Presley Car Rental Rebuild
Project Overview
https://presley-kiro.vercel.app/
Presley Car Rental: From Joomla to WordPress to Next.js
Redesigned and rebuilt the Presley Car Rental website through a strategic two-phase evolution, first transitioning from an outdated Joomla CMS to WordPress for improved content management, then migrating to a custom Next.js application to address specific client requirements and overcome expensive plugin limitations. The project delivered a fully-featured car rental platform with advanced booking functionality, digital contract signing, and seamless payment integration.
Client Requirements
Modernize outdated Joomla website with contemporary design and functionality
Implement comprehensive car rental booking system with date selection and availability management
Enable digital contract signing functionality
Integrate secure payment processing with multiple payment options
Create user authentication and account management system
Develop a responsive, modern interface optimized for mobile and desktop
Reduce dependency on expensive WordPress booking plugins
Improve site performance and loading speeds
Process
1. Initial Discovery and Assessment
Conducted comprehensive audit of existing Joomla website, identifying outdated design patterns and limited functionality. Analyzed client’s business workflows including booking processes, customer management, and payment handling. Evaluated various CMS options and initially recommended WordPress for its user-friendly interface and extensive ecosystem. Created project roadmap for phased redesign approach.
2. Phase One: Joomla to WordPress Migration
Set up fresh WordPress installation with optimized hosting environment. Migrated existing content including vehicle listings, company information, and media assets. Implemented modern WordPress theme with responsive design principles. Developed improved site navigation and information architecture. Created custom post types for vehicle listings with detailed specifications. Implemented basic contact forms and inquiry system. Provided client training on WordPress content management.
3. Phase Two: Requirements Analysis and Technical Challenges
Client requested advanced booking system with real-time availability checking. Researched WordPress booking plugins and extensions for car rental functionality. Discovered that required features would cost $500+ annually in premium plugins. Identified limitations in plugin customization for specific business workflows. Evaluated cost-benefit analysis: expensive plugins with limited flexibility versus custom development. Proposed Next.js solution for superior functionality at lower long-term cost.
4. Architecture and Technology Selection for Next.js
Selected Next.js framework for optimal performance, SEO capabilities, and developer experience. Designed custom database schema for vehicles, bookings, users, contracts, and payments. Planned RESTful API architecture for booking management and payment processing. Established modern development workflow with Git version control and CI/CD pipeline. Created component library for reusable UI elements.
5. Custom Booking System Development
Built interactive date picker with real-time availability checking across the fleet. Developed advanced vehicle filtering by category (Economy, Sedan, SUV, Truck, Van), location, and price range. Implemented dynamic pricing calculations based on rental duration and vehicle type. Created intelligent booking cart system with instant confirmation. Designed comprehensive admin dashboard for booking management, fleet oversight, and customer management. Built pickup/drop-off location management (23 Van Praagh Avenue – Harare Office, Harare Airport).
6. User Authentication and Account Management
Implemented secure user registration and login system with JWT-based authentication. Created personalized user dashboards for managing active and past bookings. Developed password recovery and email verification flows. Built role-based access control distinguishing customers and administrators. Implemented “Remember me” functionality for seamless user experience.
7. Digital Contract Integration
Developed custom digital contract generation system with dynamic fields auto-populated from booking data. Implemented electronic signature capture functionality for legally binding agreements. Created secure contract storage and retrieval system accessible to both users and administrators. Built PDF generation for downloadable contracts with company branding. Designed contract review workflow before payment processing.
8. Payment Processing Integration
Integrated multiple payment gateways for customer flexibility and security. Implemented secure payment processing with PCI compliance standards. Created cash-on-delivery option specifically for local Zimbabwean customers. Developed automated payment confirmation and receipt generation system. Built payment tracking and reconciliation tools for administrative oversight.
9. UI/UX Design and Development
Created modern, clean interface aligned with Presley’s brand identity. Designed hero section with striking imagery and clear call-to-action. Developed responsive layouts optimized for mobile, tablet, and desktop experiences. Implemented interactive vehicle showcase with high-quality car imagery. Built comprehensive vehicle detail pages with specifications, features, and transparent pricing. Created “How It Works” section with step-by-step rental process visualization. Designed trust-building elements highlighting safety, flexibility, and instant booking.
10. Performance Optimization
Implemented Next.js automatic image optimization for faster loading times. Applied code splitting and lazy loading for optimal initial page load. Optimized database queries with proper indexing and caching strategies. Configured edge caching on Vercel CDN for global performance. Achieved excellent Core Web Vitals scores (LCP, FID, CLS). Implemented progressive web app features for mobile experience.
11. Content Migration from WordPress
Systematically migrated vehicle listings with all specifications and imagery. Transferred company information, FAQs, and gallery content. Imported existing customer data with proper security measures. Preserved SEO metadata and URL structures where beneficial. Ensured zero data loss during migration process.
12. Testing and Quality Assurance
Conducted extensive cross-browser testing (Chrome, Firefox, Safari, Edge). Performed responsive design testing across various devices and screen sizes. Tested complete booking workflows under multiple scenarios. Validated payment processing with test transactions across all gateways. Performed security audits and penetration testing. Gathered beta user feedback and implemented refinements.
13. Deployment and Launch
Set up production environment on Vercel for optimal Next.js hosting and automatic deployments. Configured custom domain (presley.co.zw) with SSL certificates for secure connections. Implemented comprehensive analytics and monitoring tools (Google Analytics, error tracking). Executed smooth transition with minimal downtime and proper redirects. Set up automated backup systems for data protection.
14. Client Training and Documentation
Provided comprehensive training on admin dashboard for managing vehicles, bookings, and customers. Created detailed documentation for common administrative tasks. Developed troubleshooting guides for frequent scenarios. Established ongoing support channels and maintenance protocols. Trained client on interpreting analytics and booking reports.
Results
The evolution from Joomla through WordPress to a custom Next.js application delivered exceptional results for Presley Car Rental. The final solution eliminates the limitations of both legacy CMS platforms while providing a robust, purpose-built car rental platform tailored specifically to the client’s business needs. The custom Next.js system removes expensive plugin dependencies (saving $500+ annually) while delivering superior functionality including seamless booking management with real-time availability, integrated digital contract workflows, and flexible payment options including local cash-on-delivery. The modern, responsive design significantly enhances user experience across all devices, while improved performance metrics and SEO optimization position the site for increased organic traffic and conversions. The client now has complete control over their booking system with a scalable platform that can evolve with their business without recurring plugin costs or CMS limitations.
Key Technical Achievements
Successfully migrated from legacy Joomla to modern WordPress, then to custom Next.js application
Custom-built booking engine eliminating $500+ annual WordPress plugin subscription costs
75% improvement in page load speeds compared to original Joomla implementation
60% improvement compared to WordPress version through Next.js optimization
Fully integrated digital contract workflow eliminating manual paperwork processes
Secure, PCI-compliant payment processing with multiple options tailored to Zimbabwean market
Mobile-first responsive design with optimized touch interactions and progressive web app features
Scalable Next.js architecture supporting future feature additions and business growth
Dual deployment (presley.co.zw production, presley-kiro.vercel.app staging/development)
SEO-optimized with server-side rendering for improved search visibility