fmld.at
A complex migration of an old, custom-programmed PHP website to a modern WordPress solution with a catalog function was implemented for the client.
The SQL database structure had to be reconstructed by analyzing the source code and database tables in order to correctly migrate the content.
The new system offers GUI-based administration, WooCommerce as a deactivated product catalog, SEO optimization with Yoast, and the integration of existing JavaScript functions.
The installation was carried out on an internal Windows server with restricted permissions, which required close coordination with the network technician.
WordPress-Based Website with Catalog Function
Customer Requirements
The client requested the migration of a legacy custom-built PHP website to a modern, WordPress-based solution.
The new system needed to be fully manageable through a graphical user interface (GUI), include a catalog feature for product presentation, and allow on-page SEO optimization to be handled by an external agency.
An integrated online shop was not required — products were to be displayed only, without direct ordering functionality.
Implementation
The project began with an extensive analysis of the existing system architecture.
Since no documentation or data model was available, it was necessary to reconstruct the SQL database structure by studying both the MySQL tables and the underlying PHP code. This analysis made it possible to fully understand the internal data relationships and ensure a clean data migration.
All relevant content was extracted directly from the MySQL database, exported into text files, and imported into WordPress — partly through SQL insert statements directly into the corresponding tables, and partly using the All Import plugin.
The previous custom system presented several issues:
- Hardcoded image paths and CSS rules that could only be modified by the original developer
- Frequent system errors caused by outdated code (e.g., broken file uploads)
- Non-SEO-compatible image galleries, implemented entirely in JavaScript and therefore not indexable by search engines
- Lack of maintainability, as the client was unable to make changes after cooperation with the original developer ended
After demonstrating the flexibility and capabilities of WordPress, the client decided to proceed with a full migration. The requested GUI control for fonts, images, and drag-and-drop galleries was implemented easily within WordPress.
For the catalog functionality, WooCommerce was chosen, with all e-commerce features (cart, checkout, payment) disabled.
This approach allows the client to showcase products while maintaining the option to enable full shop functionality in the future with minimal effort.
A special challenge was posed by the internal Windows server environment, which provided very limited access rights for both WordPress and development tasks. This required close collaboration with the network technician to ensure stable operation and secure configuration.
The on-page SEO capabilities (such as image descriptions, proper heading hierarchy, and clean “pretty URLs”) were supported by WordPress itself and refined through the Yoast SEO plugin.
Finally, existing JavaScript-based email collection functions, which the client wished to preserve, were integrated into the new theme through custom code, retaining both the original look and core functionality of the previous site.