GRAND FORKS — Acme Tools is known as the Tool Crib of the North. Maybe another slogan could be the Tool Online Crib of the North.
Acme Tools, a leading authorized online retailer of tools and equipment based in Grand Forks, has been ranked first on Newsweek’s list of Best Online Shops for the second consecutive year in the DIY, Tools and Supplies Category.
Newsweek partners with Statista to rank America’s Best Online Shops every year.
The Newsweek list includes 500 online shops across 25 categories. The rankings are based on objective evaluations and an online survey of more than 3,000 online shoppers in the United States to score online retailers across eight dimensions including customer trust, customer service and traffic growth.
“Ultimately the team has put a lot of effort in website architecture as well as user experience, and data integrity,” said Shawn Herrick, director of e-commerce operations at Acme Tools.
“Over the past four years, the website has undergone a complete transformation, providing a significantly enhanced user experience. We’ve invested considerable effort in optimizing the platform to make placing and managing orders seamless for customers. These improvements have contributed to higher conversion rates and stronger customer retention.”
The Newsweek awards list can be viewed at
. Acme Tools is listed under the Garden & Craft Sector.
“We’re honored to be recognized by Newsweek and Statista as the best online tool and equipment store for the second consecutive year,” Herrick said. “Our team has worked diligently to create a seamless, secure and enjoyable online shopping experience for our customers and this prestigious recognition reinforces our commitment.”
Herrick said having a robust online shopping experience is important to the company.
“We want the website to be the front line,” he said. “We want customers to come to the website and purchase off the website. If you don’t have a tailored UX, or your UX is hard to navigate, customers will struggle finding what they want.”
Spencer Kuhlman agreed.
“Acme Tools constantly strives to make our customer’s online shopping experience intuitive and efficient,” said Kuhlman, manager of e-commerce at Acme Tools. “This No. 1 ranking is testament to our commitment to innovation, user experience and quality service, and we are proud to share it with our customers and e-commerce team at Acme Tools.”
Acme Tools is an omnichannel premier retailer of tools and equipment with more than 75 years of industry experience, 10 retail stores in North Dakota, Minnesota and Iowa, and a leading authorized online retailer offering more than 100,000 products online from more than 1,100 brand at AcmeTools.com.
Herrick said there are about 40 people on the e-commerce team, with an additional 10 to 20 available via a third party.
“Absolutely you’re going to sell more if you have a good customer experience,” he said.
Herrick said Acme Tools just wants the best platform for people to use and buy tools.
Was the second consecutive No. 1 ranking expected?
“We’re not really expecting anything,” Herrick said. “We just know that we want to be the best online tool store on the web.”
Kevin Fee is a freelance reporter for the Herald.