Quick Summary📌
Gutensite is an enterprise-grade website builder and CMS. AirOxa partnered with the Gutensite team to modernise its tech stack, migrate legacy front-end components to Angular 8, improve backend performance, and introduce Docker-based deployments — all without disrupting live client sites.
Introduction
Gutensite stands apart as a powerful content management system (CMS) and website builder built for organisations that want more control and better design than a typical template-based solution. The platform gives agencies, nonprofits and enterprises the ability to create custom websites while using a strong back-end foundation.
Over time, Gutensite wanted to modernise its technology without breaking existing client sites. To do so, it partnered with AirOxa’s engineering team, who worked as a natural extension of the internal group. This Gutensite website builder case study explores how AirOxa helped the company evolve its platform architecture and performance while maintaining stability for live users.
Platform Vision
Gutensite provides design freedom on the front end and technical power behind the scenes. The system combines PHP, Symfony, Node.js, AngularJS, Angular 8 and MySQL to allow customers to create flexible websites without writing code. At the same time, developers can extend and integrate new capabilities when clients need advanced features.
The challenge was simple: improve the framework for the future without disrupting hundreds of sites running in the present.
What Needed to Change
Gutensite had already built a solid product. However, its team knew that staying competitive required updates. Some technology had become outdated. Site performance needed tuning as client designs increased in complexity. Additionally, deployment processes needed to become more reliable so new features could ship faster.
The key upgrade goals were:
- Migrate AngularJS front-end components to Angular 8
- Maintain performance on large, media-heavy client pages
- Move toward container-based infrastructure using Docker
- Improve backend code maintainability
- Protect uptime and user experience throughout changes
AirOxa’s Role in the Gutensite Website Builder Case Study
🔁 Angular Front-End Migration
AirOxa engineers rewrote a set of critical interface modules by converting them from AngularJS to Angular 8. They mapped each component to its modern equivalent, tested compatibility and ensured stable rendering. As a result, the UI now uses a stronger and more future-ready framework without appearing different to end users.
⚙️ Backend Refactoring with PHP / Symfony
Inside Gutensite’s PHP/Symfony backend, AirOxa improved code structure and API design. This allowed clearer logic paths, faster database calls and smoother onboarding for future team members. Instead of a complete rewrite, only selected modules were reworked — letting the system evolve steadily.
🐳 Docker Deployment Flow
To increase deployment confidence, AirOxa helped containerise the application in Docker. Developers now run the same environment from local machines through to production, reducing setup issues and unexpected bugs during rollout.
⚡ Performance Tuning
AirOxa analysed high-traffic Gutensite client sites and streamlined cache policies, SQL queries and asset loading. As a result, pages with large media files now load more consistently. These small improvements collectively help protect user experience on each custom-built website hosted by Gutensite.
Technology Behind the Gutensite Website Builder Case Study
| Layer | Technology |
|---|---|
| Backend | PHP (Symfony) |
| Frontend | AngularJS → Angular 8 |
| Infrastructure | Docker |
| Database | MySQL |
| Other Stack Elements | Node.js |
Outcome
Gutensite now operates on a cleaner, more scalable technical foundation. Existing clients continue to run their websites without interruption, while the internal development team releases updates more confidently. At the same time, Gutensite can introduce new features more quickly and respond to client requests with a modernised toolset.
Key Takeaway
This Gutensite website builder case study highlights AirOxa’s ability to modernise legacy platforms from the inside — without forcing risky overhauls. Rather than rewriting the product, AirOxa focused on migrating, containerising and optimising key systems so Gutensite could continue to grow with confidence.
🚀 Inspired by the Gutensite Website Builder Case Study?
Looking to evolve your platform without disrupting your existing customers?
AirOxa can work alongside your team — just like we did with Gutensite — to upgrade your architecture safely and strategically.
👉 Contact us today to start planning your platform evolution.