Municipal Web Design by Webtide Internet Solutions. Professional Web Design since 1994. Successful, creative websites that return real value for your investment.

Why the Town of Gibsons had Webtide build their website:



Town of Gibsons, BC

Improved constituent participation and communication
Cost efficient dispersal of current municipal information
Immediate public access to Agendas, Minutes and Memos
Elucidation of departmental responsibilities and services
Ongoing service commitment by Webtide Internet Solutions

Read more about Webtide municipal web design below.

Progressive cities and towns are discovering the advantages to having their own website. A municipal website can increase participation by residents in local government, inform it's citizens of current events, show off the community to outside visitors and promote the area's assets to business looking for new locations. With an informative and attractive website cities can engage the world in an online presentation of their community.

Seven reasons for your city to develop a municipal website:

Many citizens are internet savvy and looking for municipal services online
Immediate dispersal of information: Agendas, Minutes, Town Memos/Notices
Streamlining of paper-based processes such as permits or applications
Community feedback can be received and responded to immediately
Departmental responsibilities and services can be identified and detailed
Business and new residents are using the internet to research new locations
Potential tourists can learn about your city's attractions - parks, galleries, etc.

Online
Development
Applications

Agendas
Minutes

Planning
Department

Beaches
Parks & Trails

Benefits to Staff and Residents
Staff and local residents can benefit from the information presented on a municipal website. Meeting Agendas and Minutes, Project Tenders and upcoming events can be posted for review. Development Applications, Municipal Permits and Bill Payments can be completed online at anytime. Local residents are able to access information at their convenience and staff are able to point people to online information and streamline processing of paper-oriented procedures. Identifying departmental services helps keep the lines of responsibilities clear for internal personnel and the public.

Benefits to Out of Area Viewers
Business and people outside of the area can learn about your city's amenities and attractions. Incorporating photographs and informative text can tell the story of your city in a compelling and educational manner. You can let business know of your economic development opportunities and of the facilities and zoning regions available to them. Potential tourists can be shown pictures of local parks, galleries, festivals and sporting events. With the versatility of the internet photographs, movies and music can be used to show the benefits of a business locating, or a tourist visiting, your city.

Municipal Website Design by Webtide Internet Solutions.

How Will Citizens Access the Internet?
Many of your citizens have internet access and many facilities from libraries and schools to community centres and post offices are offering access to the public. More and more people are getting used to using the World Wide Web. The fact that the internet is available 24 hours a day is a convenience to many working people. The ability to access municipal information, fill-out a permit or development application, submit a tender bid, pay a water or tax bill or ask the staff or an elected representative a question at anytime is an option many will appreciate and use. As the number of internet users increases your website will be ready to accommodate them.

Successful municipal websites are created by incorporating a city's municipal operations and information into a web design that showcases the city's culture and personality. Nine ways to make sure your site reflects your needs and serves your viewers are listed below:

Design the site to include comprehensive municipal information
Create a visual interface that fits your community culture
Prioritize navigation and ease-of-use
Keep content current and archive past content for easy retrieval
Request feedback and respond as soon as possible
Include an email sign-up and broadcast new additions to the website
Promote your site in traditional and online media
Analyze your statistics to learn how people use your site

Events
Calendar

SignUp Time

Transit Info

Archive

Links!
Find 'em Here

Information Dispersal
Municipal websites disperse a large amount of information. In order for this information to be of use it must be presented in an accessible manner. The site must be designed so that information is easy to find, easy to read and, in some cases, easy to print. Make Navigation throughout the site a priority. Viewers will explore your site if they feel comfortable with their ability to find their way around the website and back to the home page. Remember that many of your citizens may be novice internet users and design your site for them and for the experienced surfers.

Viewer Comments & Feedback
Respond to viewer comments and encourage feedback. Be approachable. Let your viewers know that your consider their comments and suggestions important. Encourage viewers to send feedback by including forms that allow them to easily contact you. Establish email addresses for staff and elected representatives. Respond as soon as possible to emails received — even if it is a confirmation of email received and let the sender know when to expect a full response. Invite users to sign-up for a weekly email broadcast that keeps them informed of the latest additions to the website. Keep your users involved and they will repay you be using the website and letting you know what works — and what needs improvement.

Design of Your Website
Design a website that fits with your community. If you are a small town on the west coast, a design that conveys ocean elements to your viewers may be appropriate. If your city is a large metropolis that thrives on a night life of theatre, clubs and opera, design your website to reflect that lifestyle. Whatever your physical or social surroundings use colours, design and imagery that mirror your amenities.

Promotion of Your Website
Constantly be aware of ways to get your website out to the local citizens and the world. Include your website address on all print material (newspaper ads, business cards, signs and all Town letterhead. Register your website with online search engines and check these registrations every couple of months to see how your are placing. Design of your website can be major factor of getting high placement in search engines. Make sure the person designing your site is knowledgeable about this aspect of web design. Reciprocal linking is also an important part of driving web traffic to your site. Read the Webtide newsletter about Reciprocal Linking here.

Statistical Analysis
Analyze your web traffic. Statistics about your web traffic are logged and are usually reported by your web hosting company. Analyzing these statistics will give you an idea of how people are viewing your site. They usually detail such things as number of hits, number of page views, most viewed pages, paths viewers take through the site, etc. Webtide generate Statistics Reports for clients hosted on it's server. View an example of a Statistics Report here .

Webtide designs Successful Municipal Websites

Webtide Internet Solutions works with the Town of Gibsons in the design and development of their successful municipal website. Together we have structured a website that presents the Town's information within a design that fits with the Town's West Coast lifestyle. The site is used extensively by local citizens and by visitors from around the world, including the United States, Australia, Japan, Germany, France, Spain, and Switzerland.

Webtide's commitment does not stop once the site is developed. Webtide continues to provide ongoing service that includes technical support, ongoing maintenance and the incorporation of new design elements. Both the Town of Gibsons and Webtide are committed to providing local citizens, and the world, with a comprehensive website that is informative and attractive and continually strives to showcase the assets of the Town of Gibsons.

Visit the Town of Gibsons successful municipal website.

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