Real results for real businesses

Local Cigar Company Case Study

Digital Transformation for a Premium Cigar Retailer

Project Overview

 A premium cigar retailer specializing in high-quality cigars, accessories, and a luxurious in-store smoking lounge experience. Despite their excellent in-person service and product selection, they were struggling to establish a strong digital presence that reflected their premium brand.

35% Longer Website Sessions
75% Social Media Growth
60% GMB Profile Views
4.7 Review Rating

The Challenge

• Outdated website with poor user experience and limited product information
• Minimal social media presence with inconsistent posting and engagement
• Incomplete and unoptimized Google My Business profile
• Limited online reviews and no strategy for managing customer feedback
• No digital marketing strategy to attract new customers
• Difficulty communicating their premium in-store experience online

The Solution

I developed a comprehensive digital transformation strategy focused on three key areas:

1. Website Improvement

• Complete website redesign with premium aesthetic
• Enhanced product catalog with detailed descriptions
• Virtual tour of the smoking lounge
• Mobile-responsive design
• Improved site navigation and user experience

2. Social Media Strategy

• Platform selection (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter)
• Content calendar development
• High-quality product photography
• Event promotion strategy
• Community engagement plan

3. Google My Business Optimization

• Complete profile optimization
• Photo and video enhancement
• Review generation strategy
• Regular Google Posts schedule
• Q&A management

The Results

After implementing the digital transformation strategy, Churchill’s Quality Cigars saw significant improvements in their online presence and business performance:

Website Performance

• 35% increase in average session duration
• 42% decrease in bounce rate
• 28% increase in pages per session
• 20% increase in online inquiries

Social Media Growth

• 75% increase in social media followers
• 120% increase in engagement rate
• 45% increase in event attendance through social promotion

Local Search Visibility

• 60% increase in Google Business Profile views
• Improved review rating from 3.8 to 4.7 stars
• 40% increase in “Get Directions” clicks
• 25% increase in phone calls from Google listing

Business Impact

• 22% increase in new customer acquisition
• 15% increase in overall revenue
• 30% increase in event bookings

Implementation Process

How we transformed Churchill’s digital presence

Phase 1: Discovery & Analysis

The project began with a comprehensive audit of Churchill’s existing digital presence, including:

• Website usability testing with actual customers
• Social media account analysis
• Google My Business profile review
• Competitor digital presence analysis
• Customer journey mapping

This phase revealed key opportunities for improvement and helped establish baseline metrics for measuring success.

Phase 2: Strategy Development

Based on the discovery findings, I developed a comprehensive digital strategy that included:

• Website redesign specifications and wireframes
• Social media platform selection and content themes
• Google My Business optimization plan
• Content creation guidelines and schedule
• Budget allocation recommendations

The strategy was presented to the Churchill’s team for feedback and approval before implementation.

Phase 3: Website Redesign

The website redesign focused on creating a premium digital experience that reflected the luxury of Churchill’s physical store:

• Custom WordPress theme development with luxury aesthetic
• Professional product photography and descriptions
• 360° virtual tour of the smoking lounge
• Event calendar and booking functionality
• Mobile-responsive design optimization
• Age verification system implementation

The new website launched after thorough testing and client approval.

Phase 4: Social Media Revitalization

The social media strategy implementation included:

• • Profile optimization across all platforms
  • Content calendar creation with 3 months of planned posts
  • Photo shoot for high-quality product images