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Cuban School of Arts: Migrating a Dance School Website to Wix Studio

  • Writer: Sonia Fernandez Ponce
    Sonia Fernandez Ponce
  • Aug 18
  • 6 min read

Updated: 1 day ago

This comprehensive case study showcases how strategic website migration transformed a dance school's online presence into a professional, conversion-optimised platform that truly captures the vibrant spirit of Cuban culture.


Preview of the Cuban School of Arts in Desktop
"I had the pleasure of working with Sonia on building my website, and I must say – she’s absolutely incredible. Her efficiency, speed, and reliability are truly remarkable, and sadly quite rare to come by these days. If I were to offer any sort of critique, it would be to highlight just how impressively quick and dependable she is with her timing – she consistently delivers ahead of schedule without compromising on quality. I would highly recommend Sonia to anyone looking for a talented and trustworthy professional" – Damarys Farres, Founder, The Cuban School of Arts


The Challenge: Racing Against Time


The client required a complete website migration within less than a week while simultaneously elevating their brand image to authentically portray Cuba in a sophisticated way and present their events professionally.




Strategic Platform Selection


After thoroughly evaluating WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix Studio, we determined that Wix Studio best met the project's specific requirements:


Why Wix Studio was the optimal choice:

  • No-code solution perfect for clients without technical expertise

  • Easy maintenance reducing ongoing technical burden

  • Integrated booking system for seamless classes and event management

  • Digital wallet integration with .pkpass files for Digital Wallets

  • Event ticketing and check-in app to track of guests' attendance with ease

  • Flexible pricing with discount codes and promotional offers

  • E-commerce capabilities to sell merchandise with secure payment processing

  • Automated email reminders for customer engagement

  • Professional email automation for customer engagement

  • Gift card functionality expanding revenue opportunities

  • Sales Dashboard to track sales, analyse customer behaviour, and manage the business effectively.


While we encountered a few platform-specific challenges during implementation, Wix Studio's customer support team provided excellent assistance throughout the process. The platform ultimately delivered significantly more functionality than we initially anticipated



Comprehensive Site Audit and Strategic Improvements


Navigation and Structure


Before: The original site navigation containing numerous elements spanning two rows on desktop displays, making it difficult for users to quickly scan and identify clear navigation paths.


After: We improve overall usability by grouping offerings into clear, manageable categories with logical hierarchy which helped us streamline the navigation, ensuring users could access any information or complete desired actions in fewer clicks. This approach aimed to reduce cognitive load and help decision making.


Visual Design


Before: The site’s typography and content layout presented opportunities for refinement. Establishing a clearer hierarchy through consistent headings, bullet points, and visual cues could help reduce visual clutter and better capture the vibrant spirit of Cuban culture.


After: We harmonised typography following consistent sizing and hierarchy while preserving the authentic Cuban aesthetic. The redesign incorporated warm, lively tones with improved balance between background and foreground elements. Cuban cultural energy now shows through strategic use of color, gradients, and graphic elements that echo the brand's soul.


Content Strategy


Before: Some content sections were information-rich and could benefit from clearer segmentation, especially for mobile users. Additionally, aligning CTA styles more consistently may help streamline the user journey and reduce potential friction.


After: We worked on the core offering and developed focused messaging supported by relevant visuals, synthesised copy for mobile optimisation, and differentiated between different buttons or CTAs (call to actions). Action-driven language like "Learn Cuban Dance" and "I want a ticket" gives users agency in decision-making.


Mobile-First Responsive Design


Recognising that over half of web traffic originates from mobile devices, we implemented a comprehensive mobile-first design strategy:


Key mobile optimisation features:

  • Touch-friendly interface design with appropriately sized interactive elements

  • Simplified navigation using collapsible hamburger menus

  • Optimised content sectioning for improved mobile scroll rhythm

  • Enhanced readability with better contrast and alignment

  • Performance optimisation ensuring fast loading on slower mobile connections


This approach follows current mobile-first best practices, prioritising essential content and progressive enhancement for larger screens.


Conversion Optimisation


Our CRO implementation focused on proven tactics for 2025:


  • Clear conversion goals defined for each page type

  • Simplified checkout process reducing friction points

  • Visual content integration supporting text with relevant imagery

  • Internal linking strategy keeping users engaged longer

  • Mobile-first optimisation recognising primary traffic sources



SEO Optimisation


Following current SEO best practices for 2025, we implemented:


  • Mobile-friendly design to ensure the site is accessible to those accessing on mobile

  • Structured website architecture with clear service categorisation

  • Internal linking strategy with logical navigation flow

  • Automatic image optimisation via Wix's built-in systems

  • Search engine verification across Google, Bing, Yandex, and Naver for global reach

