When Steel Solutions Inc., a Northern California construction company, needed their portfolio on their website updated with their latest project photos, they initially searched for a local developer. However, through a trusted long-term Atwoodz client in the same region, they were referred to us—based not on proximity, but on our qualitative reputation, decades of website development expertise, and proven reliability.
Back in 2019, their WordPress site was showing its age. The core software and plugins were outdated, the theme was no longer supported, and the site risked future incompatibility with upcoming WordPress and PHP versions. Our team immediately flagged these issues, ensuring Steel Solutions understood the potential roadblocks ahead.
First Engagement – Keeping the Site Afloat
Our initial project involved updating WordPress and its plugins, refreshing their portfolio, and advising the client on what would be necessary in the years ahead. This early intervention kept the site functional and prevented downtime while maintaining their online presence.
Over the next five years, we performed occasional updates to plugins, software, and portfolio content—but the deeper issues we predicted in 2019 were now coming to a head.
The Portfolio page was updated and categorized for ease of navigation and display.
A Turning Point – Security, SEO, and Functionality
By 2024, Steel Solutions returned with urgent concerns:
- Their website forms were broken, meaning potential customers had no way to reach them through the site.
- Their minimal SEO presence had disappeared from the rankings, making them nearly invisible to search engines.
These were serious problems. Forms are the primary lead source for construction companies, and without search visibility, even the best portfolio goes unseen. Unfortunately, these issues had been overlooked by previous developers—costing valuable time and leads.
Discovery & Development – Strategic Modernization
We started with a brief discovery process to understand the scope of the update. From there, we built a development (staging) site so we could modernize their platform without risking disruption to their live site.
Our solution included:
- Theme Replacement: Migrating to Elementor for design flexibility, fast load times, and mobile responsiveness, paired with a lightweight theme for speed and long-term stability.
- SEO Foundation: Installing and configuring Yoast SEO to ensure Steel Solutions could regain their search rankings.
- Lead Capture: Implementing Gravity Forms to replace their non-functional forms, with conditional logic so inquiries were routed correctly based on customer needs.
- Full Software Refresh: Updating all WordPress core files, plugins, and security protocols for stability and protection.
By retaining their original layout and existing content, we kept design costs low and focused on functional improvements—maximizing ROI.
Launch & Immediate Results
After thorough quality assurance testing between Atwoodz and the Steel Solutions staff, we deployed the updates to the live site. The transformation was subtle visually, but massive behind the scenes:
- Leads Returned: Within two weeks, the contact forms were consistently generating 1–4 qualified leads per week.
- High-Value Opportunities: Each project lead averaged $2 million+ in value. The update effectively paid for itself with the first converted lead.
- Improved User Experience: Mobile visitors now had a faster, cleaner experience, encouraging more engagement.
A custom Gravity Form was developed with specific form fields based on certain conditions the visitor entered.
Why Atwoodz?
Atwoodz has been building and maintaining revenue-focused websites for over 24 years, serving thousands of businesses across industries. We understand that while design matters, results matter more. That’s why every project we take on is tailored to:
- Meet the latest search engine, browser, and device standards.
- Target the right audience to drive real business growth.
- Provide a clear ROI through better visibility, usability, and conversions.
For Steel Solutions, that meant transforming an outdated, underperforming site into a reliable lead generator—without the expense or disruption of a complete rebuild.
Looking for a website that pays for itself—fast?
Contact Atwoodz today and let’s build your next revenue-generating platform.
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