Integrating a new WordPress CMS into a rigid Hostaway platform to improve UX

https://givendalecottages.co.uk/

Givendale Cottages had a rigid website structure using the Hostaway platform, which caused issues with indexing the usability. We switched the website to WordPress, building out a better user experience and more SEO friendly pages.

The results

The problem

Givendale Cottages was operating on a Hostaway-powered website that prioritised booking functionality over flexibility. While it served its purpose as a property management tool, it created clear limitations from both an SEO and user experience perspective.

The structure was rigid, with limited control over key on-page elements such as metadata, internal linking, and content hierarchy. This made it difficult to properly optimise pages for search intent or expand into new keyword opportunities. Important pages lacked depth, and there was no scalable way to build out supporting content or landing pages.

From a technical standpoint, indexing was inconsistent. Search engines struggled to fully understand and prioritise key pages due to templated layouts, limited crawl control, and dependency on scripts for core functionality. This restricted organic visibility and made performance improvements difficult to implement.

On the user side, the experience was equally constrained. Navigation was basic, page layouts were inflexible, and there was little opportunity to guide users through a considered journey from discovery to booking. The result was a website that functioned, but didn’t perform.

The solution

We migrated the website to WordPress, giving full control over both structure and performance, while maintaining integration with Hostaway for bookings.

The new setup allowed us to rebuild the site architecture around how users actually search for and explore cottage stays. We introduced clear page hierarchies, optimised internal linking, and created dedicated landing pages targeting key themes such as location, stay type, and local experiences.

From a technical SEO perspective, we implemented clean URL structures, improved crawlability, and ensured all key pages were indexable and properly prioritised. Page speed and Core Web Vitals were also addressed through a lighter, more efficient front-end build.

On the UX side, the site was redesigned to better support decision-making. We improved navigation, introduced clearer calls to action, and created a more seamless path from browsing to booking. At the same time, Hostaway remained integrated via API and widgets, ensuring no disruption to availability, pricing, or booking functionality.

The result was a flexible, SEO-ready platform that supports both organic growth and a significantly improved user experience.