The Client
Hundog Srl is the official Italian distributor of the Zee.Dog brand, born from a special encounter during a trip to Brazil. Struck by the vibrant colors, innovative design, and philosophy of the Brazilian brand, the founders decided to bring this experience to Italy, transforming every walk with their four-legged friends into a true statement of style.
The name Hundog comes from "hundo," the Esperanto word for "dog." This linguistic choice reflects the company's mission: to transcend all boundaries to unite people through the genuine love of their four-legged companions, just as Esperanto was created to break down barriers between peoples.
Hundog offers a complete range of dog accessories featuring iconic design and premium quality:
- Iconic Collections : Prisma, Skull 2.0, Phantom - collections that made Zee.Dog recognizable all over the world
- NeoPro Waterproof Accessories : Perfect for every adventure, 100% waterproof
- Walking Products : Leashes, H-harnesses, collars with innovative designs
- Travel Accessories : Hands-Free and Multitasking Solutions
- Games : Spike's New Entertainment Line
- Customizable ID Tags : Ultra-strong anodized aluminum ID tags
The Challenge
Hundog was operating on a PrestaShop platform which, while functional, had increasing limitations in terms of:
- Scalability : Difficulty managing an expanding product catalog
- User Experience : Need to modernize both desktop and mobile user experience
- Integrations : Complexity in integrating new e-commerce features
- Maintenance : Costs for maintaining and updating the platform
- Performance : Suboptimal loading speed on mobile devices
- Data Management : Complex system for managing products, sizes and guides
Project Objectives
The client had clear and ambitious goals:
- Completely migrate to Shopify while preserving all existing data
- Modernize the user interface while maintaining brand identity
- Significantly improve mobile user experience
- Simplify daily catalog and order management
- Implement advanced features to increase conversions
- Maintain and improve existing SEO positioning
Our Approach
Phase 1: Discovery and Planning
Strategic Workshop
We started with a discovery workshop that involved the entire Hoculus team and key Hundog stakeholders. Thanks to the workshop, we:
- Extensively analyzed the existing site architecture
- Mapped all critical user flows
- Identified the pain points of the current solution
- Defined specific KPIs to measure success
- Collected detailed technical and functional requirements
Workshop Outputs:
- Strategic Objectives Document
- Priority feature map
- Competitor analysis and industry best practices
- Project roadmap with defined milestones
In-depth Technical Analysis
Our technical team has conducted a comprehensive analysis:
- PrestaShop Database Audit : 400+ Active Products with Multiple Variants
- Integration Analysis : Sizing Guide Module and Other Custom Extensions
- Traffic Review : Browsing Patterns and User Behavior
- SEO Audit : Analyze 1,000+ URLs and Meta Tag Structure
- Performance Baseline : Core Web Vitals Metrics to Improve
Dedicated Team
To ensure the success of the project, we have assigned a multidisciplinary team:
- Project Manager : Riccardo Campioni - client coordination and communication
- UX/UI Designer : Alessia Mintrone - user experience and interface
- Backend Developer : Jonathan Lombardo - development and technical migrations
- Frontend Developer : Thomas Dal Cin - UI implementation and optimizations
- Frontend Specialist : Daniel Frimu - integrations and configurations
- Account Manager : Marina Mastandrea - strategic supervision
Phase 2: Development and Implementation
2.1 Product Migration
The migration of the product catalog was one of the pillars of the project:
Roadmap Implemented:
-
Product Structure Analysis
- Mapping categories, attributes and variants
- Identifying relationships between products
- Custom Metadata Analysis
-
Metadata and Relationship Setup
- Configuring custom metafields for specific attributes
- Defining taxonomies and product relationships
- Setup of variants and options
-
Automation Development
- Creating scripts to extract data from PrestaShop
- Development of data transformation pipelines
