Sprout News
Sprout Creatives launches Ocean City Today Web site
Ocean City Today has completely overhauled its Web site, www.oceancitytoday.net, with an eye toward giving readers more news and services.
Among the improvements for users is the addition of the paper’s complete classified section, which also helps classified advertisers, and the posting of all its government public notices. The paper is also working on the addition of a complete searchable archive of its stories as well as special reports exclusive to the Web.
“We’ve had a Web site for a number of years — and in some respects, we led the way with innovations that others are just now adopting — but we also knew that staying fresh is the best way to stay ahead,” said Publisher Stewart Dobson. “That opportunity actually came to us, when Paul Starkey, our former art director, pitched us a new design with better features.”
After several years at Ocean City Today, Starkey went out on his own and now operates Sprout Creatives, a graphics and Web site design studio in Ocean Pines. When researching www.oceancitytoday.net, Starkey found that statistics on the old site showed it was receiving thousands of hits per month from people introduced to the paper while visiting Ocean City, and he felt he could build on that.
“What we have now is the product of several months of research and development,” Dobson said, “but we have much more we need to do. While the Web site stands on its own, it’s so much better if it’s more closely integrated with the paper, not just in terms of the news we post, but with services to our customers, our readers and users.
“This is a partnership of two different forms of media, with one serving as an extension of the other,” Dobson said. “It’s all communications, whether it’s print or digital, and that’s how we need to look at our business.”
Starkey said the new Web site was one of the most challenging he has created, and he is happy with the way it turned out. It is more like a newspaper site than a site geared toward tourists, he said.
The new site, Starkey said, has more news, a downloadable media kit, a photo gallery, crossword puzzle and the ability to accept comments from Internet users on articles.
Internet users may also register to get additional features, including a blog. In the future, they may subscribe online to get the entire paper e-mailed to them, Starkey said. A forum is also in the future plans for the Web site.
Another change, Starkey said, is that the Web site is easier to find when using search engines.
About Sprout Creatives
Sprout Creatives is a creative design studio providing full-service design and marketing solutions for small to medium sized businesses throughout the Delmarva region. Started in early 2007, Sprout Creatives design and marketing services include print and website development, in addition to Internet marketing services. To learn more, visit www.sproutcreatives.net or call 410-208-3564.
Date: August 17, 2007
Web Address: www.oceancitytoday.net
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Direct all press inquiries to:
Sprout Creatives
Paul Starkey
Creative Director
410-208-3564
paul@sproutcreatives.net
www.sproutcreatives.net
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