Algonquin launches new, mobile-friendly website

Algonquin has launched a new village website officials say will improve transparency and user-friendliness.

The site, which cost the village $9,875, is designed to track analytics and user behavior, Assistant Village Manager Mike Kumbera said. It is organized based on the popularity of its content - a significant upgrade from the village's former site, which was created in 2011, he said.

"We found there was a disconnect with what content we have and what the user expectations are," Kumbera said. "We want to better align what users are searching for."

Predominantly displayed on the new website are links to some of its most popular functions, he said, including online payments, service requests and registration for recreation programs. Recent news, upcoming events and ongoing village projects are also featured on the front page.

With special pages for residents, business owners and visitors, the site makes it easier to find resources and services offered within Algonquin, Kumbera said. A government portal, which contains information about elected officials and village policies, is designed for more efficient access to budgets, meeting agendas and other documents.

"Our website is an important tool in our efforts to communicate with the community," Village President John Schmitt said in a statement. "The redesign allows us to better organize and present information, creating a more transparent village government."

Additionally, the new site is easier to navigate on a touch-screen pad, Kumbera said, and is responsive to smartphones, tablets, laptops and desktop computers. Developing a mobile-friendly site was a priority, he said, because about one-third of its traffic comes from users on a mobile device.

"We want to be a leader in this area," he said, "so hopefully this gets us closer (to that goal)."

The village partnered with its content management provider, Indiana-based eGov Strategies LLC, on the three-month project and officially launched the site last week, Kumbera said. People can provide feedback using a chat feature at the bottom of www.algonquin.org.