The scope of work included updating both the back and front-end of its online platform and members portal. Having conducted a phase of pre-project consultancy it became apparent that while improving the efficacy and effectiveness of the website back end, it was also important to the client that the development team for this project was able to maintain the features and functionality that were already in place, particularly the functioning platforms’ ‘Consumer’ and ‘Member’ zones. 

The second key element of the project was that the new look and feel of the site should prompt user engagement. ABTA wanted a website that would aid productivity and interaction among its members and had a clear direction of how it wanted to achieve this, requiring an agency that could accurately interpret this vision and make it a reality.

Key features of the project:

• Brand new CMS solution is driven by a Drupal Front-End
• Laravel Back-End integration to complement the new CMS
• Search Engine Optimisation gains
• Increased engagement with Member interaction and number of users
• CRM API integration
• Fully managed hosting service
• Ongoing support contract to ensure the smooth running of solution

Working closely with ABTA and understanding its requirements, we advised that the legacy CMS system, Expression Engine, was to be replaced with a Drupal front-end paired with a Laravel back-end. This would give ABTA more control over its site. We also implemented React Instant Search for its member search functionality to significantly upgrade the search mechanism thus improving the member user experience. 

The project went through a full and detailed scoping cycle, both in terms of the design and also with regards to the more technical aspects of the platform, this included areas such as member application, self-service areas and CRM integration to name a few. 

As a full-service digital agency, we were able to offer ABTA a range of in-house services and solutions to supplement the project and ensure its success. The website build took place during the introduction of GDPR, which presented a perfect opportunity for us to work closely with ABTA to optimise and refine the database while removing information that no longer complied with the new GDPR regulations.

Since launch, our partnership with ABTA has evolved into an ongoing programme of digital improvement, focused on delivering a better experience for members and visitors while helping ABTA get more value from its website.

In 2025, we transformed ABTA’s public-facing website with a fresh, more engaging design, improved mobile navigation and a more flexible approach to page building. The result is a stronger digital experience that is easier for visitors to navigate and easier for ABTA’s team to manage, develop and grow.

Alongside this, our digital marketing team has worked closely with ABTA to improve SEO, content, search rankings and organic visibility. These initiatives have delivered significant gains in search performance, increasing ABTA’s visibility and helping more potential visitors discover its content and services online.