The Shot

Context

The Shot is an independent online publication known for its unapologetic takes on politics, culture, and current events. With an irreverent editorial voice and a growing audience, it fills a vital gap in Australia’s media landscape by offering perspectives often overlooked by mainstream outlets. The publication runs lean, with a small but dedicated team managing a high output of commentary, podcasts, and multimedia content. Their old site, however, was holding them back—outdated in design, clunky in function, and difficult to maintain.

The project

When The Shot approached Caffeine Powered Digital, their goals were clear: modernise the look and feel without losing their distinctive edge, and create a platform that could scale with them. We built a custom WordPress theme that struck the right balance—cleaner design and improved usability, but still carrying the punch and grit of their voice. Functionality-wise, we integrated a membership platform to handle supporter subscriptions, giving readers an easy way to back the publication directly. We also added custom post types for their growing library of podcasts and video content, ensuring their diverse output had a home. Throughout, we worked closely with the team to make sure the site matched their publishing workflow.

The outcome

The new site provided The Shot with the digital foundation they needed to grow. Their readers now enjoy a smoother, more engaging experience, and the membership functionality created a sustainable revenue stream to support their work. The editorial team gained a backend that’s far less fiddly, allowing them to focus on creating rather than wrangling tech. Best of all, the redesign reinforced The Shot’s independence and voice, positioning them as a strong, credible alternative to traditional outlets. The team was thrilled with the result and continues to work with us on refinements as their audience expands.