WebCitz started working with this client in 2020
- Client: Timber Wolf Forest
- Platform: Shopify
- Industry: Manufacturing / Industrial, Retail / E-Commerce
- Services: Digital Marketing, Ecommerce, Maintenance / Support
The Challenge
Timberwolf handles a diverse catalog of wood products that require precise data management. Their journey involved:
- Platform Re-evaluation: In 2020, they felt limited by Shopify and sought the open-source flexibility of WooCommerce to handle specialized product configurations.
- Data Management Realities: As the WooCommerce development progressed, the client realized that their internal workflows for product data entry and management were deeply ingrained in the Shopify ecosystem.
- Complex “Back-Office” Needs: Beyond the storefront, they needed their e-commerce data to flow seamlessly into their fulfillment and accounting systems.
The WebCitz Solution
We provided high-level engineering and strategic pivoting to support their evolving business needs:
- The WooCommerce “Prototype” Phase: We developed a fully custom WooCommerce theme from the ground up. This involved migrating their extensive product catalog and building custom functionality designed to give them more granular control over their listings than they had previously.
- Strategic Pivot Back to Shopify: When the client determined that staying on Shopify was the best move for their internal data preferences, we didn’t miss a beat. We pivoted our role from “migration specialists” to “platform optimizers,” helping them refine their existing Shopify site rather than forcing a move that didn’t suit their workflow.
- Maintenance & Support: We took over the ongoing maintenance of their Shopify store, ensuring the theme remained performant and that the user experience for their professional woodworking clientele stayed top-tier.
- Systems Integration Consulting: This has been a core part of our long-term value. We consulted on and helped implement several critical integrations:
- Order Fulfillment: Streamlining the path from “Order Placed” to “Truck Loaded.”
- Accounting Integration: Ensuring that website sales data synchronized accurately with their financial software, reducing manual entry errors and improving reporting.
- Ongoing Technical Advisory: For several years, we have acted as their “on-call” technical team, vetting third-party apps and advising on how to scale their digital presence without disrupting their core operations.
The Result
By working with WebCitz, Timberwolf Forest Products gained the clarity they needed to make the right long-term platform decision. Even though they chose to stay on Shopify, our custom WooCommerce build served as a valuable “stress test” for their requirements. Today, they have a stable, integrated Shopify environment that communicates effectively with their accounting and fulfillment teams, backed by our ongoing technical support.
