Backend rebuilding and automation for a major U.S. vehicle recycling company
Transformed outdated infrastructure into a high-performing platform that drives conversions and runs effortlessly.
Automotive services
USA
2021
About the client
Our client is a large family-owned company that has been buying and recycling old or damaged vehicles for over 25 years.
How the business works:
- A car owner contacts the company to sell a non-working or damaged vehicle (crashed, flooded, burned, etc.).
- The company negotiates a buyout price and sends a tow truck to collect the car.
- The vehicle is delivered to a local junkyard, dismantled into parts, and sold separately.
These junkyards operate in every U.S. city, and maintaining connections with them is key to building a strong, efficient network.
The client had an outdated website with poor click-through and conversion rates. It was also difficult to manage: even the simplest content edits took far too much time.
The client wanted to rebuild the website from scratch, keeping the general visual style but completely overhauling the backend to make management fast, simple, and scalable. They needed a technical team capable of making that happen.
In the other part of the case study, we explain how collaboration with the client’s SEO specialists and a new design boosted conversions. Here, we’ll focus on the backend rebuild, performance improvements, and workflow automation.
- Rebuild the website backend to ensure scalability and easy maintenance in the future.
- Migrate the old front-end layout to the new system (spoiler: we later implemented a full redesign).
- Automate the work of managers and streamline lead collection.
Solution
- Rebuilt the backend using the Laravel PHP framework.
- Developed a custom admin panel for site and lead management.
- Added a vehicle value calculator for customers and a personal dashboard for junkyard owners.
This project was a real transformation. We rebuilt the backend from scratch in Laravel, automated operations, and created a clean, scalable architecture. The client’s openness to ideas made the whole process dynamic and collaborative.
Implemented features
Dashboard to manage leads
Custom admin panel
Built a powerful admin dashboard that unifies all website management tools in one place.
Admins can:
- Manage and process leads from multiple websites and forms.
- Edit website content and publish news.
- Configure tools such as the built-in calculator.
- Export data to Excel for reporting and analysis.
The dashboard turned complex, multi-site management into a simple, intuitive process.
Applications being processed in the CRM
Built-in CRM
Inside the admin panel, we implemented a lightweight CRM system to simplify lead management.
When a user submits a request, it automatically appears in the CRM, where administrators can filter and process it by date, car make, region, or issue type.
This streamlined the workflow and drastically reduced response times to incoming requests.
Single submission form for all data
Lead submission form
Automated the lead collection process by developing a detailed vehicle submission form.
Users can:
- Choose their car’s make and model from a comprehensive list.
- Describe the vehicle’s condition.
- Upload photos directly through the form.
All submitted data goes into the admin panel, where managers can process requests instantly. With the client’s consent, uploaded photos are stored in a database. It is useful for future reviews and case studies.
Value calculator
Vehicle value calculator
To improve the user experience, we added a built-in calculator that helps customers estimate how much their car might be worth before selling it.
The calculator works like a mini questionnaire: users answer a few questions about the vehicle, and through an API connection, the system analyzes the data and returns an estimated value. The result is presented as a stylish PDF report that can be downloaded or printed.
Checking the car’s story through VIN
VIN number check
Expanded the calculator’s functionality by adding a VIN check for U.S.-registered vehicles.
By entering a VIN number, users can instantly receive a detailed report via email showing the car’s history including accidents, thefts, and other events.
Functions for junkyard owners
Personal dashboards for junkyard owners
Built a subscription-based system for junkyard owners, allowing them to provide their services directly through the platform.
Owners can:
- Register an account and verify ownership via the phone number listed in their Google My Business profile.
- Assign roles and permissions (super admins get full control; organization owners can manage multiple yards).
- Edit listings, run ads, and assign managers to specific facilities.
Each organization can now manage its presence and promotion strategy independently all within the same platform.
The site before vs after redesign
Modern website redesign
At the start, the old design felt like a relic from the 2000s. The client prepared new layouts, and we implemented them on the new platform.
The result: a clean, modern, and professional look that elevated brand perception and improved user engagement.
Stages of work
Discovery and planning
Analyzed the client’s outdated system, identified performance issues, and mapped out a plan for rebuilding the backend architecture.
Backend development from scratch
Rebuilt the entire backend using Laravel — designed a scalable architecture and implemented core functionality for content and lead management.
Data migration and automation
Created a custom parser to migrate large datasets without losing structure and automated lead collection and processing.
CRM and admin panel development
Built a unified admin dashboard and a lightweight CRM to simplify management and reporting across multiple websites.
Frontend integration and redesign
Integrated the new backend with the existing frontend and later implemented a full redesign to improve UX and conversion rates.
Launch and maintenance
Deployed the updated platform, ensured stability, and continued to support and scale new features.
Results
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Significantly increased CTR and lead volume
The new backend and functionality greatly improved user interaction, resulting in a major increase in conversions.
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Simplified website management
The intuitive admin panel made it easy for managers to edit content, manage leads, and monitor performance, cutting down admin time dramatically.
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Improved customer service quality
The built-in CRM system streamlined communication and sped up request processing, improving the overall user experience.
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Enhanced user engagement
The submission form, calculator, and VIN check made the site more interactive and useful for visitors, boosting conversion rates even further.
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Long-term partnership and ongoing growth
The collaboration has been creative and productive, and for the past five years, we’ve continued to develop the client’s website and support their business as a trusted technical partner.
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