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5. ECCSR 11-16-2005~~~ MEMORANDUM TO: Action Committee for Energy FROM: Heidi Steinmetz, Assistant Director of Economic Development DATE: January 19, 2005 SUBJECT: Energy City Web Site Redesign Update Background In the Fall of 2003, a new "look" for the Energy City Web site was unveiled. High school student, Brent Mealhouse, redesigned the site. The site was visually, not strategically redesigned. In the Spring of 2004, staff reported to ACE that Mr. Mealhouse was no longer interested in providing content updates to the site due to his busy school schedule. Issue At the November 2004 ACE meeting, staff reported that recent content updates were provided by Jim Dutcher at a rate of $25.00 per hour but that a new designer was needed to replace Mr. Mealhouse. ACE asked that staff contact several Web site designers for estimates to redesign the Energy City Web site. Per referrals from ACE members, staff contacted the following three Web site designers: • Jan Hepola, Minnesota Technology, Inc. • Joe'1 Brenny, Brenny Consulting • Jody Russell, Thunder Communications Each Web site designer provided a list of questions that will make it easier to provide estimates. Below is a combined list of their questions. ACE may consider discussing these questions in order to proceed in obtaining estimates. • What do you like about your existing website? What do you dislike? • Will you keep the existing content "as is" or will you re-think it/consolidate/edit/add new? • How often will visitors need to return to your website? • What is your target audience? • What will the target audience want to do at the site? • Who are the stakeholders of the site? Energy City Web Site Redesign Update January 19, 2005 ACE Meeting Page 2 of 2 • Who will be looking at the results? Who will be held accountable? • Who is willing to invest in building a successful site? • What measurements of success do the stakeholders have for the site? • What are the most important site goals? • What is the primary message? • What is the content? • How do you want the architecture and navigation to be? • Are you looking to obtain a new "look and feel" to the web site, but maintain the basic content of the site? • Are you looking to add new features to the site? What kinds of new features are you considering? • Will there be new content? • What designs do you like (are there sample sites you like)? • What is your audience expecting to see on your site? • Will you have a search function on your site? • Who will be responsible for upkeep of the site? Do they have web site design/coding experience? • How often do you expect your site to change? • What format will content be on your site (ie all html/PDF/Word/combination)? • What accessibility requirements do you need to/would like to adhere to (ie make it available for blind people)? • Do you have an idea of what your audience uses for viewing your existing site (ie IE v5.0, Netscape v4.6, Mac etc)? Kiver MEMORANDUM TO: Energy City Commission FROM: Rebecca Haug, Environmental Administrator DATE: November I6, 2005 SUBJECT: Staff Comments for Energy City Website Consultants Attached in your packet is a memo from Heidi Steinmetz, Asst. Director of Economic Development regarding the Energy City website redesign. Heidi contacted three web site designers and was asked to answer some questions. The questions the designers asked are listed on the memo from Heidi. Staff and Vance decided to go through the questions and give their opinion. The following is what our thoughts are for the website in the order they are asked on the memo from Heidi: • We like that there is a website but we don't like the lack of information and images throughout the website. We also think the colors need to be changed. • The existing content should be re-thought, edited and new information should be added. • The intent is to have visitors return to the site monthly. • The target audience should be energy-related businesses and the public. • The target audience will want to find out information on how to set-up a tour; what type of incentives the city can provide a business if they locate here (possibly a link to the EDA website). • The stakeholders of the site are the ECC and residents of Elk River. • The ECC and staff will be looking at the results and be accountable. • The ECC and EDA should be willing to invest in building a successful site. • The measurements of success will be the number of hits, the number of tours, and business inquiries. • The site goals are the same as the above statement. • The primary message is to learn more about EC and for the City to acquire energy-related businesses. • The navigation and architecture should be EASY and staff should be able to make updates. • The website should have a new "look and feel" and be expanded. • The website should have some virtual tours, more images, sound and links. • Our audience will be expecting to see images, easy links, easy navigation and more details. • The website should have a search function. • Staff will be responsible for making updates but they will need training. • The website will probably be changed monthly because the minutes and agendas will be posted there. • The format should be a combination. • It should have basic accessibility requirements. • All types of programs should be able to view the information.