In 1998, Rob George decided he wanted to expand his business to the Internet so he could provide customers with better information about his products and increase his customer base. While he enjoys talking with customers about the origins of his products and his search for the best suppliers, George knew a website would make it even easier for customers to place orders. The interviews included review of product attributes, detailed discussions about the information often requested by existing customers, and exploration of sales and marketing trends in the seafood industry. Following this knowledge transfer and analysis, Cara Haskey Design recommended a custom, commerce-enabled website to provide detailed information about the products offered while introducing a personality for the business. This custom application was complemented with a unique interface that incorporated animation through the use of Macromedia's Flash, presenting site visitors with a fun and easy way to shop for high-quality seafood.
Traffic continues to build on the website.
Between October 2000 and July 2001, for instance, more than 30,000 visitors browsed the site's inventory. The Crab Broker has seen its business push far beyond its original distribution areas to include shipments as far away as the Ukraine. In addition to design and software development, Cara Haskey Design also helped The Crab Broker execute a number of marketing programs to draw traffic to the website and build its customer base. Online contests and monthly newsletters presenting readers with information on new product offerings and preparation tips have kept people returning to the site. Aprons, caps, shirts, and even mouse pads are among the items now found in the online store.