Ski & Trek Gets More Social With Online Marketing Specialist I-COM

Lancashire-based online ski wear and outdoor clothing and equipment retailer Ski and Trek has launched a new website, designed by Manchester full-service online marketing specialist I-COM.

Ski and Trek stocks affordable all-weather clothing from well-known brands such as Regatta, Columbia, Dare2b, Hi-Tec and Craghoppers. I-COM was briefed to refresh the company’s existing website and to introduce new social media elements as Ski and Trek moves from being a mainly discount-led retailer to one that is building stronger relationships with customers.

“The social elements are vital to the growth of Ski and Trek. People who enjoy outdoor pursuits are extremely active online and that’s where Ski and Trek can engage with them,” said I-COM operations director Mike Blackburn.

As well as improving the brand’s presence on Facebook, Twitter and Flickr, social elements are being added to the main Ski and Trek website too. Examples include online geo-tagged reviews of walks and hikes that have been tackled by the Ski and Trek community.

The next steps for the brand include adding an F-commerce element to Ski and Trek’s revamped Facebook page and integrating it into the online store available at the main website, as well as an SEO and PPC campaign.

“This kind of back end integration between F-commerce and the main e-commerce site is more usually found with larger retailers, because it can be expensive,” continued Mike Blackburn.

“But I-COM has developed a way to provide this functionality at far less cost, opening up new opportunities for small to medium-sized online retailers who want to make maximum use of Facebook, as well as their own website.”

The relationship between Ski and Trek and I-COM stretches back to 2008 when I-COM helped launch the business with a modest PPC campaign and the agency’s work has played an integral part in Ski and Trek’s growth since.

“The Ski and Trek story is similar to many I-COM clients. We don’t just build websites or develop SEO campaigns, we use technology to help businesses improve and grow,” said Mike Blackburn.

As part of the launch campaign for the new Ski and Trek site, the retailer is running an online competition for customers with a first prize of a 10-day ski holiday in the Canadian Rockies on offer.

I-COM is one of Manchester’s fastest growing online marketing agencies. Established in 2005, it now employs 30 people at its Manchester city centre offices. Key clients include Dreams, Confetti, Magnus and JMW Solicitors.