Winning Web Sites

Tennessee City Management Assn., Spring Conference, April 22-24, 2008

“Winning Web Sites” (Heida Smith, TVA)

This was a presentation on Web Sites and how to improve them. I picked up several ideas that I feel will improve our web site. Although the City isn’t interested in traditional industry, we do wish to remain attractive to commercial retail and residents, and maintain information and service for our current residents.

85% of Site Selections begin on web sites. Think “what would you want to know about a community if you were locating a business, deciding where to live” etc.

HOME PAGE:

-Vicinity map. (Our home page doesn’t have a vicinity map and I will change this as soon as possible!)

-Address:

1. Who you are (Organization and contact info)
2. What you do (Purpose and audience)
3. Where your are

Some Economic Development web site basics:

-“Content is King”
-Logical Structure and Navigation
-Graphical elements that add value
-Flexible and downloadable formats
-Invites interactivity (place to ask questions etc.)
-Less Text is better
-Linkages and connectivlty
-FAQ section

(I will review our web site for these “basics” and make changes as necessary)

Use basic Navigational Structures such as “Doing business in, Living in, Visiting etc.” (Our web site doesn’t use this specifically. However, I think our system is even a little better and briefer.)

Economic Development Navigational Structures include:

-Available Sites and buildings
-Demographic info
-Transportation
-Infrastructure
-Education and workforce
-Taxes and incentives
-Permit and Licenses
-Existing Industry
-Quality of Life
-Links
-“Contact Us”

Some services that can be provided on-line:

-Permitting
-Contracts
-GIS/Property info


“Web Site “Do’s”

-Define Audience and purpose
-Clean up the home page
-Clearly label navigational tabs (Call it what it is!)
-Have a relevant URL
-Vicinity Map (make downloadable)
-Contact info on a global position
-Updated data
-Downloadable formats for data

-Designed by professionals
-Staff bios pictures
-Use Web site as electronic library about city

Keep it fresh: Maintaining a web site is as important as creating it.

Keep it current!



www.netmechanci.com (toolbox for web site)

www.trafficzap.com

www.altavista.com (babel fish to translate)


www.searchenginewatch.com


This was a valuable informational session, especially since a web site has become a primary means of communicating with residents, potential residents and businesses. I am going to use the information to evaluate and improve our web site.