When we began working on TICA’s new website, it was clear that their previous online presence was holding them back and didn’t properly showcase their expertise.
We centered our design elements around user experience and customizability, envisioning a custom-built solution using Crate to address the lack of modern design, user-friendly interface and essential accessibility features that made updates to their previous site a challenge for the TICA team and navigation frustrating for users. As the project evolved, we included Elementor as a page builder to ensure that TICA’s team could easily manage their content to better serve the TICA community.
With user experience at the core of our approach, we developed three key features to streamline content organization and to guide visitors to the information they need: a dynamic blog, an extensive breeder listings directory, and the intuitive ‘All About Cats’ search function.
As a leading authority in feline care, TICA’s mission was to create a central hub for their essential resources, including newsletters, health research, and general cat care guides. While their previous site contained a wealth of valuable information, much of it was buried and difficult for users to find. Our goal was to bring these resources to the forefront, making them more accessible, engaging, and easy to navigate for cat lovers everywhere.
For the new site, we prioritized creating a powerful and user-friendly blog that organizes TICA’s vast collection of feline resources into clearly defined categories. To enhance accessibility, we implemented an intuitive topic filtering system, allowing users to effortlessly select or deselect topics based on their interests, ensuring they can quickly find the right information.
Another key feature is the breeder listings page, a comprehensive hub showcasing TICA-registered breeders worldwide. By integrating SalesForce data, we seamlessly imported and structured their extensive cattery database, making it easy for users to search by breed, country, and region/state, allowing users interested in buying a cat of any breed to find a cattery close to them. Now whether someone is looking for a Maine Coon in the US or a British Shorthair in Europe, they can locate a trusted breeder near them with just a few clicks.
But just before launch, a critical need emerged for the TICA team: natural language (semantic) search. TICA wanted a way for users to not just be able to search across the entire site, but intuitively search specific relevant information based on semantic searches. With a tight turnaround, we swiftly identified a solution and integrated WP Search with Algolia, an out-of-the-box solution that provided powerful search capabilities with the flexibility for small customizations to become the ‘All About Cats’ search function. Now when users ask a feline-related question using the All About Cats feature, they’re presented results of relevant blog posts, pages, and resources based on questions and the intent and meaning of their question, rather than simply matching words within the content.
After launching TICA’s new website, we were thrilled to continue our partnership through a long-term SEO retainer, helping to improve their digital presence. Typically, a site launch comes with an SEO adjustment period, often leading to a temporary dip in traffic and visibility in search results. However, by proactively implementing SEO strategies before the official launch, we were able to minimize disruptions and maintain TICA’s online momentum.
In the months following the launch, we made significant strides in preserving their domain authority, restoring organic search traffic near pre-launch levels, and expanding the number of keywords the site ranks for. Most notably, we secured top search positions for highly sought-after keywords for cat breeds, including Maine Coon, Siberian, and British Shorthair, strengthening TICA’s visibility as the go-to resource for feline enthusiasts worldwide.
TICA’s new website is more than just a redesign—it’s a transformation that enhances the way cat enthusiasts, breeders, and pet owners engage with the organization. By modernizing the site’s design, improving accessibility, and implementing intuitive features like natural language search, breeder listings, and a robust blog system, we’ve helped TICA create a seamless digital experience that truly reflects their expertise and commitment to feline welfare.
Beyond functionality, our early SEO efforts ensured a smooth transition, maintaining and even improving TICA’s visibility in search rankings. With a user-friendly, content-rich website now in place, TICA is well-positioned to continue serving as the world’s primary resource for all things cat. We’re proud to have played a part in this transformation and are excited to see the impact our work will have on the TICA community for years to come.
