In today’s fast-evolving digital landscape, your website is not just a virtual storefront; it’s a critical tool for reaching your audience, driving sales, and building your brand’s credibility. Yet, for many businesses, websites that were cutting-edge years ago can quickly become outdated—both in terms of technology and user experience. Recently, we encountered such a case with one of our long-time hosting clients, Hockley Valley Brewing Company, a well-known craft beer brand in Canada.

The Challenge: Upgrading from PHP 5 to PHP 7 (and Beyond)

Hockley Valley Brewing’s website had been last updated in 2014, back when PHP 5 was the standard and accessibility was a barely discussed topic. As their hosting provider for over 20 years, we’ve ensured their site remained online, but it became clear that a major overhaul was overdue. PHP 5, which reached its end of life in 2019, is no longer secure or supported—making it a liability for businesses that rely on it.

When we attempted to upgrade their site to PHP 7, numerous errors and fatal issues surfaced due to outdated code and a lack of proper updates over the years. After some investigative work, we discovered:

The original developers had built the site using a parent theme directly instead of a child theme. This meant that all customizations were deeply embedded in the core files, making updates virtually impossible without overwriting critical modifications.

Key plugins were outdated or abandoned by their creators, leading to compatibility issues.

The site lacked modern standards such as mobile responsiveness, accessibility features, and optimal performance metrics.

The Solution: Emergency Fixes and a Plan for the Future

To keep Hockley Valley Brewing’s site operational, we stepped in to resolve the immediate PHP 7 compatibility issues—meticulously updating code by hand to ensure that their website could function on a supported version of PHP. We did this at no cost to the client, understanding the critical need to keep their digital presence live.

As a long-time fan of their craft beers, especially the iconic Hockley Dark, we’ve always enjoyed supporting their business—not just as their web host but also as a loyal customer. There’s something special about seeing a client’s brand thrive, knowing you’ve been part of their journey.

However, we also advised them that this was only a temporary solution. The site’s underlying architecture and design needed a complete overhaul to:

Ensure Long-Term Compatibility: Moving to PHP 8 (and staying up-to-date with future versions) requires a robust, modular, and maintainable site architecture.

Enhance Security: Outdated themes and plugins are a haven for vulnerabilities.

Improve User Experience: Modern users expect fast-loading, mobile-responsive sites with intuitive navigation.

Address Accessibility: Compliance with WCAG standards is not just ethical but increasingly mandated in various regions.

Why Businesses Need to Act Now

If your website hasn’t been updated in years, you could be facing similar issues—and they may not always manifest until something breaks. Here’s why updating your site is critical:

Security: Older platforms are prime targets for cyberattacks.

Performance: Users won’t stick around for slow or unresponsive sites.

Compliance: Accessibility and privacy laws are growing stricter.

Longevity: Regular updates prevent costly emergency fixes down the line.

Why Choose Us for Your Website Modernization?

At The Ian Scott Group, we don’t just fix problems—we future-proof your website. Here’s how:

Proactive Problem Solvers: As demonstrated with Hockley Valley Brewing, we’re not afraid to roll up our sleeves and solve immediate issues, but we’ll also help you plan for the future.

Tailored Solutions: We specialize in creating custom, modern websites that align with your brand and audience.

Accessibility Experts: Our designs meet or exceed WCAG standards, ensuring your site is inclusive and compliant.

Proven Track Record: With decades of experience, we’ve helped businesses across industries thrive online.

The Outcome for Hockley Valley Brewing Company

By addressing their immediate issues and proposing a clear path forward, we’ve ensured that Hockley Valley Brewing Company can continue to connect with their audience. We’re now working with them on a plan to modernize their website fully, incorporating the latest technologies and design principles to keep them competitive in the craft beer market.

Is Your Website Ready for the Future?

If your site hasn’t been updated in years, don’t wait for a crisis. Reach out to us today for a free consultation, and let’s ensure your website is secure, fast, and ready to grow with your business.

Together, we can transform your online presence—just as we’re doing for Hockley Valley Brewing Company.