Web Design and Referral Workflow Case Study
Himely Hikers needed a website that put their content first. They had strong hiking stories, guides, and real experiences to share, but the site did not yet support steady reading or exploration. The aim was to create a clear starting point for readers who wanted useful, honest outdoor content.
The focus was on making posts easy to find and easy to read. Articles needed space to breathe. Navigation had to feel natural, not forced. Readers should be able to move from one story to the next without losing context or interest. This helped visitors stay longer and explore more of the site.
Product recommendations were part of the journey, not the headline. Links to hiking gear were placed where they made sense, inside relevant content. This allowed the site to earn through affiliate recommendations while keeping trust intact. Readers stayed focused on the story, and product clicks followed naturally.
Himely Hikers needed a clearer way to publish hiking stories while supporting income through product recommendations. The site was reshaped to help readers move naturally from content to relevant gear without disrupting the reading experience.
Create a content-led website that launched with published articles, encouraged repeat reading, and supported affiliate revenue through context-driven product links.
Balance storytelling with monetisation. The site had to stay simple to navigate, work smoothly across devices, and allow content to grow without making product links feel forced or distracting.
The site was shaped around written content rather than products. Hiking stories, guides, and experiences were given clear space, helping readers settle into the content instead of scanning past it. This made articles easier to follow and encouraged longer reading sessions.
Posts were organised so readers could move naturally from one article to the next. Related topics were easy to find, which reduced dead ends and kept visitors exploring the site instead of leaving after a single page.
Gear suggestions were tied closely to the content being read. Instead of standing apart, product links appeared where they were relevant to the story. This helped readers understand why an item was recommended and increased trust in those links.
The structure allowed new articles and recommendations to be added without disrupting existing content. This made it easier to keep the site active and up to date as new hikes, tips, and experiences were shared.
The site adapted smoothly to different screen sizes, allowing readers to enjoy long-form content and follow links comfortably, whether they were on a phone, tablet, or desktop.
Everything supported steady publishing and repeat visits. As content grew, the site continued to guide readers clearly, helping Himely Hikers build an audience while supporting affiliate income in a way that felt practical and honest.
