Challenge
GroundBreak Carolinas is an online trade publication for the design and construction community in North and South Carolina. GBC came to us as a new business, without a website or branding. GBC needed to be able to publish content in a hierarchy of categories, as well as collect visitor emails, display industry events, and receive submissions. The navigation and page layout had to be user-friendly and responsive on mobile. Lastly, the website needed to bring ROI and long-term sustainability through online advertising.
Solution
With so many categories for the site content, it was critical to map out the navigation early on. We worked with GBC to organize the content clearly and intuitively. We also paid special attention to the layout of the homepage so that readers could quickly find and consume the most recent and important content, without being overwhelmed. In addition, we inserted newsletter signup and social sharing buttons in strategic places. We left plenty of room for advertising. Users can view a calendar of industry events, as well as submit events and articles for approval.
Results
GBC is well on the way to realizing its dream of becoming the premier online resource for members of the design and construction industry in the Carolinas. The site receives steady traffic, particularly from GBC's email newsletter, which goes out to over 1,500 subscribers every week. Several local companies have partnered with GBC to contribute content and advertising. Readers are able to take GBC with them wherever they go using their mobile devices.
"Jessica built us a best-in-class web presence that helped us build credibility quickly. The tools she built into our platform make it very easy to manage and distribute content. I've worked with a number of web firms, ad agencies and graphic designers, Jessica is at the top of the list."
- Brian Gallagher, Founder