- Implementation of a validation and quality control system
-
Import and Redirects
- Progressive product migration while maintaining SKUs and structures
- Generating 301 redirects to preserve SEO
- Post-migration data integrity check
-
Testing and Debugging
- Quality control on each migrated product
- Validate prices, images and descriptions
- Testing variant functionality and availability
Results:
- ✅ 400+ products successfully migrated
- ✅ 100% data integrity preserved
- ✅ Zero downtime during migration
2.2 Migration Size Guides
Complex size guide system on PrestaShop via the "Sizing Guide Simple" module:
Solution Implemented:
- Converting each guide into a dedicated Shopify Page
- Using product metafields to relate product guides
- Dynamic rendering as a popup modal on the product page
- Centralized management system for future updates
Roadmap:
- Analysis of existing structure and mapping of relationships
- Metaobject Architecture Definition in Shopify
- Automation development for page creation
- Migration of product-guide relationships
- UI implementation with responsive popup
- Cross-browser and device testing
2.3 Design and User Experience (Design Sprint)
Asset Collection and Documentation
- Consolidation of Hundog brand guidelines
- Collection of all existing graphic assets
- Analysis of the visual references of the Brazilian brand
- Color palette and typography documentation
UX/UI Design Focus on:
- Mobile-First Design : Over 50% of traffic comes from mobile
- Intuitive Navigation : Mega menu with product previews
- Product Detail Page : Conversion-optimized layout
- Checkout Experience : Simplified 3-Step Process
Custom Sections Developed:
- Dynamic hero with prominent CTA
- Product grid with hover effects
- Collection showcase with advanced filters
- Integrated Instagram feed
- Popup newsletter with welcome discount
- Anchor link section for intra-page navigation
- Footer rich with information and useful links
2.4 Technical Development and Integrations
Advanced E-commerce Configuration
-
Payment Methods
- Shopify Payments (credit/debit cards)
- PayPal Express Checkout
- Bank transfer
- Satispay integration
- Cash on Delivery with surcharge
-
Shipping Methods
- Integration with national couriers
- Automatic shipping cost calculation
- Free shipping over €49
- Automatic order tracking
-
Apps and Integrations
- Releasit Cash on Delivery : COD management with fee
- Trusted Shops : Quality Badge and Buyer Protection
- Google Analytics 4 : Advanced Tracking
- Meta Pixel : Facebook/Instagram Retargeting
Performance Optimizations
- Lazy loading images
- CSS/JS Minification
- Shopify CDN for static assets
- Preload critical fonts
- WebP Image Optimization
- Aggressive caching
Advanced SEO
- Complete meta-tag migration
- Implementing product rich snippets
- Dynamic XML Sitemap
- Schema markup for reviews
- URL structure optimization
- Canonical tags and hreflang
2.5 Special Features
Product Customization
- Customizable ID Tag System
- Real-time preview of customization
- Automatic validation of the entered text
Coordinated Set Management
- Product bundles with special pricing
- Automatic suggestions based on purchases
- Dynamic upsell in the cart
Gift Card System
- Digital gift cards with customizable value
- Automatic emails with unique code
- Credit Management Dashboard
Phase 3: Testing and Quality Assurance
Multi-level Testing:
-
Functional Testing
- Testing of every implemented feature
- Validation of complete purchasing flows
- Verify payment methods in sandbox
- Shipping tests and cost calculations
-
Cross-browser Testing
- Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge
- iOS and Android mobile versions
- Tablet and desktop resolutions
-
Performance Testing
- Google PageSpeed Insights
- Core Web Vitals monitoring
-
User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
- Test sessions with the Hundog team
- Feedback loops and iterations
- Shopify Admin Training
- Operational documentation
Pre-Launch Metrics:
- Performance Score: 92/100 mobile, 98/100 desktop
- Accessibility Score: 95/100
- SEO Score: 100/100
- Best Practices: 100/100
Phase 4: Launch and Deployment
Go-Live Strategy:
-
Soft Launch (September 2025)
- Activating a domain in password-protected mode
