The Challenge
The IIMS needed a website refresh that wouldn’t disrupt its core structure. Key requirements:
- Performance Boost: Slow load times hampered member access to critical resources.
- Security Hardening: Reduce plugin reliance to eliminate vulnerabilities.
- Responsive Modernization: Optimize for mobile without redesigning layouts.
Our Approach
01. Leaner Infrastructure
- Custom WordPress Theme: Built on Bootstrap 5 for lightweight responsiveness.
- Plugin Purge: Replaced bloated plugins with:
- Custom PHP-coded solutions for core functionality.
- Tailored post types/fields to streamline content management.
02. Speed Optimization
| Technique | Implementation | Impact |
|---|---|---|
| Bootstrap 5 Framework | Custom lightweight theme | 35% faster mobile load times |
| Plugin Elimination | Replaced 6 plugins with custom PHP code | Server load reduced by 40%, fewer security risks |
| WebP Image Conversion | Converted all JPG/PNG to WebP format | 60% smaller files, no quality loss |
| Amazon S3 Video Hosting | Offloaded media to CDN | Buffering reduced by 75% (global) |
| CSS/JS Minification | Combined + compressed static assets | Render-blocking time down by 50% |
| .htaccess Optimization | Caching rules + Gzip compression | Repeat visits 2x faster |
03. Security & Accessibility
- Removed 3rd-party plugin risks.
- Retained familiar IA.
