Franklin County Free Press – Building a News Empire

Client Overview:
Franklin County Free Press is an independent digital news outlet based in Franklin County, Pennsylvania.

The Problem (2019):

• They had no digital presence, no CMS, and no monetization structure.
• The client needed a scalable system to deliver breaking news, feature stories, and community updates in real-time.
• Competitors were still print-heavy or had clunky online formats.

Our Solution:

• Designed and launched a custom WordPress-based news network in 2019.
• Features included:
  • Real-time publishing tools
  • Contributor access control
  • Native ad space and Google AdSense setup
  • Newsletter, archive system, and mobile-first design
• Built from the ground up for speed, simplicity, and scale.

The Result:

• By 2021, Franklin County Free Press dominated the local news market online.
• Outperformed traditional outlets in digital traffic, reach, and engagement.
• Continues to serve as a modern model for regional journalism.