ExpressionEngine to WordPress Migration with No Downtime for Home of Mortgages
Challenge
Home of Mortgages is an independent UK mortgage broker serving first-time buyers, remortgage clients, buy-to-let investors and more specialised lending needs.
Their site ran on ExpressionEngine and moving off it presented four distinct problems.
The migration itself required thorough planning to transfer all data while preserving every existing function — for a broker, a broken enquiry form or calculator is lost revenue, not an inconvenience.
Design preservation was a firm constraint. The client had established brand recognition and wanted their visual identity retained through the transition, with improvements layered on rather than a wholesale redesign.
The replacement platform had to accommodate future expansion, since the business expected to add products and services and did not want to face another migration in two years.
Finally, disruption had to be minimised. As a broker operating continuously, any downtime meant interrupted enquiries and a poor experience for clients mid-application.
Home of Mortgages is an independent UK mortgage broker serving first-time buyers, remortgage clients, buy-to-let investors and more specialised lending needs.
Their site ran on ExpressionEngine and moving off it presented four distinct problems.
The migration itself required thorough planning to transfer all data while preserving every existing function — for a broker, a broken enquiry form or calculator is lost revenue, not an inconvenience.
Design preservation was a firm constraint. The client had established brand recognition and wanted their visual identity retained through the transition, with improvements layered on rather than a wholesale redesign.
The replacement platform had to accommodate future expansion, since the business expected to add products and services and did not want to face another migration in two years.
Finally, disruption had to be minimised. As a broker operating continuously, any downtime meant interrupted enquiries and a poor experience for clients mid-application.
Solution
We began with a full evaluation of the site's structure, functionality and design, establishing exactly what had to carry across before any development started.
Our team then recreated the original design faithfully, built responsive templates and integrated them into WordPress. Brand identity was preserved while the underlying platform was replaced entirely.
Beyond a like-for-like rebuild, we applied current UI and UX practice and developed additional components to improve engagement — the migration became an opportunity to improve the site rather than merely relocate it.
We also supplied SEO content briefs to support the client's copywriter, so new and revised content followed search best practice from the outset instead of being optimised retrospectively.
The transition was sequenced to complete without interrupting live operations.
We began with a full evaluation of the site's structure, functionality and design, establishing exactly what had to carry across before any development started.
Our team then recreated the original design faithfully, built responsive templates and integrated them into WordPress. Brand identity was preserved while the underlying platform was replaced entirely.
Beyond a like-for-like rebuild, we applied current UI and UX practice and developed additional components to improve engagement — the migration became an opportunity to improve the site rather than merely relocate it.
We also supplied SEO content briefs to support the client's copywriter, so new and revised content followed search best practice from the outset instead of being optimised retrospectively.
The transition was sequenced to complete without interrupting live operations.
Results
The migration completed seamlessly, with uninterrupted online operations throughout — the client's primary concern, fully met.
The rebuilt site delivered improved navigation, more engaging design elements and additional functionality, raising user satisfaction while keeping the brand identity the business had established.
WordPress's interface gave the client's team the ability to manage content independently, materially reducing their reliance on external assistance for routine work.
The platform's flexibility means Home of Mortgages can adapt to changing business needs and integrate future enhancements without another migration.
Their marketing manager, Claudia Barchi: "Simeon and his team are top! I highly recommend them... They are tech and strategically knowledgeable, reply fast, very organised and friendly. I am glad I am finally working with a competent and efficient agency after other frustrating experiences."
The migration completed seamlessly, with uninterrupted online operations throughout — the client's primary concern, fully met.
The rebuilt site delivered improved navigation, more engaging design elements and additional functionality, raising user satisfaction while keeping the brand identity the business had established.
WordPress's interface gave the client's team the ability to manage content independently, materially reducing their reliance on external assistance for routine work.
The platform's flexibility means Home of Mortgages can adapt to changing business needs and integrate future enhancements without another migration.
Their marketing manager, Claudia Barchi: "Simeon and his team are top! I highly recommend them... They are tech and strategically knowledgeable, reply fast, very organised and friendly. I am glad I am finally working with a competent and efficient agency after other frustrating experiences."