The brief for Smashcake.com.au was to implement a Shopify-based e-commerce platform capable of handling high-volume product personalisation, and Sydney-based delivery customisation, for both consumer and corporate customers. The challenge was to adapt Shopify’s native functionality to multi-step product configuration, and delivery radius pricing—all while maintaining performance and ease of use.
Products (chocolate “Smashcakes”) required multiple customer-driven customisations: message fields, filling types, accessory selection (mallet vs hammer), and dietary variants.
Shopify’s standard variant handling was extended using custom metafields and Liquid logic to allow conditional rendering of options depending on product type.
Form inputs were validated and sanitised to ensure order data integrity and back-end compatibility.
Delivery eligibility and pricing were calculated using custom postcode logic rather than Shopify’s built-in shipping system.
Pricing tiers were mapped to geographic zones within Sydney, with eligibility feedback provided on the product page.
The system also integrates optional same-day delivery handling, with checks built in for cut-off times and stock availability.
Design for the site was provided by Hayden Lovatt, focusing on clarity, mobile responsiveness, and clean presentation of rich product imagery.
The front-end implementation adhered closely to the provided design system, including typography, layout hierarchy, and hover/interactivity states.
Imagery handling was optimised to ensure performance remained acceptable despite the visual nature of the product catalog.
Platform: Shopify with a fully custom theme (Liquid, HTML/CSS/JS)
APIs/Integrations: Minimal reliance on third-party apps; delivery and product logic handled natively
Admin UX: Product template system built to allow easy updates and new product rollouts without developer intervention
The result is a reliable, maintainable storefront that supports Smashcake’s operational needs—including high order volumes, personalised products, and constrained delivery logistics—without overcomplicating the admin interface or requiring external apps. The site continues to serve both public and corporate users effectively.
