About Client
Our client, a charming lodge located in North Carolina, USA, offers a cozy escape with beautiful accommodations surrounded by nature. The lodge is a popular destination for travelers seeking a peaceful retreat, featuring amenities like spacious rooms, local dining, and outdoor activities.
However, their existing website built on Drupal was outdated, difficult to manage, and lacked the functionality to support online bookings and modern user expectations. They partnered with us to migrate their website to WordPress to improve functionality, simplify management, and enhance the overall user experience.
Task in Hand
We followed a detailed process to smoothly migrate the site, improve its functionality, and create a user-friendly platform that better serves the lodge and its guests.
Approach
Now that we knew what needed fixing, we got right to work. Here’s a step-by-step look at how we tackled each part of the project:
1. Analyzing the Existing Website
We started by reviewing the lodge’s existing Drupal website. This helped us understand how the site was structured, what content was important, and what features needed to be improved or added.
By understanding what worked and what didn’t, we could plan a migration that kept the best parts of the old site while fixing the issues that held it back.
2. Planning the Migration
With a clear understanding of the site, we created a step-by-step plan for the migration. This plan covered everything from moving the content to adding new features and updating the design.
Planning was crucial to avoid mistakes and make sure the process was smooth, with no interruptions to the client’s online presence.
3. Exporting Data from Drupal
The next step was to safely transfer all the content, including room details, images, and blog posts, from Drupal. We made sure no important information was lost during this process.
We carefully organized the data so it would fit well into the new WordPress site, making the transition seamless.
4. Setting Up the WordPress Environment
We built the new site on WordPress, choosing a theme and plugins that matched the lodge’s needs. This included tools for content management, bookings, and design flexibility.
This setup ensured the new site was ready to handle all the functionality the client required while being easy for them to manage.
5. Importing Data to WordPress
Once the WordPress environment was ready, we imported all the content. We checked to make sure everything displayed correctly and fit into the site’s new structure.
This step made sure the lodge’s information, from room descriptions to blogs, was ready to go on their new platform.
6. Preserving SEO and URL Structure
To avoid losing traffic, we kept the same URL structure as the old site wherever possible. For any changes, we set up redirects to ensure visitors and search engines could still find the right pages.
This helped maintain their existing rankings and ensured a smooth experience for anyone visiting the site.
7. Rebuilding Website Functionality
We recreated the useful features of the old site, like contact forms, and added new ones like an online booking system. This made it easier for guests to check availability and book their stay directly.
These updates made the site more useful for both the lodge’s staff and their customers.
8. Modernizing the Design
We updated the design to better represent the lodge’s charm and unique setting. High-quality photos, clean layouts, and clear navigation made the site more inviting and easier to use.
The new design focused on showing off the lodge’s personality while making it simple for visitors to find what they needed.
9. Optimizing for Mobile Devices
We made sure the site worked perfectly on phones and tablets. The layout automatically adjusted to different screen sizes, and the touch features were smooth and easy to use.
This ensured that customers could explore and book their stay no matter what device they were using.
10. Testing and Quality Assurance
Before launching, we tested everything to make sure it worked as it should. We fixed any broken links, checked for errors, and made sure the site loaded quickly.
We also tested on different browsers and devices to ensure it was ready for all users.
11. Launching the New Website
The site went live with minimal downtime, so visitors could enjoy the new features right away. We kept a close eye on everything after the launch to catch and fix any small issues.
12. Post-Migration Support
After the launch, we trained the lodge’s staff to use their new WordPress site. We showed them how to update content, manage bookings, and make any necessary changes.
We also provided ongoing support to make sure they felt confident using their new site and had help whenever they needed it.
Results
A Modern Website
The lodge now has a fresh, user-friendly website that showcases their accommodations and makes it easy for visitors to explore and book online.
Simpler Booking Process
The new booking system made it quick and easy for guests to reserve their stays, leading to more bookings.
Better Mobile Experience
With a mobile-friendly design, visitors can now browse and book effortlessly on their phones or tablets, reaching a wider audience.
