When New Lines Magazine approached us, they had a vision. They aimed to improve their website, provide exclusive content, and introduce an Arabic version of the site.
When New Lines Magazine approached us, they had a vision. They aimed to improve their website, provide exclusive content. But, they faced many challenges along the way. Explore how xfive these challenges with creative solutions and personalized custom WordPress development. At that time, they didn’t even know that this was the beginning of the journey and they would run the Arabic site version, too.
The Challenges
New Lines Magazine faced several challenges that needed expert intervention:
- Website Audit and Design Changes
- The initial UX audit showed that the site looked decent but required some tweaks.
- The post page required minor changes to meet the client’s expectations.
- Migration to a New Hosting Environment
- xfive migrated the website from a shared WordPress environment to a dedicated WP Engine instance.
- Google News Author Issues
- The client wanted specific authors to appear in Google News. They misunderstood how Google indexes authors.
- Subscription System Implementation
- The magazine wanted to offer subscriptions for both online content and offline magazines.
- Arabic Website Development
- Creating a right-to-left (RTL) text layout posed unique challenges.
- Finding reliable Arabic-speaking designers and developers was tough.
- Translating the WordPress interface and custom components to Arabic required precision.
- Digitization of Historic Magazines
- They wanted to make historic magazine issues accessible online.
- This required scanning and importing thousands of pages.
Custom WordPress Solutions Developed
Our team at xfive developed several custom features to meet New Lines Magazine’s needs:
Custom Gutenberg Blocks
We created custom Gutenberg blocks to present sophisticated content in an appealing way. These blocks allowed for:
- Sticky images that stay fixed while scrolling.
- Easy integration of various media types.
Custom Audio Player
We developed a custom audio player that allows the magazine to:
- Host audio tracks on their server or on Podbean.
- Maintain a seamless look without showing Podbean logos.
Mailchimp Integration
We integrated Mailchimp for newsletter subscriptions, ensuring:
- Users could manage subscriptions from the WordPress administration interface.
- The integration kept the brand's consistent look and feel.
Custom Magazine Import Plugin
To handle the digitization of historic magazines, we built a custom plugin that:
- Imports text documents converted from scanned magazine pages using OCR.
- Allows easy management and display of thousands of pages.
RTL Text and Layout Adjustments
Creating an Arabic version of the site required:
- CSS adjustments for right-to-left text formatting.
- Solutions for mixed-language content to ensure proper display.
Successes Achieved
Enhanced Client Satisfaction
Despite the challenges, we ensured that the client was happy with the final results. xfive's dedication to communication and education helped align project goals with client expectations.
“In a nutshell, xfive's project management was marked by their punctuality, responsiveness, and willingness to adapt. Their client-centric approach left us with the impression that our project truly mattered to them, fostering a sense of partnership rather than a mere business transaction. We can confidently say that xfive went above and beyond to ensure our project's success.”
Ola Salem, Multimedia Producer, New Lines Media
Successful Subscription System
We implemented a WooCommerce subscription system that allowed users to:
- Subscribe to both online and offline magazines.
- Manage subscriptions through the site without a hassle.
Launch of the Arabic Website
We developed and launched the Arabic version of New Lines Magazine. We managed to overcome language and technical barriers.
Digitization of Historic Magazines
The historic magazine issues are now accessible online. They offer valuable content to the magazine’s audience.
Meeting the Client’s Needs
New Lines Magazine wanted a robust, flexible website that could handle many requirements. Here’s how we focused on their needs:
Understanding Their Vision
We took the time to understand the magazine’s vision and goals. This helped us tailor our solutions to their specific needs.
Educating the Client
We educated the client on technical aspects like SEO and how Google indexes content. This ensured that the client was on the same page as us.
"xFive's communication skills were nothing short of remarkable. They had an innate ability to translate complex technical concepts into easily understandable terms, making it effortless for us to grasp the intricacies of the project. This open and transparent communication fostered a strong sense of trust, ensuring that we were always on the same page.”
Ola Salem, Multimedia Producer, New Lines Media
Adapting to Changes
The project scope evolved during the project lifecycle. We modified our solutions to ensure the delivery of every new need.
Providing Custom Solutions
With our custom WordPress development approach we created solutions that addressed unique challenges. From custom Gutenberg blocks to a custom audio player. Each feature design enhanced the user experience.
Ensuring Long-Term Success
We implemented scalable solutions, ensuring their website's continuous growth and adaptability. The custom magazine import plugin and Mailchimp integration features provide long-term advantages.
The revamp of New Lines Magazine’s website shows the effectiveness of custom WordPress theme development. We helped New Lines Magazine to achieve its goals and overcome significant challenges. Focus on the client’s needs and developing custom solutions helped to do it with ease.
Custom WordPress Development with xfive: Your Questions Answered
What challenges did New Lines Magazine face before working with xfive?
They needed more than small fixes. From hosting migrations and subscription systems to Google News author visibility, historic magazine digitization, and even launching an Arabic site — their challenges required deep technical and creative problem-solving. That’s where we came in.
What kind of custom solutions did xfive provide?
We delivered a suite of tailored WordPress solutions, including:
- Custom Gutenberg blocks for rich content presentation
- A custom audio player for podcast-style storytelling
- A WooCommerce subscription system for online and offline readers
- A magazine import plugin for digitizing historic issues
- Full RTL support to launch the Arabic version of the site
Every solution was designed to match New Lines’ vision and audience needs.
What were the results of the project?
The partnership led to:
- A robust and scalable new website
- A successful subscription system supporting different formats
- The launch of the Arabic version, overcoming design and language hurdles
- Historic content now accessible to a global audience
Most importantly, New Lines felt heard, supported, and confident in their digital growth.
How did xfive ensure a smooth collaboration?
We focused on clear communication, client education, and adaptability. From explaining SEO indexing to iterating on evolving scope, our team worked closely with New Lines to ensure transparency and alignment at every stage. The result was not just a successful project — but a true partnership.
Can xfive help my publication or business too?
Absolutely. Whether you need a multilingual site, a subscription platform, custom Gutenberg blocks, or help digitizing content — we’ll design solutions that fit your unique challenges.
Ready to bring your vision online? Let’s start your project →
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