Texas Real Estate
Research Center

TRERC’s extensive library of 40,000 pages housed critical research and reports. The challenge was to transition this content from SharePoint to WordPress while preserving data integrity, metadata, and existing URLs for SEO continuity.

Users relied heavily on TRERC’s data-driven reports, but the legacy site’s search capabilities were cumbersome and inefficient. Improving search accuracy and speed while creating intuitive navigation with features like auto-suggestions and error-tolerant search capabilities was essential.

As a public-facing resource, TRERC needed its site to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards for accessibility. This required significant design and development adjustments to ensure usability for individuals with disabilities.

With a growing audience and resource-intensive content, the new site needed a robust infrastructure to ensure fast load times, minimal downtime, and future scalability.

TRERC aimed to replace static data visualizations with dynamic, interactive tools powered by a SQL database containing millions of rows. This required leveraging modern data visualization technology to create user-friendly interfaces that allow users to interact with and explore data in meaningful ways

The site needed to fetch and display real-time data seamlessly through various API integrations. Developing APIs that enable front-end components to consume large-scale datasets while maintaining performance was critical to delivering a robust and up-to-date user experience.

We began the redevelopment process with an extensive discovery phase, engaging TRERC’s team and audience at every step. Stakeholder interviews identified key pain points in the existing site and CMS, guiding the development of a tailored project plan. Personas were created to understand audience motivations and goals, ensuring the redesign met user needs. Agile methodology and two-week sprints, each followed by stakeholder reviews, kept the project on track and aligned with TRERC’s vision.

To serve TRERC’s distinct user groups effectively, we designed an audience-based navigation system. Content was reorganized into intuitive dropdown menus, grouping relevant information for each user type. This structure enables users to quickly locate essential resources and make the most of the Center’s extensive content library.

We implemented a powerful on-site search tool that allows users to locate information with precision. Positioned prominently at the top of every page, the search feature supports filtering across diverse content types, including articles, podcasts, data sets, and more. This advanced system empowers users to explore the site comprehensively and efficiently.

To modernize TRERC’s data presentation, we transformed static visualizations into interactive tools powered by a robust SQL database. Users can now filter, search, and export data directly within the visualizations, creating a dynamic and engaging experience. This approach not only enhances usability but also provides deeper insights into the Center’s extensive research.

Migrating the site from SharePoint to WordPress on WP Engine significantly streamlined content management for TRERC. The new CMS enables the team to embed media, format content, and manage data seamlessly in one centralized platform. This transition reduces the administrative burden and improves efficiency for content updates.

We implemented API integrations to allow real-time data updates, ensuring the site displays the latest information without manual intervention. This functionality supports seamless connectivity between TRERC’s backend systems and the user-facing interface, further enhancing reliability and user experience.

The new WordPress site was built with a modular block architecture, enabling TRERC to scale effortlessly. Whether adding new features, updating content, or expanding services, the platform provides the flexibility required to adapt to evolving needs.

The redesigned Texas Real Estate Research Center website sets a new benchmark for usability and data accessibility. Built on a scalable WordPress platform, the site delivers an exceptional user experience while meeting the diverse needs of TRERC’s audiences, including real estate professionals, researchers, and the public.

Key achievements include:

• Dynamic Data Visualizations: Interactive tools powered by an SQL database enable users to filter, search, and export millions of data points, enhancing research capabilities and engagement.
• Enhanced User Experience: Audience-based navigation and advanced search functionality ensure intuitive access to resources, boosting user satisfaction.
• Real-Time Updates: API integrations allow seamless delivery of up-to-date information, maintaining the site’s relevance and reliability.
• Scalable Platform: The modular WordPress architecture supports future growth, ensuring the platform adapts to TRERC’s evolving needs.
• Streamlined Content Management: The WordPress CMS empowers TRERC’s team to manage content and data effortlessly, improving operational efficiency.
• Improved Accessibility: Compliance with WCAG 2.1 AA standards ensures inclusivity for all users, regardless of ability.

The result is a future-ready platform that not only enhances TRERC’s digital presence but also supports their mission to provide valuable insights and data to the real estate industry and the public.