  • Unique meta titles and descriptions for each page

  • Descriptive alt text for images with strategic keyword placement

  • Consistent content hierarchy using proper H1, H2, and H3 structure

  • Server-side rendering ensuring crawlers can fully read content


Accessibility and User Experience


We prioritised digital accessibility following WCAG AA standards:

  • Color contrast compliance meeting AA standards

  • Keyboard navigation compatibility for mobility-impaired users

  • Screen reader optimisation with proper semantic markup

  • Touch target sizing following mobile accessibility guidelines



Clear offering


Before: Classes and events were distributed across various submenus and pages, making it difficult for users to distinguish between recurring offerings and one-off special events. Listing details lacked a clear hierarchy and consistent navigation, which could hinder discoverability and user flow. Much of the content was concentrated on single pages with dense text blocks that prioritised logistics over cultural narrative, limiting opportunities to convey the vibrancy and uniqueness of each experience. Additionally, the reliance on manual updates sometimes led to outdated information remaining visible, impacting content freshness and user trust.


After: We developed an elegant, intuitive separation that clearly distinguishes regular learning opportunities from special events. The "Learn" section now categorises class offerings by user commitment level—Weekly Classes, Structured Courses, Workshops, and Private Lessons—with each section standing independently with clear headers and distinct purposes that provide mental rest between segments. Events received their own dedicated space, broken into Festival, Private, and Outdoor categories, each with focused pages featuring clear headers and natural user flow. The refined visual design provides generous breathing space while ensuring each page communicates theme and emotion beyond simple information listing.


This thoughtful reorganisation significantly reduces cognitive load, enabling visitors to scan, explore, and engage at their preferred pace with improved structure and clear expectations for each offering type. The redesign created a sophisticated, user-centered experience with logical navigation through clearly labeled sections and smooth-scrolling anchored content. Content strategy became purpose-driven and page-specific—the homepage opens with evocative messaging, dedicated pages feature compelling profiles and clear value propositions, while cognitive load was reduced through digestible content sections, prominent date/time displays with supportive iconography, and strategically positioned CTAs that guide users naturally from discovery to action.




Project Outcomes and Business Impact


The migration project delivered transformative results:

Immediate benefits:


  • Crisis resolution: Successfully launched within the critical one-week deadline

  • Cost optimisation: Eliminated unsustainable subscription fee increases

  • Professional presentation: Elevated brand perception with elegant Cuban cultural representation


Long-term advantages:


  • Automated systems: Reduced manual update requirements for pricing, class and event availability, and inventory management

  • Enhanced user experience: Streamlined navigation, improved content hierarchy and visual clarity

  • Mobile optimisation: Responsive design serving the majority mobile audience with touch-friendly interfaces

  • SEO foundation: Technical optimisation supporting long-term organic growth with proper site structure and metadata

  • Accessibility compliance: WCAG AA standards implementation expanding market reach and meeting legal requirements

  • Conversion rate optimisation: Strategic CTA placement, reduced friction points, and clear user journeys driving higher booking rates

  • Brand consistency: Unified visual identity and messaging that authentically represents Cuban culture across all touch-points

  • Integrated e-commerce capabilities: Seamless booking, ticketing, and merchandise sales with automated confirmations and digital wallet integration

  • Analytics and insights: Built-in tracking capabilities for understanding user behavior and optimizing performance

  • Scalability: Platform capable of supporting business expansion with additional features and integrations

  • Reduced operational burden: Automated email sequences, check-in systems, and customer management tools

  • Professional credibility: Enhanced brand perception supporting premium pricing and attracting quality partnerships




Why This Approach Works for Any Business


This case study demonstrates universal principles applicable to businesses across industries:


  • Strategic migration planning prevents downtime: By conducting thorough audits, implementing proper redirects, and maintaining consistent URL structures, businesses can migrate platforms without losing traffic.

  • Mobile-first design is essential in 2025: With mobile traffic exceeding desktop usage, prioritising mobile experience ensures broader audience reach and improved search engine rankings.

  • Conversion rate optimisation through strategic UX design drives business growth: Clear navigation, compelling CTAs, and reduced friction points directly impact revenue generation.

  • Accessibility compliance expands market reach while meeting legal requirements: Building inclusive experiences serves broader audiences and demonstrates social responsibility.

  • Automated systems reduce operational burden and human error: Modern platforms offer sophisticated automation capabilities that streamline business operations while maintaining professional standards.




Technical Excellence Without Complexity


This project proves that advanced functionality doesn't require technical complexity. By selecting the right platform and implementing strategic design principles, we delivered enterprise-level results through an intuitive, manageable system.


The Cuban School of Arts now operates a professional, conversion-optimised website that authentically represents their cultural mission while providing seamless user experiences across all devices. Most importantly, the client can confidently manage and grow their online presence without requiring ongoing technical support.


The transformation demonstrates how strategic website migration can solve immediate crises while building foundations for long-term digital success.

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