WordPress Development

WordPress Development

WordPress is widely used because it is flexible and easy to get started with. Over time, though, many implementations become difficult to manage. Plugins accumulate, content structure becomes inconsistent, and performance and security start to suffer. Many of the projects we take on involve replacing WordPress sites that have become difficult to maintain for these reasons.

We work with universities, government agencies, and other public-serving organizations to build WordPress platforms that are structured, maintainable, and built to last. That means taking a more deliberate approach to how WordPress is configured, extended, and managed over time.

Our goal is not just to launch a site, but to create a system your team can rely on.

A More Structured Approach to WordPress

Many WordPress sites are built quickly, with heavy reliance on page builders and large numbers of plugins. This can work in the short term, but often leads to problems as the site grows.

We take a different approach:

  • Limiting plugins to those that are well-supported and necessary
  • Building custom functionality where it improves stability and performance
  • Defining clear content structures rather than relying on ad hoc page layouts
  • Avoiding patterns that make long-term maintenance difficult

This results in a platform that is easier to manage and less prone to issues over time.

WordPress for Government and Higher Education

WordPress can be a good fit for organizations that need a streamlined publishing experience without the overhead of more complex systems.

In government and higher education environments, this often means:

  • clear content models that support consistent publishing
  • accessibility built into templates and components
  • security practices that reduce risk
  • workflows that support distributed teams

We design WordPress implementations that balance flexibility with control, so teams can publish content without compromising the integrity of the system.

Accessibility and WordPress

Accessibility needs to be built into how WordPress is implemented.

We design and develop themes and components with accessibility in mind, ensuring that templates support proper structure, navigation, and interaction patterns. We also help teams establish content practices that support accessibility over time.

As an accessibility-first agency, this is part of how we approach every WordPress project.

Performance and Security

Performance and security are common pain points for WordPress sites.

We address this through:

  • careful selection and review of plugins
  • optimized themes and templates
  • integration with reliable hosting platforms
  • regular updates and monitoring

The goal is to create a site that performs well under load and can be maintained without introducing unnecessary risk.

Integrations and APIs

WordPress sites often need to connect with other systems.

We design integrations with:

  • CRMs and marketing platforms
  • campus or organizational APIs
  • search systems such as Algolia
  • third-party services and data sources

This allows WordPress to function as part of a broader ecosystem rather than as a standalone site.

When WordPress Is the Right Fit

WordPress is not always the best solution for every project.

It tends to work well when:

  • publishing needs are relatively straightforward
  • teams value ease of use
  • the site does not require highly complex content relationships

For more complex environments, we may recommend Drupal. Our role is to help you choose the platform that best fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is WordPress secure enough for government or higher education?
Yes, when it is implemented and maintained properly. Security issues often come from poorly managed plugins or outdated systems.

Do you use page builders?
In most cases, we avoid heavy reliance on page builders in favor of more structured approaches that are easier to maintain.

Can WordPress handle large sites?
Yes, but it requires careful planning around structure, performance, and governance.

How do you handle accessibility in WordPress?
We build accessibility into templates and components and support teams in maintaining accessible content over time.

Our Wordpress experience
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Custom WordPress plugins

Custom-built plugins to handle integration with 3rd party web services, or brand new custom functionality.

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Migrations

Migrating data and content from other CMSes and data sources into WordPress.

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3rd party integrations

Including Salesforce, Marketo, Eloqua, Hubspot, Cloudwords, etc.

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Web and mobile design

Custom responsive design and implementation. We obsess as much over design as we do engineering.

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SSO, Directory & user management

Single sign on with systems such as OAuth, CAS, LDAP, and more.

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Landing pages and microsites

Developed modular PHP/HTML templates for rapid deployment of microsites.

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E-commerce

E-commerce implementation and management, using platforms such as WooCommerce and Shopify.

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Multi-language

Multi-lingual architecture and development. Integration with 3rd party translation management systems.

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WordPress-specific hosting

Development partner with Pantheon, which among other things provides dev/stage/production environments, easy deployments, and performance optimization.

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Security, support & maintenance

Ongoing WordPress support, as well as installing security and plugin updates as soon as they're released.

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Workflow

Workflow process architecture and development.

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API development

Development of custom APIs; REST, HTTP, SOAP, etc.

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Ready to get started?

Let's set up a Zoom meeting to talk about your project, or better yet, Starbucks and a walk around Green Lake!