[01]55+ Websites Unified
More than 55 independent websites were consolidated into a centralized WordPress multisite platform, simplifying governance and platform operations.
SunAuto
SunAuto WordPress Platform Modernization
Engineering-first WordPress modernization focused on maintainability, governance, and long-term platform evolution.
SunAuto (Sun Auto Tire & Service, Inc.) partnered with PathToProject for an engineering-first WordPress modernization initiative focused on maintainability, governance, and long-term platform evolution.
PathToProject approached the engagement as a modernization initiative rather than a traditional website project. The focus was placed on reusable architecture, structured content management, governance, deployment consistency, and engineering practices that reduce long-term technical debt while improving development efficiency.
The resulting platform combines WordPress, Twig-based templating, ACF-driven content components, and standardized development workflows to create a scalable and maintainable foundation that can support future enhancements, integrations, and modernization initiatives.
This project demonstrates how thoughtful platform engineering can help organizations improve delivery quality, reduce operational friction, and create a sustainable path for long-term platform evolution.
Technologies
WordPress
Bedrock
Composer
PHP
Twig
Timber
ACF
ACF Blocks
MySQL
JavaScript
Sass
Docker
Lando
Git
Jenkins
AWS
CloudFront
HTMX
Industry
Automotive Services
Delivery Model
Platform Modernization & Ongoing Engineering Partnership
Hosting / Platform
- AWS
- CloudFront
- Serverless
- ElasticCache
- ElasticSearch
- WordPress
- Docker
Key Programs
- WordPress Modernization
- Platform Engineering
- Design System Integration
- Reusable Component Architecture
- Twig-Based Frontend Architecture
- ACF Block Framework
- Governance & Maintainability
- Deployment Automation
- Quality Assurance Automation
- Continuous Platform Evolution
Results
- 55+ websites consolidated into a centralized WordPress multisite platform
- Google Lighthouse scores improved from approximately 40-60 to 80-90+
- Centralized governance introduced across brands and locations
- Reusable Twig and ACF-based component architecture implemented
- Standardized development, deployment, and quality-assurance workflows established
- Reduced platform fragmentation and long-term maintenance overhead
- Created a scalable foundation for future modernization and continuous platform improvement
The Challenge
SunAuto (Sun Auto Tire & Service, Inc.) needed to modernize an increasingly fragmented digital platform while continuing to support day-to-day business operations across multiple brands and locations.
Managing and maintaining more than 55 websites across multiple brands and locations created operational complexity and governance challenges. Platform fragmentation led to inconsistent implementation patterns, varying quality standards, and increased maintenance effort.
Legacy implementations and technical debt limited scalability and slowed delivery of new functionality. Performance, reliability, and user experience varied significantly across sites, and development, deployment, and quality-assurance processes required greater standardization to support long-term growth and modernization.
The Solution
Centralized WordPress Multisite Platform
PathToProject consolidated more than 55 independent websites into a centralized WordPress multisite platform. This provided a common foundation for governance, maintenance, deployment, and future growth while reducing platform fragmentation.
Reusable Component Architecture
A reusable component framework was implemented using Twig templates and ACF-driven content structures. This approach reduced duplication, improved consistency, and accelerated future feature delivery.
Governance And Standardization
Development standards, deployment workflows, and content-management patterns were standardized across the platform. This improved maintainability and reduced operational risk.
Performance Modernization
Performance bottlenecks were identified and addressed through architecture improvements, frontend optimization, and platform-wide best practices. The modernization effort significantly improved Lighthouse performance metrics.
Scalable Content Operations
Structured content models and reusable content components improved editorial flexibility while maintaining consistency across websites and brands.
Continuous Improvement Foundation
The platform was designed to support ongoing modernization, enhancement, and operational improvement rather than requiring future large-scale rebuilds.
Core Features
SunAuto was modernized into a centralized WordPress platform designed for governance, scalability, and long-term maintainability across a multi-location business footprint.
1
Centralized Multisite Management
Unified management of more than 55 websites through a centralized WordPress multisite platform.
2
Reusable ACF Block Framework
Reusable content blocks enabled consistent content creation while reducing implementation effort.
3
Twig-Based Component System
Twig templates provided a structured and maintainable presentation layer supporting long-term scalability.
4
Shared Design System
Common design and component patterns improved consistency across brands and locations.
5
Governance Framework
Standardized implementation and content-management practices reduced platform fragmentation.
6
Performance Optimization
Platform-wide improvements helped increase Lighthouse scores from approximately 40-60 to 80-90+.
7
Automated Deployment Workflows
Deployment processes were standardized to improve reliability and reduce operational overhead.
8
Scalable Content Architecture
Structured content models enabled future growth without requiring repeated redesigns.
9
Long-Term Maintainability
Architecture decisions focused on reducing technical debt and improving sustainability over time.
Implementation
Delivery was executed as a modernization program, combining platform assessment, multisite consolidation, reusable component architecture, standardized governance workflows, and performance optimization to create a sustainable engineering foundation.
