The Web Kitchen

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Director of Marketing and Communications of Rumsey Hall School

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

At Rumsey Hall, we inspire the curious, the bold, and the forward-thinking—students who value honesty, kindness, and integrity in all they do. Our co-educational junior boarding school (grades 6–9) and day school (grades Pre- K–9) offer a challenging curriculum within a nurturing environment, preparing students for success in competitive secondary schools and beyond. 
Each child is celebrated for their individuality, contributions to the community, and innate character, fostering growth and confidence in every learner. Since our founding in 1900, Rumsey Hall has embraced a rich tradition while continually pushing the frontiers of learning and personal growth. 
At Rumsey Hall, effort defines success. Our teachers nurture the whole student—fueling the mind with dynamic academics, strengthening the body through athletics, and sparking creativity in the arts.

Nestled in the scenic Litchfield Hills of Northwest Connecticut, our vibrant Washington Depot campus buzzes with the energy of 338 students learning, creating, and growing across 300+ acres. Among our 32 iconic white buildings, artists find their spark in our fine and performing arts centers. 
At the same time, athletes push their limits on seven athletic fields in two gymnasiums, a hockey rink, indoor crew tanks, and indoor and outdoor tennis courts. With students from around the world, our nine dormitories become a home away from home—fostering a sense of family and belonging that extends far beyond the classroom.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Web Kitchen to accomplish?

• Create a visually-engaging and user-friendly website that reflects the values and mission of Rumsey Hall, while providing a seamless journey for prospective families.

SOLUTION

How did you find The Web Kitchen?

• Online Search
• Webby Awards

Why did you select The Web Kitchen over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost
• Company values aligned
• Strong web design

How many teammates from The Web Kitchen were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Discovery and Strategy: 

• Conduct a series of interviews or workshops to understand the needs of different user groups (prospective families, current parents, students, faculty, alumni). 
• Deliver a detailed strategy document outlining the project’s roadmap.

Messaging and Written Content Strategy: 

• We seek a content strategy that effectively communicates Rumsey Hall’s brand, vision, and mission while showcasing our unique educational approach—a blend of challenging academics, creative exploration, and character development. 
• Additionally, we need guidance on optimizing written content for search engines.

UX Review, Recommendations, and Restructure: 

• Conduct an audit of current content and structure, providing navigation recommendations.
• Address potential areas for new sections and/or content development.

Design System Development: 

• A new responsive, component/atomic-based design system that reflects the school’s brand and visual identity. 
• Visual and interactive designs should be clear, intuitive, and implemented on Wordpress in a sustainable way. 
• The designs should also be efficient; common styles and structures should be repurposed where applicable. 
• Delivered designs need to be accessible and adhere to Section 508 web standards and must conform to WCAG 2.1 Level AA standards. 
• User tests of designs with key stakeholders. 
• Deliver the site in phases, with a basic version live by June 1, 2025, and full functionality added throughout the summer.

Integrations: 

• Implement all integrations defined throughout the discovery, UX, and design phase. (Ex. Blackbaud athletics calendar and scoreboard, coaches, and staff/faculty directory)

Content Migration: 

• Transfer existing content from the old site (text, images, videos) to the new site while optimizing for better user experience and SEO.

Training, Testing, and Launch:

• Provide training for staff members to manage and update the website after launch.
  Thoroughly test the site for bugs, user experience, and performance. 
• Launch the site after final approval.

Ongoing Support: 

• Provide maintenance and support services after launch.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

New website built and launched on time

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

Their project management was truly exemplary, consistently responsive, proactive, and focused on helping us meet a very aggressive launch timeline with a clear, strategic approach. We felt guided and supported every step of the way. Their thorough communication and collaborative spirit made them true partners throughout the process.

What was your primary form of communication with The Web Kitchen?

• Virtual Meeting
• Email or Messaging App

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

Project management, creative solutions, strategic thinking, visual design

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Web Kitchen could have done differently?

no

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Senior Communications Manager of a higher education institution.

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

We are a higher education institution.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Web Kitchen to accomplish?

• develop a new website to increase web traffic
• redesign the look and feel to improve user experience
• rethink the structure to support customer journey and conversions

SOLUTION

How did you find The Web Kitchen?

Online Search

Why did you select The Web Kitchen over others?

• Pricing fit our budget
• Great culture fit
• Good value for cost

How many teammates from The Web Kitchen were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

Our external website is being redeveloped to align with our new marketing strategy, which sees the website as one of the our primary marketing tools and realise key improvements that will support the positioning of our digital brand. 
The current site is dated: in appearance; user interface and the general treatment of content and calls-to-action. It is not reflective of what potential customers expect from us and the overall user experience does not reflect our vision and values. 
We wish to attract and convert a growing international community of both mature undergraduate and postgraduate students who see us as their ‘first-choice’ College.  

Project objectives and goals 
Primary objectives 
Refresh the website’s visual design (look and feel) to leverage competitive advantage, elevating our digital brand to be equal to that of our competitors. The new design will need to adhere to our existing branding guidelines.  
Streamline user journeys and help potential customers find relevant information (navigation, prompts and search) that will help them in their decision-making process. 
Create a unified template approach across all microsites, that supports consistency and clarity. 
Improve usability and responsiveness across both desktop and mobile experiences. 
 
Primary goals 
Increase website traffic 
Improve UX across both desktop and mobile to be fully responsive 
Improve accessibility so that it meets minimum WCAG accessibility regulations 
Increase enquiries and lead conversions i.e. contact admissions, donate, enquire about conference/event hire 
Ensure content remains of the highest quality and appeals to an international audience 
Improve SEO, adhering to industry best practice 

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

We have seen an increase in web traffic. For the first three months post launch there has been a 28% increase in active users, against the same period, previos year.

