A new WordPress Theme for Base Supply Center, operated by The Lighthouse for the Blind. This new Gutenberg block-powered Theme replaces the former Avada Theme. Website improvements include:
mobile-friendly phone numbers;
increased font sizing with improved line-height for readability;
improved color contrast;
and table-less HTML layout.
Scope of Work
Accessibility auditing, consulting and remediation
An optional HTML Table Caption WebPage Test Speed Index: median = ~3.591; top 10% = <1.388 In 2021, the average page size = ~2.4 Mb and median page size = ~2.1 Mb. Database-driven websites, like WordPress, are more performance optimized when server requests are < 40 – 60.
The organization was satisfied with their overall brand identity, as well as the look and feel of their existing site. However, the board of directors wanted to address concerns of very poor mobile page load speeds, often in excess of 12 seconds.
Scope of Work
My goal was to clone the site content and mimic the existing visual look and feel – while optimizing accessibility, performance, and search engine optimization.
accessibility testing
front-end web development
performance optimization
security hardening
search engine optimization
WordPress training and consulting
It was easy to identify the root cause of the performance issues: a template ThemeForest Theme, with too many Plugins. Overall page size was 3.6 Mb, well above the industry average of 2.4 Mb. However, the main contributor to page load latency is usually ‘web server file requests.’ Together, the Theme and Plugins generated 89 server requests – including 36 Javascript files. In addition to a rotating content carousel, the Visual Composer Plugin was generating significant code bloat. These poor development practices impacted usability, site engagement and conversions.
Below are screenshots during development. Do you notice significant changes in the look & feel?
Before (left) & After (right) optimization screenshots
Performance Analysis
By switching to a WordPress.org-approved Theme, _Underscores, and consolidating and removing Plugins – web server requests were reduced 64%, from 89 to 32; overall page size also decreased 71%, from 3.6 Mb to 1 Mb. Replacing the Visual Composer Plugin with WordPress’ native Gutenberg Block Editor significantly improved performance. These efforts improved page load speed to reasonable sub 3 seconds on mobile devices.
WebPage Test Speed Index: median = ~3.591; top 10% = <1.388 In 2021, the average page size = ~2.4 Mb and median page size = ~2.1 Mb. Database-driven websites, like WordPress, are more performance optimized when server requests are < 40 – 60.
The final result is a simpler, faster, yet on-brand, website that is easier to maintain.
WordPress is the most popular Content Management System in the world. WordPress powers 42% of all websites; and 62% of CMS-powered sites.
But not all WordPress sites are created equal.
One of my favorite tasks is showing clients the benefits of open source technology. In particular, I enjoy demonstrating Core Web Vitals for open source WordPress Themes vs. cheap, popular paid commercial themes from vendors like ThemeForest. I primarily use Google Lighthouse to evaluate sites, but I also rely on Pingdom, WebPageTest and other benchmarking tools.
This latest nonprofit project for PenMet Parks in Gig Harbor involved rebuilding a commercial theme-powered WordPress site with my favorite Theme, _Underscores.
The client’s previous page load speed was atrocious, and the website crashed on a regular basis. Worse, content contributors could not even use the CMS to make the most basic content edits due to bloated Theme and Plugin features.
By following better WordPress and web standards, web server requests were reduced 69% and page size was reduced 73%. As a result of better web development practices, page load speed improved 78%. And the parks organization can now easily, intuitively edit all of their site content.
Scope of Work
accessibility testing brand discovery project management content migration copywriting creative strategy art direction color palette development front-end web development performance optimization security hardening search engine optimization visual design WordPress training and consulting
This project involved cloning a commercial (paid) Theme Forest Theme (Salient) into a WordPress-approved open source Theme. Project goals were to improve performance, security, and content management. Plugins were consolidated and limited to simplify site management and improve page load speed. PHP 5.6 (deprecated in December 2018) was upgraded to version 7.3 on the existing web host. By reducing overall page size 35% and web server requests 59% – page load speed improved 3 fold.
Salient’s heavyweight Visual Composer editor was replaced by WordPress’ native Gutenberg Block Editor, customized and color-coordinated around the company’s existing brand identity. The painters can now more intuitively edit content and duplicate Portfolio template layouts to showcase new painting jobs.
Scott is the best! I highly recommend him. The “responsive” in his business name is no joke – he is lightning fast and not only knows his stuff but communicates clearly and patiently to boot. If you’re looking to replace frustration with competence and clarity, look no further than Marlow-Five-0. Dianna Elam, office manager Eagle Eye Painting, LLC
Scope of Work
Mobile Responsive Theming Performance Optimization Security Hardening WordPress Training and Consulting
Google Lighthouse benchmarks Mobile Page Load Speed: 84/100 Desktop Page Load Speed: 97/100 Accessibility: 100/100 Best Practices: 100/100 SEO: 93/100
A redesigned website for DentistLink, a free non-profit referral service connecting Washington residents to dental care. DentistLink is supported by Arcora Foundation, the foundation of Delta Dental of Washington.
Page load speed was improved thru a 64% reduction in overall page size, a 21% reduction in web server requests, and a new WPEngine hosting platform. The new Theme integrates the WordPress Gutenberg Block Editor for more advanced layout and styling options. A Google Translate feature makes the site more accessible to under-served populations.
Scope of Work
Mobile responsive theming
Performance optimization
Security hardening
Google Lighthouse benchmarks Accessibility: 100/100 Best Practices: 73/100 Performance: 92/100 Search Engine Optimization: 100/100
Visual Design by: David Owen Hastings WordPress Theme Development by: Scott Marlow
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