Russell & Bromley | 6 Changes We’d Make to This Shoe Website Design
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When it comes to luxury footwear and accessories, Russell & Bromley stands as an iconic name. Their craftsmanship and style are second to none, but does their shoe website design match the elegance of their products? A great website isn’t just a digital storefront — it’s a powerful tool for communicating your brand’s identity and driving conversions.
Whilst Russell & Bromley has mastered the art of high-quality footwear, their website design does – in our expert opinion – leave room for optimisation. The good news? Small but strategic changes can all have a big impact on the customer experience and, in turn, your online sales. Here are 6 changes we’d make to transform the Russell & Bromley website into a truly standout platform for their brand.
About Russell & Bromley
Russell & Bromley is a British retailer of luxury shoes, handbags, and other accessories for both men and women. The brand is known for its expert craftsmanship and fashion-led design. It was founded in 1873 by George Bromley and Elizabeth Russell, and the first store to display the Russell & Bromley name opened in Eastbourne in 1880. The Bromley family still owns and runs the business.
The 6 Suggested Changes We’d Make to This Shoe Website Design
We asked KIJO’s Head of Design & Website Service Leader, Liam Terry, his thoughts on what he’d improve on the iconic Russell & Bromley brand’s website.
Overwhelming Mega Menus
“The mega menus feel overly busy and could benefit from visual enhancements, such as icons or images, to break up the monotonous text lists. Additionally, the absence of hover effects on the menu items reduces engagement and usability. Whilst the top-level navigation is nicely condensed, the submenus need a touch of refinement to create a more intuitive browsing experience.”
Repetitive Modular Layout
“The modular layout used throughout the homepage and other sections quickly becomes monotonous as you scroll. The grids feel rigid and lack the fluidity needed for a more dynamic user experience. Introducing more white space or varied layouts between sections would provide better visual pacing and allow the content to breathe.”
Missing Hover Effects
“Hover effects are noticeably absent on many buttons and interactive elements across the website. These subtle visual cues are essential for encouraging user interaction and enhancing the overall user experience. Adding hover effects would make the website feel more polished and intuitive.”
Inconsistent Typography
“Typography inconsistencies are evident throughout the website, suggesting that a unified design system may not be in place. This is particularly noticeable on the ‘Shop for…’ buttons, where mismatched fonts and sizes detract from the overall cohesion. A consistent typographic hierarchy would reinforce the brand’s premium image.”
Oversized Icons
“The icons appear disproportionately large compared to other design elements, disrupting the balance of the overall aesthetic. While the rest of the website feels understated and elegant, the oversized icons draw too much attention and feel out of sync with best practices. Scaling them down to align with the rest of the design would restore harmony.”
Improving eCommerce UX
“The eCommerce user experience could be significantly enhanced with the addition of modern, user-friendly features. Options such as quick ‘add to basket’ buttons or colour selectors on product listing pages would streamline the shopping process and make it more seamless for users. These small touches can have a big impact on usability and conversions.”
By addressing these slight web design shortcomings, Liam feels Russell & Bromley could host a website that not only reflects their luxury brand identity but also provides an even more enjoyable and efficient shopping experience for their customers.
Our Final Thoughts
As we know, websites aren’t just places to sell products. They serve to represent your brand and are a key driver of customer relationships. By implementing these 6 changes, Russell & Bromley could align their online presence with the prestige of their products, and further create a seamless, luxurious shopping experience that resonates with their target audience.
If you’re running an established business or building a new brand, and you’ve read this article, what improvements do you think would make your website better? Still unsure? Let’s take a step forward, together.
Book a Complimentary Consultation with KIJO’s Head of Partnerships
Need expert guidance on your next digital project? Book a complimentary, 30-minute consultation with our Head of Partnerships & Co-Founder, Kirk Thompson. Let’s bring the vision of your brand to life—book your free consultation via the link below:
