Smart Shelters

Shelters Powered by Innovation

53%

Increase in Website Visitors

94%

Increase In Organic Visitors

40%

Increase In Sales Revenue

Campaign Timeframe

12 Month SEO Campaign

Services

SEO Services, Web Design & Development, Social Media Marketing, Google Advertisement

Industry

Manufacturing

Introduction

SmartShelters is New Zealand’s longest-established fabric-clad shelter manufacturer, proudly operating since 1915. Originally founded as Cairns & Woodward, we’ve evolved through four generations of the Cottle family, innovating in weather protection solutions for over a century. From military canvas in WWI to our breakthrough container-mounted shelters, we lead with experience and innovation.

Rebranded in 2017, SmartShelters now operates from a state-of-the-art facility in Wiri, Auckland. With in-house design, world-class materials, and advanced fabrication tech, we export globally and continue to deliver strong, smart shelter solutions with a focus on quality, durability, and customer satisfaction.

The Brief

SmartShelters, New Zealand’s longest-running fabric-clad shelter manufacturer, needed a full digital overhaul to match its century-long legacy of innovation.

The goal was to improve online visibility, drive high-quality leads, and modernize its digital presence. This included a new website design and development to better showcase their product range, strategic SEO to boost search rankings, social media marketing to increase brand awareness and engagement, and targeted Google Ads campaigns to capture high-intent buyers in domestic and international markets.

Our Strategy

When SmartShelters partnered with us, we began by diving deep into their digital performance. We carried out a comprehensive website audit—reviewing site speed, technical structure, mobile usability, and how well it supported both user experience and search engine visibility. Our goal was to align their century-old legacy with a powerful, modern online presence.

Laying the Digital Foundation

When SmartShelters partnered with us, we started with a complete audit of their existing digital presence. We assessed their website’s structure, speed, usability, and overall performance for both users and search engines. The goal was to identify opportunities for growth and align the site with modern web standards.

Keyword Research for Global Reach

We conducted deep keyword research to uncover the most relevant and high-intent search terms across both local and international markets. This helped us understand how potential buyers were searching for custom fabric shelters and positioned SmartShelters to appear for those exact queries.

SEO-Optimised Site Revamp

Using our keyword insights, we updated on-page SEO elements like meta tags, headers, and content across the site. At the same time, we ensured the website was engaging, easy to navigate, and built to convert visitors into leads. The refreshed structure not only improved visibility but also enhanced the overall user experience.

Content Strategy That Educates and Sells

To showcase SmartShelters’ diverse product range and industry expertise, we created targeted landing pages and informative content around key solutions. This helped boost organic search rankings and made it easier for users to find exactly what they needed – whether it was a container shelter or a custom-designed structure.

Backlinking and Authority Building

We implemented a robust backlink strategy to strengthen SmartShelters’ domain authority. By securing links from high-quality, relevant websites in the construction and manufacturing space, we improved the site’s credibility, boosted traffic, and enhanced its position in search results.

Expanding Reach with Google Ads & Social Media

To further support lead generation, we launched strategic Google Ads campaigns focused on commercial and industrial shelter keywords. Meanwhile, targeted social media marketing helped build brand awareness and engage SmartShelters’ audience with visually driven content showcasing real-world shelter applications.

The Outcome

Within just 10 months, SmartShelters has undergone a remarkable transformation – from a century-old, face-to-face business to a digitally driven brand with a powerful online presence. Over the past 12 months, their online discoverability has surged by more than 1,000%. Organic search traffic has grown by 257%, and the website has climbed a combined total of 8,000 positions across key product and service-related keywords.

This shift not only reflects a successful digital evolution but also positions SmartShelters as a competitive force in the global market for custom fabric-clad shelter solutions.

What They Said?

Thanks to the Growth Partners DEP and our digital strategies, SmartShelters has undergone a remarkable transformation—from a century-old, face-to-face business to a digitally driven brand with a powerful online presence. Over the past 12 months, their online discoverability has surged by more than 1,000%. Organic search traffic has grown by 257%, and the website has climbed a combined total of 8,000 positions across key product and service-related keywords. This shift not only reflects a successful digital evolution but also positions SmartShelters as a competitive force in the global market for custom fabric-clad shelter solutions.

Stop Losing Sales to Competitors


Each click on your competitor’s site is a lost opportunity. Let us help position your brand as the top choice on Google. Schedule your free consultation today—no strings attached!

This will close in 0 seconds