Port Phillip Boating Centre, a Yamaha-authorised marine dealer based in Point Cook, VIC, engaged Mity Digital to develop a new website focused on facilitating online parts ordering. The core objectives included:
Delivering a clean, brand-aligned, user-friendly design
Minimising ongoing site administration through smart automation
Integrating Yamaha’s parts catalogue via API, enabling customers to search by year, model, serial number and order parts online
Streaming Yamaha product details, updates, promotions and news seamlessly
1. Design & UX
Custom layout with intuitive structure
The site was rebuilt using the Statamic CMS and a bespoke e‑commerce setup. It places the Online Parts Catalogue front and centre, customers can immediately access the EPC (Electronic Parts Catalogue) without digging through complex navigation .
Brand-aligned aesthetics + functional clarity
Visual styling mirrors the Yamaha brand, with clean lines and a structured layout that emphasises ease of browsing outboards, boats, trailers, and parts. Strategic placement of Yamamha-related content builds trust and reinforces authority as a Yamaha dealer.
Mobile-first responsiveness
All pages, including the EPC and product listings are fully responsive, ensuring seamless access across mobile, tablet and desktop.
2. Ease of management
Automatic product creation
Rather than manually managing thousands of Yamaha parts, the system dynamically creates a product only when a customer searches and selects it. This “on‑demand” approach eliminates the need to maintain a huge stock database and keeps product listings highly relevant .
CMS-driven content updates
The Statamic CMS enables in-house staff to easily adjust static content and publish news or promotions - without developer involvement.
API-driven data updates
Inventory, tech specs, images, and descriptions are sourced directly from Yamaha via API. This automation ensures information remains current without manual syncing.
Future-ready architecture
Modular integration points (e.g. Yamaha API, parts data fetching) make the system scalable - for future brand additions, deeper integrations (like live stock feeds), or UX enhancements.
3. Yamaha parts catalogue integration
Electronic Parts Catalogue (EPC)
Users enter their Yamaha motor’s year, model and optionally serial number. The EPC dynamically searches the Yamaha database to display compatible parts. This direct integration offers a seamless experience .
Yamaha API for product info, news & promos
When a user views a motor or adds a part, the website retrieves detailed descriptions, images, specifications and pricing in real time. Panasonic‑powered site also displays Yamaha’s latest news and offers via API .
On‑demand product instantiation
Parts are instantiated in the store only when added to cart. This approach keeps database size lean and shopping flow fast and relevant .
Checkout + shipping logic
Once selected, parts are added to the cart where customers can complete checkout. Shipping is standard flat‑rate, with local pickup free - offered directly through the website.
| Challenge | Mity’s solution | Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Catalogue volume | On-demand product creation via Yamaha API | No need to manage thousands of parts; site remains lean and relevant |
| Manual data updates | Automated import of specs, images, pricing | Data is always current with Yamaha database |
| Search usability | EPC with year/model/serial filters | Customers find parts confidently without guesswork |
| Marketing freshness | News + promotion feed via API | Site stays dynamic; builds repeat visits |
| Maintenance overhead | Statamic CMS control for static content | Staff can update content natively, without developer help |
5. Technical architecture
Statamic CMS manages banner images, showroom content, boat packages, and service centre info.
E-commerce engine handles cart, checkout, shipping rules, order tracking.
Yamaha API provides product data, news, promotional content and parts information.
Dynamic product creation logic ensures only ordered parts are stored - zero bulk imports.
User interface shows EPC input, OEM specs, part diagrams, and integrates with shopping cart.
6. Customer experience
Simple parts look-up: Customers search using precise Yamaha identifiers, reducing returns or misorders.
Trusted content: Official Yamaha specs and visuals ensure accuracy.
Streamlined ordering: EPC-fed shopping flow, clear shipping/pick-up options, and secure checkout.
One-stop sourcing: Beyond parts, users can browse motor models, boats, book service, or repower - no external searching needed.
7. Future possibilities
Real-time stock levels: API could be extended to show inventory status directly.
In-store fulfilment: Showroom staff could update availability, packing, and pick-up statuses.
Warranty and service integration: Link part orders with service bookings or maintenance reminders.
Analytics-driven insights: Track which parts are most ordered to inform inventory and marketing.
The new Port Phillip Boating Centre website, delivered by Mity Digital, integrates sleek design with smart automation and dynamic API integration. By combining an intuitive, responsive interface with Yamaha’s parts catalogue, the site offers a powerful mix of ease-of-use for customers and ease-of-management for staff. This project demonstrates how focused technical architecture and brand-aligned UX can transform a traditional dealer into a modern online marine service portal.
Michael Scruse
Michael brings a rare blend of technical, web and sales expertise to every project, backed by over 30 years of experience in the IT industry.
He’s also a qualified chef, though these days his culinary skills are mostly reserved for the home kitchen. A self-confessed history buff, Michael is currently deep into researching his own family tree.