Huge variety of products

Since out-of-the-box e-commerce solutions like Shopify often struggle to support highly complex stores with extensive catalogs (Shopify, for example, limits product variants to 100 per product, which is far too low in this case), offer limited wholesale and B2B features, it was clear from the start that Fixmetall required a custom-built e-commerce solution tailored specifically to its needs.

One of the biggest challenges still was representing the vast variety of products, including their types, materials, and variants, in a way that remained both high-performing and user-friendly. From different materials like steel ST52 to specific product forms such as round bars and detailed variations like 20 mm hot-rolled – all this information needed to be clearly structured and intuitively accessible. The diversity of parameters and specifications required the development of an intelligent categorization system that not only reduced the complexity of the product range but also enabled fast and precise navigation.

A particularly demanding aspect was considering various entry points, as users could access their desired products through different pathways – such as search functionality, the product finder, the shop view, or the detail page. Each of these modules had specific requirements for data structuring and display, all while ensuring top-tier performance. The search function needed to be capable of filtering a vast number of products in real-time and instantly displaying relevant results. At the same time, the product finder required precise mapping of technical attributes so that users could accurately select the specifications that met their needs.

Additionally, the shop view posed a challenge, as the vast number of product variations had to be presented in an organized manner while also being loaded efficiently. It was crucial to establish a structure that ensured fast loading times and an appealing display across different devices. Meanwhile, the detail page had to compile all relevant product information in a compact and easy-to-understand way, without overwhelming users with excessive data.

Innovative power

To effectively address the challenges, a robust relational database structure was implemented, leveraging unique identifiers and parent-child relationships within a single table. This approach allowed for precise classification and seamless management of the extensive range of product types, materials, and variations. By structuring the data in this way, we ensured that searches and filters remained highly efficient, delivering relevant results in real-time while maintaining optimal performance, even with a vast number of product entries.

To further enhance usability and scalability, the application was divided into distinct functional categories, including static pages, the shop view, checkout, and payment processing. This modular structure enabled focused development and optimization for each section, ensuring a smooth and cohesive user experience across the platform. In close collaboration with both the client and the product team, every category was carefully conceptualized, designed, and refined to align with business goals and technical requirements. Special attention was given to the user journey, ensuring intuitive navigation, logical content flow, and a streamlined purchasing process. Thanks to our design-partner Studio Brisk, this topic was in good hands.

The development process followed an iterative, agile approach, with each functional component being built in structured sprints. Regular feedback loops and continuous testing with all stakeholders included allowed for incremental improvements and rapid adjustments based on real-world usability insights. This methodology not only enhanced the efficiency of the development cycle but also ensured that performance remained a top priority at every stage. The result is a high-performance, scalable, and user-centric platform that meets the diverse needs of both the client and end-users while maintaining flexibility for future growth and enhancements.