By Pepper Parr
July 30th, 2021
BURLINGTON, ON
The current city websites were launched in 2015. Since that time there have been significant changes in technology and it’s important that the City update their website to stay current and ensure that what they are offering is the type of online services residents have come to expect in 2021.
Certain functions are outdated and may not be supported by the vendor in the future.
That part is certainly right!
It might have been a good idea to ask people what they didn’t like with the current website and what they would like to see changed.
For our part we would like to see a date on every document that pops up and load them in chronological order.
Through surveys and polls, residents continue to tell us that our website is one of the top channels they use to find out about city programs, services and initiatives.
The multi-phased redesign will continue into 2022. The process will be guided by feedback received from residents and visitors to the site.
In the statement that appears on the Get Involved page there is the following:
(The people writing this information need a copy editor and a proof reader. Gazette readers snap at our heels when we get it wrong.)
This project will occur in 3 phases. The initial stage is scheduled throughout the fall of 2021 and will include consultation with the public, staff, and members of Council. It is expected that public engagement will occur in the fall of 2021.
I usually Google what I need to find, rather than frustrate myself by trying to navigate within the website. The last update was not an improvement.
I subscribe to many organizations that send out lengthy comments on issues that are important to their activities. Most have a simple link at the top of their messages suggesting that “If you wish to view this message on your browser click here” or words to that effect.
Our Councillors send out monthly blurbs that include everything possible, but the link to view it in any civilized manner is at the absolute end of the missive.
Can this be changed as part of the renaissance?
I remember the last time we went through the process of the City revamping their website.
At the time the members of the senior centre that were involved with senior engagement were invited to participate with staff who were involved in the changes.
We spent over 2 hours with this staff person trying to explain to her that access to the information needed to be simple. For information that seniors needed to access the font should be larger, etc.etc.
When we saw the last upgrade to the City’s website we all shook our heads, nothing that had been suggested had been implemented.
It also did not help that the people involved in making these changes were in their 20’s and could never understand the limitations of some of the residents who had to access information.
Unless the people involved in this upgrade are willing to accept the fact that many people are not as computer savvy as they are we are destined to have a website that does not work for all.
KEEP IT SIMPLE.