castlegate electrics ecommerce
E-lectric response to lighting site
A 30 year-old electrical retailer that has developed an e-commerce site to help increase sales is beginning to reap the benefits of its forward thinking approach.
Billed as an ‘online lighting superstore’, Castlegate Electrics stocks over 1,100 lines including crystal chandeliers, Tiffany lighting, bathroom fittings, traditional lighting, amongst the wide range of styles for inside and outside the home.
With Ad Agency handling all the online marketing and promotion, the site is now achieving around 7000 hits per day from across the UK, with a 100 per cent increase in sales reported last month (January) compared to last year’s figures.
Owner Colin Boal said: “Given the decline of retail trade, particularly in independent outlets like Castlegate, we knew we had to make changes to the way we operated in order to keep the family name going for the next 30 years!
“The key to the sites’ success is that we are able to combine the convenience of online shopping with excellent, hands-on customer service as a result of many years experience within the retail industry.”
Tom Newbould, ICT adviser at Business Link was able to secure funds via the Subsidised Consultancy Programme towards the services of web specialist John Corner from Stokesley based The Ad Agency, after they were selected by Castlegate from a number of local consultants from Business Link’s National Service Register.
John is responsible for creating and developing the site, as well as the online marketing which includes Google adwords, Froogle price comparison and search engine submission.
Tom said: “Castlegate have proved that it is important businesses should not ignore e-commerce as a possible route to increasing turnover and profitability with the advantage of lower overheads. Castlegate have worked hard to ensure consumers enjoy their online shopping experience and have greatly expanded their customer base as a result. With assistance from Business Link and their consultant, I am sure Castlegate will be able to build on their initial success moving forward."
Plans for the business include a planned upgrade and re-design of the e-commerce site in the summer in line with the businesses commitment to continual improvement.