BIGCOMMERCE CASE STUDY
Modern BigCommerce Design & Development for a Timeless Sporting Goods Brand
SportsWorldChicago.com: The ultimate destination for Chicago sports enthusiasts, offering exclusive merchandise and memorabilia to celebrate every fan's passion.
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Their Story: Sports World Chicago
Located directly across from Wrigley Field at the iconic intersection of Clark and Addison Streets, Sports World Chicago has become a go-to destination for locals and visitors alike. Whether you’re a lifelong Chicago sports fan or visiting the Windy City for the first time, the shop offers a diverse selection of officially licensed merchandise that goes beyond the typical souvenir shop.
Over the years, the company expanded its operations to cater to fans of Chicago sports teams worldwide through their online store. Recognizing the need to modernize their digital presence and create a seamless shopping experience, they partnered with IntuitSolutions to redesign their site on BigCommerce.
Project Overview
BigCommerce Services
General Services
- Custom BigCommerce Design
- Custom BigCommerce Development
- Site Optimization and Support
Custom Features
- UX Enhancements
- Product Page Improvements
- Improved Page Speed & Performance
Best-In-Class
- Mobile-Responsive
- Cornerstone "Base Theme"
- ThemeBridge Staging
The Challenge: Combining Modern Ecommerce Features with Timeless Appeal
Sports World Chicago’s previous website relied on an outdated BigCommerce theme that lacked the capabilities of newer technology. The goal wasn’t to reinvent their digital presence but to refine it—bringing the site up to modern standards for sports ecommerce while staying true to their iconic identity.
At the same time, it was essential to preserve the visual and emotional connection to their brand's roots, ensuring that loyal customers would still feel the same sense of familiarity and pride. This delicate balance of innovation and tradition defined the BigCommerce redesign project.
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The Solution: Modern Development on the Latest BigCommerce Cornerstone Theme
Sports World Chicago’s new BigCommerce design focused on enhancing their ecommerce foundation without altering the familiar look and feel that loyal customers recognize. Key updates included:
- Modern BigCommerce Theme: Implemented the latest BigCommerce Stencil theme to improve performance and leverage sought-after ecommerce features.
- Refreshed Visual Design: Made subtle updates to modernize the site’s aesthetics while preserving the brand’s identity.
- Improved Site Performance: Optimized load times to ensure fast and reliable access for all users.
The Process
BigCommerce Redesign
Discovery & Design
A creative and collaborative process to produce a design tailored to fit their existing company branding.
Development
Best-in-class custom BigCommerce theme development, custom systems integrations, and third-party app integrations.
Launch & Support
A coordinated launch to complete the redesign process, followed up with post launch audits and ongoing support.
A Closer Look
BigCommerce Customizations & Enhancements
Some highlights of the unique solutions implemented for SportsWorldChicago.com
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BigCommerce UX Enhancement
Visual Category CTAs on Homepage
Strategically placed calls-to-action (CTAs) on the homepage guide customers to popular items, promotions, and favorite player categories, helping visitors quickly navigate to the products they care about most.
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BigCommerce UX Enhancement
Enhanced Product Page Design
The product pages were thoughtfully redesigned to deliver a polished and engaging shopping experience. By featuring high-quality product images and a refined layout, the pages now emphasize visual appeal and usability while encouraging quick decision-making.
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BigCommerce UX Enhancement
Wrigley Field Live Cam
Highlighting the store’s unique connection to Wrigley Field, users can see a live webcam feed directly within Sports World Chicago's site. This feature offers customers a real-time view of the iconic stadium, reinforcing the brand’s authenticity and Chicago roots.
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BigCommerce UX Enhancement
BigCommerce Support and Optimization
As a longtime partner with IntuitSolutions, Sports World Chicago benefits from ongoing BigCommerce support and optimization services to keep their website running smoothly.
Regular performance audits, updates, and enhancements ensure the site remains fast, secure, and aligned with the latest ecommerce trends for sporting goods websites.
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Technical SEO: Addressing Redirect Issues
During the redesign, we resolved a significant technical SEO challenge: over 1,800 unnecessary redirects were cluttering the site and impacting search engine performance. Using the BigCommerce API, we developed a custom solution to remove these redirects, streamline indexing, and improve crawl efficiency. This cleanup ensured that critical pages received proper search engine attention while enhancing user navigation.
"Without great partners like IntuitSolutions, BigCommerce would not be where it is today."
Dan Fertig - BigCommerce VP of Partnerships
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BigCommerce Case Study
The Results: A Winning Redesign for a Beloved Sporting Goods Retailer
The BigCommerce redesign for SportsWorldChicago.com seamlessly bridges the gap between tradition and innovation, creating an engaging platform for selling sporting goods online.
With a modern, dynamic website that blends their established brand with advanced functionality, Sports World Chicago now has a robust ecommerce platform supporting stronger customer loyalty, engagement, and sales.
Ready to Launch, Redesign, or Migrate to BigCommerce?
Are you looking to start or redesign your online store? Considering migrating to BigCommerce? Our experienced team of Elite BigCommerce experts is here to help your business succeed online. Send us a message or give us a call at 866-901-4650 for a free consultation to discuss your project.