Creating a local brand is challenging. Dress World Palakkad has achieved good brand identity locally in Palakkad. As one of the leading clothing stores catering to traditional wear and wedding clothing, Dress World is well-established in Palakkad. Long before the rise of digital media, the company had a strong presence as one of the best clothing stores in the area, and it has remained that way to this day.
However, when it comes to their online presence, the company has a long way to go. The website is average at best, lacks e-commerce features, and the design appears to be more of a template than a custom creation. For a company that has been established for over four decades, I personally expected a website that would match its brand standards but was disappointed with its overall digital presence.
1. Poor Website Design:
The website is custom-designed, uses Bootstrap, and is responsive. However, it lacks an e-commerce storefront, has fewer than 10 pages in total, and only 3 pages are indexed by Google. Some of the images on the website are of low quality, while most are just above average. The website features no contact forms or any means to contact the company. There is a list of brands that Dress World sells, which is a positive, but there are no details on the products. If this were a corporate website, you might overlook these issues, but not for a product-based website, which could be an e-commerce store.
2. Non-Existent SEO:
The SEO of the website is virtually non-existent. I wouldn’t say it’s bad because it simply doesn’t exist. The title tags are almost identical on all pages, and the total content on the website could be printed on a single A4 sheet. There is no content, no product listings, no high-quality images, and no SEO.
3. Below Average Social Media Presence:
The social media presence of Dress World is below average at best. With 304 posts on instagram, the company has fewer than 2,000 followers. The poor performance can be attributed to a weak social media strategy. Content appears random, posted without a clear audience target. Although marketed as a store for wedding collections, posts feature kids, teenagers, and Western clothing. The account was started in 2020 and has the potential to grow significantly with the right strategy.
4. Local SEO:
The only bright side to Dress World’s digital marketing is its local SEO and strong Google Business profile. The company has 1,331 reviews and a rating of 3.8. The ratings are just below 4 and could be improved easily if the company made an effort to encourage customers to leave reviews after visiting the store.
Overall Review:
Creating a brand is difficult, and a company that has stood the test of time for four decades should have a strong online presence. Unfortunately, Dress World lacks the direction needed to improve their online presence. The website and digital marketing could significantly boost the company’s brand identity. Adding an e-commerce store could also increase revenue. Some of these are business decisions that require an open mind and a modern outlook, but there is immense potential for Dress World online if they are ready to make the transition.
