MyPelham.com is a community portal website that my marketing company, Tiger Eye Solutions, is currently developing along with joint venture partner, Melissa Wells of Ex Nihilo Web Designs. This article summarizes the community economic and tourism benefits that a community portal webstie delivers to local communities.
1) Increases traffic for other websites in the community
The larger the number and types of organizations sharing content, the more informative and potentially interesting the Web Site is to a wider base of users, and the greater the number of visits that will be attracted. The portal environment in turn drives more potential traffic to other sites in the community that our portal links to.
2) Makes it easier to find Pelham on the Web
A community portal, with multiple other community sites pointing to it, makes it easier to find Pelham on the Web. Community portal websites score higher in the search engine ratings because of it’s broader and inclusive approach to community information.
3) Supports economic development
A portal is more than a directory of local community groups and events; it essentially promotes an image of Pelham as a dynamic and “connected” community. Businesses prefer to establish in communities that are making investments to stay current.
4) Attracts young families and entrepreneurs to our community
Community portals are a valuable asset to attracting creative economy workers, business owners and young families who prefer a small town quality of life. All of these potential residents use the internet as their primary resource when researching places to live and work.
5) Promotes Pelham tourism:
The portal not only informs residents and businesses within the community about current Pelham events, community groups, and commerce it also lets others, from outside the community learn more about our community. It encourages travelers and visitors to include Pelham attractions, shops and restaurants in their Niagara day trips and vacations.
6) Increases civic participation:
Formal and information studies completed in other communities with active community portals indicate that when residents have current information in a timely manner, they are more inclined to attend community meetings and to take part in civic activities.
7) Improves efficiency of community resources
As on-line information resources become increasingly- centralized, current and interactive- residents, local businesses, and government will spend less and get more value for the funds that are expended on information technology and advertising.
Source: Contributions of concepts and ideas from http://www.designnine.com/news/node/284
