Fireplace Xtrordinair: Online Fireplace Design Tool

Client

Fireplace Xtrordinair

Industry

Manufacturing

Technologies

ASP.NET, SQL Server, Access

Overview

Project highlights

Design your ownCustomers build a custom fireplace with their own options.
See it as you buildA preview photo updates dynamically as options are chosen.
From screen to showroomPrint the photo and specs, then find a local dealer by address proximity.
Database-drivenOptions and photo links are configured through an Access administrative console.

Before

The challenge

Travis Industries, which specializes in fireplace installation and equipment, wanted a dynamic web application for its Fireplace Xtrordinair brand so online customers could learn about fireplaces and build a custom one with their own options.

The goal was to put the designer's pen in their customers' hands.

After

What we built

J Street built Firebuilder, an interactive tool that lets customers configure a fireplace, see customized photos of their choices, and produce the exact results they need. Our user experience designer made the home page warm and inviting, the entry point to the whole world of custom fireplaces.

Customers choose a starting point, then make more choices to narrow their selection to the fireplaces that suit their home, and customize details such as the face and door style. A preview photo is built dynamically as they choose. When they're done building their perfect fire, they can print the custom photo and specs, then find a local dealer using address proximity search.

Behind the scenes, an Access administrative console is used to set up all the data that drives the public site, including the configurable choices and the links to every photo.

Inside the system

A closer look

A warm, inviting home page

The home page is the entry point to the whole world of custom fireplaces. Our user experience designer made it warm and inviting.

Choose a starting point

We used an Access administrative console to allow users to set up all the data necessary to drive the public-facing site. Those configurable values are used on pages such as this one, which allows the customer to choose their starting point for their fireplace.

Narrow the selection

The customer can make more choices to narrow their selection to the fireplaces that will suit their home. Again, these values are configurable in the database using the administration console, as are links to all of the photos.

Customize and preview

Customers customize details such as the face and door style, and the preview photo is built dynamically as options are chosen. All of the photos, text, and options are database driven.

Print the specs, find a dealer

When the customer is all done building their perfect fire, they can print out the custom photo and the specs, then find their local dealer using address proximity searching.

“

The outcome

How it turned out

Online customers can learn about fireplaces and build a custom one with their own options.
Each finished design can be printed with its custom photo and specs.
Customers are connected to a local dealer through address proximity search.
The tool increased customer engagement.

See more of our work for manufacturing companies.