Download the full case study now to explore how this tools distributor reimagined their automotive ecommerce experience for future success.
By downloading, you’ll gain access to exclusive insights that can help inform your own digital transformation strategies. Whether you’re in the automotive industry or another sector facing similar eCommerce challenges, this case study offers valuable lessons for modernizing your eCommerce stack and driving business growth.
Sneak peak: What’s inside this case study
When a leading North American automotive tools brand discovered their once-innovative eCommerce platform had become outdated, they faced a critical business challenge. This iconic brand, serving auto repair professionals across the continent with over 10,000 specialized tools, needed a comprehensive digital transformation. Their automotive eCommerce experience was failing both their network of 2,000 franchised distributors and their end customers, creating friction instead of facilitating sales.
The challenge: An automotive eCommerce roadblock
Imagine having a warehouse of over 10,000 specialized tools but no efficient way for customers to find what they need. That was the reality for this brand, whose online storefront had become a liability rather than an asset:
- Customers clicked through an average of ten pages before finding desired products
- Search functionality lacked basic sorting, filtering, or faceted search capabilities
- Marketing teams couldn’t update content without developer assistance
- The technical architecture reflected an earlier era of web development
- Separate B2B and B2C systems created unnecessary complexity
The result? A mere 0.57% conversion rate and stagnating online revenue. The company needed not just a facelift, but a complete reimagining of their eCommerce experience.
The solution: Building for the future
The transformation strategy focused on creating a flexible, future-proof, composable commerce platform that would serve both immediate needs and long-term growth. Key elements included:
- A responsive design-thinking UI for consistent digital customer experiences across all devices
- Implementation of Bloomreach for intelligent, personalized search and recommendations
- Adoption of a Contentstack headless CMS to empower marketing teams
- Consolidation of B2B and B2C systems into a unified, flexible platform powered by commercetools
- Leveraging Google Cloud Platform technologies for enhanced scalability and performance
But the overhaul went beyond just implementing new technologies. It introduced modern development practices like DevOps methodologies, CI/CD pipelines, and robust QA processes— creating an environment where innovation could flourish long after the initial project was complete.
The results: Driving automotive eCommerce growth
What began as a technical modernization project quickly revealed its business impact, where every technical decision was made with measurable outcomes in mind:
- Double B2C revenue from $7M to $15M
- Improve order conversion rate from 0.57% to 1%
- Gain marketing independence for content updates
- Make development processes more efficient and reliable
More importantly, the new platform positioned the company for continued growth and innovation in the competitive automotive tools market.
This transformation story illustrates how the right combination of technology, strategy, and collaboration can revitalize an established brand’s digital presence and drive significant business results.
Dive deeper: Download the full case study
Interested in learning more about this automotive tools giant’s eCommerce modernization? Our comprehensive case study provides:
- Detailed technical architecture and implementation insights
- Specific challenges encountered and how they were overcome
- Key decision points in the platform selection process
- Strategies for managing change and empowering internal teams
- Lessons learned that can be applied to your own digital transformation projects
Download the full case study to dive deeper.
