WebCitz started working with this client in 2009
- Client: Cameron Trading Post
- Platform: WooCommerce
- Industry: Entertainment / Recreation, Food & Beverage
- Services: Web Development, Ecommerce, Web Hosting, Digital Marketing, Maintenance / Support
The Challenge
As a historic landmark featuring a motel, restaurant, and a gallery of museum-quality Native American art, Cameron Trading Post required a digital presence that was as multifaceted as their physical location. They faced three major hurdles:
- Legacy Debt: Their original X-Cart system was outdated and difficult to scale.
- High-Ticket Sales: Selling expensive, one-of-a-kind art pieces required a specialized “Lay-A-Way” system to make purchases more accessible to collectors.
- Data Synchronization: They needed a seamless way to sync high-volume inventory between their website and their mPower CRM system.
The WebCitz Solution
Since 2009, WebCitz has acted as the primary technology architect for the brand, guiding them through nearly two decades of digital growth:
- Custom Lay-A-Way System: We engineered a custom payment workflow that allowed customers to purchase high-value items through a structured layaway plan. This was a critical feature for their high-end art gallery, allowing for complex payment scheduling directly through the e-commerce checkout.
- Complex CRM Integration (mPower): We developed a custom integration between the website and the mPower CRM. This system utilizes a nightly data feed to ensure that inventory levels, customer data, and sales records are synchronized between the physical trading post and the online store.
- Artist Gallery & Portfolio: We built a dedicated Artist Gallery to showcase the various Native American artists featured at the post. This created a rich, educational experience for visitors and boosted the authority of their unique inventory.
- Multifaceted Site Architecture: Beyond e-commerce, we developed and managed sections for their motel reservations, restaurant menus, and the historic gardens, turning the site into a comprehensive travel destination portal.
- Platform Migrations & Training: We managed the transition from X-Cart to Magento, and eventually to WordPress/WooCommerce. During the latest migration, we re-developed all custom functionality (including the layaway system and CRM feeds) into the WordPress environment and provided extensive staff training to ensure they were comfortable with the new interface.
- Full-Spectrum Management: For over 15 years, WebCitz has provided the “total package”: high-performance hosting, proactive security updates, daily maintenance, and ongoing SEO to ensure they remain a top-tier result for southwestern art and travel searches.
The Result
By evolving alongside WebCitz, Cameron Trading Post has moved from a simple hosting client to an e-commerce leader in their niche. Our ability to build and then “carry over” complex functionality like the layaway system and CRM integration through three different platforms has provided the client with remarkable continuity and growth. Today, the site serves as a high-functioning digital extension of their historic Arizona location.
