Agencies, API & integrations

Transforming Online Ordering for ID Holders and Accessories

Lanyards Tomorrow, operated by CKB Ltd, is a family-owned e-commerce retailer offering a wide range of lanyards, ID badge holders, and office supplies. With a commitment to being the number one supplier for events and businesses in the UK, they provide fast dispatch and a user-friendly online shopping experience. CMSMART played a pivotal role in enhancing their online presence by streamlining the ordering journey. This includes improving service discoverability and allowing customers to easily customize products, upload artwork, and obtain design proofs for approval prior to production. The clear categorization of services and an intuitive ordering flow have significantly simplified the purchasing process, fostering a better user experience and position in the market.

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Transforming Online Ordering for ID Holders and Accessories - project preview

The challenge

Context and Problem

Lanyards Tomorrow, managed by CKB Ltd, has built a reputation as a reliable supplier of high-quality lanyards, ID holders, and related accessories since 2010. Focused on customer service and quick fulfillment, the challenge they faced was to enhance their online ordering experience. With a diverse range of products and customization options, including personalized printing, they needed an efficient platform to facilitate customer interactions and streamline the buying process.

Goals

The primary objectives included improving the accessibility of their product offerings, seamlessly integrating customization options, and simplifying the customer's journey from product selection to order fulfillment. Ensuring a reduced manual process for customers was also critical to improving overall satisfaction.

The solution

Solution Overview

CMSMART's contribution was significant in restructuring the online presence and ordering flow for Lanyards Tomorrow. By focusing on user engagement and simplifying navigation, CMSMART developed a clear catalog structure, which made it easy for users to discover various lanyard styles, badge holders, office supplies, and more. An enhanced online designer tool and the ability to upload artwork directly for personalized orders reduced barriers to purchase.

Implementation Approach

The integration approach involved evaluating the existing user experience and identifying key areas for improvement. This encompassed organizing product categories, enhancing design tools, and establishing a more user-friendly interface. Each phase contributed to a comprehensive solution that met the client’s operational needs without compromising usability.

What was built

  • Streamlined online ordering process allowing customers to quickly find and select products.
  • Integration of a user-friendly online designer tool enabling easy customization and proofing.
  • Clear product categorization that improves overall service discoverability.
  • A smoother workflow that allows customers to easily submit artwork, receive proofs, and approve designs before production.

How it fits the order workflow

The new system aligns perfectly with Lanyards Tomorrow's workflow: customers are welcomed into an easy quotation process, followed by a step that allows for proofing of artwork, ensuring satisfaction before production starts. The clear structure and improvement in service provision have positioned Lanyards Tomorrow competitively in the market.

Outcome

The outcomes of CMSMART’s intervention were transformative. Lanyards Tomorrow now enjoys increased service visibility, a marked reduction in customer decision friction, and a highly organized portfolio ready for expansion. Faster turnaround times became feasible through improved operational workflows, all while maintaining high-quality standards during production.

What the workflow covers

  • Faster order handoff

    Moves orders to the right internal step automatically, reducing time spent checking what needs dispatch versus what needs artwork and proofing.

  • Fewer proofing mistakes

    Keeps artwork, proof versions, and customer approvals tied to the correct order so production starts only when details are confirmed.

  • Clearer customer journey

    Improves how customers choose lanyards, holders, and accessories with consistent options and a guided path that reduces confusion and abandoned baskets.

  • Consistent customer updates

    Sends timely messages at key moments—confirmation, artwork received, proof sent, approval needed, and dispatch—so customers don’t need to chase for status.

  • Better visibility for the team

    Creates a simple view of what’s waiting on customer approval, what’s ready for production, and what’s ready to ship—helping workload planning.

  • Reduced manual admin

    Cuts repetitive copying and checking across emails and order notes, freeing time for customer service and design rather than routine follow-ups.

  • Scales with demand

    As order volume grows (especially for personalised runs), the workflow keeps steps consistent, preventing missed approvals and improving reliability.

  • Improved catalog discoverability

    Supports clearer categorisation across lanyards, ID card holders, clips, reels, and related items so customers can find the right product faster.

What clients say

Ordering feels much smoother

Customers can reach the right product options quickly, and our team spends less time answering basic “what do I choose?” questions. It’s a more guided journey from selection to checkout.
MarketingMantra

Proof approvals are finally organised

The approval step is no longer scattered across different email threads. We can see what’s waiting on the customer and what’s cleared for production, which reduces rework.
gurulee

Better separation of stock vs personalised

Stock items move fast while personalised orders follow a clear artwork-and-proof path. That separation alone has helped us keep dispatch moving without forgetting special requirements.
ernstuff

Strong template, needs light tailoring

The core flow is solid, but you’ll want to adapt messages and internal steps to match your exact product types and lead times. After that, it runs reliably day to day.
ericjs61

Customers appreciate the updates

Automated status messages set expectations and reduce chasing. People know when the proof is coming and when we’re ready to produce, which improves overall confidence.
EmmaL27

Questions about this project

Yes. The workflow can separate fast-dispatch stocked orders from personalised orders that require artwork, proofing, and approval—so each follows the right path with fewer delays and mix-ups.

Yes, it’s designed to work with the typical artwork files customers send (for example PDFs and common image formats) and to keep them linked to the correct order for smoother proofing.

It’s ideal for e-commerce sellers of lanyards, ID card holders, badge reels, clips, and similar accessories—especially if you offer personalised printing with artwork upload and proof approvals before production.

Yes, you can enable automatic messages for order confirmation, artwork received, proof sent, proof approved, and dispatch readiness. For higher deliverability and audit logs, a paid plan is the safer choice.

Customers submit artwork during ordering (or after purchase), your team prepares a proof, and the workflow helps send it for approval and track the response. A paid plan is recommended for reliable follow-ups and monitoring.

You’ll typically need your product categories, key options (print method, colour count, attachments), your approval rules, and your customer notification wording. You can start simple and expand as you grow.

You can add daily/weekly summaries (orders placed, proofs pending, approvals received, items ready to dispatch). Paid plans are recommended when you rely on these summaries for daily operations.

That’s a core goal. By standardising what you ask for (and when), and by tracking approvals, you reduce repeated questions and missing details—especially on personalised lanyard orders.

Yes. It’s designed to feel like a simple “hands-free assistant” that moves orders through clear steps. If you want custom rules or deeper reporting, a paid plan plus light setup support is recommended.

It keeps stocked orders moving quickly and prevents personalised orders from entering production without approval. Clear internal status updates help teams prioritise urgent dispatch and avoid rework.

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