Modernizing a WordPress Site: Key Observations and Recommendations

This checklist serves as a roadmap for migrating from a legacy WordPress setup to a modern, maintainable, and visually flexible site structure.‍
Written by
Michael Baker
Published on
March 25, 2025

Modernizing a WordPress Site: Key Observations and Recommendations

  • Hosting environment is slow and lacks advanced features
  • Current setup suitable only as an interim solution, not ideal for long-term use
  • Theme is overridden by multiple layers including:
    • Child theme
    • Advanced Custom Fields (ACF)
    • Mega menu plugin
    • Custom templates
  • Numerous unique navigation patterns across the site
  • Navigation elements are difficult to edit due to being buried in CSS and plugins
  • Current theme is a limited version of a more robust product
  • Upgrading theme preserves existing layout work while unlocking advanced features
  • Rebuilding headers and footers in the upgraded theme is strongly recommended
  • A single global footer is already in place, simplifying that aspect
  • Header structures are fragmented and require cleanup
  • Full-screen mega menus are outdated and difficult to dismiss; simple dropdowns are preferable
  • Use of ACF and mega menus was common 4–5 years ago but now largely outdated
  • ACF-driven elements can now be handled natively by the upgraded theme
  • Visual editing and control is greatly improved in the upgraded theme
  • Modern design goals may be better achieved with alternative platforms
  • Suggested design inspirations include clean, responsive SaaS templates
  • Alternative platforms offer superior control, speed, and modern aesthetics
  • Recommended workflow for modernizing the WordPress site:
    • Set up a clean hosting environment
    • Migrate existing site to a staging environment
    • Upgrade to the advanced theme version
    • Remove hardcoded headers and footers
    • Rebuild those elements using the theme’s visual tools
    • Resolve identified issues
    • Point DNS to the new build
    • Continue refining the site post-launch
  • Many current design elements rely on scattered CSS and plugin dependencies
  • Performing this work in the current hosting environment would result in unnecessary delays and inefficiencies due to limited support and slow performance

This checklist serves as a roadmap for migrating from a legacy WordPress setup to a modern, maintainable, and visually flexible site structure.

I help well-established businesses, individuals and agencies navigate digital marketing issues every day.
Let me know how I can help you:
Thank you! Your submission has been received!
Oops! Something went wrong while submitting the form.

02

Other articles