Case Study: eOilChange
Building a Web site that drives a business
A website programming case study
April 18th, 2006
eOilChange is among a new breed of businesses – it blends a traditional business idea with new Internet-based technologies. Candy sales, magazine subscriptions and wristbands are all staples of school and non-profit group fundraising. A Bellevue-based company is adding 'oil changes' to the list with an easy fundraising program for non-profits. What sets eOilChange apart from the pack isn't the product it is selling, it is the easy to use and powerful Web site available to its sponsors, staff and customers. eOilChange's Web site and business launched in March 2006.
Web site Goals
eOilChange started from scratch with its Web site – both in terms of design and functionality. The Web site needed to convey the firm's message in a straightforward manner and enable customers to complete the oil change purchase online. In addition, eOilChange needed a powerful login section for its staff and oil change sponsors to update the Web site's information, and to manage the fundraising program. Jeremy Glassco, co-owner for eOilChange, had in-house design assistance available, but needed help with HTML layout, programming – and general advice on how to make the site as useful as possible.
Mr. Glassco turned to Curvine Web Solutions, Inc., a Web development firm in Bellevue, WA. The firm specializes in helping small businesses get sophisticated Web sites up and running, meeting exact specifications set by its clients. Curvine staff set out to deliver a powerful Web site for eOilChange.
The goals for the project were to:
• Deliver a Web site that served 4 audiences – oil change customers, oil change providers, non-profit organizations and eOilChange staff.
• Use cutting edge technology when possible and helpful to deliver a refined customer experience.
• Create a consistent user experience across the entire Web site
• Deliver a Web site with countermeasures to common security vulnerabilities.
• Implement tools that allow eOilChange to conduct business.
Implementation Specifics
Curvine Web Solutions staff worked closely with eOilChange staff to ensure that the finished product met the client's exact expectations. The result is a website that leverages a simple design and powerful functionality to meet the project's goals.
From a customer perspective, the Web site is the last part of a business transaction that started with a visit from a local non-profit organization, such as a school band member. The customer purchases a scratch-code ticket for $10, with 100% of the proceeds going to support the non-profit group. The ticket contains a code that can be typed in to eOilChange's Web site. Using cutting-edge AJAX technology, the user is instantly notified if the scratch code is invalid so they can quickly correct mistakes.
After typing a scratch-code, a zip code and the make of their car – the user sees a list of companies that are participating in the program. The Web site uses zip code data to compute a distance estimate between the customer and the oil change company and shows only companies that are closest. The customer can select any sponsor by clicking a 'select' button.
Next, the customer is directed to input payment and billing information to complete the transaction. Using Javascript technology, the customer is notified instantly of an improper credit card number, saving the customer time and making corrections easier. After clicking 'purchase,' the user is directed to print out the coupon they have purchased. The whole process takes under 5 minutes – which helps eOilChange convert customers more effectively. Studies show shorter checkout processes make it more likely that a customer will make a purchase.
Non-profit organizations have a special page on the Web site which tell them about the program. The page has all of the information a non-profit would need, and has a convenient calculator that helps non-profits determine how much work each member must do to meet a fund raising goal.
Oil change companies that participate in the program are called 'sponsors.' Sponsors have a special login section with information about their customers and a way to update the business information. Once the sponsor provides the correct username and password, the sponsor can see a list of all customers that have signed up with them. Each customer's 'view' screen contains all of the customer's information, including what car they drive. But the power of the sponsor's log in screen is how the sponsor can interact with the information. From the view customer screen, sponsors can assign scratch code tickets to a customer – so that the customer can help their friends and family save money on oil changes and help the sponsor add more customers. They can also keep track of when a customer uses one of the three oil changes they have purchased. Last but but not least, the sponsor can update their profile with a new address, phone number or other information about the sponsor. Each update is applied immediately on the Web site so new customers can see the new information.
The most impressive thing about eOilChange's Web site is what the customers, non-profits and sponsors don't see – its the administration screen eOilChange staff use to power the Web site. Each element of the fund raising program is controlled by a series of features available on the staff login section. After providing a username and password, staff members can manage the list of non-profits, sponsors, customers, car makes, car models, and staff members. Each update takes effect immediately and updates the information in all of the right places. For example, an update to a sponsor's company name might change the customer search results, the list of sponsors on the staff log in screen and on the sponsor's profile on the sponsor log-in screen. Using these tools, eOiChange staff can manage their entire business form one Web site.
Future Directions
Based on input from the client and an understanding of the client's business model, Curvine Web Solutions staff made sure that the Web site can grow with eOilChange's busienss. Effective database design will allow room for thousands of customers without serious performance issues. The Web site is even prepped for future functionality eOilChange might want to add as business picks up.
eOilChange Case Study Image Gallery
About Curvine Web Solutions
Curvine Web Solutions is a Web development firm in Bellevue, WA. Curvine offers a suite of services to help organizations of all types and sizes succeed on-line -- while offering honest advice, integrity and fair billing practices. For more information on Curvine Web Solutions or to get a project quote, contact Curvine at info@curvine.com or call 425-818-9096.
About eOilChange
Developed by Oil4Charity, LLC., the EOILCHANGE Scratch-Code Ticket combines the proven results of conventional fundraising with the efficiency of the world wide web. With the financial needs of the non-profit community in mind, this revolutionary fundraising program was invented to enhance the ability of virtually any non-profit to raise funds at 100% profit. For more information, contact eOilChange at info@eoilchange.com.
© 2007 Curvine Web Solutions, Inc.
