Chenevert's Home & Hardware: Complete Digital Transformation
How a local hardware store achieved 200% lead increase and dominated local search results
Executive Summary
Chenevert came to ThinkMents facing significant challenges with their online visibility and lead generation. Despite offering excellent services, they struggled to compete with larger competitors who dominated local search results. Within 12 months of partnering with ThinkMents, Chenevert experienced a complete transformation in their digital presence—ranking on page one for their primary keywords, generating a consistent flow of qualified leads, and significantly increasing revenue. This case study details the challenges they faced, the strategies we implemented, and the measurable results achieved.
The Challenge
Multiple obstacles preventing growth and visibility
When Chenevert first contacted ThinkMents, they were facing multiple obstacles that prevented growth:
Invisible Online Presence
Their website was buried on page 5+ of Google search results for key service terms. Potential customers searching for their services were finding competitors instead. Their Google Business Profile was incomplete and had minimal reviews, making them virtually invisible in local map results.
Outdated Website
Their existing website was over 5 years old, not mobile-friendly, and loaded slowly. The design looked dated compared to competitors, undermining credibility with potential customers. There were no clear calls-to-action, and the contact form was buried and rarely used.
No Marketing Strategy
Chenevert had tried various marketing tactics over the years—a little social media here, some print ads there—but nothing was coordinated or measurable. They had no way to track what was working and were essentially throwing money at random tactics hoping something would stick.
Inconsistent Lead Flow
Business came primarily through word-of-mouth referrals, which was unpredictable. Some months were busy, others were slow. They needed a reliable, consistent source of new customers to plan for growth and hire additional staff.
Competitive Market
Their local market included several well-established competitors with strong online presences, bigger marketing budgets, and years of accumulated reviews. Breaking through seemed nearly impossible with their limited resources.
Previous Agency Disappointment
Before finding ThinkMents, Chenevert had worked with another marketing agency that overpromised and underdelivered. They were skeptical about whether digital marketing could actually work for their business.
Our Solution
A comprehensive digital marketing strategy addressing each challenge
ThinkMents developed a comprehensive digital marketing strategy addressing each of Chenevert's challenges:
Phase 1: Foundation Building (Months 1-2)
Website Redesign:
We designed and built a completely new website focused on conversions. The new site featured modern, professional design that positioned Chenevert as a market leader. We implemented mobile-responsive design, fast loading speeds (under 2 seconds), clear service pages, prominent calls-to-action, and an easy-to-use contact form. Every page was optimized for search engines from the ground up.
Google Business Profile Optimization:
We claimed and completely optimized their Google Business Profile with accurate business information, service descriptions, high-quality photos, and a review generation strategy. We implemented a system to request reviews from satisfied customers, building their reputation over time.
Phase 2: Visibility & Traffic (Months 2-6)
Search Engine Optimization:
Our SEO strategy targeted high-intent keywords that potential customers actually search for. We conducted thorough keyword research, optimized all website content, built quality backlinks, and created new content addressing common customer questions. Technical SEO improvements ensured Google could properly crawl and index the site.
Local SEO Focus:
We optimized for local search terms and "near me" queries that drive immediate business. This included citation building, local content creation, and ongoing Google Business Profile management with regular posts and updates.
Content Marketing:
We created valuable blog content answering questions their target customers commonly ask. This content attracted organic traffic, established expertise, and provided shareable resources for social media.
Phase 3: Optimization & Scaling (Months 6-12)
Performance Analysis:
Monthly analysis of traffic, rankings, and conversions allowed us to double down on what was working and adjust what wasn't. We tracked every lead source to calculate true ROI.
Conversion Rate Optimization:
A/B testing of headlines, calls-to-action, and page layouts continuously improved the percentage of visitors who converted into leads.
Review Generation:
Our systematic approach to requesting reviews built Chenevert's reputation from a handful of reviews to 50+ five-star reviews, significantly impacting local search visibility and customer trust.
The Results
The partnership between Chenevert and ThinkMents delivered transformational results
Increase in Organic Search Traffic
Page 1 Keywords (up from 0)
Google Business Profile Views
Increase in Monthly Leads
Phone Calls from Website
Decrease in Cost Per Lead
Online Reputation
- Google rating improved from 3.8 to 4.9 stars
- Review count grew from 12 to 75+ reviews
- Positive review response rate of 100%
Revenue Impact
- 45% increase in annual revenue attributed to digital marketing
- ROI of 8:1 on marketing investment
- Predictable monthly lead flow enabling growth
Website Performance
- Page load time reduced from 8 seconds to 1.8 seconds
- Mobile traffic increased 220%
- Bounce rate decreased from 65% to 35%
Timeline to Results
- Month 1-2: New website launched, GBP optimized
- Month 3: First page rankings for 3 keywords
- Month 6: Leads doubled from baseline
- Month 12: All primary goals exceeded
What Our Client Says
"ThinkMents completely changed our business. Before working with them, we were invisible online and struggling to find new customers. Now we're on the first page of Google, getting calls every day, and have more work than we can handle. They took the time to understand our business and created a strategy that actually works. The team is responsive, transparent, and genuinely cares about our success. I wish we had found them years ago."
Key Takeaways
Lessons from this project
Foundation First
Before driving traffic, you need a website that converts. Investing in a professional, fast, mobile-friendly website paid dividends throughout the entire campaign.
Local SEO Matters
For service-area businesses, Google Business Profile optimization and local SEO are often the fastest path to results. Being visible in map results drives immediate calls and leads.
Patience Pays Off
SEO is a long-term investment. While we saw early wins, the compounding effect of consistent optimization delivered the biggest results over 6-12 months.
Reviews Build Trust
A systematic approach to generating reviews transformed Chenevert's online reputation, directly impacting both search visibility and conversion rates.
Measure Everything
By tracking every lead source, we could prove ROI and make data-driven decisions about where to invest resources.
Success is Repeatable
The strategies that worked for Chenevert can work for similar businesses facing the same challenges. This success model is proven and repeatable.
See More Success Stories
Explore how we've helped other businesses achieve similar results
Ready to Get Similar Results?
Let's discuss how we can help your business achieve the same transformation.