Meraki Global Advisors – A Digital Rebirth
The Challenge
On October 31st, 2024, Meraki’s existing WordPress site was breached. An attacker exploited a vulnerability in a root file that acted as a gateway to the database. The site went down. The integrity of their digital presence was in question.
By November 1st, I was manually auditing server logs and firewalls. The breach was severe, and as a hedge fund management firm, the stakes were high.
The Vision
“We don’t want another WordPress situation. We want a fortress.” – CEO
I proposed two paths: a raw HTML5 + JS build, or something modular and modern. They chose Astro, paired with WordPress used strictly as a headless CMS. This meant we could keep content-editing convenience without sacrificing speed or security.
The Execution
- Rebuilt the site from scratch using Astro and Tailwind
- Deployed to Vercel with atomic builds and CI/CD
- Hardened the WP instance, exposing only REST API endpoints
- Created a CI pipeline that deployed changes from headless WP to Astro instantly
- Implemented AOS, performance tweaks, SEO enhancements
As scope expanded, so did the site: new content, layout reworks, rebranding. What started as a rescue turned into a reimagining.
The Outcome
- Stable, fast, and secure web presence for a high-stakes industry
- Improved SEO scores and Lighthouse audits
- Full client satisfaction and continued collaboration
- A showcase for headless CMS + Astro power
Technologies Used
- Astro.js
- WordPress (Headless)
- TailwindCSS
- Vercel
- REST API
- AOS Animation Library
Quote
“This wasn’t a redesign—it was a rescue mission turned into a digital evolution.”