Building a Custom eCommerce Catalog for Civil War Artifacts
John J. Hayes Historical Collectibles specializes in rare Civil War antiques and relics, many sourced from the Gettysburg, Pennsylvania area.
John needed a website where he could showcase his inventory online—but with a unique requirement: he did not want to process transactions through the website. Instead, the goal was to create a detailed online catalog where buyers could browse items and then contact him directly to complete purchases.
Creating a WooCommerce-Based Catalog Without Online Checkout
To support this, I built a custom WooCommerce-based solution that functions as a full product catalog without traditional eCommerce checkout. This allows John to:
- List items with detailed descriptions and pricing
- Showcase high-quality images of each artifact
- Mark items as sold when they are no longer available
- Communicate directly with buyers via phone or email
By removing the checkout process, the website aligns perfectly with how the business operates—handling transactions through check or wire transfer instead of online payments.
Managing a Large Inventory of Historical Collectibles
The website currently includes over 900 individual products, each with detailed descriptions and historical context. With this level of inventory, usability and organization are critical. The WooCommerce platform provides a structured system that allows John to:
- Add new products efficiently
- Manage inventory status
- Maintain a clean and organized catalog
Migrating from a Legacy Platform to WordPress and WooCommerce
In 2022, the website was re-platformed from an outdated eCommerce system to WordPress and WooCommerce.
This migration included:
- Transferring a large product catalog
- Rebuilding the site on a modern, responsive framework
- Creating a comprehensive set of 301 redirects to preserve existing search rankings
Because many URLs changed during the transition, the redirect strategy ensured that previously indexed pages continued to lead users to the correct products.
Increasing Traffic with a Modern, SEO-Friendly Platform
Following the migration, the website experienced a significant increase in traffic. With improved structure, faster performance, and better SEO alignment, the site now attracts more visitors and provides a better browsing experience for collectors.
Training and Ongoing Support for Long-Term Success
To ensure John could manage the site independently, I provided video tutorials covering:
- Adding new products
- Uploading and managing images
- Marking items as sold
In addition to website support, I’ve also assisted with general technical questions through screen sharing, helping keep everything running smoothly. John has been a MAjor Designs client since 2016, making this a long-term partnership built on reliability and trust.
Building a Website That Matches How the Business Actually Operates
This project is a great example of adapting eCommerce tools to fit real-world business needs. Instead of forcing a traditional online checkout, the website was customized to function as a high-quality sales catalog—giving buyers the information they need while allowing the business to handle transactions on their own terms.