How FHM Revolutionized Their Editorial Workflow with Newsifier
“Newsifier has transformed how we work. It’s efficient, easy to use, and fits perfectly with our needs”
Introduction: A New Chapter for FHM
FHM is one of the world’s most recognizable men’s lifestyle brands. In the Netherlands, FHM.nl has built a large online following with a mix of curated pop culture news and original content—but behind the scenes, their publishing workflow was slowing them down and impacting efficiency and growth.
And that wasn't their only problem says CEO Chris Riemens.
What were their main challenges?
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The Challenges: Outdated Systems Holding FHM Back
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The site was a complete mess. Updates couldn’t be implemented anymore, and it felt like everything was falling apart.
Before switching to Newsifier, FHM encountered various obstacles that complicated their daily workflow :
An Outdated WordPress Framework
FHM’s WordPress site was built on a framework developed by Wayne Parker Kent, later acquired by Mediahuis. Updates to the framework ceased, leaving FHM with an increasingly unmanageable website.
"The site was chaotic. Updates couldn’t be implemented, and the structure felt like it was falling apart,"
Slow Editorial Workflow
Creating articles on WordPress became a frustrating process. Editors had to go through several illogical steps just to publish content.
"It felt like solving a math formula every time we created an article,"
Poor Page Speed and SEO Performance
FHM’s website had a low Google PageSpeed score, negatively affecting user experience and SEO rankings. Without the right tools to optimize technical aspects, the team struggled to improve performance.
"We knew our PageSpeed was an issue, but fixing it with WordPress wasn’t straightforward"
The Solution: Why FHM Chose Newsifier
The decision to move to Newsifier was driven by the platform’s ability to address FHM’s specific pain points. Chris describes the switch as a breath of fresh air:
A User-Friendly System
Newsifier’s intuitive design eliminated the complexity of article creation. Editors can learn the system in just one day.
Even a new team member can start using Newsifier without formal training. What used to take hours can now be done in minutes. The system has made everything so much simpler.
Integrated Newsletter Management
FHM saw immediate benefits from Newsifier’s built-in newsletter feature. Switching from Mailchimp to Newsifier’s integrated newsletter tool saved FHM over €400 per month.
Newsletters that once required exporting subscriber lists and importing them into Mailchimp could now be created directly within the CMS in just a few minutes. "With Newsifier, everything is integrated. It’s not just easier, but also much more affordable," Chris said.
"Now it costs only €40 per month, and setting up a newsletter takes just a few minutes,"
Newsifier also offers automatic marketing options, such as embedding subscriber forms directly into articles, which helped FHM grow its subscriber base significantly.
"The built-in subscriber forms have made it so much easier to increase newsletter sign-ups,"
SEO and Page Speed Optimization
With Newsifier, FHM’s Google PageSpeed soared to over 95, a significant improvement from their previous low score. This change not only enhanced the user experience but also boosted SEO rankings.
"The PageSpeed improvement has made a noticeable difference. It’s something we struggled to achieve on WordPress"
Real-Time Analytics and Insights
Newsifier’s integrated real-time analytics provided FHM with valuable insights, including traffic from Google Discover and performance trends.
"We can now track real-time data and adjust our strategy based on what works best"
Smooth Migration from WordPress to Newsifier
One common concern for publishers considering a switch is the complexity of migration. For FHM, however, the transition was smooth and efficient.
The migration process felt seamless. The Newsifier team handled everything professionally
The team appreciated the clear communication and timely resolution of any minor issues during the migration.
It’s always a bit nerve-wracking to move to a new system, but with Newsifier, it was a positive experience
Within days, FHM was fully operational on Newsifier, with editors immediately noticing the improved speed and usability of the new system and no SEO value lost.
The Results: A Faster, Smarter FHM
Conclusion: A Seamless Transition and New Possibilities
The shift to Newsifier marked a turning point for FHM. The platform resolved long-standing issues, streamlined workflows, reduced costs, and enhanced SEO performance with a PageSpeed score of over 95.
For publishers like FHM, Newsifier isn’t just a CMS—it’s a partner in driving growth and simplifying operations.
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