Feedback across the board has been highly positive - from students, staff, and stakeholders across the university as a whole.

I am also convinced that the successful launch of this website project has demonstrated the importance and value impact of marketing and communications to the organisation, resulting in an increased marketing budget and potential to recruit new staff.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

The project management was excellent. Matt was friendly, communicative, flexible and organised.

What was your primary form of communication with The Web Kitchen?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

The combination of creativity, flexibility, and friendliness meant that at no point did I feel unsupported. No ask was too much trouble. There was always a solution and expert advice was always given.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Web Kitchen could have done differently?

I can't think of anything.

BACKGROUND

Please describe your company and position.

I am the Head of Marketing of Wellington College

Describe what your company does in a single sentence.

Education

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What specific goals or objectives did you hire The Web Kitchen to accomplish?

• Create a new visual identify and website

SOLUTION

How did you find The Web Kitchen?

Referral

Why did you select The Web Kitchen over others?

Referred to me

How many teammates from The Web Kitchen were assigned to this project?

2-5 Employees

Describe the scope of work in detail. Please include a summary of key deliverables.

TWK was entrusted with the exciting opportunity to revamp our website, having previously developed our highly successful current website eight years ago. Our goal was to elevate our online presence to a similar level of excellence. 

Given the arrival of a new headmaster at Wellington, we also saw it as an ideal moment to explore branding and visual identity. This comprehensive project encompassed thorough stakeholder research and a visionary reimagination of our visual identity, laying the groundwork for the creation of an exceptional new website.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What were the measurable outcomes from the project that demonstrate progress or success?

The stakeholder feedback regarding the website has been overwhelmingly positive, further affirming the resounding success of the project. Additionally, we are thrilled to announce that our project was the recipient of the highly esteemed Webby Award for the best website in the Education category. 

This remarkable achievement stands as a true testament to the exceptional quality of our website redesign, reflecting our commitment to providing an unparalleled online experience for our prospective parents and pupils.

Describe their project management. Did they deliver items on time? How did they respond to your needs?

TWK demonstrated excellent project management throughout the entire engagement. They consistently delivered items on time, ensuring that the project stayed on track and met established milestones.

What was your primary form of communication with The Web Kitchen?

Virtual Meeting

What did you find most impressive or unique about this company?

One of the most impressive and unique qualities about TWK was their unparalleled creativity. Throughout our engagement, their ability to think outside the box and provide innovative solutions truly stood out. 

They consistently brought fresh and imaginative ideas to the table, pushing the boundaries of traditional approaches. Their creative thinking not only added value to the project but also sparked new perspectives and possibilities. It was their exceptional creativity that set them apart and made working with TWK a truly remarkable experience.

Are there any areas for improvement or something The Web Kitchen could have done differently?

We are delighted with the website delivered by TWK. The exceptional quality and impact of their work have far exceeded our expectations. However, our commitment to providing an exceptional user experience (UX) remains ongoing. As a result, we continue to collaborate closely with The Web Kitchen to further enhance the website's UX. 

This collaborative effort reflects our dedication to continuously refining and optimising the user journey, ensuring that our visitors have a seamless and engaging experience. By maintaining an active partnership with TWK, we strive to stay at the forefront of UX best practices and deliver a website that consistently exceeds user expectations.

BACKGROUND

Introduce your business and what you do there.

I’m the digital marketing manager for a renewable energy company.

OPPORTUNITY / CHALLENGE

What challenge were you trying to address with The Web Kitchen?

We needed help designing a WordPress website with SEO optimization.

SOLUTION

What was the scope of their involvement? 

The Web Kitchen is responsible for designing and hosting our website. We initially provided them with the guidelines and scope. The website must be extremely user-friendly, mobile, and optimized for SEO. It also needs to reflect our brand accurately.

What is the team composition?

We have one project manager from The Web Kitchen. Additionally, there are anywhere between 4–8 teammates working on the project.

How did you come to work with The Web Kitchen?

We researched and then reached out to them. The Web Kitchen had a strong track record with big international brands. They ticked all of our boxes in terms of publicly stating their approach and how they worked with clients. As a boutique company, they were big enough to deliver large projects for big clients but also small enough to be nimble, agile, and cutting-edge.

How much have you invested in them?

We’ve spent between $100,000–$150,000.

What is the status of this engagement?

We first engaged them in February 2022, and the partnership is still ongoing.

RESULTS & FEEDBACK

What evidence can you share that demonstrates the impact of the engagement?

The outcome has far exceeded our expectations. The website has received rave reviews regarding its design and functionality. Although we launched only a week ago, we’re already seeing an uptick in improvement in SEO, which is impressive.

How did The Web Kitchen perform from a project management standpoint?

Project management has been excellent from the start, and communication has been stellar. They communicate clearly and frequently, and we always know exactly where we stand throughout the project.

What did you find most impressive about them?

First, they stand out for their creativity, expertise in design, and best practices. The Web Kitchen is rightly confident to challenge us on some of our assumptions and drive us in a strategically stronger direction. Many agencies just say yes, and customers end up getting projects that don’t feel like what they set out to achieve.

Are there any areas they could improve?

Nothing comes to mind for improvements. We’d give them a rave review from start to finish.

Do you have any advice for potential customers?

Trust their processes and expertise. We actively recommend The Web Kitchen to our network or anyone looking at websites.