Case Study: Progressive Intl
Out of the kitchen and onto the Web
The Background
Progressive International® has been in the kitchenware business for more than thirty years. An international resource for functional, inventive and fun kitchen tools, gadgets, and accessories, Progressive products are sold around the world in large super stores, retails chains, and small boutiques and can be found in fine kitchens, everywhere.
The Challenge
Progressive approached Rhizome to create a new look and feel for their Web site. Filled with information about the company as well as its vast product line, the site had to successfully raise consumer and brand awareness as well as function as a detailed, “log-in only” resource for their many business partners. Aside from multiple programming challenges, the design and content had to seamlessly navigate between both audiences while giving each their due.
The Solution
RRhizome designed a site that reflected the new brand packaging for the company. A Macromedia Flash movie welcomes visitors and showcases products on the consumer and business partner's Home page. Clean lines and judicious use of white space serve as the backdrop for the 65+ products featured on the site. Text was written to faithfully describe products while offering details on their unique character and functionality. Helpful "Culinary Notes" were researched and written to give further context and credibility to Progressive expertise and desirability.
Creating a dual-purpose site, one side of the site was designed for the consumer, while a mirrored, password-protected business partner's site allows distributors to view products not yet available to the public. The extensive product section database was created from Excel spreadsheets provided by the client from their product database and driven by ASP (Active Server Pages) and a Microsoft Access database to effortlessly present material. Secure admin pages allow Progressive to update the products and users databases without having to touch the code and the modular design allows easy updating and expansion of the site in the future.
The Result
The updated site reinforces Progressive's strong presence in the marketplace and delivers useful, strategic, updatable information to consumers and business partners alike. The site has been so successful, a Phase II expansion of the site build is already underway.
