littlegren: Crafting a DIY Terrarium Shopify Site

Our Solution

We launched littlegren's e-commerce presence on the Shopify platform, selected specifically for its strength in small-to-medium brand commerce, beautiful design capabilities, and built-in tools for inventory and customer management. Shopify provided the flexibility littlegren needed to showcase their product range whilst maintaining simplicity in day-to-day operations. Rather than building everything from scratch, we implemented a carefully customised theme that reflected littlegren's brand identity - clean lines, natural colour palettes, and an aesthetic that communicated sustainability and simplicity without artifice or excessive visual noise.

The user experience design centred on a visual-first approach. Terrarium kits are inherently beautiful products - the design lets this beauty shine through. We implemented high-quality product photography with multiple angles, lifestyle imagery showing terrariums in actual home environments, and detailed product information that helps customers understand exactly what they are purchasing. Product pages include specifications such as container dimensions, plant varieties included, light requirements, and care instructions, addressing the questions that potential customers typically have before making a purchase. For customers uncertain about which kit would work in their space, we integrated a quiz that helps match customer preferences and home conditions to appropriate kit options - a subtle touch that increases purchase confidence.

Customisation functionality was implemented through Shopify's plugin ecosystem. Customers can select different bases - ranging from wooden stands to ceramic vessels - and choose plant varieties from available options. The system tracks inventory at the component level, preventing customers from selecting combinations that would require out-of-stock items. Pricing is calculated dynamically based on selections, with transparency about what customers are purchasing and what the cost will be. This flexibility appeals to customers who want something slightly different from standard offerings, increasing perceived value and conversion rates. The customisation features are straightforward enough that customers do not feel overwhelmed by too many options, maintaining the simplicity that littlegren's brand represents.

We implemented a comprehensive content strategy to address the market opportunity that DIY terrarium kits represent. The site includes an extensive blog section with care guides, design inspiration, terrarium-plant pairing suggestions, and sustainability content aligned with littlegren's values. This content serves multiple purposes: it provides genuine value to customers, establishing littlegren as knowledgeable about terrariums rather than simply selling products; it creates pages optimised for search queries that potential customers use - "how to make a terrarium", "best plants for terrariums", "low-light terrarium plants" - driving organic search traffic; and it keeps customers engaged with the brand beyond the transactional moment of purchase. We implemented structured content and schema markup to ensure search engines understand the content properly, improving visibility for relevant searches.

Social proof and community engagement features were integrated throughout the site. We implemented a reviews section where customers who have purchased littlegren kits can share photographs and written reviews of their setups. This is particularly powerful for DIY product categories - potential customers want to see what actual people have created with the kits, not just professional styling. We incentivised review creation by featuring the best customer-submitted photographs on the website and social media, creating a virtuous cycle where customer participation generates content and builds community. Social media integrations allow customers to easily share their terrarium setups on Instagram and other platforms, extending littlegren's reach organically as customers show off their purchases to their networks.

Search engine optimisation was implemented at every level. Product page titles and descriptions were carefully crafted to include relevant keywords that potential customers search for. Internal linking between related products and blog posts helps search engines understand the site structure and distributes ranking authority effectively. Technical SEO fundamentals - fast page load times, mobile responsiveness, clean URL structure, proper use of heading hierarchy - were implemented correctly from the start rather than retrofitted later. We also implemented structured data markup to ensure search engines understand that littlegren offers products for purchase, which enables rich snippets and other search features that increase click-through rates.

The checkout process was optimised for conversion and simplicity. Many e-commerce sites lose sales at checkout due to friction - too many required fields, unclear pricing, inability to use preferred payment methods. We implemented a streamlined checkout that requires only essential information, clearly displays shipping costs and estimated delivery times upfront, and supports multiple payment options including credit cards, digital wallets, and buy-now-pay-later services popular with Australian consumers. For fragile products like glass containers with living plants, we integrated shipping insurance options and communicated clearly about packaging to protect products during transit.

We integrated Shopify-native inventory management with littlegren's physical operations. As stock is purchased online, inventory levels update automatically, preventing overselling of limited seasonal plant varieties. The system tracks inventory by component, allowing littlegren's team to manage stock of bases, containers, and plant varieties separately and understand exactly what combinations are available at any given time. Inventory reports help the brand understand which products are selling well and which require attention, informing purchasing and product development decisions.

Customer communication was automated where possible, reducing overhead for littlegren's small team. Customers automatically receive order confirmation emails with tracking information as soon as items ship. We implemented email sequences that follow up after delivery, asking for reviews and suggesting care tips to help customers get the most from their purchases. These communications feel personalised rather than generic, maintaining the relationship between littlegren and its customers beyond the initial transaction.

Analytics and data analytics were configured to provide visibility into customer behaviour and business performance. We implemented Google Analytics tracking to understand which pages drive traffic, where visitors come from, which products are viewed but not purchased (indicating potential friction or information gaps), and conversion patterns. Shopify's native reporting provides insights into sales trends, average order values, and customer lifetime value - critical metrics for understanding whether the e-commerce strategy is working and where resources should be focused. We provided littlegren with dashboards and regular reports interpreting this data, enabling data-informed decision making.

The launch of littlegren's e-commerce site opened the market that had previously been invisible. Within the first year, search visibility for relevant keywords increased substantially. The combination of high-quality product content, customer social proof, and engaging lifestyle imagery positioned littlegren as a destination for DIY terrarium kits. Sales increased 300 percent year-over-year as the online presence matured. Featured placements in over 20 lifestyle blogs and design publications created additional visibility and drove referral traffic. Customer reviews consistently achieved five-star ratings, with customers praising both the quality of products and the ease of the purchasing experience. The success of the e-commerce presence validated both the market opportunity and littlegren's product offering, creating the foundation for continued growth.