Case Study: Legacy E-Commerce Rebuild for a Large Specialty Pet Retailer
Project Context
A major U.S. pet retailer with over two decades of growth had been relying on a fragile, aging PHP site to power both their retail and wholesale operations. With millions in annual revenue flowing through an outdated codebase on a failing server, the business faced a serious risk of downtime and lost sales.
They needed a partner who could both stabilize the immediate situation and lead a full rebuild—without disrupting daily operations.
Our Role
We joined first as emergency responders, getting the legacy site back online within days on new infrastructure. From there, we kicked off a full re-platform effort: replacing the brittle legacy stack with a modern, maintainable system designed for long-term growth.
This wasn’t just about tech. We worked closely with the client to balance day-to-day continuity with deep improvements in performance, design, and reliability. That meant introducing a new content system, search experience, customer account flow, and mobile-friendly storefront—all while preserving the parts of the business that were already working.
What We Delivered
- A full e-commerce rebuild that modernized design, content, and UX across two branded storefronts
- A new CMS and product catalog search with flexible filtering and merchandised content
- Seamless handling of customer accounts, orders, gift cards, and fulfillment workflows
- Strong foundations: accessibility, SEO, and test automation baked in from day one
Results
- Got the business back online fast with zero revenue interruption
- Delivered a faster, cleaner, and more mobile-friendly site that customers actually enjoy using
- Set up the client’s internal team for success with documentation, tooling, and handoff support
- Positioned the brand to expand its reach across digital channels and geographic markets
Takeaway
Legacy systems aren’t just a technical problem, they’re a business risk. By moving quickly but thoughtfully, we helped this specialty retailer protect their core business while unlocking a modern platform that’s built to grow.