Modernising a Mission: Rebuilding Sight Research UK on WordPress

Sight Research UK

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Since launch, click-through rate from Google has increased by 50.38%

The Brief / Challenge

Sight Research UK is dedicated to funding pioneering research to prevent sight loss and treat eye disease. With ambitious growth targets and a clear long-term vision, they recognised that their existing website needed to evolve to match the scale of their mission.

Their goals were bold and measurable:

  • Increase monthly users from 5,500 to 18,000 by 2027
  • Improve search engine visibility to reach the top 10 for key terms
  • Ensure full accessibility compliance while enhancing overall user experience

The existing Django platform limited flexibility, content control and speed of iteration. To achieve meaningful digital growth, SRUK needed more than a visual refresh — they needed a robust, future-ready platform that empowered their internal team and supported their long-term strategy.

The Solution

We migrated the site from Django to WordPress, providing a more intuitive and flexible CMS that gives SRUK full control over content and layout.

The new platform removes previous editing restrictions and allows the team to manage pages, campaigns, research updates and events independently — reducing reliance on developers and accelerating internal workflows.

Alongside the migration, we modernised the visual design to better reflect SRUK’s mission and authority in the research space.

Performance and SEO optimisation

To support their traffic growth targets, we implemented:

  • Lightweight, fast-loading templates
  • Clean URL structures and schema markup
  • Advanced SEO control & Astrolytics
  • Mobile-first responsive design

These improvements address technical SEO challenges while creating a faster, more accessible experience for users and search engines alike.

Modern, dynamic design

This includes:

  • Multi-column layouts to reduce excessive scrolling
  • Dynamic content blocks such as carousels and subtle animations
  • Consistent use of SRUK’s brand colours and typography

The result is a site that communicates scientific impact without feeling clinical or impersonal.re accessible experience for users and search engines alike.

Enhanced functionality

To support engagement and fundraising, we integrated:

  • Newsletter sign-ups through Mailchimp
  • Filterable conditions and blog content
  • Flexible form builders for awards, feedback and contact

Each integration was carefully implemented to streamline user journeys and reduce administrative burden internally.perience for users and search engines alike.

Security, hosting and compliance

The website is hosted on our UK-based, climate-positive VPS infrastructure, providing:

  • Daily backups
  • SSL encryption
  • Firewall and anti-spam protection

This ensures SRUK’s digital presence remains secure, resilient and environmentally responsible.

The Results

Sight Research UK now has a platform built for growth.

The new website combines accessibility, performance and flexibility – giving the internal team greater independence while providing the technical foundations required to significantly increase traffic and search visibility.

Since launch, we’ve already seen measurable progress. Click-through rate from Google has increased by 50.38%, demonstrating stronger search visibility, clearer meta messaging and improved alignment between user intent and content.

Most importantly, the platform supports SRUK’s wider mission: helping more people discover, understand and support life-changing eye research.

With improved usability, stronger SEO infrastructure and scalable architecture, the website is no longer a limitation — it’s a strategic asset for long-term impact.