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7.7. EDSR 01-16-2024
Request for Action To Item Number Economic Development Authority 7.7 Agenda Section Meeting Date Prepared by General Business January 16, 2024 Joshua Mollan, Economic Development Specialist Item Description Reviewed by General Updates Brent O’Neil, Economic Development Director Reviewed by Cal Portner, City Administrator Action Requested Item presented for information and discussion purposes. Background/Discussion This item is an opportunity to share updates and discuss other non-action items. Financial Impact N/A Mission/Policy/Goal Support Elk River’s existing businesses through relationship building, programmatic offerings, and high-quality city services. Attract new business development to Elk River to build the city’s economic vibrancy, job offerings and tax base. Attachments Quarterly Report on Website The Elk River Vision A welcoming community with revolutionary and spirited resourcefulness, exceptional service, and community engagement that encourages and inspires prosperity. Updated: January 2023 Prepared for City of Elk River Economic Development Quarterly Analytics Report Q4 2023 Confidential:This report is intended solely for the use of the addressee and may contain confidential information.Any dissemination, distribution,copying,or other use of this document is strictly prohibited Golden Shovel Agency 43 East Broadway Street Little Falls,MN 56345 Phone:(320)639-0110 Toll-Free:(888)266-4778 www.GoldenShovelAgency.com 1 Happy New Year!We hope this finds you in good spirits and excellent health. Time flies,and here we are,wrapping up another year of exciting projects and shared successes.As we gather the insights and highlights for our Q4 2023 report,it's impossible not to reflect on the amazing journey we've shared.It's like our websites—constantly evolving and getting better with each passing quarter. Before we dive into the nitty-gritty of numbers and milestones,we want to take a moment to express our gratitude for your continued support and partnership.It has been a pleasure seeing your organization thrive online.It's not just business;it's a journey we've embarked on together.We know economic development isn’t always the most riveting dinner party conversation,but hey,we make websites cool,right?Your online presence has never been more crucial,and we're here to ensure it's not just a digital placeholder but a vibrant,effective tool for growth. As we turn the page to 2024,we're not just looking at numbers;we're envisioning your continued success.May your projects flourish,your communities thrive,and your website remains a powerful hub of information and engagement.We're not just in the business of building websites;we're here to support your vision for economic growth,and we look forward to navigating the exciting opportunities that the new year will undoubtedly bring. Cheers to an incredible 2024! The Golden Shovel Team 2 Gateway Developments and Upgrades Our development team continued working to bring you more upgrades and new tools for your website.These are the most recent additions to our platform: ●Resource-Link Category Grouping:The resource-link template has been upgraded to display resources grouped by category.Each result displays under a heading of the category/categories to which it has been assigned. Demo link here. ●Duplicate Custom Form Functionality:The Custom Forms module has had functionality added to allow an existing form to be copied. ●Display Event Instances:The events template has been modified to show any additional date/time instances on the detail page.This allows users to see when an event may be available on additional days.(Past dates are displayed with a strikethrough,to indicate that they are no longer available.) Demo link here. ●Staff Popup-Grid Staff Ordering:The popup-grid template for the Staff module has been modified to show staff members in the sort order requested in the admin (as possible within their assigned category). Demo link here. ●List-Cards Template:A new template for laying out content from the List Maker module has been built.This template displays module content on screen-width 'cards'and has options to display the cards in a stacked list or a carousel.Demo link here. ●List-Micro Template:A new template allowing the use of the List Maker module to create one-page 'micro sites'has been developed.The template –which is independent of any site branding –displays content from List Maker listings as page-filling screens,with options for photo or alternating color backgrounds.Demo link here. ●Additional stylizing,copy,and layout customizations can be commissioned for a more custom appearance. If you have questions or comments regarding any of the new development pieces or If you are interested in implementing these or other Gateway tools, please contact your GateKeeper representative or place a support ticket (support@goldenshovelagency.com). 