Shopify
Junction Railway Ana
Junction Railwayana specialises in sourcing and selling authentic vintage railway memorabilia — including enamel station signs, totems, and signal box nameplates — to collectors and enthusiasts across the UK. Their online store is central to their business, making performance, flexibility, and ease of use essential.
The business was previously operating on BigCommerce, using a rigid third-party theme installed by a previous agency. This setup offered very limited customisation and left the client unable to make even basic updates without contacting the agency — often incurring costly fees. The client felt restricted and frustrated by the lack of control and flexibility.
AFWD was brought in to evaluate the situation and provide a better, more scalable solution. After a full review, AFWD recommended migrating to Shopify — a faster, more flexible, and easier-to-manage platform that could grow with the business. By choosing Shopify, Junction Railwayana gained the freedom to update their website independently, improve the customer experience, and adapt the online store to their unique way of operating.
AFWD worked closely with the client to ensure the migration was seamless and that the new Shopify setup reflected their goals and needs. It was the right fit — giving the business back control, improving performance, and laying a strong foundation for future growth.
Challenges
The existing BigCommerce website used a rigid third-party theme with limited customisation options.
Any changes required contacting the agency and paying for small updates, which slowed progress and became costly.
The client had no direct access to easily make content or design updates.
The system lacked flexibility to adapt the cart and checkout flow to the unique way Junction Railwayana operates.
The client wanted to work with a local expert who was more accessible and aligned with their goals.
Solution
AFWD stepped in to provide a more agile and future-ready solution by migrating the entire site from BigCommerce to Shopify. Here’s how we approached it:
Full Data Migration: All products, images, order history, and customer accounts were securely transferred from BigCommerce to Shopify.
Custom Theme Setup: We selected a modern, fast-loading Shopify theme and made enhancements to reflect Junction Railwayana’s brand and product presentation needs.
Cart Customisation: AFWD customised the cart experience to suit how Junction Railwayana handles orders, with features tailored for their collector-focused customer base.
User Control: The client was trained and supported to confidently make their own edits, add products, and update content — something they previously couldn’t do without paying an agency.
Local Collaboration: As a South Gloucestershire-based designer and developer, I provided direct communication, quick responses, and hands-on support — a refreshing change from their previous remote agency.
Results
Faster Load Speeds and smoother navigation on all devices.
Increased autonomy, allowing the client to manage their store without reliance on external developers for minor changes.
A modernised shopping experience that better aligns with customer expectations and helps drive conversions.
A stronger local relationship between Junction Railwayana and AFWD, enabling proactive development and better long-term growth.
Project Information
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