ForWardAI HutchConnect

Modern Local Directory & Digital Growth Platform

Project Overview

HutchConnect is a community-driven digital platform built entirely by ForWardAI to strengthen the local business ecosystem in Hutchinson, Kansas. What began as an experiment in local collaboration quickly evolved into a full-scale digital growth network connecting dozens of small businesses, creators, and entrepreneurs.

Our goal was simple: make it easy for any local business — from service providers and boutiques to event organizers — to get discovered online without technical barriers or large marketing budgets.

To achieve that, ForWardAI designed and developed the entire system from scratch, including:

A modern, SEO-optimized Squarespace foundation built for performance and scalability.
A custom AI onboarding workflow that generates polished listings and approval emails automatically.
Integrated automations connecting Google Drive, HubSpot, and email outreach for effortless partner management.
A localized content strategy showcasing partner stories, community events, and cross-promotion opportunities.

Today, HutchConnect stands as both a living portfolio piece and a working example of how ForWardAI’s website, automation, and AI services come together to power real-world results — right in our own community.

The Challenge

Small businesses in Hutchinson often struggled to:

Compete with national directories that charge high fees or bury local results.
Maintain a consistent online presence without the time or technical skills.
Find affordable, modern web solutions tailored to their community.

We wanted to create a platform built for Hutchinson first — something that didn’t just list businesses, but helped them thrive digitally.

Our Solution

ForWardAI designed and launched HutchConnect.com, a modern local business directory powered by automation and intentional design.

Key features implemented:

Squarespace Directory Architecture:
Category-based blog system enabling easy business listings, searchability, and partner tagging.
AI-Assisted Listing Workflow:
Streamlined onboarding powered by AI copy generation, ensuring every business gets a professional, consistent listing.
HubSpot & Google Workspace Integration:
Automatic lead capture, follow-up emails, and CRM tracking for partner management.
Event & Partner System:
Allows partners to submit events, highlight milestones, and cross-promote local initiatives.
Social Media & SEO Strategy:
Unified tone and automation for content generation, local keywords, and partner spotlights.

Impact & Results

In its first six months, HutchConnect has:

Onboarded 40+ local partners across multiple industries.
Generated thousands of directory views and link clicks to partner websites.
Become a trusted local resource, featured by Startup Hutch and supported by multiple community organizations.
Created new cross-business collaborations and referrals through its partner network.