Most business owners want a website that just works, but technical debt often gets in the way. For Genie Gratto, a legacy setup made her site slow, glitchy, and impossible to update without help.

We stepped in to strip away the complexity. In just two weeks, we moved her site to a modern framework, fixed the long-standing bugs, and handed back the keys.

The result? A lightning-fast platform that Genie can manage herself, leaving her free to focus on her business, not the technical headaches.

The Challenge: A Writer Silenced by Tech

Genie’s original site was built on WPBakery. Think of this as an old, heavy “drag-and-drop” builder. While it was popular years ago, it has since become clunky and “outdated.”

Fixing the Foundation: Site Health Recovery

When we took over, the site was flagging several “Critical” and “Recommended” health errors in WordPress. These weren’t just warnings; they were signs that the site’s foundation was failing.

• Technical Liaison: We acted as the bridge between Genie and her hosting provider. We handled the complex “tech-speak” to ensure the server was correctly configured to modern standards.
• Error Resolution: We cleared all critical errors, including outdated database protocols and server-side conflicts that were causing the site to glitch.
• Security Hardening: By fixing these core health issues, we ensured the site wasn’t just faster, but significantly more stable and secure against potential crashes.

Our Approach: Keeping it Simple

We destroyed to rebuild

Sometimes, patching up old problems isn’t enough. In Gwrites.com case, we cleared the slate to build something better.

We stripped away the “digital clutter” to build a site that just works. Our priorities were speed and ease of use, as well as a smoothless user experience.

1. The Foundation

• The Purge: We identified and deleted over 10 unnecessary plugins, including the heavy WPBakery addons and old slider tools that were dragging down performance.
• Architectural Shift: Replaced the heavy page builder with the lightweight, native WordPress Gutenberg editor. By removing that extra layer of software, the site became faster, more secure, and much more stable.
• Modern Replacements: Where features were still needed (like contact forms or galleries), we replaced old, bloated plugins with modern, lightweight alternatives that work natively with the new editor.

2. UK & Branding

• Navigation & UX Overhaul: Previously, the site used tabs that displayed the same content on every page, creating a confusing experience for visitors. We reorganised the entire navigation structure to ensure a clear, logical flow. Now, every click leads to a distinct, purposeful destination.
• Minimalist Branding: We performed a subtle brand revamp to match Genie’s executive standing. By selecting a refined colour palette and professional typography, we created a minimalistic aesthetic. This ensures the design never distracts from the main event: her writing.
• Content Ready: Set up a new blog so that Genie can now draft, format, and publish her stories with total confidence. No technical specialist required!

3. Performance & Security

• Performance First: We didn’t just fix the bugs; we optimised the entire experience. By implementing smart caching and modern image formats, we ensured that pages load instantly on both mobile and desktop.
• SEO & Image Optimization: Visible to Google We went under the hood to ensure every image was properly compressed and tagged. This doesn’t just make the site faster; it makes it “search engine friendly,” helping Genie’s work get the “Google love” it deserves.
• Security & Accessibility: We installed a robust professional firewall to keep the site safe from threats and automated backups. We also added accessibility tools, ensuring the site is easy to navigate for everyone, including users with visual impairments.

The Result(s): A Total Transformation in 14 Days

We didn’t just fix the website; we gave Genie a high-performance tool that matches her professional standing. By “destroying” the old, cluttered foundation, we achieved results that speak for themselves.

A Small World and a Big Distance

It’s funny how the world works. This project started with a post in a closed Facebook group from Jana Krizanova, a fellow professional who needed help for her client, Genie Gratto. In a bizarre twist of fate, we discovered Jana lives just around the corner from us here in Malaga! Call that fate!

She introduced us to Genie, who was in California—literally the other side of the world. We had our first meeting to dig into the “engine room” of her site, and discuss the scope. To be honest, after we hung up, we weren’t sure if she was happy with our discussion or if we were the right fit for her. We submitted our proposal and then… we waited.

A few days later, the “Woo!” moment happened: Genie reached out to tell us she had selected us to bring her site back to life. It was a fantastic feeling to know our approach had resonated.

The 14-Day Journey

Once the contract was signed and the deposit received, we hit the ground running. Despite the 9-hour time difference, we worked seamlessly via email. In just two weeks, we rebuilt the site from the ground up. We had one final Zoom catch-up to “tighten the last few nuts,” and just like that, Genie was back in control and publishing article

The project was delivered exactly to scope, on time, and—in a rare win for the digital world—€1.75 under budget.

Hear it from Genie herself

A Note from the Heart

What makes us go “aww” now? It’s every time a notification pops up saying Genie has published a new blog.

For a writer, silence isn’t just a technical glitch. It’s a lost opportunity to connect. Seeing her stories out in the world again makes us feel that “fuzzy” glow of a job well done. It’s a reminder that we are not just fixing code; we are helping people find their voice again. That’s why we do what we do.

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