Case Study

Encoris

Client: Jim TenBrink
Business: Encoris
Website: encoris.com
Location: Holland, Michigan

Client Overview
Project Goals
Innovative Elements
Challenges
Solutions
Results
Before & After

Overview

Encoris, led by Joel Zylstra and Jim TenBrink, sought a complete website overhaul to better represent their high-quality medical models and surgical trainers. Based in Holland, MI, Encoris needed a website makeover that would not only reflect the craftsmanship of their products but also provide a seamless and efficient user experience.

Our mission? Speed up the site, migrate it to our top-tier managed WordPress hosting, and give it a sleek, modern look that matched the excellence of their work.

It was time to take their online presence to the next level!

Client Background

Encoris, located in Holland, MI, is renowned for its meticulous craftsmanship in creating highly realistic medical models and surgical trainers. These models are critical resources for medical education and training institutions worldwide, known for their precision and attention to detail. Encoris has built a reputation for excellence, but their outdated website wasn’t reflecting the quality and innovation they bring to the medical industry.

Client Needs and Challenges

Encoris faced several significant challenges that were affecting their online presence and business operations:

Slow Website: The existing website suffered from slow load times, leading to poor user experience and lower search engine rankings.
Overuse of Plugins: With over 40 plugins installed, many were conflicting, causing issues with site speed, security, and maintenance.
Design Issues: Multiple design inconsistencies were present, with sections of the site not aligning correctly or responding well on mobile devices.
Large Media Files: The site was loaded with large media files, further slowing down performance and frustrating users.

These issues were leading to higher bounce rates, reduced customer satisfaction, and potentially lost sales opportunities. Additionally, the overuse of plugins compromised site security, making it difficult to maintain and update the site efficiently.

Project Goals

Privatenode was brought in to streamline and optimize Encoris’ website to improve overall performance and user experience.

Objectives:

Reduce Plugin Count: Decrease the number of plugins from over 40 to a more manageable amount to enhance site performance and security.
Increase Page Speed: Address the factors contributing to slow load times to ensure a fast and efficient user experience.
Fix Design Flaws: Correct design inconsistencies to ensure all sections are properly aligned and responsive across all devices.
Optimize Media Files: Compress and optimize large media files to reduce load times without sacrificing visual quality.

These improvements were expected to increase customer engagement, reduce bounce rates, and drive more conversions.

Innovative Elements

Privatenode implemented several innovative solutions tailored to Encoris’ specific needs:

Perfmatters Plugin Integration: We introduced the Perfmatters plugin, a lightweight, customizable performance tool that optimized various site aspects for faster load times and better efficiency.
Custom Plugin Audit: Our team conducted a thorough audit of the existing plugins, eliminating those that were redundant or conflicting. This reduced the total number of plugins significantly, improving both security and performance.
Advanced Media Optimization: We utilized cutting-edge compression techniques to optimize large media files (we really like to use the Squoosh.app), ensuring faster load times while maintaining the high-quality visuals essential for Encoris’ products.

Challenges and Solutions

Throughout the project, we encountered several challenges, each met with effective, targeted solutions:

Challenge: Plugin Conflicts
Solution: A comprehensive plugin audit allowed us to identify and remove unnecessary or conflicting plugins, streamlining the site’s functionality and enhancing security.
Challenge: Large Media Files
Solution: By employing advanced compression methods, we reduced the size of media files significantly without compromising on quality, resulting in faster load times and improved user experience.

Results

The project delivered substantial improvements, meeting and exceeding Encoris’ expectations.

Metrics of Success:

50% Faster Load Times: Achieved through targeted optimization strategies, resulting in a faster, more efficient website.
Enhanced Security: By reducing the plugin count by 70%, we minimized potential security risks and made the site easier to maintain.
Increase in Conversion Rates: The improved design and functionality led to a significant increase in inquiries and sales.

Client Testimonials

Privatenode exceeded our expectations in revamping the Encoris website. Their expert team migrated our clunky, multi-layered site to their managed WordPress hosting platform, streamlining it onto a single level. The transformation is incredible! Our new site has enhanced functionality, aesthetics, and performance by removing over 20 unused plugins that other agencies ignored. Our entire team, most importantly, our customers, are thrilled with the improved speed and user experience. Privatenode’s attention to detail, expertise, and commitment to excellence truly sets them apart. They made the process easy. They are very fair. And it didn’t consume a lot of our time.
Jim TenBrink, Co-Founder of Encoris

Conclusion

Through our strategic approach to website optimization, Encoris now enjoys a faster, more secure, and user-friendly website that better serves their business and customers. If your website is facing similar challenges, contact us today to discover how we can elevate your online presence.