Business Websites

Project Case Study: Rebuilding the Digital Foundation for Wada Group

Wada Group approached us with a frustrating dilemma: they had launched a brand-new website, but after two months online, it was completely invisible on search engines. What began as a rescue mission to fix minor indexing issues quickly revealed deep-seated structural flaws. By pivoting from a “patchwork” approach to a strategic, ground-up rebuild, we delivered a high-performing, search-optimised website that finally gives the Wada Group the digital presence they deserve.

The Challenge: Invisible Online

Despite having a live website for over 60 days, Wada Group was experiencing zero search engine visibility. They were effectively operating with digital invisible ink.

Upon auditing the site, we uncovered several critical roadblocks:

• Zero Search Engine Indexing: The website had never been submitted to Google Search Console, meaning search crawlers didn’t even know it existed.
• Technical Debt: The site’s backend was riddled with structural errors, broken links, and bloated code that severely throttled page speed and user experience.
• Poor SEO Foundation: Basic on-page SEO elements such as meta descriptions, proper header hierarchies ($H_1$, $H_2$, $H_3$), and image alt text were absent.

The Pivot: Patching vs. Rebuilding

Our initial instinct was to patch the existing site to save the client time and budget. However, as we dug deeper into the backend, we realised that patching was a losing battle.

The Diagnostic Verdict:
Attempting to fix the existing site was akin to building a house on a cracked foundation. The hours required to constantly “plug the leaks” would have surpassed the cost of a fresh start, leaving the client with an unstable, slow website.

We consulted with the Wada Group, laid out the diagnostic data, and recommended a complete, strategic rebuild. They trusted our expertise and gave us the green light.

The Strategy & Execution

With a clean slate, we designed a comprehensive roadmap focused on long-term scalability, performance, and search visibility.

1. Planning & Information Architecture

We restructured the site’s navigation and user journeys to ensure that both human visitors and search engine crawlers could easily navigate the content.

2. Ground-Up Development

• Built a lightweight, responsive, and secure website.
• Optimised clean code to ensure lightning-fast load times (a critical Google ranking factor).
• Designed a modern, intuitive UI that reflected the Wada Group’s premium brand identity.

3. SEO Integration & Launch Strategy

• Set up and configured Google Search Console and Google Analytics.
• Generated and submitted dynamic XML sitemaps to prompt immediate indexing.
• Implemented strict on-page SEO best practices (schema markup, optimised metadata, and mobile-friendly layouts).

The Results 

The Wada Group now has a digital asset they can finally be proud of.

• Immediate Indexing: Within days of launching the rebuilt site, Google successfully crawled and indexed the pages.
• Search Visibility: Wada Group now appears organically for key branded and industry search terms.
• Enhanced User Experience: The new site boasts significantly faster load times, seamless mobile responsiveness, and an intuitive user flow.
• A Happy Client: The Wada Group team is thrilled with the final product, confident that their digital storefront is now working for them, not against them.

Design a modern looking but minimalist dark themed website for an IT company based in the USA. The site must include an online support ticketing system and easy backend management and reporting. The brief included a brand design, logo and copy writing.

Rescuing a Community Lifeline and Rebuilding on the Airwaves

The Project at a Glance

Role: Digital Partner & Developer

Services Provided: Web Design & Rebuilding, Custom UX/UI, Audio Stream Integration, Ongoing Support

Tech Stack & Integrations: WordPress, Live Audio Streaming Server, Bricks Builder

The Challenge

Eastwave FM (broadcasting on 92.2 FM) is more than just a radio station; it is a vital cultural hub for Gauteng’s community, connecting listeners locally and internationally with Bollywood hits, news, and entertainment.

However, they faced a devastating digital roadblock. After we built their initial website, an external community support group gained access and unfortunately destroyed the entire digital platform, leaving Eastwave FM completely offline and cut off from their digital listeners.

We couldn’t let a vital community voice stay silent. Sarlie Digital stepped in to “adopt” Eastwave FM, taking on the responsibility to completely rebuild its digital flagship from scratch and get it back on the airwaves.

The Insight: A radio station’s website isn’t a static brochure; it is a live, breathing broadcast tool. In a digital-first world, if your stream is down, half your audience is gone. Our goal was to build a highly secure, indestructible, and ultra-fast platform that guaranteed uninterrupted streaming for their global listeners.

Our Approach & Solution

1. The Redundant, Secure Rebuild

First and foremost, we addressed security. We built a hardened WordPress infrastructure designed to prevent unauthorised access and future digital disruptions. With automatic backups and enterprise-grade security protocols, we ensured Eastwave FM’s new digital home was robust and secure.

2. Frictionless Live Streaming (The “PLAY” Feature)

A radio station website is only as good as its player. We integrated a lightweight, low-latency live audio streaming player that sits prominently across the site. Whether listeners are tuning in from a desktop in Johannesburg or a mobile device in London, they get a crystal-clear, uninterrupted broadcast with a single click.

3. Dynamic Program Scheduling & DJ Spotlights

We designed an intuitive, easy-to-navigate interface that showcases Eastwave FM’s diverse weekly lineup from The Breakfast Cafe to Lunch with Nazia.

• Active Show Schedules: Listeners can quickly see what’s currently on air and what’s coming up next.

• Community Events & Gala Calendars: A centralised hub to promote their annual gala and local community initiatives.

• DJ & Student Hubs: Space dedicated to highlighting local talent and training students, fostering community engagement.

4. The “Adoption” Initiative (Ongoing Community Support)

Because Eastwave FM is a non-profit community initiative, we didn’t just build the site and walk away. We have officially adopted the station’s digital infrastructure, providing continuous website maintenance, hosting, and technical support to ensure they stay online, secure, and thriving for years to come.

The Results

We got Eastwave FM back where they belong: online and connected to its community. The newly launched platform is fast, modern, and highly engaging.

With a streamlined live-streaming system and a dynamic schedule builder, Sarlie Digital has successfully future-proofed Eastwave FM’s web presence. Today, the station continues to broadcast to thousands of listeners daily with total peace of mind, backed by our continuous support.

This was a basic copy of the current site but using our Bricks Builder website building tools for improved speed, load times and easier management.

Client wanted a rebuild and a site that will function primarily as a product catalogue allowing their customers to view their products and place orders quickly.

The second edition of the Khavho Group website. We did the 1st site in 2018. This is a redesign for a more modern look and feel to incorporate the groups new brand and business growth.

We have been working Style and Designs digital work for over 5 years. This is the 2nd version of their website with a focus on incorporating their business services with e-commerce. This is work in progress because the site will evolve with the business growth and direction. We happy to be part of this journey.

We built Anolog Engineering their very first site. This was challenging. Apart from receiving a very old PDF document for the company profile and a small blurry logo, we had to create everything. We are happy with the final result and this should serve Anolog for many years.

Redesign an existing site. The focus was on user experience and user interface improvements. There was a strong focus 🙂 on using custom fields to allow the client to update site content without relying on us. This project took many months and we are glad to see it live.

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