Rethink Press: A WordPress web build for a publishing consultancy

Building books that elevate their expert authors

Modernising appearances

The challenge

Rethink publishing consultancy helps professionals and experts to plan, write and publish their own books, realising the value of their brand.

Rethink Press had a requirement to modernise its online presence, in line with an update to its branding. In addition, an online catalogue of the consultancy’s published books needed to be updated and maintained. The existing content management system (CMS) of Rethink Press was not user-friendly and difficult to use. Therefore, an up-to-date, intuitive CMS that did not require regular support from developers was essential to the project. Rethink Press partnered with us via Sold Brands to establish a better online presence. We were tasked with providing a site built around WordPress functionality to give expert authors a clear avenue for promotion.

Visit the website

Providing a user-friendly CMS

The Solution

In collaboration with Sold Brands, we worked with Rethink Press to develop a user-friendly CMS with a visually impactful public-facing presence. Built around WordPress functionality and optimised for search engine optimisation (SEO), the new website serves as an enhanced promotional tool for Rethink Press and its authors. The modern WordPress solution includes a complete catalogue of published books and an author database, which was imported during development to save Rethink Press many hours of data entry.

Complex Designs and Evolving Content

Rethink Press, an established publishing company, had exacting standards born from working in a print-based environment. So, that presented a challenge when working with the web, which is by nature dynamic and fluid. A big challenge with this project was the complex designs we needed to work with, which comprised a mixture of bold statements and balanced image/video elements (eliminating extra space). In addition, smooth scalability was a must, meaning the page would look the same on a small desktop or a large widescreen monitor and adapt to smaller mobile screens.

Another challenge was that Rethink Press was updating its branding and evolving its online presence through new content. We developed the site and then gave internal users access. Early access resulted in the consultancy broadening the reach of its content. As a result, expectations of the website grew. Re-designs and updates to several website areas, which our team quickly acknowledged and adapted the site to, helped evolve the company into its new online identity.

I'm thrilled with our new website and appreciated the support, flexibility and attention to detail provided by the Feel team. We required some very specific functionality that they developed in a way that just works. If you're thinking about creating a unique, effective and powerful website I have no hesitation in recommending Feel.

Joe Gregory, Founder, Rethink Press

Speeding up the import process

Automated Import of Complex Data Sets

A major requirement of Rethink Press was the need to get their catalogue of published books (458 books) and associated authors (498 authors) into a searchable database on the website. We developed a custom import script that enabled the quick import of all books and associated authors.

In addition, the script facilitated the importing and optimisation of individual images for each book for use on the website. Our script meant that the import routine could be used multiple times throughout the development process as Rethink Press’s catalogue grew. We originally incorporated the routine to save on manual data input time. As an added value feature, the import routine is available post-launch to ensure users can continue to add large volumes of books.

Reducing workload

Adaptive and Intuitive CMS

For a website where images are essential to promote brand identity, it can often become a chore to maintain a sound library of images that work with the brand. We set up the ability to have a collection of brand images automatically inserted into any spaces without a specified image, meaning the website never suffers from empty spaces or off-brand image use.

Adapting to requirements

Reactive to Remote Working Environments and Scope Changes

Planned and agreed pre-COVID, the project didn’t start until the middle of the first lockdown. Already used to working remotely with many clients, we could progress and manage the project without delay. Adapting to changes in scope via online conference calls was all part of the job for our team.

An ongoing relationship

The Result

Changes to scope during the project delayed the initial deadline but, ultimately, it was worth the wait for the client. The project evolved due to discussions between the client, designer, content editor and ourselves. We provided a development environment that allowed Rethink Press to see real-time changes in the development process. The original brief to deliver a visually impactful site with a user-friendly CMS, was met, saving Rethink Press time and resources. We continue to work with Rthe publisher in the form of an ongoing hosting and maintenance contract, removing the burden of maintaining the website.

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