Global Business School Barcelona (GBSB) Website Migration & Redesign

From the outset, it was clear that design would play a pivotal role. GBSB wanted a site that felt truly international, modern, and competitive in the higher education space.

The existing content also had to be migrated seamlessly and the new platform needed to strike a balance between polished design and day-to-day usability for a team with limited technical experience.

Collaboration & Design Process

We worked closely with the GBSB team to establish a design language that was both distinctive and consistent across the entire site. This involved more than just applying a fresh coat of paint, it meant building a flexible design system that could handle the complexity of different course types, locations, and information while still feeling cohesive.

The process was iterative. We involved their team at every stage, presenting design prototypes and refining them until the balance felt right: modern enough to stand out in a competitive market, but structured enough to ensure clarity for prospective students.

Building on WordPress

Once the design direction was established, we migrated the entire site from Drupal to WordPress. This was not a simple one-to-one transfer. Content structures were reorganised, navigation was simplified, and interactive elements were introduced to create a more engaging experience.

One of the most significant hurdles came near the end of the project. Like many teams new to WordPress, GBSB’s staff were unfamiliar with its block-based editing approach. Used to the limitations of Drupal, they expected more of a page-builder style “freeform” editing experience. While Gutenberg offers flexibility, it requires a degree of structure and training to use effectively — something that only became fully clear to the team during the final rollout.

Turning a Restriction into an Advantage

Rather than seeing this as a setback, we treated it as an opportunity. We developed a tailored editing experience that gave GBSB the control they wanted without overwhelming them with complexity. By creating custom block patterns and reusable templates, their team gained the freedom to build new pages while still staying consistent with the design system.

This hybrid approach bridged the gap between the rigidity of Drupal and the creative freedom of a full page builder, ensuring GBSB’s staff could confidently manage and expand the site going forward.

The Outcome

The result was a clean, responsive, and future-ready website that elevated GBSB’s digital presence. Not only did the new site showcase their brand with impact, it also empowered their team to take ownership of content without needing technical expertise.

Within weeks of launch, GBSB saw measurable improvements in site performance and search visibility, while students benefited from a smoother, more intuitive experience. Perhaps most importantly, the project left GBSB with a platform designed not just for today’s needs but for future growth, ensuring the school can continue to evolve online as its global reputation expands.