MANAGED WORDPRESS
Safeguarding Wildlife
and Web Security With
a Smarter Site
A streamlined website, enhanced site protections, and SEO-driven growth help
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation boost engagement and revenue.
Site:
Industry:
Nonprofit - Conservation
"We are really pleased with the end result, and are already seeing significant SEO improvement and website income growth after just a few months."
——Roddy Hamblin, COO, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation
56%
Increase in engaged sessions per user
44%
Increase in avg. engagement time
25%
YoY growth in donations and campaigns
The Client
David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) is a dedicated wildlife conservation charity raising vital funds to support frontline conservation projects across Africa and Asia. Founded in 1984 by renowned wildlife artist and conservationist David Shepherd, DSWF works to end wildlife crime and protect endangered species in their natural habitats. The organization combines grassroots action with global advocacy, empowering indigenous communities to protect endangered wildlife. Through strategic partnerships, direct funding, and community-led solutions, DSWF drives lasting impact in wildlife conservation.
StrategiQ is a strategy-first marketing agency helping ambitious brands exceed their goals through advisory, creative, marketing, and technology solutions. Founded in 2013, the London-based firm has grown into a full-service digital agency with over 60 experts across the UK. A WP Engine Strategic Agency Partner, StrategiQ offers integrated marketing services, including digital consultancy, web development, branding, design, UX, SEO, CRO, PPC, social media, email, PR, content marketing, and video production.
The Challenge
Enhance DSWF’s digital presence to grow organic visibility and drive revenue. With a multitude of plugins and a lack of centralized oversight, the organization’s existing website struggled with performance, security, and SEO issues. StrategiQ was tasked with securing and rebuilding the site, optimizing for speed and security, enhancing the user experience, and consolidating key functionalities.
The Solution
To modernize and streamline DSWF’s web presence for better performance, usability, and revenue, StrategiQ introduced a stunning new UI design using a bespoke WordPress theme, reducing plugins, and integrating user-friendly adoption and donation apps. A new content architecture enhanced SEO, while migrating to WP Engine’s platform improved security and performance. Upgraded payment options, including direct debits and digital wallets, also boosted donor retention and mobile conversions.
The Results
Over the past several decades, David Shepherd Wildlife Foundation (DSWF) has established itself as a leading force in protecting endangered species across Africa and Asia, building a sustainable conservation effort with global reach.
However, the organization’s outdated digital presence had begun to hinder its mission. Its website struggled with performance, poor mobile UX, security challenges, and SEO penalties applied by Google, which suppressed its visibility.
Additionally, the site’s fragmented structure was reliant on more than 70 different plugins, creating inefficiencies that made content management and donor engagement increasingly difficult.
Tapped to rebuild the site and future-proof it for years to come, the team at StrategiQ transformed DSWF’s digital ecosystem, ensuring it offered a modern, secure, and user-friendly experience that aligns with the organization’s conservation goals.
Following a detailed website audit, StrategiQ identified key objectives: securing and stabilizing the website, redesigning with a mobile-first approach, implementing a robust SEO strategy, consolidating donation and adoption functionalities, and simplifying content management through a bespoke WordPress theme using ACF Blocks.
By migrating the site to WP Engine’s platform, StrategiQ also enhanced site security, streamlined performance, and optimized SEO, restoring DSWF’s online visibility.
Legacy content was seamlessly transferred using a NodeJS migration engine, while bespoke Vue.js apps for animal adoptions and donations improved user engagement.
Integration of the GoCardless API enabled recurring donations, and digital wallet options like Apple Pay boosted mobile conversion rates.
"Empowering the in-house team with a more accessible CMS was a key priority. By leveraging enhanced tools like ACF Blocks, we provided full flexibility for them to build out pages and campaigns using pre-designed blocks—eliminating the need to rely on an agency for updates," said StrategiQ CTO James Bavington.
"WP Engine’s platform delivered the security and stability we’ve come to expect from the leader in WordPress hosting, and this combination of tools, technology, and our longstanding agency partnership allowed us to align seamlessly with the client’s vision."
The reimagined site has yielded significant results, including:
- SEO recovery: Resolved Google penalties, restored organic traffic, and improved search rankings—including a rise to position 4 for "pangolin facts," up from position 12.
- User engagement: GA4 metrics showed a 44% increase in average engagement time and a 56% rise in engaged sessions per user.
- Revenue growth: Early SEO efforts increased organic revenue even before the full site launch, contributing to a 25% YoY growth target across donations and campaigns.
- Increased visibility: Following the redesign, the BBC contacted DSWF for expertise on pangolins after discovering the site through improved search rankings.
- Website performance: Faster load times, improved navigation, and frictionless payment options reduced bounce rates and drove engagement.
The project also earned StrategiQ a WP Engine Agency Partner Award for “Committed to Give Back,” recognizing the agency’s dedication to creating impactful digital experiences that advance nonprofit missions and drive meaningful conservation efforts.
With a revitalized digital presence, DSWF is now better equipped to connect with supporters, grow its conservation impact, and sustain its mission for years to come.
The new website fosters deeper engagement with key audiences—including donors, corporate sponsors, schools, and conservation enthusiasts—ensuring continued support for endangered species across Africa and Asia.
Most Trusted WordPress Hosting and Beyond
We power the freedom to create
Create and maintain your online presence more effectively and with fewer headaches with a hosting solution built specifically for WordPress.