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City launches its first website redesign in five years [Brandon Sun, The](Brandon Sun, The Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) Brandon's got a whole new look on the World Wide Web. Officially launched Tuesday morning, the new brandon.ca is the city's first website redesign in five-and-a-half years. With a vibrant green background -- reminiscent of the city's flag and coat of arms -- the refreshed website is meant to engage people rather than just provide information, Mayor Shari Decter Hirst says. "It's got, I think, a very clean, fresh look and it's got all of the latest technology bells and whistles in terms of the IT structure behind it," she said. "Also, it's an 'I want to' start to the conversation (with the user) versus a bunch of boring stuff, because people need to use the website. It's a tool." In addition to restructured categories and improved navigation, the website features a streamlined internal search engine and a contemporary design that allows for better mobile browsing on smart phones. One new feature that Decter Hirst said she's particularly excited about is a language selection menu, which translates any page a person visits into the many languages now spoken in the Wheat City. "We have 10,000 non-English-speaking people in this city that need to be able to go to city hall and get information," she said. "Now they can." The website also features a concerted move towards e-services, with a test feature already rolled out that allows users to sign up for "Refuse and Recycling Day" email reminders. Eventually, Decter Hirst said she'd like to see a system where people can pay bills at city hall online, 24-7. "Eventually, we will have a virtual city hall, where you can pay your parking tickets online if you choose," she said. "Some people like face-time and that's OK, some people like phones and that's OK, too. But we're moving more and more towards a society and a world where people like the convenience of 24-7." Helping the city's IT department craft the website over the past number of months were recent Assiniboine Community College's Web Design graduates Danielle Adriaansen and Shelby Ritchie. Adriaansen, a silver medal winner at this year's Skills Canada National Competition, has been hired by the city as part of its IT team. In conjunction with Tuesday's website launch, the city also rolled out a new logo -- a 3-D-looking green "B" -- that will feature prominently in city communications and publications. Feedback is being welcomed on the website's redesign, with all who submit their thoughts and suggestions entered into a draw to win an iPod shuffle. The website is viewable at brandon.ca. (c) 2011 The Brandon Sun |