In March 2014 we completely re-designed our web site, with new graphics and an entirely new structure. We switched from a technology that was no longer latest-generation, to a more flexible, modular platform, which enables us centrally to coordinate the content management assigned to the various international teams and centralise as much information as possible in a brand-new database capable of serving as a fully fledged engine for projects outside the platform.

To help bring our ideas into focus and put them into practice, we enlisted the help of H-ART, Twinbit and MOCA Interactive, three of Italy's best agencies with vertical skills in the field of digital communication. All the parties involved worked in close partnership and we are very happy with the result. With the new site we have taken a big step forward in terms of content contribution, which will undoubtedly mean changes in the navigation habits of our most loyal users. But we would like to reassure everyone: we have improved the user experience and we have not reduced the amount of technical documentation at your disposal. Let's explain how.

What has changed?

The graphic style reflects the new line of communication, founded on the slogan 'People building value' and on five of the values that have always been the hallmark of the company: customer care, long-term vision, a belief in the need to grow, commitment to making a substantial contribution to the industry know-how and synergy with customers. But in terms of content, the product catalogue and a comprehensive range of Caleffi know-how still lie at the heart of the site.

We have simplified the navigation levels so as to make it easier to locate content and we have increased the importance of the search function: it is the key element, and must enable users to find a product and the related documentation in the easiest, most immediate way possible.

We have also implemented a specific search engine for technical documentation: all the documentation distributed free of charge from the platform can be searched for by key word or code, or by language and type, so as to provide the widest possible range of information quickly, both for in-house customer care and for external users. This is where you'll find the Caleffi Handbooks, Idraulica Magazine, our schematics and all other technical and sales publications.

Another factor that prompted us to overhaul our web site completely was our desire to improve our presence on search engines and our web visibility in general. A technology like Drupal is ideal for deploying a series of activities aimed at SEO (search engine optimisation), especially if overseen by an agency that operates specifically in this area. What is Drupal? Drupal is a tool that enables web site content to be managed even by people with no particular IT skills. It is an open-source platform which helps users administrate and organise information quickly and simply.

We deliberately avoided choosing responsive design for a site like ours, which is intended primarily for desktop use. We did, however, decide to develop a version optimised for smartphones, using the same technological backend and selecting the content according to the possible types of use by our target audience (for example, quick consultation of data directly from the construction site).

One of the main aims of the site is to bring the brand to foreign markets more effectively than before: 15 countries are currently on-line, but we expect to activate another 9 before the end of the year. The idea is to communicate with installers, wholesalers and specifiers in their own language. The project is ambitious without a doubt, but it is in line with the company philosophy based on training and adding to the stock of know-how at the disposal of the industry.

Who are our partners?

H-ART, an integrated marketing and communication agency formed in 2005 within the framework of the H-FARM venture incubator, and acquired by  WPP in 2009. In the past few years it has recorded continuous growth of over 20% year on year, with revenues in excess of 16 million euros. Its customers include world-class brands such as American Express, Diesel, Fendi, Heineken, Intesa Sanpaolo, Nike, Telecom Italia, Toyota and Versace.

Twinbit, a digital consulting company formed in 2011, which is one of Italy's leading players in the supply of Drupal solutions, and a selected partner of Acquia for the Italian market. Acquia is a company founded by Dries Buytaert, who also founded Drupal, which is a world leader in the supply of development support services for this environment. What they say about our project.

MOCA Interactive, an agency specialising in web marketing, search marketing and SEO, which is capable of evolving according to the latest dynamics so as to guarantee the visibility of web projects at all times and in all circumstances.