© Vision ICT Ltd 2006

Working in Partnership Vision ICT Ltd is working in partnership with the Society of Local Council Clerks to support Local Councils in developing websites that place you in complete control Vision ICT Ltd is working in partnership with the Society of Local Council Clerks to support Local Councils in developing websites that place you in complete control

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Why websites and the internet? To meet the demands of E government. To meet the demands of E government. To gain Quality Parish Council status. To gain Quality Parish Council status. To involve your community. To involve your community. To communicate with your community. To communicate with your community. To inform your community. To inform your community. “Through Information and Communication Technology (ICT) you will become the local access point for information about the Town Council and principal Local Authority Services and further advice on those services.” (Para. 2.7 The Quality Parish and Town Council Scheme)

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Why is it becoming so important? More and more people are using the Internet. More and more people are using the Internet. –23,000,000 people in the UK use the internet at home. – An increase of 15% in the last 12 months. –11.500,000 people now have a high speed connections. – An increase of 117% in the last 12 months. Neilsen//NetRatings. Neilsen//NetRatings.  The cost of hardware and software is coming down.  The cost of access to the internet is coming down.  The speed of accessing information through the internet is increasing for more people.

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 What makes a good website?  The content  The image it presents  The accessibility  Information is kept up to date A government view :3.18 Office of the e Envoy, Quality Framework for UK Government Website Design. “A good government website will answer a question or fulfil a need with the minimum of user effort and not give the user any unnecessary “web experience”.

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 What are you actually buying? The website itself The website itself – development / interactivity features – design – adding content Domain Name – Domain Name – Make sure it is purchased in your name and not that of the design company (cost for a.co.uk domain is under £6 and ‘gov.uk £80) Website Hosting Website Hosting

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Disability Discrimination Act For those unfamiliar with accessibility issues pertaining to Website design you do need to be aware that websites have to comply to the DDA. For those unfamiliar with accessibility issues pertaining to Website design you do need to be aware that websites have to comply to the DDA. Questions to ask your website designer Questions to ask your website designer How does my website comply to the WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) Guidelines? How does my website comply to the WAI (Web Accessibility Initiative) Guidelines? What Priority Level does it reach. No level, Level 1, 2 or 3. What Priority Level does it reach. No level, Level 1, 2 or 3. Government websites should be Level 2. Government websites should be Level 2. Not complying with the DDA is an offence

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 What do you want your website to do? Your website can provide … Information about your Council Information about your Council Interactive features where your community can communicate with you Interactive features where your community can communicate with you Forums / Questionnaires / On line forms Forums / Questionnaires / On line forms Diary of events Diary of events Information on community / voluntary organisations and activities Information on community / voluntary organisations and activities Information on Local Businesses Information on Local Businesses Information on local events Information on local events Useful links to other websites Useful links to other websites

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 When buying a website ensure that …. You have full control of your website content and you are able to change all elements of the content, add new pages, pictures, links and upload files at no extra cost. You have full control of your website content and you are able to change all elements of the content, add new pages, pictures, links and upload files at no extra cost. No information on your website is more than 3 clicks away. No information on your website is more than 3 clicks away. You know what you are buying with a breakdown of the costs – don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek advice. You know what you are buying with a breakdown of the costs – don’t be afraid to ask questions or seek advice. You agree a fixed price. You agree a fixed price. You agree timescales for development. You agree timescales for development. You are able to further develop your website as your needs change and develop. You are able to further develop your website as your needs change and develop. Your website is launched on the major Search Engines and contains ‘Key Words’. Your website is launched on the major Search Engines and contains ‘Key Words’.

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Website Development Options Learn website design skills – Dreamweaver – Frontpage etc. Learn website design skills – Dreamweaver – Frontpage etc. Employ website designers to design your website. Employ website designers to design your website. Free website as part of a national advertising network. Free website as part of a national advertising network. Vision Websites working in partnership with the SLCC. Vision Websites working in partnership with the SLCC.

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Government Guidelines on Websites Government websites should comply with the Guidelines for UK Government Websites and Framework for local government Government websites should comply with the Guidelines for UK Government Websites and Framework for local government These guidelines are available online at – These guidelines are available online at –

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Vision Websites A complete website package No website design skills required. No website design skills required. Providing own domain name Providing own domain name E mail addresses E mail addresses Web site hosting Web site hosting WAI Priority Level 2 (DDA compliant) WAI Priority Level 2 (DDA compliant)

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Vision Websites A self build website that is easy to use putting you in complete control enabling you to add or amend …. Pages Pages Pictures Pictures Files Files Website Links Website Links Forums Forums Questionnaires Questionnaires Community Pages Community Pages Private areas Private areas Automatic e mail updates when pages amended Automatic e mail updates when pages amended 25 e mail links 25 e mail links

© Vision ICT Ltd To view examples of Councils using Vision Websites To view examples of Councils using Vision Websites Go to Click on the Navigation button ‘Examples of Vision Websites’ Click on the Navigation button ‘Examples of Vision Websites’ To try out using a Free Demo Website Go to Click on the Navigation button ‘Sign up here’ (no obligation to purchase) Click on the Navigation button ‘Sign up here’ (no obligation to purchase)

© Vision ICT Ltd 2006 Contact Vision Websites Nigel Hillier or Maggie White Telephone Telephone We are here to help you and support your Council in developing a website to meet your needs.