CarObsessed
From failed WordPress build to a lean Shopify site that converts.
- •Barcelona-based car dealership for enthusiasts.
- •Offers test drives, car sourcing, and inspections.
- •Service-first business model.
- •Inventory showcase with WhatsApp conversion paths.
- •No traditional checkout needed.
"The new Shopify site changed how we present our cars online. Timo took our old WordPress content and rebuilt everything with conversion and customer experience in mind — from custom CTA messages that speak our language to a catalog layout that feels familiar and trustworthy. The result is faster, cleaner, and much easier to update. Especially from my phone!"
Key milestones on the customer journey:
- 1Failed Wordpress Theme
- 2Migration
- 3Shopify
- 4Metafields
- 5Design
The Challenge
A custom WordPress theme stalled the project. Hosting issues, plugin dependencies, and design inconsistencies made it heavy and unreliable for a one‑person operation.
The Solution
Platform Strategy
＋- • Chose Shopify for a service business — not for checkout, but for structured inventory management, custom fields, and mobile‑first admin that beats custom WordPress builds
- • Configured catalog‑style browsing without cart/checkout — WhatsApp CTAs replace transactional flow for local, personal service
- • Set up Shopify with a free base theme adapted for the automotive service niche
Product Structure & Custom Metafields
＋- • Built custom metafield structure with Liquid templating to display car specs (mileage, year, transmission, fuel, features) in clean, scannable technical data tables
- • Redesigned car portfolio as an e‑commerce catalog — familiar browse/filter UX reduces cognitive load and increases engagement
- • Dynamic WhatsApp CTAs with automated message generation: product title auto‑inserts into pre‑written, psychology‑driven copy ('Hi, I'm obsessed with the [Car Model] and I'd like to book my test drive now before someone else takes it') — zero friction, maximum urgency
SEO & Performance
＋- • SEO‑friendly structure with dynamic car specs and clean URLs
- • Mobile‑first layouts and optimized media for fast loading
Branding & Services
＋- • Built service pages: Car Sourcing, Inspection and Test Drives
- • Unified visuals and tone to reflect car‑enthusiast culture: simple, bold, trustworthy
- • Integrated Instagram feed as a live marketing channel — showcasing inventory dynamically while building social proof without manual updates
Key Takeaways
Validate the tech stack early to avoid overengineering
Shopify isn't just for product shops — for service businesses with inventory (cars, rentals, bookings), it offers better structure, mobile admin, and zero maintenance vs WordPress
Shopify metafields + Liquid templating can replace complex CMS builds — structured data, clean presentation, zero bloat
E‑commerce catalog UX for non‑traditional inventory leverages buyer familiarity — what works for products works for cars
Dynamic message generation with psychology beats static CTAs — automated product insertion + urgency language ('I'm obsessed', 'before someone else takes it') drives action
Clear brand language boosts trust—even in simple builds
Explore moreCases
WordPress → Shopify migration without the bloat
Launch a lean storefront with clear structure, custom metafields and fast performance.