WebCitz started working with this client in 2021
- Client: Steak Broker
- Platform: WordPress
- Industry: Agriculture
- Services: Ecommerce, Maintenance / Support, Web Hosting
The Challenge
Steak Broker required a platform that could handle a non-traditional e-commerce model. Their primary hurdles included:
- Hyper-Specific Design Requirements: The client had a very distinct vision for the visual look and feel of the site. It needed to feel authentic to the ranching world while providing a high-end, modern user experience.
- Complex Multi-Vendor Logic: Unlike a standard store, this site needed a robust vendor registration system where independent cattle producers could list their animals, manage their profiles, and handle sales.
- Fractional Animal Sales: The site needed to facilitate the sale of quarter, half, or whole animals, ensuring that consumers legally owned a fraction of the animal before it went to slaughter – a key regulatory requirement.
The WebCitz Solution
We implemented a “Marketplace and Membership” model, focusing on the complex logic required for live-stock shares:
- Custom WordPress Visual Engineering (2021): We built a highly custom WordPress site from the ground up to match the client’s specific aesthetic preferences. This involved bespoke front-end development to ensure the site’s “ranch-to-table” story was told through every visual element.
- Multi-Vendor System Deployment: We engineered a comprehensive vendor management system. Producers can register, set up their digital stalls, and list specific cows for sale. This system includes automated payout structures (integrated with PayPal) to ensure ranchers are paid once a week following a sale.
- Animal Listing & Share Infrastructure: We developed the logic for “Adding to Cart” by the quarter-animal. The site provides high-level transparency, requiring vendors to list the breed, feed type, and even the specific butcher and slaughter schedule for each listing.
- Bidding & Transaction Management: We implemented a system that allows for the dynamic purchase of animal shares. We also integrated shipping and local pickup logic, ensuring that logistical costs are handled correctly between the rancher and the buyer.
- Ongoing Technical Stewardship: Since the 2021 launch, we have provided the maintenance and support necessary to keep this complex marketplace running smoothly, including managing the unique database of vendor profiles and live animal listings.
The Result
By 2026, Steak Broker has successfully bridged the gap between rural Wyoming ranchers and a nationwide audience of consumers seeking premium, direct-from-the-farm beef. Our work transformed a complex legal opportunity into a user-friendly digital marketplace. By trusting WebCitz with their highly custom design and multi-vendor engineering, Steak Broker has created a sustainable platform that empowers ranchers and provides consumers with unprecedented access to high-quality beef.
