Kids Can Press Website Migration by Vertical

About

Kids Can Press (KCP), part of Corus Entertainment, is the largest Canadian-owned children’s publisher and the home of beloved characters like Franklin the Turtle and Scaredy Squirrel. Their website is a key channel for educators, parents, and readers to explore their award-winning catalog of children’s books.

This migration was more than just a technical upgrade, it was a complete digital transformation that unified Kids Can Press’s publishing and e-commerce workflows under one secure, scalable platform.

By consolidating multiple systems into WordPress + WooCommerce, Vertical delivered a future-proof solution that empowers the KCP team to focus on storytelling and sales, instead of managing technology overhead.

The project demonstrates how Vertical’s expertise in complex migrations, custom plugin development, and e-commerce optimization can directly translate into measurable business growth and long-term value.

Challenge

Their old setup, split between Shopify (for e-commerce) and Drupal 7 (for content management), had become slow, expensive, and difficult to manage. With Drupal 7 reaching end of life and admin workflows stretched across two platforms, KCP needed a unified, modern solution that would cut costs, improve security, and deliver a smoother experience for both administrators and customers.

Solution

Our team carefully planned the migration to ensure no disruption to KCP’s operations or brand identity. All work was tested in a dedicated staging environment, with continuous QA and client feedback before final launch. Downtime during go-live was under 10 minutes.

Kids can press portfolio

Migration Approach

Our team carefully planned the migration to ensure no disruption to KCP’s operations or brand identity.

  • Content mapping & export: Using custom Python scripts, we exported all data: books, creators, custom fields, and taxonomies — from Shopify and Drupal.
  • Data import & cleanup: We built WordPress plugins to re-import the content, clean unused fields, and restructure taxonomies for simplicity.
  • File transfer: Over 20GB of media assets (images, videos, epub files) were migrated securely via FTP.
  • SEO preservation: We ensured URL structure, metadata, and redirects stayed intact to safeguard organic rankings.
  • Exact design match: The new site replicated the previous Drupal design (as per client request), ensuring seamless brand continuity.

Client Goals

KCP wanted to:

  • Unify systems: Replace Shopify + Drupal with one scalable platform.
  • Simplify administration: Enable editors to easily import new books, creators, and catalogs.
  • Cut costs: Reduce ongoing maintenance overhead.
  • Boost performance: Improve site speed, stability, and security.
  • Enhance user experience: Streamlined e-commerce with WooCommerce.
  • Drive results: Increase traffic, sales, and SEO performance.

Technical Execution

The new platform was built on:

  • WordPress + WooCommerce + Divi
  • Custom import plugin for future product uploads in just a few clicks.
  • WooPayments integration for transactions.
  • Advanced search engine using Relevanssi plus Search & Filter for granular filtering (age, grade, genre, curriculum).
  • Product variants for multiple formats (ebook, paperback, hardcover).
  • Side cart, order import/export, inventory management, and custom carousels.
  • Security layers including Wordfence, Captcha, and secured FTP.

Challenges & Solutions

  • Dual legacy systems: Mapping different data structures from Shopify and Drupal required custom scripting and plugins.
  • Large-scale media migration: Transferring 20GB+ of assets was handled with optimized FTP processes.
  • Granular search needs: We engineered advanced filters for parents, educators, and buyers.
  • Pixel-perfect design: Preserved the exact look and feel while modernizing the backend.
  • SEO & URL preservation: Ensured no search rankings were lost.

Results & Impact

+40% traffic in the first months after migration.

+20–30% increase in sales thanks to improved WooCommerce workflows.

50% faster site speed, creating a smoother user experience.

40% lower maintenance costs by consolidating into one platform.

+50%

Sales Increase

+40%

Traffic Growth

−40%

Costs Reduction

KCP gains

Vertical handled our migration with great professionalism and care. They simplified a complex process, preserved our brand identity, and gave us a platform that’s faster, easier to manage, and better for our readers. The results have been fantastic — more traffic, more sales, and a website we’re proud of.

About Kids Can Press

Kids Can Press is Canada’s largest children’s book publisher and part of Corus Entertainment. Its award-winning catalog includes globally loved stories and characters that inspire children of all ages, as well as educational resources for parents and teachers.

About Vertical

Vertical is a Toronto-based WordPress digital agency specializing in web design, development, and complex migrations. With over 15 years of experience, our team builds high-performance websites and e-commerce solutions using the latest technologies, always balancing scalability, usability, and design. We pride ourselves on close collaboration with clients and on-time, on-budget delivery.

[email protected]
verticalhq.ca

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