The private design studio of Cleo Henderson—optimizing systems and minds to de-risk success across business and life. [View Executive Profile ➔]

🤲 Thomas House: From Starter Site to Scalable Impact – A Digital Renovation with Zero SEO Loss

by | Aug 7, 2025 | Case Studies

Great partnerships often start with a trusted introduction. This collaboration began via a warm referral from Ana Marie del Rio, Chief Legal Officer at Steadfast Companies and a member of the Thomas House Board of Directors. It wasn’t just a website build; it was a digital renovation for an organization that serves as a beacon of hope for unhoused families.

Project Framework & Capabilities
This case study maps the specific capabilities executed during this project directly to the studio’s proprietary framework, ensuring deliverables were systematic and de-risked at every stage. Learn more about the 5 D’s of Creation on the Our Process page.
1. Discover →
  • Stakeholder Interview,
  • UX Research
2. Define →
  • Information Architecture,
  • UX Design,
  • Project Management
3. Delight →
  • Periodic Feature Enhancement Request,
  • Creative Direction,
  • Branding
4. Design →
  • Graphic Design,
  • UI Design
5. Deploy →
  • Coding,
  • WordPress Theme Development

The Problem: Hitting the “Wix Ceiling”

Thomas House had outgrown their initial digital home. While their previous Wix site served its purpose, the organization needed a platform that was scalable, accessible (WCAG compliant), and capable of handling complex integrations like “Double the Donation” and secure volunteer data.

The technical challenge? Migrating from Wix to WordPress is rarely a simple “copy-paste.” It’s a structural overhaul that risks destroying years of hard-earned search authority if not handled with surgical precision.


The Approach: Strategy First, Code Second

We utilized the “Discover, Define, Delight, Design” methodology to ensure the new platform wasn’t just pretty, but performed.

  • Taming the Data: Before a single line of code was written, we tackled the Information Architecture. We performed a comprehensive SEO audit of the existing Wix taxonomy to understand exactly where the site’s value lived.
  • The Redirect Strategy: The most critical phase of the Wix-to-WordPress migration was mapping the DNA of the old site to the new one. We meticulously mapped and redirected URLs for pages and blog posts that were moving or retiring, ensuring no user hit a 404 dead-end and preserving the organization’s SEO link equity.
  • Scalable Tech Stack: We implemented a premium WordPress environment integrated with Gravity Forms and Constant Contact, creating a seamless flow for donor management and newsletter subscriptions.
Responsive Website

“YASSSS!! LOL, that is great news!” – Shakoya, MA/MSW/ACSW, Executive Director, in reference to a successful website migration to launch the website live.

The Outcome: From One-Off to Long-Term Partner

The initial launch was just the beginning. Pleased with the quality of service and the stability of the new architecture, Thomas House transitioned from a single project client to a long-term partner. We have since continued to support their mission through multiple enhancement rounds, including their 40th Anniversary campaign and complex API integrations for donor matching.

More Case Studies

Turn Back

View our website in 'portrait' orientation on your device.