U.S. News & World Report
Since 2019, FlexMade has partnered with U.S. News & World Report, providing a dedicated team to enhance their digital presence. Working closely with internal teams, we align innovations with their objectives, supporting the delivery of reliable, engaging content to millions of readers each month.
Regarding the client
U.S. News & World Report is a leading digital media organisation committed to assisting individuals and leaders in making well-informed decisions. Founded following a merger in 1948, the company moved online in 1995 and discontinued print publication in 2010, continuing to publish on the internet. With a reputation for dependability cultivated over almost 90 years, U.S. News attracts in excess of 40 million monthly visitors, providing expert insights across a range of subjects, including politics, education, health and finance. Their platform ranks amongst the top 500 global websites, holding 24th position in the News and Media category, according to Alexa.
About the project
FlexMade is collaborating with U.S. News & World Report to enhance its digital platform, concentrating on improving user experience and engagement. Our joint efforts aim to modernise the website and introduce new features that cater to the evolving needs of their audience. By closely partnering with U.S. News & World Report's team, we ensure that our initiatives align with their objectives, resulting in a more efficient and engaging platform for millions of visitors.
Aims and Challenges
U.S. News set out to modernise its digital platform to boost user engagement and accessibility. This involved creating and refining features, sections, and verticals to serve a broad audience whilst ensuring a seamless experience. Key challenges included integrating smoothly with U.S. News's existing processes, maintaining high availability throughout the transition, and adapting to rapid digital changes. FlexMade's team addressed these challenges by delivering solutions that enhanced site performance and user satisfaction.
Approach and Methodology
FlexMade focused on working closely with U.S. News & World Report to enhance their digital platform. Our strategy involved building a skilled team that adapted to the project requirements, providing user-friendly features targeting a broad audience. We prioritised effective communication and collaboration, which allowed us to seamlessly integrate with U.S. News & World Report workflows. Whilst maintaining flexibility and commitment to quality, we successfully overcame challenges and implemented improvements that increased performance, scalability, and overall user experience.
Rankings and Reviews
U.S. News is widely recognised for its comprehensive rankings and reviews across diverse categories, including universities, hospitals, cars, and travel destinations. These rankings are based on meticulous research, user feedback, and expert analysis. For example, its annual Best Universities Rankings and Best Hospitals Rankings are widely referenced for their credibility. These reviews empower users to make informed decisions by providing a detailed breakdown of each category.
Educational Resources
The portal provides extensive tools and resources for students and families navigating the education system. From university search tools such as University Compass to financial aid advice, the site serves as a hub for prospective students. It also offers insights into test preparation, scholarships and bursaries, and application strategies, making it an invaluable resource for academic planning.
Health and Wellbeing
U.S. News assists users in making informed healthcare decisions through its Best Hospitals Rankings, advice on managing chronic conditions, and wellness tips. The platform also delves into fitness, mental health, and nutrition, ensuring a holistic approach to well-being. This section is particularly popular for providing patients with clear comparisons of hospitals and treatments.
Vertical Automobiles
The Motoring section of U.S. News provides expert reviews and rankings for new and used vehicles. It includes side-by-side comparisons, current offers, and tools such as the Best Price Programme to help users find reliable vehicles at the best prices. This feature is essential for anyone navigating the complexities of buying a car, whether new or pre-owned.
Travel Guides
U.S. News offers travel advice through its rankings of the Best Holiday Destinations and insights into hotels, cruises, and more. With curated itineraries, tips on seasonal destinations, and recommendations for family holidays, it serves as a guide for travellers seeking inspiration and value. The platform also highlights the best deals and travel tips for various budgets.
Money and Personal Finances
U.S. News provides expert advice on managing finances, including tools for comparing credit cards, mortgage rates, savings accounts, and personal loans. Its Best Credit Cards rankings are particularly popular, offering tailored recommendations based on spending habits and financial goals. Users can also access articles and calculators to make smarter financial decisions.
Task completed
The solution
The FlexMade team expanded organically in response to project requirements. Our primary focus was addressing a range of challenges, from enhancing page interfaces to seamlessly integrating new functionalities. We fostered a collaborative environment, ensuring that our team worked harmoniously with U.S. News' existing workflows. This commitment to open communication and adaptability allowed us to effectively address evolving project requirements, resulting in a more engaging and user-friendly platform for U.S. News' audience.
The outcome
Through our close collaboration, FlexMade and U.S. News successfully introduced a series of enhancements to the platform with minimal disruption. This holistic approach has led to improved performance, greater scalability, and an enhanced user experience across various service areas. The upgraded platform now facilitates faster content updates and more efficient search capabilities. These advancements have bolstered U.S. News's operational effectiveness and reinforced its status as a leader in the digital media space, positioning the organisation for continued competitiveness and future growth.
The technologies
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Python
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JavaScript
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React
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Redux
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Django
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AWS
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MySQL
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PostgreSQL
Client feedback
Dan Brown
With the assistance of FlexMade developers, we successfully launched a significant portal update last month. It is aesthetically pleasing, and the team members all performed admirably. Thank you for providing us with such excellent engineers.
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Get in touch
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