URL: https://www.clashmusic.com
Client Background: Clash Magazine and ClashMusic.com were originally founded by John O’Rourke (Managing Director of ACDigital), Clash has been a pioneering force in the music industry. Their online platform, ClashMusic.com, boasts an impressive archive of 100,000 articles, establishing itself as a trusted source for music news and reviews. So who better to manage a strategic and large-scale website migration project?
Challenge: With changing technology, ClashMusic.com faced the challenge of migrating from outdated technology to a modern blog-style Open Source Content Management System (CMS). Maintaining their high Domain Authority ranking of 76 and reinstating their Search Engine Optimization (SEO) strength, especially on Google News, was paramount during this transition.
Solution: Clash Magazine enlisted ACDigital to project manage the migration seamlessly. Leveraging the expertise of both ACDigital Directors, John O’Rourke and Nick Annan ( Clash Magazine’s original Online & Reviews Editor), both possess extensive knowledge and experience in digital publishing, ClashMusic.com entrusted ACDigital with this critical task.
Approach: ACDigital embarked on a comprehensive approach, collaborating closely with Clash Magazine’s team to understand the intricacies of their platform and the importance of database integrity. Recognizing the significance of maintaining high Domain Authority and SEO strength, ACDigital devised a meticulous plan to ensure a smooth migration.
Execution: Over several weeks, ACDigital diligently managed the migration process, coordinating various elements and third-party vendors. Their expertise allowed the management and editorial teams at ClashMusic.com to concentrate fully on their day-to-day operations. Additionally, ACDigital provided strategic advice to the editorial team, optimizing article composition and writing to attract more visitors.
Result: The migration was a resounding success. ClashMusic.com seamlessly transitioned to the new Open Source CMS, maintaining its high Domain Authority ranking and restoring its SEO strength, particularly on Google News. ACDigital’s strategic advice to the editorial team successfully attracted more visitors, resulting in reaching significantly higher traffic numbers of 500,000+ unique monthly visitors.
Cost Efficiency: Furthermore, ACDigital’s efficiencies in the migration process allowed Clash Music to save a significant sum, estimated at £10,000 per annum, by switching hosting providers.
Client Feedback: Clash Magazine praised ACDigital’s exemplary project management, expertise, and strategic guidance. ACDigital’s seamless execution and strategic advice were instrumental in the successful migration and subsequent traffic restoration. The digital side of Clash is pivotal in attracting global brands and labels like Apple, Universal, EMI, Warners etc. Clash is immensely grateful to our former Management team for their conscientious work and resounding project success.
In summary, the partnership between Clash Magazine and ACDigital exemplifies the importance of strategic project management and expertise in executing seamless migrations. By leveraging ACDigital’s skills, knowledge and experience, ClashMusic.com successfully transitioned to a modern CMS, maintaining its authoritative presence in the music industry while achieving significant ongoing cost savings.