence to active, professional social channels with a consistent brand identity