When corporate gifting meets complex logistics, you need more than just a standard eCommerce platform—a custom-built solution that handles large-scale orders, personalized experiences, and seamless integration. That’s exactly what we delivered for Rare Assembly, a company specializing in corporate and individual gifting, by building a highly tailored platform using Shopify, WordPress, and React.
Here’s how we tackled the challenge, and why our expertise in custom Shopify and WordPress development made all the difference.
GiftHub
The Challenge: Scaling Corporate Gifting with Personalization
Rare Assembly came to us with a common yet complex problem: how to create a seamless gifting experience for corporate clients with hundreds of employees. They needed a platform that not only allowed for bulk ordering but also personalized gifting options for each recipient.
The solution required a system that could:
Handle large-scale gift orders for employees across multiple locations.
Offer customization options, from personalized messages to specific gift items.
Manage logistical challenges like scheduling deliveries on specific dates.
Sync effortlessly between the Shopify backend for payments and order management and a custom frontend for a smooth user experience.
This project was no ordinary Shopify build—it required deep technical expertise, innovative problem-solving, and a thorough understanding of how to integrate different technologies into a cohesive solution.
Our Solution: Custom Shopify and WordPress integration, and React
After assessing Rare Assembly’s needs, we knew a custom solution was necessary. Here’s what we built:
Shopify handled all the backend processes, from managing orders to payments and fulfillment. Given its robust ecosystem, Shopify was ideal for managing the large volume of orders Rare Assembly needed to process.
WordPress served as the content management system for the front-end. This choice gave us the flexibility to create a user-friendly interface where corporate clients could manage their gift orders, set budgets, and customize landing pages.
React was the glue that made the user experience smooth and fast. We used React on top of WordPress to ensure seamless page transitions, preventing the slow loading times often associated with traditional eCommerce websites. The result? A frictionless experience where users could navigate and customize their orders without delays.
The combination of these technologies gave Rare Assembly a platform that could scale effortlessly, even as the business grew and evolved.
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Key Features We Developed With Custom Shopify and WordPress
Here’s a deeper look into some of the core features we developed for Rare Assembly’s platform:
GiftHub for Corporate Clients The GiftHub is the heart of the solution for Rare Assembly’s corporate clients. It allows companies to create customized landing pages for employees, where they can select from pre-approved gift sets within a specified budget. This feature streamlined the process, from selecting gifts to sending them to employees across the U.S.
Customizable Landing Pages Corporate clients could personalize their GiftHub landing pages with company logos, branding, and custom messages. This level of personalization ensured that every recipient felt appreciated, even though the process was automated.
Bulk Order Management We made it easy for HR managers to upload lists of hundreds of employees and set up personalized gift options for each person. With seamless CSV uploads and bulk ordering, Rare Assembly’s clients could handle large-scale gifting campaigns without manual input.
Delivery Scheduling One of the most requested features is the ability to schedule delivery on specific dates. Whether it’s a birthday, holiday, or corporate event, our platform makes sure gifts arrive exactly when they are supposed to.
Custom Shopify and WordPress Integration Synchronizing data between Shopify and WordPress was a critical task. Using the Shopify API, we connected both systems, ensuring all orders, payments, and sensitive data were handled securely on Shopify, while WordPress powered the user-facing elements.
Premium GiftHub Features Later, we expanded the platform with a Premium GiftHub feature. This added more flexibility, allowing companies to pre-pay for a set number of gifts without linking them to specific recipients upfront. It was ideal for sending gifts to contractors or partners outside the company.
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Why We Chose React for the Frontend
While Shopify and WordPress are strong platforms, we decided to implement React to enhance the front-end performance. With React, the user experience was significantly improved, allowing for fast page transitions and a more dynamic interface.
Using React for this project also allowed us to future-proof the platform. As Rare Assembly continues to evolve and grow, they have a system that can easily adapt to new features and functionalities without sacrificing performance.
Overcoming Challenges with Flexibility and Expertise
No project is without its hurdles, and this one was no exception. We faced a few key challenges along the way:
Complex client needs: Rare Assembly had evolving requirements throughout the project. As their business model became more sophisticated, we adjusted the scope, adding new features and customizing existing ones to meet their needs. Our ability to stay agile and responsive was crucial to the project’s success.
Tight deadlines: Timing was critical, especially when Rare Assembly needed to launch before the peak gifting season. We worked closely with their team to ensure we hit all major milestones without compromising the quality.
Budget constraints: The client had a defined budget, but the evolving project scope required careful management of both resources and timelines. We delivered the project within budget while still implementing additional features like the Premium GiftHub.
What This Project Taught Us
The Rare Assembly project gave us valuable insights into the complexities of integrating multiple platforms into one seamless system. It also reinforced our belief in using agile development methods to adapt to changing client needs. Through close collaboration with Rare Assembly, we developed a platform that not only met their immediate requirements but also set them up for future success.
Your Next Project, Our Expertise
Are you looking for a custom solution that goes beyond the limits of traditional e-commerce platforms? Whether you need a Shopify-based solution, custom integrations, or a unique user experience, we have the expertise and technical knowledge to make it happen.
From React frontends to complex Shopify integrations, our team can build tailored solutions that fit your business needs. Let’s talk about how we can help you achieve your goals with innovative technology.
