The Client
TeenLife is a leading directory and marketplace helping students, parents, and educators discover K-12 enrichment programs. The platform connects users with summer camps, STEM programs, arts programs, and academic opportunities across the U.S.
By 2021, the platform had strong brand recognition but was showing signs of technical strain. Search was slow. Listings were difficult to navigate. Page load times were hurting engagement. For a content- and search-driven platform, this was critical.
TeenLife needed a partner to modernize without disrupting live operations.
What They Needed
TeenLife required Axioned to provide a hybrid model - aka Run and Extend. They had some existing development talent, but needed additional expertise (Extend) and consistent ownership (Run) to:
- Improve search performance
- Modernize core platform components
- Support CMS and content workflows
- Optimize infrastructure
- Increase overall platform usability and stability
This was not a full rebuild. It was targeted modernization inside a live, revenue-generating environment. Speed mattered. Continued stability mattered also.
The Solution
Search Re-Architecture
One of the most impactful upgrades was the integration of Algolia to power listings and search.
Search and listings are the core of the TeenLife experience. Slow or inaccurate results directly affect engagement and monetization.
By modernizing the search layer and restructuring how data was indexed, we significantly improved speed and accuracy.
Post the Algolia integration, listings and search results loaded over 90% faster, with page load times reduced from several seconds to under one second .
For a directory-driven platform, that level of performance change was transformational.
Platform Modernization + Ongoing Ownership
Since 2021, Axioned has supported TeenLife in a hybrid Run + Extend capacity. Our team works alongside internal stakeholders to:
- Modernize legacy components
- Improve UX and navigation
- Support infrastructure upgrades
- Maintain performance and reliability
- Implement ongoing feature enhancements
This structure provides both embedded capacity and external accountability. TeenLife benefits from internal control and external velocity.
The Result
The platform is now:
- Significantly faster and more responsive
- Easier to navigate
- More scalable from an infrastructure perspective
- Better positioned for growth and advertiser confidence
In 2024, TeenLife was acquired by U.S. News. While acquisitions depend on many factors, a stable, modern, and scalable platform is foundational to valuation and transition readiness. Since 2021, Axioned has helped strengthen that foundation.