According to www.internetworldstats.com 75 per cent of Australians were online in 2008 and this figure continues to climb. People use the Internet to research products, services and information, shop, bank and much more. It makes sense to communicate online too.
Working on web design projects for communities on the Central Coast, Sydney and Newcastle made us think about how communities can benefit from websites, so we came up with this list:
- Provides a central communication point for the community - Information can be segmented to provide localised content, as well as general topics - Well-designed and regularly updated sites can really boost the profile of a community or group, as well as build credibility and trust - Keep in touch with existing contacts and meet new ones - Allows visitors to find out what is happening in your community at a time that suits them because the Internet never sleeps - Interactive sites invite - and thrive - on community participation through forums, polls, surveys, blogs, event calendars, directory listings and social media content - Websites are a cost-effective and efficient way to market your community - Sites can be as a voice for the community, rather than a collection of views from different people in different forums.
As web designers obviously we're all for promoting a community online, but the points above show the value a website can bring.
