Cuban School of Arts: Migrating a Dance School Website to Wix Studio
Updated: Jul 13
This case study tells how a last-minute website migration became an opportunity for The Cuban School of Arts to build a site that matches its energy: professional, ready to convert, and able to convey the strength of Cuban culture.
"I had the pleasure of working with Sonia on building my website, and I must say that 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
The project required a full website migration in less than a week. At the same time, we needed to elevate the brand image to represent Cuba with authenticity and sophistication, and present its events in a more professional way.
Choosing the Right Platform
After evaluating WordPress, Squarespace, and Wix Studio, we chose Wix Studio as the best fit for the project’s needs. Here’s why Wix Studio was the right choice:
No-code solution, ideal for clients without technical knowledge
Simple maintenance that reduces operational load
Integrated booking system for smooth management of classes and events
Digital wallet integration via .pkpass files
Ticketing app and check-in system to manage attendees easily
Flexible pricing with discounts and promotions
E-commerce functionality to sell products with secure payment processing
Professional email automation to retain customers
Gift card functionality, expanding revenue opportunities
Sales dashboard to track sales, analyse customer behaviour, and manage the business effectively
Although we encountered some platform-specific challenges during implementation, Wix Studio’s support team provided excellent assistance throughout. The platform offered far more functionality than we had initially anticipated.
Auditing the Website and Caring for Every Detail
Navigation and Structure
Before: The original site navigation contained numerous elements spread across two rows on desktop screens, making it difficult for users to quickly scan and identify clear navigation paths.
After: We improved overall usability by grouping offers into clear, manageable categories with a logical hierarchy. This allowed us to simplify navigation and ensure users could access any information or complete desired actions in fewer clicks. This approach aimed to reduce cognitive load and support decision-making.
Visual Design
Before: The site’s typography and content layout presented opportunities for improvement. Establishing a clearer hierarchy through consistent headings, bullet points, and visual cues could help reduce visual noise and better capture the vibrant spirit of Cuban culture.
After: We harmonised the typography with consistent sizing and hierarchy, while preserving the authentic Cuban aesthetic. The redesign incorporated warm, vivid tones with a better balance between background and foreground elements. Cuban cultural energy now comes through via strategic use of colour, gradients, and graphic elements that reflect the brand’s soul.
Content Strategy
Before: Some sections were dense, especially on mobile, and CTAs did not follow a uniform approach.
After: We defined clear messaging, optimised content for mobile, and differentiated calls to action. Phrases like “Learn Cuban dance” or “I want a ticket” make decisions easier.
Mobile-First Responsive Design
With more than half of traffic coming from mobile, we prioritised an experience designed from that perspective:
Touch-friendly interface with comfortable-to-use elements
Simplified navigation with a hamburger menu
Sections adapted for scrolling
Better contrast and readability
Optimised loading even on slow connections
This approach follows current mobile-first best practices, prioritising essential content and progressive enhancement for larger screens.
Turning Visits into Bookings
To ensure the website not only looks good but also sells, we worked on conversion from the design stage:
Clear conversion goals defined for each page type
Simplified checkout process that reduces friction points
Integration of visual content supporting text with relevant images
Internal linking strategy to keep users on the site longer
Mobile-first optimisation recognising primary traffic sources
SEO optimisation
SEO as a Foundation
Following current SEO best practices for 2025, we implemented:
Mobile-adapted design
Structured web architecture with clear service categorisation
Internal linking strategy with logical navigation flow
Automatic image optimisation via Wix’s integrated systems
Verification in search engines including Google, Bing, Yandex, and Naver for global reach
Unique titles and meta descriptions for each page
Descriptive alt text for images
Consistent content hierarchy using appropriate H1, H2, and H3 structure
Server-side rendering, ensuring crawlers can fully read the content
Accessibility and User Experience
We prioritised digital accessibility following WCAG AA standards:
Colour contrast compliance according to AA standards
Keyboard navigation compatibility for users with reduced mobility
Screen reader optimisation with appropriate semantic markup
Touch element sizing following mobile accessibility guidelines
Clear offering
Before: Classes and events were distributed across various submenus and pages, making it difficult to distinguish between recurring offers and special one-off events. Listing details lacked clear hierarchy and consistent navigation, which could hinder content discovery and affect navigation 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 vitality and uniqueness of each experience. Additionally, reliance on manual updates sometimes led to outdated information remaining visible, affecting 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 offers by level of user commitment: Weekly Classes, Structured Courses, Workshops, and Private Classes, with each independent section featuring clear headings and distinct purposes that provide mental rest between segments. Events received their own dedicated space, divided into Festival, Private, and Outdoor categories, each with focused pages presenting clear headings and natural user flow. The refined visual design provides generous spacing while ensuring each page communicates theme and emotion beyond a simple information listing.
