Case Study: Rebuilding an aged website with modern features

Client Overview

Jack Wilson Custom Homes is a distinguished custom home builder known for its commitment to quality craftsmanship and personalized service. With a strong reputation in the community for transforming visions into reality, the company caters to a diverse clientele looking to construct their dream homes. However, as digital engagement has become essential to business growth, the company’s need for a modern, user-friendly online presence has become increasingly apparent.

Project Background

The previous website, https://www.thehousejackbuilt.com, was built on the Duda platform. While it served as a functional online presence initially, as time passed, several issues manifested that hindered both user experience and backend maintenance. Clients found it difficult to navigate, and the design felt outdated, failing to reflect the premium quality of the homes Jack Wilson Custom Homes builds.

Challenges with the Existing Website

1. Maintenance Difficulties: The Duda platform, while user-friendly, posed challenges for the Jack Wilson team. Regular updates seemed cumbersome, and the lack of flexibility caused frustration when trying to implement changes or add new content.
2. Outdated Design: The aesthetics of the website are no longer aligned with the brand’s identity. As a custom home builder, Jack Wilson’s website needed to embody the quality and craftsmanship customers expected, which the old site did not convey.
3. Limited Functionality: The Duda site’s limited functionality restricted the integration of important features such as galleries to showcase completed projects, client testimonials, and an easy-to-navigate portfolio.
4. Poor SEO Optimization: The old site lacked the appropriate SEO strategies, which limited online visibility. This was a critical shortcoming, as new clients often look to search engines for home builders.

Goals

The primary goal of the website redesign was to create a modern, responsive site that would enhance user experience, streamline maintenance for the Jack Wilson team, and effectively showcase the company’s portfolio of work.

The Solution: Migrating to a WordPress Platform

To resolve the challenges posed by the old website, the decision was made to migrate to WordPress. This decision was rooted in the platform’s versatility, ease of maintenance, and superior SEO capabilities.

Design and Development Process

1. Strategy and Planning: Initial consultations with the Jack Wilson team established their vision and specific requirements for the new website. The need for a clean, modern design that reflected the quality of their homes was paramount.
2. Wireframing and Design: Our design team crafted wireframes to outline the layout of key pages, focusing on user experience. Emphasis was placed on intuitive navigation, allowing potential clients to explore the portfolio seamlessly and find pertinent information quickly. Once the wireframes were approved, high-fidelity mockups were developed using modern design techniques, incorporating the brand’s colors, typography, and imagery.
3. Content Migration: A comprehensive strategy was developed to transfer existing content from the Duda site to WordPress. This process involved refining copy to improve clarity and engagement and optimizing images to enhance load times without sacrificing quality.
4. Development and Customization: The WordPress site was built using a custom theme that included all necessary features. We implemented a gallery section, an interactive portfolio, and a blog to allow Jack Wilson’s team to share updates and relevant industry news, further enhancing SEO.
5. SEO Optimization: As a key component of the redesign, we incorporated strong SEO practices to improve search rankings. This involved keyword optimization, meta descriptions, alt tags on images, and ensuring that the site architecture was conducive to search engines.
6. Testing: Before launch, extensive testing was carried out to ensure all elements of the site functioned as expected across different devices and browsers. This included testing forms, navigation, and page load speeds.
7. Launch: Following successful testing, the new website, https://www.jackwilsonhomes.com, was launched. The team at Jack Wilson Custom Homes received training on how to manage and update the site, ensuring they feel confident in handling future content modifications themselves.

Results

The outcome of the redesign was overwhelmingly positive. The new website effectively showcases Jack Wilson Custom Homes’ work, provides an intuitive user experience, and enhances client engagement. Some notable results include:

• Improved User Experience**: Clients have reported finding it much easier to navigate the site and locate the information they need. The incorporation of high-quality imagery and project galleries has enhanced visual appeal significantly.
• Streamlined Maintenance**: The transition to WordPress has enabled the Jack Wilson team to update their site independently and effortlessly, reducing the dependency on external support for site management.
• Increased Traffic and Engagement**: Post-launch analytics indicated a notable increase in site visits, alongside improvements in time spent on the site and interaction rates with features like the portfolio and blog.
• Enhanced SEO Performance**: The site’s structured SEO strategies have led to improved search engine rankings, allowing potential clients to discover Jack Wilson Custom Homes more easily.

Conclusion

The successful migration from Duda to WordPress has transformed Jack Wilson Custom Homes’ online presence, creating a powerful platform that mirrors the quality of their craftsmanship. By addressing existing challenges, implementing modern design strategies, and optimizing for SEO, the new website stands as a testament to Jack Wilson Custom Homes’ dedication to excellence, both in construction and in digital engagement. This project not only enhances how potential clients view the company but also provides the tools necessary for ongoing growth and success in the digital landscape.