Building website take-up and citizen e-engagement

This event is one of two run annually for subscribers to the Socitm Insight Website take-up service, but is also open to non-subscribers.

The programme provides information on the latest findings and developments from the service, best practice case studies, and presentations from external speakers on topical issues and items of interest around web management and usage. Note: demand for places at these events is strong: please book online now to avoid disappointment.

The rapid rise of social media has significant implications for councils' online strategies. What happens when citizens 'answer back' or, if they don't like the council's website, build their own? Nick Booth, founder of the Birmingham bloggers group, shares his experience and ideas. Socitm Insight is looking at new ways to help local authorities make more use of analytics to improve website performance. Adrian Blair will be joining us from Google and we will be sharing some proposals about how Socitm Insight can support benchmarking using this free tool.  WTS data shows Kirklees consistently scoring high on visitor satisfaction and low rates of failure to find information.  Its website was also rated 'Excellent' in Better connected 2008 & 2009. Steve Langrick tells us how its done. Nottingham City is one of the first councils to commit fully to having advertising on its website. Dominic Miller will be giving us site users' reactions, and telling us whether the financial returns are worth it.

Programme

09.30 Refreshments

10.00 Introduction and overview of results: Martin Greenwood, Socitm Insight Programme Director

10.30 Using Google tools to evaluate, improve and develop your website: Adrian Blair, Google

11.30 Refreshments

11.45 Useful, usable, well used and much appreciated: case study: Steve Langrick, Web Development Strategy Manager, Kirklees Council       

12.30 Lunch

13.30 What happens when you put advertising the council website? case study: Dominic Miller, Corporate, Leisure and Culture Marketing Manager, Nottingham City Council 

14.15 Hyperlocal sites, social media and local activism; how council web teams should be reacting to these developments: Nick Booth, Podnosh

15.00 Refreshments

15.15 Website take-up service: developments and updates for 2010 survey: Terry Madgwick, Socitm Insight Project Manager

15.45 Review of the service and the day: Martin Greenwood

16.00 Close