- Final tests on production environment
- Final training in person with the Hundog team
-
Final Data Migration
- Final product synchronization
- Migrating recent orders to history
- Customer setup and wishlist
-
DNS Cutover
- Coordinated DNS change
- Real-time monitoring during the transition
- Rollback plan prepared
-
Post-Launch Monitoring
- 24/7 monitoring for the first 72 hours
- Hotfix team on standby
- Collecting metrics and user feedback
The Results
Project Success Metrics
Technical Data:
- 📦 400+ products successfully migrated
- 🔗 1000+ 301 redirects implemented for SEO
- 🎨 15+ custom sections developed
- 🧩 8 third-party integrations activated
- 📱 100% responsive on all devices
Quantifiable Improvements
User Experience:
- ✅ Checkout process reduced from 5 to 1 step
- ✅ Completely redesigned mobile experience
- ✅ Faster product navigation
- ✅ Product search with intelligent autocomplete
Long Term Benefits
For Business:
- 🔧 Simplified Management : Intuitive Shopify Admin for day-to-day management
- 💸 Lower Costs : Cheaper maintenance and hosting
- 🚀 Scalability : Infrastructure ready for future growth
- 🔒 Security : PCI compliance and SSL certificates included
- 🔄 Automatic Updates : No downtime for updates
For Users:
- 📱 Optimized mobile experience
- ⚡ Instant page loading
- 🛍️ Smooth and secure checkout
- 🎁 More payment and shipping options
- ⭐ Integrated review system
For Marketing:
- 📧 Email automation with Mailchimp
- 📊 Advanced analytics and reporting
- 🎯 Facebook/Instagram pixel retargeting
- 🔍 SEO optimized structure
- 📱 Social commerce ready
Technologies Used
Technology Stack
Frontend:
- Liquid (Shopify templating language)
- HTML5 / CSS3 / JavaScript ES6+
- Advanced theme customization
- Responsive mobile-first design
Backend & Integrations:
- Shopify Admin API
- Shopify Storefront API
- Python, Node.js, and PHP for migration automation
- Webhook customization
- App integrations
Tools & Services:
- Git for version control
- Shopify CLI for Local Development
- Google Analytics 4
- Meta Business Suite
- Trusted Shops Quality Assurance
Migration Automation:
- Scripts for data extraction
- transformation pipelines
- Automated redirect generation
- Data validation & quality checks
Lessons Learned and Best Practices
Challenges Overcome
Challenge 1: Size Guide Complexity
- Problem : Complex system with custom PrestaShop module
- Solution : Innovative architecture with Shopify Pages + metafield
- Result : More flexible and easier to manage system
Challenge 2: SEO Maintenance
- Problem : Risk of losing organic rankings
- Solution : Complete redirect strategy + pre/post SEO audit
- Result : Zero loss of ranking, actually improvements
Challenge 3: Product Personalization
- Problem : Customizable Tag ID System to Replicate
- Solution : Custom Shopify app + validation logic
- Result : Improved UX with real-time preview
Challenge 4: Integration Complexity
- Problem : Multiple integrations (payments, shipping, marketing)
- Solution : Rigorous testing + sandbox environments
- Result : All integrations working on first deployment
Conclusions
The migration of Hundog.it to Shopify represents a successful digital transformation of a premium pet accessories e-commerce site. The project demonstrated that:
- 📋 Careful planning and strategic workshops
- 👥 Dedicated team with complementary skills
- 🔧 Intelligent automation of repetitive processes
- 🎯 Constant focus on performance and UX
- 🔄 Transparent communication with the customer
Complex migrations can be completed on time , under budget , and with measurable results that exceed initial expectations.
Impact on Business
Hundog.it now has a platform:
- ⚡ Faster than before
- 📱 Mobile-optimized
- 🔧 Easier to manage on a daily basis
- 🚀 Scalable to support future growth
- 💰 More economical in terms of TCO
The Value of Hoculus
This project confirms Hoculus ' distinctive approach to e-commerce migrations:
- Strategic Consulting : Not just technical execution, but strategic partnership
- Technical Excellence : Senior team with certifications and proven experience
- Proven Methodology : Process tested on dozens of similar projects
- Focus on Results : Clear KPIs and ROI Measurement
- Ongoing Support : Relationship that goes beyond go-live