ChannelNet and Hunter Douglas Canada Respond to Online Home Improvement Trends
Sausalito, Calif., September 22, 2010–To take advantage of the growing online trend
of Canadians searching for home improvement products,
ChannelNet helped Hunter Douglas Canada upgrade its corporate brand website
that went live September 1 (www.hunterdouglas.ca).
Canadians’ appetite for researching home and garden products online is growing,
according to a recent Experian Information Solutions, Inc. Hitwise report, and has
seen a 26% increase over last year.
In response, the Hunter Douglas Canada brand website, in both English and French
Canadian, was revamped to meet the growing expectations of consumers who research
products online. It takes advantage of wider screen resolutions, includes more robust
product information, and links to a network of over 700 Hunter Douglas dealers in
Canada. Consumer inquiries from the “Contact Us” page are automatically generated
– giving Hunter Douglas immediate feedback on consumer needs. The launch was set
to coincide with Hunter Douglas Canada’s fall promotion.
Hunter Douglas, the premier manufacturer of custom window coverings worldwide has
a long-standing relationship with ChannelNet. The two companies work together to
create intuitive connections between consumers researching online and local Hunter
Douglas retailers in dozens of countries. ChannelNet’s patented technology, SiteBuilder™,
drives the performance of Hunter Douglas Canada’s site and is set to track associated
Web traffic and sales leads that result from the site’s improvements.
“Canadian consumers score very high on Internet use,” says Scott Engstrom, ChannelNet
Director of Global Programs. “Some studies show Canadians use online services at
a higher rate than Americans. Hunter Douglas Canada web site refresh improves the
experience for Canadian Web users and at the same time, provides Hunter Douglas
Canada dealers with a cost effective way to build in store sales through enhanced
online presence.”
“Hitwise research finds home improvement searches in Canada increasing by as much
as 89%, year over year. Canadians are clearly investing in their homes,” says Sue
Rainville, Hunter Douglas Canada Director of Marketing. “As a next step, Hunter
Douglas Canada will rollout enhanced SEO capabilities and we expect to see an increase
in qualified traffic and leads. Our Canadian dealers will directly benefit from
these upgrades as online researchers find it easier to find local providers of Hunter
Douglas products.”
“Hunter Douglas is a global leader in connecting the online to instore shopping
experience,” says Paula Tompkins, ChannelNet CEO and founder. “The Hunter Douglas
Canada website refresh demonstrates ChannelNet’s global expertise and Hunter Douglas’
commitment to adapting to consumer shopping patterns, whatever their language, wherever
they live.”
Contact:
ChannelNet
Renee Triemstra
313-996-3440
rtriemstra@channelnet.com
About ChannelNet
For 25 years ChannelNet has been the leading provider of multichannel marketing
solutions for the home improvement, automotive, retail, and financial services industries.
ChannelNet’s patented software, SiteBuilder™, allows customers to conduct research
online and complete transactions either online, at a store, through a call center,
or on a mobile device. ChannelNet has created thousands of solutions for hundreds
of companies worldwide including BMW, Hunter Douglas, Ford Motor Company, Benjamin
Moore Paints, Hyundai, Kia, Saks Fifth Avenue, Volkswagen, College Pro, World Omni
Financial Corp., California Closets, Harman Kardon, Motorola, Hallmark, and many
others. ChannelNet is a privately held company based in Sausalito, California and
Detroit, Michigan. ChannelNet’s solutions include networks of corporate, brand and
sales channel web sites, personalized microsites, guided selling tools, and communication
portals. Visit www.channelnet.com for more information, and follow frequent updates
on Twitter (@channelnet) and Facebook (ChannelNet).