This reorganisation significantly reduces cognitive load, allowing visitors to scan, explore, and engage at their preferred pace with improved structure and clear expectations for each offer type. The redesign created a sophisticated, user-centred experience with logical navigation through clearly labelled sections and content anchored with smooth scrolling.
The content strategy became purpose-driven and page-specific: the homepage opens with evocative messaging, dedicated pages present clear value propositions, while cognitive load was reduced through digestible content sections, prominent date/time display with supporting iconography, and strategically positioned CTAs that guide users naturally from discovery to action.
What this Migration Changed for the Business
Immediate benefits
Crisis resolution: Successful launch within the critical one-week deadline
Cost optimisation: Elimination of unsustainable subscription fee increases
Professional presentation: Elevated brand perception with elegant representation of Cuban culture
Long-term advantages
Automated systems: Reduced requirements for manual updates to pricing, class and event availability, and inventory management
Improved user experience: Simplified navigation, content hierarchy, and visual clarity
Mobile optimisation: Responsive design serving the predominantly mobile audience with touch-friendly interfaces
SEO foundation: Technical optimisation supporting long-term organic growth with appropriate site structure and metadata
Accessibility compliance: WCAG AA implementation expanding market reach and meeting legal requirements
Conversion rate optimisation: Strategic CTA positioning, reduced friction points, and clear user journeys driving higher booking rates
Brand consistency: Unified visual identity and messaging authentically representing Cuban culture across all touchpoints
Integrated e-commerce capabilities: Smooth bookings, ticketing, and product sales with automatic confirmations and digital wallet integration
Analytics and key data: Reports to understand user behaviour and optimise performance
Scalability: Platform capable of supporting business expansion with additional features and integrations
Reduced operational load: Automated email sequences, check-in systems, and customer management tools
Professional credibility: Enhanced brand perception to justify premium pricing for classes and events and attract collaborators
Why This Approach Works for Any Business
Although this project arose from a very specific urgency, the principles that underpin it apply to almost any business: plan a migration well, design from mobile, use design to convert, care for accessibility, and rely on automated systems.
Strategic migration planning avoided 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 surpassing desktop usage, prioritising the mobile experience ensures broader audience reach and improved search engine rankings.
Conversion rate optimisation through strategic UX design drives business growth: Clear navigation, evocative calls to action, and reduced friction points directly impact revenue generation.
Accessibility compliance expands market reach while meeting legal requirements: Building inclusive experiences serves wider audiences and demonstrates social responsibility.
Automated systems reduce operational load and human error: Modern platforms offer sophisticated automation capabilities that simplify business operations while maintaining professional standards.
Advanced Functionality, Without Technical Drama
This project demonstrates that advanced functionality does not 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 its cultural mission while providing seamless user experiences across all devices. Best of all, The Cuban School of Arts now has a website they can manage with calm and confidence: they can launch events, sell tickets, and fill their classes without relying on constant technical support.
The transformation demonstrates how a strategic website migration can resolve immediate crises while building foundations for long-term digital success.
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