3 Support and Resources Join our upcoming webinar:10 Key Trends for Economic Development Websites 2024 What are the most significant website trends for economic development in 2024? Will your organization be sufficiently innovative to take on the challenges of the year ahead or do you risk falling behind? Join Golden Shovel CEO,Aaron Brossoit and GIS Planning VP of Marketing, Alissa Sklar,Ph.D.for a look at the ten most important trends in economic development marketing online for the coming year,with live examples and practical tips related to the following factors -and more! The webinar will be February 1,2024,at 12:30 PM CST,and you can attend at no charge,but registration is required.Save your seat here! In case you missed it… If you missed our most recent webinar,don’t worry,we got your back!You can get access to the recording from the link below: Unleashing the Power of AI and ChatGPT in Economic Development Content Creation This webinar was prepared to concisely explore AI and ChatGPT best practices tailored for economic developers,from thoughtful planning to infusing your unique brand into AI-generated content and helping you learn to proofread,edit,and creatively use data for maximum impact.This short,impactful session promises to empower economic developers with the tools they need to revolutionize their approach to content creation. Watch the recording here 4 News! Here are some of the most relevant news/updates published on our website.Would you like to stay up-to-date with economic development industry standards,trends,and the latest news?Subscribe here to Golden Shovel’s Newsletter,“Economic Developer's EDGE”to get exclusive content every other week provided by our staff! Preparing a Local Workforce for the Data Center Industry Requires a Collaborative Approach As technology continues to advance,the demand for data centers has surged, particularly in the United States.Data centers serve as the backbone of the digital age, powering the internet and storing vast amounts of information.However,the rapid expansion of this industry has created a pressing need for a skilled workforce to build and operate these critical facilities.Recognizing this challenge,many companies,including Google,have taken significant strides in preparing the local workforce to meet the demands of the data center industry.Read the full article… The Importance of VR as a Marketing Tactic and the Science Behind Why It Works Have you considered VR as a marketing tactic?If not,perhaps it’s time you did.It’s hard to overstate the power and potential of this exciting technology.Effective marketers have made storytelling a priority for years.VR amplifies the impact of a story by making it an immersive experience.Learn more! 5 How to Prepare Data Center Sites for An Attraction Strategy If you are looking to attract a data center to your community,it’s critical to understand how to prepare sites or product that would be attractive and meet their needs.A data center attraction strategy must include available sites,ideally around 500 acres,along with the infrastructure to support them.Get the full article here! Closing the Workforce Gap:How Economic Developers Can Address Shortages in the Job Market The modern job market is evolving rapidly,driven by technological advancements,shifting demographics, and changing economic landscapes.As a result,many regions across the globe are facing significant shortages in the workforce,posing challenges to economic growth and development.However,with the right strategies and initiatives,economic developers can play a vital role in addressing these shortages and bridging the workforce gap.Click here for the full article! Beyond Brochures:Innovative Approaches to Destination Marketing In the world of destination marketing,the traditional brochure has long been a staple tool for attracting tourists and promoting a location’s unique offerings.However,as the travel industry continues to evolve and consumer preferences change,community leaders are finding that innovative approaches are key to staying relevant and competitive.In this article,we will explore some creative and forward-thinking strategies that are reshaping the way destinations market themselves.Click here for the full article! 6 Exploring the Power of Generative AI and ChatGPT:Unveiling the Magic Behind Language Models Generative AI and ChatGPT are not just buzzwords;they represent groundbreaking advancements in natural language processing (NLP)and are poised to impact economic development organizations.As we continue to reveal the potential applications of generative AI,we must understand this technology will change our world.On October 30,2023,President Joe Biden released the first Executive Order on artificial intelligence.This Executive Order balances the altruism of AI with the inevitable corporate interest of providing technology to the public.Learn more. Making Informed Choices:When to Harness AI and When to Exercise Caution Artificial intelligence (AI)is a powerful tool that has found applications in various domains,from streamlining operations to enabling innovative solutions.However,it’s essential to know when to employ AI and when to exercise caution to ensure the best outcomes.Read the full article Recommended Reading:Navigating the Future:Transforming