Introduction: A Fresh Start for a Growing Farm
Misty Acres Alpaca had a website that was showing its age. It didn’t feel like them anymore. Not warm, not easy to use, and not keeping up with their growing farm. They didn’t need fancy. They needed something that worked, looked good, and was easy to update between chores and farm tours.
We used a modern, flexible Shopify template to jumpstart the redesign and focused on creating a system the farmers could manage themselves.
Key Challenges & Solutions
1. Event Communication Was Broken
Challenge: Events were hidden in blog posts, and outdated info sat on the homepage like last season’s hay. No wonder customers were confused, and the farmers, frustrated.
Solution:
- Built a simple, editable text page for events that anyone can update without instruction
- Loaded all events for the year ahead of time
- Synced the events with outreach activities
Result: One-time setup now supports year-round visibility and planning—for both customers and the farm.
2. Emails Weren’t Reaching Gmail Users
Challenge: Gmail was rejecting Misty Acres’ emails due to new in 2024 Google policies (DMARC, SPF, DKIM).
Solution:
- Verified the domain via DNS updates
- Configured the proper authentication protocols
Result: Emails now reliably reach more inboxes
3. Inconsistent ‘Front-Facing’ Product Images
Challenge: Product pages looked cluttered because the farmer is no graphics expert and photos come from different manufacturers. Images were all different sizes, with mismatched backgrounds and large file sizes. It’s a work in progress for the farmer each year.
Solution:
- Created a template for consistent sizing
- Removed background clutter using AI tools
- Installed an image optimization plugin for automatic compression
- Created an exact process for the farmer to follow
Result: Faster-loading pages, better ‘front-facing’ product presentation, and a smoother path to purchase.
New Features & Functionality
We used the Fashionopolism Shopify theme as a flexible base, allowing for custom tweaks without the cost of a full custom build. Highlights include:
- Polished, consistent product photography, and process to create it
- Event calendar built for quick edits
- A working email list setup with higher deliverability
- Integrated marketing touchpoints across email, web, and social
Results & Impact
- 📈 16% Increase in Sales compared to the previous year
- 📩 Improved email deliverability and engagement
- 🙌 Fewer support questions from customers
- 😊 Happier, less-stressed farmers
It’s amazing what a little clarity and automation can do for customers and the folks running the show.
Conclusion & What’s Next
This wasn’t just a new coat of paint. It was a fresh digital start for a hard-working farm, and the start of a longer partnership we’re proud of.
What’s coming for them this year?
- Email marketing and communications improving the connection to customers and prospects
- Email List Subscriber growth strategies
- Paid ad testing
- Blog and social media content support & automation
- Duplication of product catalog on other product marketplaces like Google and Facebook
- Exploration of additional payment options for customers like buy-now-pay-later
- Automating anything and everything we can
All designed to grow the business—without taking time from the farmer.
