In a strategic move towards enhancing user experience and scalability, the Boston Digital website recently underwent a comprehensive redesign – and has never looked better. We talked with Matthew Geyer, our Full Stock Software Developer, to get an inside look on the process.
The backbone of this project was built on Drupal for the backend and leveraged Next.js for the frontend. The primary objective was to delve into a more performant approach to presenting frontend code, harnessing the power of modern framework technologies to unlock scalability and personalization beyond the capabilities of a traditional “monolithic” CMS.
One of the key advantages of adopting a headless CMS design lies in the seamless collaboration between the frontend and backend development processes. This allows both aspects to coexist and evolve simultaneously, fostering a more efficient development lifecycle.
The redesign embraced cutting-edge technology frameworks such as React.js and Next.js for frontend presentation, responding to the demand for modern and dynamic web experiences. By doing so, the project aimed to elevate the overall performance and responsiveness of the website.
An intriguing facet of this redesign is the concept of “omnichannel connection.” Beyond being a buzzword, it signifies the elimination of restrictions on content delivery destinations. With the backend essentially transformed into a content-managed API, the same content can be seamlessly pushed to any connected channel. This flexibility empowers content manipulation and display in diverse ways, providing an unprecedented level of adaptability.
Furthermore, the redesign integrated a design system, fostering the creation of reusable UI components. This not only streamlines the developer workflow but also contributes to error prevention by avoiding the repetition of the same design mistakes across different sites. The adoption of a design system brings consistency and coherence to the user interface, enhancing the overall visual appeal and user navigation across various web properties.
In essence, the Boston Digital website redesign stands as a testament to the pursuit of excellence in user experience and technological innovation. By embracing a headless CMS approach and integrating modern frameworks and design systems, the project not only achieves superior performance but also lays the foundation for a scalable, adaptable, and visually cohesive web presence.
Our Senior Vice President of Strategy, Jaime Escott, sums it all up for us, “the new Boston Digital site tells the brand story of delivering smarter digital. It’s amazing how effective websites can be when you truly get to know your audience first and develop a website around their specific needs, to create something groundbreaking.”
