WebCitz started working with this client in 2021
- Client: Garner Products
- Platform: Joomla
- Industry: Business & Professional Services
- Services: Maintenance / Support
The Challenge
Garner Products operates in the high-stakes world of government and corporate data security. Their website is a critical tool for showcasing industrial-grade hardware that must meet strict NSA and international compliance standards. In 2021, they faced a common but difficult technical crossroads:
- Joomla Lifecycle Management: Their existing Joomla site reached a point where an “in-place” upgrade was necessary to maintain security and functionality.
- Modernization Needs: They needed to decide whether to invest in a heavy Joomla rebuild or pivot to a platform that offered more integrated marketing and CRM tools.
- High-Value Content Protection: As a manufacturer of complex hardware, ensuring their technical specs, whitepapers, and product videos remained intact during any transition was paramount.
The WebCitz Solution
We acted as their senior technical advisors, helping them weigh the pros and cons of their platform architecture:
- Upgrade Feasibility Analysis: We performed a deep dive into their existing Joomla environment to determine the path to a modern version. This involved auditing their custom extensions, templates, and database structure to map out a migration plan.
- Platform Strategy Consulting: We provided honest, expert guidance on the effort required to maintain a custom Joomla build versus moving to a SaaS-based solution. This type of “technology scouting” is a core part of our consulting service – helping clients choose the tool that best fits their internal team’s capabilities.
- Technical Guidance: Even though the Joomla upgrade wasn’t eventually launched, our involvement gave them the clarity to recognize that HubSpot better aligned with their goals for lead tracking and marketing automation.
- Supportive Partnership: We provided the technical documentation and insights necessary for their team to make an informed decision about their digital future.
The Result
While the relationship was short-term, our consulting work served as the catalyst for Garner Products to finalize their digital strategy. By evaluating the Joomla upgrade path with a professional agency like WebCitz, they were able to pivot to HubSpot with confidence. It’s a great example of our “Honesty First” approach – we’d rather help a client find the right solution for their needs than push a specific platform.
