The Bethel Grapevine
We evolved a pandemic-era stay-at-home initiative into a profitable full-time news operation with a growing team.
The ask
The Bethel Grapevine wanted a hyper-local website to bring positivity to their tight-knit Connecticut suburb during a time of global uncertainty. They wanted a website to celebrate their small New England town and its vibrant residents, events, and small businesses.
The Bethel Grapevine needed a website that reflected the vibrancy of their local community.
The work
In close collaboration with the founder Hannah Lipman, we built a digital news magazine using the Webflow platform. We defined the visual style and the user experience. Plus, we provided a flexible architecture that offered the capacity to grow alongside the website. This way, they could include ad units, events calendars, and seasonal editorial pieces.
Project highlights
- Design strategy
- Editorial interaction model
- Email marketing
- Webflow production
- SEO optimization
The result
Current and former residents flock to the site thanks to its civic pride. Writers and celebrities with roots in Bethel, Connecticut, have found ways to contribute — from stories, advisory, and profiles. The site continues to grow beyond its unassuming origin story with improved rankings thanks to the revamp.
"They are extremely responsive and a pleasure to work with."
- Managing Editor, The Bethel Grapevine
