Project: Living Well Home Medical Equipment (HME) Redesign
Role: Lead Web Developer & Server Administrator Focus: Large-Scale E-commerce, Performance Optimization (Custom Hosting), UX/UI Design, Inventory Management
Project Overview Living Well HME, a leading provider of medical supplies in Ontario, required a complete digital transformation to support their extensive catalog of thousands of products. The project involved migrating from a legacy system to a robust, custom-hosted e-commerce platform capable of handling complex inventory needs—from CPAP machines to custom mobility solutions. The goal was to build a lightning-fast, user-friendly online store that serves both retail customers and healthcare professionals without compromising on speed or reliability.
Key Deliverables & Features
- High-Performance Custom Hosting Infrastructure: To ensure instant page loads for a heavy e-commerce database, we moved away from shared hosting environments.
- Lightning-Fast Server Architecture: Deployed the site on a custom-configured server environment optimized specifically for high-volume WooCommerce queries. This resulted in near-instant load times even during peak traffic, drastically reducing bounce rates.
- Scalable Backend: The server infrastructure was architected to handle large spikes in inventory data and concurrent user sessions, ensuring stability as the business grows.
- Complex E-commerce Catalog Architecture: The site manages a massive, multi-category inventory with distinct user flows.
- “Shop by Room” & “Shop by Condition”: unique navigation pathways (e.g., “Bedroom,” “Stair Lifts”) were created to help users who may not know specific product names find solutions based on their life needs.
- Intelligent Search & Filtering: Implemented an advanced search logic that allows users to filter thousands of SKUs by specific attributes like “Bariatric,” “Rental availability,” or specific brands (ResMed, Pride Mobility).
- Service-Integrated UX Design: Unlike standard retail, HME requires a service component. The design seamlessly blends product sales with service inquiries.
- Hybrid Conversion Funnels: Users can purchase smaller items directly (like braces) while complex items (like stairlifts) are routed through custom “Request a Quote” or “Book a Consultation” flows.
- Rental Engine Integration: A distinct section for equipment rentals allows users to view availability and rates for short-term needs, separating these workflows from standard purchases.
- Professional Resource Hub: To position Living Well as an authority, a “Therapists Portal” and “Funding Resources” section were built. This supports B2B relationships with Occupational Therapists who refer clients, providing them with dedicated tools and quick-reference material.
The Outcome The redesign delivered a top-tier e-commerce experience that rivals major national retailers in speed and usability. By controlling the hosting environment, we achieved exceptional Core Web Vitals scores, resulting in better SEO rankings and a significant increase in online sales and rental inquiries.
