In a sweeping initiative to enhance its online presence, Gcore embarked on a comprehensive website transformation aimed at enriching user experience from the very first click. This ambitious project tackled multiple fronts, including security enhancements, SEO improvements, and accessibility advancements, all while addressing internal challenges such as low conversion rates and complex website management responsibilities. By treating their website as a product, Gcore strategically laid out a long-term plan with clear management and ownership, resulting in remarkable outcomes that have set a new standard for the company’s digital footprint.
Security was the cornerstone of Gcore’s transformation. The company recognized the imperative need to mitigate vulnerabilities and ensure a robust defense against potential threats. Implementing Single Sign-On (SSO) authentication was a critical first step. SSO centralized user access, simplifying the login process and minimizing security risks by consolidating authentication points. This move significantly reduced critical vulnerabilities, as noted by Nikolay Baranov, a key team member. In April 2024, Gcore further fortified its defenses by deploying a Web Application Firewall (WAF) and bot protection measures. These enhancements halved the frequency of Incident Command Meetings (ICMs) related to security breaches, underscoring the efficacy of these new protocols. Complementing these measures was the introduction of DDoS Protection, which ensured high availability and achieved an impressive 99.99% uptime over the past 30 days. To further enhance site stability, Gcore implemented automatic pod scaling—first on their blog in December 2023, and then on the main site by February 2024. This technology dynamically adjusted server resources to match traffic demands, reducing ICMs and boosting uptime from 80% to a stellar 99.99% year-over-year. Karen Bzhshkyan, another team member, highlighted the significance of this upgrade, stating, “Automatic pod scaling has been a game-changer for our site stability.”
Parallel to security enhancements, Gcore placed a strong emphasis on optimizing its website for search engines. Structured data markup was meticulously added to product pages, significantly improving search visibility and boosting the website’s health scores from 60/100 in December 2022 to a perfect 100 by June 2024. Unique HTML tags tailored specifically for list content further enhanced mobile performance, improving key metrics such as Largest Contentful Paint (LCP) by 32% and First Contentful Paint (FCP) by 46%. The optimization of Google Tag Manager (GTM) played a pivotal role in streamlining resource utilization. By removing 300 redundant tags, Gcore reduced page load times, thereby enhancing overall site performance. “Simplifying our GTM setup was essential for faster page loads,” noted Daria Gromova. Advanced image optimization techniques were also deployed, including the use of WEBP format and Gzip compression. These measures not only improved LCP and FCP but also contributed to higher search rankings. The cumulative effect of these SEO strategies was a fivefold increase in organic traffic, a corresponding rise in engaged sessions, and an elevenfold surge in conversions year-over-year.
Accessibility was another critical pillar of Gcore’s website transformation. The company took deliberate steps to make its website more accessible to users with visual impairments by adjusting color schemes in line with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG). Font-size adjustments were also made to improve readability, and better alt texts for images were incorporated to enhance both accessibility and SEO. Addressing 404 errors was another significant milestone in Gcore’s accessibility journey. By automating 404 error detection and streamlining redirect chains, the company improved navigation speed and efficiency. “We ensured users get to the right pages quickly, which is crucial for user experience,” said Ochuko Eyube. These accessibility improvements led to a 21% increase in engagement rates and a fivefold increase in engaged sessions year-over-year.
Gcore’s comprehensive website transformation offers valuable insights for businesses aiming to elevate their online presence. By treating their website as a product, Gcore successfully implemented a structured, data-driven approach that yielded measurable results. The focus on security, SEO, and accessibility created a cohesive strategy that addressed multiple facets of user experience. The combination of SSO authentication, WAF, DDoS protection, and automatic pod scaling significantly enhanced site stability and security. Meanwhile, structured data markup, unique HTML tags, and GTM optimization bolstered SEO, driving organic traffic and engagement. Accessibility enhancements ensured that the website was usable by a broader audience, further boosting user engagement.
Looking ahead, Gcore is well-positioned to continue its upward trajectory. The ongoing focus on security and performance monitoring will likely keep vulnerabilities at bay and maintain high uptime. Future SEO strategies may include further refinements in structured data and image optimization, as search engine algorithms continue to evolve. Accessibility will remain a key area of focus, with potential future developments including voice search optimization and more advanced assistive technologies. As Gcore continues to innovate, the company could serve as a model for how to balance performance, security, and user experience in a cohesive strategy. In summary, Gcore’s approach to treating their website as a product has proven to be a successful strategy for driving significant improvements across multiple metrics. By sharing their journey, Gcore offers a roadmap for other organizations looking to enhance their online customer experiences. Their holistic strategy has not only set new performance benchmarks but also underscored the importance of a user-centric approach in today’s digital landscape.
