An architecture practice needed a website that did two things most portfolio sites fail at: show its work beautifully and rank on Google. Its previous site was slow and gave search engines little to work with. We delivered a fast, SEO-ready rebuild that lifted organic clicks by 214%.
The brief
Architects are judged on their work, so a practice website has to present projects with care. But a site built purely as a visual portfolio often performs badly in search: heavy images slow it down, project pages carry little text and there is no structure for Google to understand what the practice does or where it works.
The brief was to keep the visual quality that a design-led audience expects while rebuilding the site so it loads quickly, is easy to navigate on any device and gives the practice a genuine chance of being found by the clients it wants.
What we did
We rebuilt the site from the ground up with performance as a starting point rather than an afterthought. Project imagery was optimised and delivered efficiently so the site stays fast without compromising on how the work looks, and the templates were built cleanly so pages load quickly on mobile as well as desktop.
The structure was redesigned around how clients search. Rather than a single gallery, projects were organised so each sits within a clear category, and service and sector content was added so the site explains what the practice does in words as well as pictures. Page titles, headings, metadata and internal links were all set up to make that structure clear to search engines.
Clear enquiry paths were built into project and service pages, so a visitor who is impressed by the work can get in touch without hunting for a contact page, and analytics were set up to measure organic traffic from launch.
Why it works
A fast, well-structured site is rewarded twice: visitors stay longer and Google ranks it more readily. By treating SEO as part of the design rather than a layer added afterwards, the rebuild gave the practice both a better-looking portfolio and a site that earns its own traffic.
Describing the work in text alongside the imagery is what makes the difference for search. It gives Google the context it needs to connect the practice with the searches prospective clients make.
The result
The rebuild lifted organic clicks by 214%, giving the practice a portfolio that showcases its work and brings in visitors from search rather than relying on referrals alone.
Frequently asked questions
Do you build websites for other architects and design practices?
Yes. We work with architects, designers and other creative and professional practices across the UK, and we understand the balance between visual presentation and search performance.
Can a portfolio site be image-heavy and still fast?
Yes, with the right image optimisation and delivery. Speed comes from how images are prepared and loaded, not from using fewer of them.
What makes a site SEO-ready?
Clean structure, fast loading, clear page titles and headings, descriptive content alongside imagery, and proper metadata and internal linking from launch.
How long does a portfolio site rebuild take?
It depends on the number of projects and how much content is ready, but most practice sites take a few weeks from brief to launch.
Can you keep improving our rankings after launch?
Yes. We offer ongoing SEO on rolling monthly terms with no long contracts, starting with a free audit of where you stand.
