I Rebuilt a Client's Website in React and Saw How Far I'd Come

2026-10-14 · Web Development · By Toluwani Moses Bakare

A while back, I built a website for OAK Global International Business Solutions Ltd.

At the time, my stack was pretty simple: HTML, CSS and JavaScript.

The first version

The goal was straightforward. Build a website that showcased their services, let companies learn about their auditing and ISO compliance work, take assessments and get in touch with them.

It did the job.

The upgrade

Later, they reached out again. They wanted to upgrade the website and introduce some new features.

But this time, I was not the same developer I was when I built the first version. So instead of making a few changes to the old website, I suggested we rebuild and refine it.

And this time, I used React.

The new website still does everything the old one did. It also has a product section where visitors can learn about OAK Global's upcoming products, view the details and request a demo.

You can see the result at oak-global.com.ng.

"Did I really build this?"

One of the things I enjoyed most about this project was seeing how much my approach to development had changed.

When I opened the old version while working on the new one, I honestly said to myself:

"Did I really build this?"

Not because the old website was completely bad, but because I could clearly see the difference between where I was then and where I am now.

And that was the real lesson.

Look at your old work

Growth is sometimes easiest to see when you look at your old work.

The things you once struggled with start becoming easy.

The things you thought looked good start looking average.

And the things you once needed to research, you now do naturally.

That is why I think developers should keep their old projects. Do not delete them because you think they are terrible. One day, you will look back at them and realise just how far you have come.

If you have a website that has not kept up with your business, get in touch. Sometimes the best upgrade is a rebuild. You can see more of my work on the projects page.