Web Design for a Heritage Handmade Chocolate Brand
Guilbert’s Chocolates is a long-established chocolatier based in Bristol, producing luxury handmade chocolates since 1910. Known for its traditional recipes and wide range of fondant creams, truffles, and gift boxes, the brand combines heritage craftsmanship with modern online retail.
Somerset Web partnered with Guilbert’s Chocolates to create an SEO-focused eCommerce website that showcases their premium products, improves online visibility, and drives chocolate gift sales.
The Challenge
Guilbert’s Chocolates operates in a competitive online gifting market where visual appeal, trust, and search visibility are essential.
Their existing website needed to:
- Better showcase luxury handmade chocolate products
- Compete for high-intent keywords like “buy chocolates online UK”
- Improve user experience for online orders and gifting
- Reflect the brand’s heritage and premium positioning
- Increase conversions from seasonal and gift-based traffic
Additionally, their wide product range—from fondant creams to truffles—required clearer structure and categorisation.
The Solution
Somerset Web delivered a modern, SEO-driven eCommerce website designed to increase visibility and conversions.
1. eCommerce-Focused Website Structure
We organised the site into clear product categories, including:
- Chocolate gift boxes
- Fondant creams and truffles
- Seasonal and speciality chocolates
This improved navigation and made it easier for users to find and purchase products quickly.
2. SEO for Chocolate & Gift Searches
We implemented a keyword-driven content strategy targeting searches such as:
- “Luxury handmade chocolates UK”
- “Chocolate gift boxes online”
- “Buy chocolates online UK”
This helps Guilbert’s Chocolates attract high-intent customers actively searching for premium chocolate gifts.
3. Heritage-Led Brand Positioning
With over 100 years of experience, the brand’s history became a key selling point.
We reinforced messaging around:
- Traditional handmade chocolate-making
- British heritage and craftsmanship
- High-quality ingredients and recipes
This differentiates the brand from mass-produced competitors.
4. Conversion-Focused Design
To increase online sales, the website includes:
- Clear calls-to-action across product pages
- Simplified checkout journey
- Mobile-optimised design for on-the-go purchases
- Strong product imagery and descriptions
This ensures a smooth user journey from browsing to purchase.
5. Gift-Focused User Experience
Chocolate is often purchased as a gift, so we enhanced:
- Product presentation for gifting occasions
- Clear product descriptions and flavour details
- Easy browsing for popular gift options
This supports seasonal demand such as Christmas, birthdays, and special occasions.
The Results
The new website for Guilbert’s Chocolates delivers:
- Improved search engine visibility for chocolate-related keywords
- Increased engagement through better product presentation
- A stronger brand identity rooted in heritage and quality
- Enhanced user experience across desktop and mobile
A scalable platform for ongoing eCommerce growth