Your website may look fabulous. And if you’ve been working with WordHound, your content will be top notch, too. But let’s talk about the ugly truth: beautiful, content-rich websites don’t always function as smoothly as they should. Often, designers aren’t in a position to fix these back-end problems because their expertise lies in creating stunning visuals – not tinkering around with tech.
That’s where developers like us come in handy. Here are a few situations where my team can help:
Outdated CMS
Sometimes, a website is built on an older content management system (CMS) – or worse, a proprietary one that’s no longer supported. Seemingly out of nowhere, what once worked smoothly is now a heavy, clunky nightmare to manage. This is often when designers hit a wall and start looking for help.
The fix? Rebuilding the back end with something more user-friendly and scalable (think WordPress), while keeping the same beautiful design intact. This way, the front-end design stays untouched while the back-end issues get cleaned up and made more efficient. Simple, right?
Slow performance
Have you ever found yourself frustrated by a website that takes too long to load? A slow website is more than just a minor inconvenience; it can lead to lost customers and, ultimately, lost revenue. A developer can step in and analyse the back end, identify what’s slowing things down, and streamline everything. This is often achieved by improving the site’s structure, caching, or implementing a better framework.
In short: a development partner can help to speed things up so your clients’ website visitors remain happy, and don’t abandon the website part way through the customer journey!
Poor user experience
A beautifully designed e-commerce site is fantastic – until customers start complaining about the experience. We’ve worked with clients like Araminta Campbell, a luxury Scottish textile brand, who came to us with a beautifully designed website, but a back end that was costing them sales. The checkout process was clunky and disjointed, which wasn’t aligning with the brand’s high-end reputation.
We rebuilt the back end without touching the front end design to get sales climbing. That’s the magic of a back-end overhaul: fixing functionality issues without disturbing aesthetics.
Sustainability goals
More businesses are starting to prioritise eco-friendly practices, and websites are no exception. If you’re tasked with creating a website that’s both stylish and sustainable, this is where working with a good development partner can really make a difference.
Take CSRB, for example. Their website had an impressive design, but needed to be more energy efficient. We helped them overhaul the back end to reduce their site’s energy consumption and carbon footprint, without sacrificing style. The result? A fast, efficient website that helps showcase CSRB’s responsibility.
Ongoing maintenance and updates
Often, developers are excited about the launch of a new website, but when it comes to maintenance, the enthusiasm wanes. That’s where we’re a little different. We work with agencies to take ongoing maintenance tasks off their hands, keeping the site running smoothly without the need for continuous and time-consuming involvement from the design team. After all, we know you’ve got better things to do!
Whether updating plugins, adding new features, or troubleshooting issues, we handle the nitty-gritty while designers continue to shine with their stunning designs and cool visuals.
Ready to tackle the tough stuff?
As part of WordHound’s Overnight Agency Toolbox, we’re happy to share our expertise and help designers take projects to the next level. The Overnight Agency Toolbox is a fantastic resource for designers who want to build a reliable team of professionals to tackle complex challenges, like back-end problems. It enables designers to do this without needing to hire full-time experts, or take time away from their core business.
At Soto, we pride ourselves on being developers who understand the delicate balance between functionality and design. We’re here to enhance what’s already been created, and make it work better for everyone. Together, we can make sure that every website is much more than just a pretty face; we can transform them into powerhouses of functionality, performance, and sustainability.
