Sector(s)
Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices PenFed Realty delivers memorable coastal getaways with a wide collection of beach rentals suited for families, couples, and solo travelers alike. Its mission is to match each guest with the ideal ocean-side experience that fits their needs and travel style.
However, PenFed’s previous website no longer supported that mission. Slow performance, dated design, and a difficult booking experience made it hard for visitors to explore properties and plan their stay. To resolve these issues, PenFed partnered with Inclind to build a modernized digital platform. The goal: a faster, more intuitive, and content-rich website that boosts engagement, improves discoverability, and ultimately increases bookings.
The Challenge:
PenFed Beach Rentals recognized that its legacy website was falling behind traveler expectations. Especially for users who expect a streamlined, mobile-friendly booking process. As competition in the vacation rental market continued to grow, several major challenges emerged:
Improving User-Friendliness
The booking flow was lengthy and confusing, leading many visitors to abandon their search. The outdated interface caused frustration and drove up support inquiries.
Enhancing SEO Content
PenFed needed its site to serve as more than a listings directory. Fresh, optimized content was essential for drawing new audiences, yet the old system limited how effectively content could be published and indexed.
Boosting Speed and Performance
Long load times negatively affected user satisfaction and reduced the likelihood of completed reservations.
Adding Modern Features
Travelers expect detailed information, helpful filters, and trusted ratings. PenFed wanted to introduce richer descriptions, review elements, and other enhancements that its older platform couldn’t support.
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Our Solution:
Inclind approached the project strategically, addressing both technology and user experience needs. We migrated PenFed from Drupal 7 to Drupal 10 and built a flexible headless frontend powered by Next.js.
User-Centered Redesign
We modernized the design with a clearer layout, simplified navigation, and a booking experience that guides visitors from discovery to reservation with ease.
Expanded Digital Content
A broader content strategy introduced destination guides, blog posts, and community information to improve PenFed’s SEO footprint and offer travelers more value during trip planning.
Enhanced Escapia Integration
We improved the real-time Escapia connection, ensuring property data is accurate while giving PenFed greater control over property attributes and guest-focused details.
Advanced Search Tools
Inclind developed a robust search experience, including:
- Flexible date options (weekly, seasonal, extended stays)
- Interactive map-based browsing
- Custom sorting for relevance and user preferences
Engaging New Features
To help guests make informed choices, we added tools such as:
- Smart property lists
- Ratings and highlight summaries
- Mobile-optimized reservation flows
Performance Optimization
Load times were significantly improved through modern optimization techniques, including:
- Cloudflare Images
- AI-assisted template improvements
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The Results
Enhanced Content Engagement
The PenFed site now captivates visitors with rich content, offering more than just rental searches and enriching the user experience.
Streamlined Booking Process
The fresh, intuitive platform simplifies vacation planning, increasing bookings and user satisfaction.
Greater SEO Reach
New content and improved performance have increased PenFed’s visibility, attracting more travelers searching for beach rentals.
Higher Conversion Rates
Faster load times, clearer navigation, and an optimized booking flow have reduced friction throughout the journey, leading to more completed reservations and stronger overall conversion performance.
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Looking Forward
Inclind continues to support PenFed as it evolves its digital strategy. With a modern platform in place, PenFed is well-positioned to introduce new features, expand content, and adapt to traveler expectations. Our ongoing support and maintenance partnership ensures the site remains fresh, competitive, and effective at driving bookings.
Back to topDrupal was the natural choice for PenFed because the organization was already operating on the platform and relied on its flexibility, security, and content-management capabilities. Upgrading to Drupal 10 allowed PenFed to preserve its existing workflows while benefiting from a modern, stable, and fully supported CMS. Drupal’s scalability, strong integration ecosystem—including Escapia—and its ability to power a headless architecture with Next.js made it the ideal foundation for delivering a faster, more intuitive, and content-rich vacation rental experience.
Technical Specifications
Drupal version:
