Limited Editor Flexibility
While WordPress gave editors independence from developers, they lacked the specialized tools to create rich, engaging content quickly and consistently.
CASE STUDY
Redesigning the UK’s Largest Vegan Media Platform
How 40Q transformed Plant-Based News with a complete redesign, performance optimization, and intelligent content tools that keep readers engaged.
The Challenge: Built to Publish, Not to Scale
As the UK’s largest vegan media site, Plant-Based News needed infrastructure and tools that matched their growing audience and editorial ambitions.
Performance Bottlenecks
Page load times weren’t keeping pace with audience growth. Slow performance meant lost readers, and lost ad revenue.
Static Content Experience
Every reader saw the same related posts regardless of their interests. There was no way to surface content based on what readers actually engaged with.
Outdated Brand & Mobile UX
The existing design didn’t reflect the vibrant vegan movement, and mobile experience lagged behind where most readers were consuming content.
Business Impact
These challenges weren’t just technical, they affected reader engagement, editorial velocity, and Plant-Based News’s ability to grow their audience and advertising revenue.
The Solution
40Q partnered with Plant-Based News over two years, delivering a complete platform transformation through iterative improvements and a focused two-month redesign sprint.
Platform & Performance
AWS Lambda
Serverless WordPress for media-scale traffic
We deployed WordPress on AWS Lambda functions, enabling the site to handle traffic spikes without performance degradation, critical for a news site where stories can go viral.
Cloudflare Integration
Edge caching for instant page loads
With Cloudflare caching at the edge, readers get near-instant page loads regardless of location, improving engagement and Core Web Vitals.
Editor Experience
Custom Block System
Purpose-built tools for media publishing
We developed custom Gutenberg blocks tailored to Plant-Based News’s content types, giving editors the flexibility to create rich, engaging layouts without any code.
Editorial Workflows
Content scheduling and role management
Enhanced scheduling tools and WordPress roles let the editorial team manage their publishing pipeline with full autonomy and clear permissions.
Redesign
Brand Refresh
A visual identity for the vegan movement
The redesign brought Plant-Based News’s brand to life with bold colors, modern typography, and a visual language that resonates with their mission-driven audience.
Mobile-First Experience
Optimized for how readers actually consume news
We rebuilt the mobile experience from the ground up: faster navigation, better readability, and improved ad placements that don’t compromise user experience.
Transformation Results
The new platform delivered immediate and measurable improvements across all key metrics.
Faster Performance
Serverless architecture and edge caching deliver instant page loads at any scale.
Smarter Engagement
Related posts surface content based on each reader’s browsing history.
Editorial Freedom
Custom blocks and workflows let editors publish faster without developer dependencies.
Built for Media at Scale
Every feature designed to help Plant-Based News publish faster, engage readers deeper, and grow sustainably.
Custom Block System
Purpose-built Gutenberg blocks for recipes, news stories, and multimedia content, giving editors complete creative control.
Serverless Infrastructure
WordPress running on AWS Lambda handles traffic spikes effortlessly, with no server management overhead.
Edge Caching
Cloudflare delivers content from the nearest edge location, ensuring fast loads for readers worldwide.
Smart Related Posts
Cookie-based personalization surfaces related content based on each reader’s browsing history, increasing pages per session.
Editorial Workflows
Advanced scheduling, role management, and publishing tools built for a fast-moving newsroom.
Optimized Ad Placements
Strategic ad positioning that maximizes revenue without compromising reader experience.
“Our partnership with 40Q has transformed our website, enhancing user experience and communication. Their technical expertise and reliable support have been invaluable, providing us with a strong sense of security.”
Xisca Taylor
Operations Manager
Ready to Amplify Your Media Presence?
Plant-Based News now publishes faster, loads instantly, and keeps readers engaged longer. Let’s discuss how we can do the same for you.