Discovery And Platform Assessment
Existing websites, implementation patterns, technical debt, and operational risks were analyzed to create a modernization roadmap.
Multisite Consolidation Strategy
A consolidation strategy was developed to migrate and standardize more than 55 websites onto a unified platform.
Architecture Modernization
The platform architecture was redesigned around reusable components, governance principles, and long-term maintainability.
Component And Content Framework
Reusable Twig templates and ACF-driven content structures were implemented to improve consistency and editorial flexibility.
Quality Assurance Modernization
Standardized testing, validation, and release processes improved platform reliability and delivery quality.
Performance Improvement Program
Performance optimization initiatives targeted frontend delivery, architecture efficiency, and overall platform health.
Deployment Standardization
Deployment and operational workflows were standardized to reduce risk and improve predictability.
Testimonials
I've worked closely with Oly on large-scale projects that require close collaboration, attention to detail, and efficient execution. He's been a wonderful partner throughout these projects and consistently goes above and beyond to ensure the final outcome exceeds expectations.
Amy Sacchetta
Lead UX/UI Designer
Business Outcomes
SunAuto achieved measurable platform modernization outcomes through consolidation, governance standardization, reusable architecture, and performance improvements that support long-term growth.
[01]
[02]Lighthouse Scores Improved
Google Lighthouse scores improved from approximately 40-60 to 80-90+, providing a significantly stronger performance baseline.
[03]Stronger Governance
Standardized development and content-management practices improved consistency and reduced operational complexity.
[04]Reduced Technical Debt
Platform modernization reduced fragmentation and established a more maintainable long-term architecture.
[05]Faster Future Delivery
Reusable components, shared patterns, and centralized management accelerated future platform enhancements.
[06]Foundation For Continuous Modernization
The resulting platform supports ongoing growth, modernization, and operational improvement without requiring repeated large-scale rebuilds.
Used WordPress Services
These services align with the WordPress modernization, multisite architecture, governance, and performance goals delivered for SunAuto.
WordPress Platform Modernization
Upgrade-ready architecture, WordPress CI/CD and DevOps, and operational hardening
WordPress Multisite Architecture
Enterprise WordPress network design for multi-site ecosystems
Design System Architecture
Structured foundations for scalable UI design system architecture
WordPress Performance Optimization
Caching, delivery tuning, and runtime profiling
WordPress DevOps
WordPress CI/CD pipelines and environment standardization
WordPress Platform Strategy
WordPress platform strategy consulting: architecture principles, governance, and roadmap definition
Enterprise WordPress Architecture
WordPress platform architecture design for scalable enterprise platforms
Related Projects
Related modernization programs with similar platform engineering and governance outcomes.
Industry: International Organization / Environmental Policy
Business Need:
UNCCD operated four separate websites (two WordPress, two Drupal), leading to inconsistencies in design, content management, and user experience. A unified, scalable solution was needed to support a large-scale CMS migration project and improve efficiency and usability.
Challenges & Solution:
- Migrating all sites into a single, structured Drupal-based platform (government website Drupal DXP approach). - Implementing Storybook for a design system and consistency, reducing content development costs by 30–40%. - Managing input from 27 stakeholders while maintaining backend stability. - Integrating behavioral tracking, A/B testing, and optimizing performance for strong Google Lighthouse scores. - Converting Adobe InDesign assets into a fully functional web experience.
Outcome:
The modernization effort resulted in a cohesive, user-friendly, and scalable website, improving content management efficiency and long-term digital sustainability.
Industry: Healthcare / Medical Imaging
Business Need:
An advanced healthcare digital platform for LATAM was required to facilitate collaboration among radiology HCPs, distribute company knowledge, refine treatment methods, and streamline workflows. The solution needed secure medical website role-based access restrictions based on user role (HCP / non-HCP) and geographic region.
Challenges & Solution:
- Multi-level filtering for precise content discovery. - Role-based access control to support different professional needs. - Personalized HCP offices for tailored user experiences. - A structured approach to managing diverse stakeholder expectations.
Outcome:
The platform enhanced collaboration, streamlined workflows, and empowered radiology professionals with advanced tools to gain insights and optimize patient care.
Industry: Food & Beverage / Consumer Goods
Business Need:
Users were abandoning the website before fully engaging with content due to slow loading times and an overall poor performance experience.
Challenges & Solution:
- Implemented a fully headless architecture using Gatsby and Contentful. - Eliminated loading delays, enabling fast navigation and filtering. - Optimized performance to ensure a smooth user experience. - Delivered scalable content operations for global marketing teams.
Outcome:
The updated platform significantly improved speed and usability, resulting in higher user engagement, longer session durations, and increased content exploration.
Further reading on WordPress platform architecture and governance
These articles expand on the architecture and operating-model decisions behind a governed, multi-site WordPress modernization. They cover reference architecture, content and block governance, and the platform controls needed to keep a large estate maintainable over time.
