Manaslu Cashmere is a prestigious pashmina manufacturer and exporter based in Kathmandu, Nepal. Renowned for their quality craftsmanship, ethical sourcing, and unique designs, they cater to premium clients across Europe. Their product line includes luxurious shawls, scarves, blankets, and customized pashmina items tailored for European markets.

Purpose of This Case Study

This case study outlines how we transformed Manaslu Cashmere’s digital presence by building a robust, SEO-friendly, and user-centric e-commerce website using WordPress and WooCommerce, enabling them to expand their export operations and brand value globally.

Identifying the Problem or Market Need

When Manaslu Cashmere approached us in early 2023, they had no dedicated online storefront. Their primary sales came from offline export orders via distributors in Europe. However, with growing demand for direct-to-consumer (D2C) sales, they needed:

1. A professional e-commerce website showcasing product quality
2. Global payment gateway integration
3. Multi-currency support for European clients
4. A scalable CMS to add collections and seasonal items seamlessly

Competitor Analysis

We analyzed leading cashmere and pashmina brands exporting to Europe. Insights included:

1. Clean and minimal website design to highlight product elegance
2. Trust-building pages (about, certifications, craftsmanship)
3. High-resolution photography with detailed product descriptions
4. Fast-loading mobile-optimized pages

Defining User Personas

1. B2B Wholesale Buyers from Europe looking for quality suppliers.
2. Retail Customers seeking premium pashmina products for personal or gifting purposes.
3. Boutique Owners and Designers collaborating for custom orders.

Setting Goals and KPIs

1. Launch a fully functional e-commerce website within 8 weeks
2. Enable online sales with WooCommerce and payment integration
3. Increase website traffic by 50% within 3 months via SEO optimization
4. Reduce manual order processing and streamline export queries

Feature Prioritization (MVP Definition)

The Minimum Viable Product included:

1. WordPress + WooCommerce integration
2. Multi-currency support (NPR, EUR, USD)
3. Product catalog with categories and filters
4. Secure payment gateway integration (Stripe + PayPal)
5. Inquiry and contact forms
6. Blog integration for organic SEO growth

Technology Stack Selection

1. CMS: WordPress
2. E-commerce: WooCommerce plugin
3. Hosting: Managed WordPress hosting on SiteGround for performance
4. Design: Elementor + custom CSS for responsiveness
5. Payments: Stripe and PayPal for global coverage

Project Timeline and Milestones

Wireframing and Prototyping

We presented clean, intuitive wireframes with focus on:

1. Large product images
2. Elegant typography reflecting brand class
3. Smooth checkout flow
4. Mobile-first design for European customers browsing on phones

Design Process

UI/UX Considerations

We chose a minimalistic, luxury-oriented design with earthy tones and crisp white backgrounds to highlight pashmina textures. The website’s aesthetic reflects elegance and authenticity, crucial in the European luxury market.

Tools Used

1. Figma for initial prototyping and wireframes
2. Elementor Pro for visual layout design
3. Photoshop for image optimization

Iterative Design and User Feedback

Throughout development, we held weekly reviews with Manaslu Cashmere to align designs with their vision. Changes included font adjustments for readability and layout tweaks to enhance product focus.

Development Process

Frontend Development

Using WordPress + Elementor, we created custom pages, ensuring:

1. Mobile responsiveness
2. Optimized CSS for fast loading
3. Accessibility compliance

Backend Development

WooCommerce was configured for:

1. Product management
2. Inventory tracking
3. Secure order processing
4. Coupon and discount system

APIs and Integrations

1. Stripe API for credit card payments
2. PayPal API for global transactions
3. Currency switcher plugin for seamless regional pricing

Agile Methodology and Sprint Cycles

We followed a weekly sprint approach with deliverables demoed to the client for feedback, enabling faster revisions and reduced rework.