Economic Development with AI &ChatGPT ChatGPT,large language models,business intelligence,and other neural networks give economic developers the data analytic tools needed to be successful in today’s technology-fueled business climate.Moreover, Golden Shovel Agency recognizes that to compete,economic developers must be able to use these tools 7 without worrying about the learning curve.We sincerely hope that by sharing our expertise,we can make your job easier and help you promote your community.Click here to download your free copy! Check out the latest episode of the ShovelTalk Podcast! In the "ShovelTalk"Podcast,your hosts,Bethany and Amanda and producer Darren,take you behind the scenes of local economic development organizations and help you to get to know economic developers from throughout the country (All episodes are available to you for free). Listen on Apple Podcasts Listen on Spotify Listen on Youtube Listen on Golden Shovel’s Website Ep.26 2023 Golden Shovel Year In Review and Sneak Peek to 2024 2023 was an exciting year for the Golden Shovel team.Our last episode of 2023 features Aaron Brossoit (CEO),Bethany Quinn (Vice President of Strategy &Content Development),Darren Varley (Vice President of Client Retention &Creative Services),Warren Westcott (Vice President of Sales),Greg Kolbjornsen (PlaceVR Executive Producer)and John Marshall (President)talking about what was 2023 and what will be 2024. Want to be a guest on the ShovelTalk Podcast?We'd love to have you!Fill out our interest form here. And...it’s time to take a look at your website metrics! 8 Country Total users 1.United States 827 2.Ireland 11 3.India 9 4.Canada 7 5.Philippines 7 6.Israel 6 7.Germany 4 8.Pakista n 4 9.United Kingdom 3 10.Fra n ce 2 ▼ What device are people using? De vice category Tota l users 1.desktop 499 2.mobile 435 3.tablet 8 ▲ deskt op m obile tablet 46.2% 53% Your audience at a glance! Oct 1, 2023 - De c 31, 2023 ▼ Tot a l users Oct 1 Oct 8 Oct 15 Oct 22 Oct 29 Nov 5 Nov 12 Nov 19 N ov 26 Dec 3 Dec 10 Dec 17 Dec 24 Dec 31 0 10 20 30 40 50 Sessions 1,227 Keyboard sh ortcuts Map data ©202 4 Terms Total users 1 851 Engagement rate 59.09% Views 1,882 Engaged sessions 725 Sessions per user 1.31 New users 905 Total users 940 Let's learn a b it mo re ab out your users! Acquisition Sources Higher Tra c - Pages Tr a c Type Higher Tra c - States (globally) Higher Tra c - Cities (globally) USA Audience google (direct) bing duckduckgo yahoo linkedin.com m.facebook.com goldenshovelage… facebook.com others 30.6% 60.1% 111 458458458 Elk River, MN Economic Devel… Elk River Economic Devel… imap by Econom ic Gat eway Available Sites and Propert ies Celebrat ing Excellence In Co… Chow Mixed Grill… Elk River Econo… Sherburne Count … Back To S howt i… ot hers 18.2% 6.9% 54% Pa ge title Tota l use rs…Views 1.Elk River, MN Economic Development 193 333 2.Elk River Economic Development Bu sin ess Directory 87 126 3.imap by Economic Ga tewa y 72 79 4.Ch ow Mixed Grill And Bbq Celebra tes One Yea r In Business 48 54 5.Elk River Economic Development Staff 46 53 6.Celebra tin g Excellence In Com munity Enh a ncement Edge Bar Bou tique Elk Rivers 2023 Beauti cation Award Winner 42 58 7.Availa ble Sites a n d Properties 40 62 8.Sherburne Cou n ty Court Records 34 41 9.Back To Showtimes Ba ck To Business Marcus Thea tres In 32 38 First user source Total users 1.google 565 2.(direct)288 3.bing 26 4.duckduckgo 9 5.ya hoo 9 6.linkedin .com 8 7.m .facebook.com 8 8.goldensh ovelagen cy.com 5 9.fa cebook.com 3 10.l.facebook.com 3 ▼ Re gion Tota l use rs 1.Minnesota 458 2.Illinois 71 3.Texa s 57 4.Missou ri 29 5.Iowa 28 6.Wiscon sin 27 7.V irgin ia 20 8.Wa sh ington 18 9.N ew York 15 10.Oh io 12 ▼ City Total users 1.Minnea polis 129 2.Elk River 65 3.Chicago 61 4.Dallas 23 5.Otsego 20 6.St. Louis 14 7.Sain t Paul 13 8.Big La ke 12 9.N ew York 12 10.Moses Lake 11 ▼ 29.1% 65.4% S e ssion defa ult c…Tota l use rs 1.Orga nic Sea rch 621 2.Direct 276 3.Orga nic Socia l 23 4.Referral 16 ▼ Social M edia Followin g 1.2K Followers What day of week users visit your website? 495 Follow ers Thank you for being a valued client! Sunday Monda y Tuesday Wednesda y Thursday F riday Sa turday 0 100 200 300 *Engaged Sessions:In GA4, Google has replace d the concept of “bounce” with “engaged se ssions.” To be considered “engaged,” a session must eithe r result in a conversion, last ove r 10 seconds, or have multiple screen or page vie w s. When calculating your Engage ment Rate, GA4 looks at the fre quency of these sessions. *Engagem ent Rate: Pe rce ntage of e ngaged sessions. *Views:Number of times an app scre e n or a w e b page w as vie we d. Re peated view s of a single page or screen are counte d. *Sessions: Numbe r of se ssions that be gan on your site or app. By de fault, a session ends (time s out) after 30 minutes of user inactivity. There is no limit to how long a session can last. *Sessions per User: The average number of se ssions per use r. Page s / Session is the ave rage numbe r of pages vie w e d during a session. Re peated view s of the same page are counted. GA4 Termino logy 846 Followe rs