Douglas Dynamics

Designing a stronger digital ecosystem for three manufacturing websites

Industry

Manufacturing

Platform

WordPress

Engagement

Ongoing since 2021

Overview

As a leading manufacturer and upfitter of commercial work truck attachments and equipment, Douglas Dynamics needed a partner who could help them optimize not just one but three of their national websites. Initially focused on improving page speed and navigation, we quickly identified bigger challenges. After rebuilding and stabilizing their web properties, we've continued to work closely with their marketing team to realign their digital ecosystem and streamline the customer journey.

Goals

Identify and reduce gaps

Get a better view of web activities and define ways to increase performance.

Simplify property management

Streamline how the marketing team manages and updates its brands.

Optimize user experiences

Continuously improve and expand web features and tactical strategies.

Solutions

  1. 01.

    Executed a comprehensive multi-discipline web audit

    We conducted a UX, site speed, and ADA audit where we uncovered a slew of plugins and development problems focused on Elementor. While it's an excellent tool for smaller sites, it can't be customized for a client of this size. Armed with analytics, we created a strategic and proactive plan to keep their fourth redevelopment project as smooth and straightforward as possible — reusing and revising brand assets.
  2. 02.

    Improve UX by leveraging WordPress multisite

    To keep the budget down, we kept their websites on WordPress Engine but rebuilt everything using its multisite functionality. This allowed us to build repeatable, reusable page templates and components using the same core code while displaying different brand designs and assets based on application. We also took this time to rebuild the navigation into a full-page experience and enhance filtering across the board.
  3. 03.

    Continue to refine and add new tools and features

    Each year, we create a more refined customer experience by leveling up SEO strategies, enhancing web tools, launching new products, and better integrating marketing and operational tech stacks. The focus continues to be on simplifying the buyer's journey and streamlining how their team builds and manages assets, with direct support from Lightburn specialists.
  4. 04.

    Invest in end-to-end optimization and analytics

    When you put in this much work, you need to know exactly how it's impacting your business. Our client strategists and digital marketing pros continue to optimize all of their web properties. Additionally, we're reorganizing data in GA4 and building a custom single-source report for their team to monitor and delineate activities, impact, and findings.

Services

  • Digital Experiences
  • Digital Marketing
  • Maintenance & Support

Summary

We continue to deliver on our promises, setting their team up for long-term success.

Outcomes

A
CWV Rating
99%
Site Uptime
100%
Increase In Page Speed

A dynamic partnership...

After technical cleanup, we began to optimize everything — integrating customer, product, and marketing tools, and tracking performance using Microsoft Clarity and GA4. Douglas Dynamics has big plans for the future, and we are excited to help make it happen!

Maintenance and support

After such large DNS and technical changes, we are keeping a sharp eye on their domain's web health and performance.
read more about Maintenance and support

Manufacturing Web Development

Now that the foundation is solid, we'll build out cool new product tools and web features that had to initially be put on hold.
read more about Manufacturing Web Development

Search Engine Optimization

During the build we created the technical and on-page assets needed to optimized SEO efforts and reach new audiences.
read more about Search Engine Optimization