Publisher’s Note: July 2011
Our new Web site takes users to a higher level
By Carolyn Price
You’re going to love our new Web site.
We started out last fall with four Outdoors NW staffers doodling designs for a new Web site on napkins at Starbucks. We’re magazine publishers, after all, and quickly knew we needed help. Our search turned up award-winning OCN Interactive (OCNI), user-friendly Web designers from Hood River, Ore. who have been developing sites since the Web’s infancy back in 1995.
We loved the fact that OCNI worked with small clients as well as Fortune 500 companies. Some of their clients included brands for Nike and the Lance Armstrong Foundation’s WearYellow campaign — the original site that introduced the yellow wrist band.
Outdoor enthusiasts themselves, OCNI believes: “The site should exceed the user’s expectations.” We had found our partners!
During the project, OCNI’s Eloise Russell found herself not only immersed in her Web design work for us, but ended up reading all the stories and becoming a big fan of Outdoors NW as well.
“You guys have great content and I love the new site because it really showcases what great work you do,” said Eloise. “I didn’t have to read all the articles — I wanted to!”
The new searchable database will easily lead users to events, feature stories and blog entries. We’ll also be adding videos of many of the races we attend — and perhaps even posting some from our readers.
One click will take you to stories on Travel, Cycling, Hiking, Camping, Running/Walking, SnowSports, Multi-sports and Fitness. A carousel of rotating features highlights our top stories of the month.
And, knowing how important our event calendar is to our readers throughout the Northwest, OCNI set up our calendar infrastructure so users can quickly filter by sport, date or city.
You’re always only one click to subscribe to our E-newsletter, log onto our Digital Editions, find us on Facebook and Twitter and enter contests. So, what are you waiting for? Click www.OutdoorsNW.com and let us know what you think. (You can reach OCNI at: oceanic@gorge.net)
New Partners!
Outdoors NW welcomes two new partners this month: Bellevue Chaplins and Airstream Adventures Northwest. Watch for our colorfully wrapped Subaru Outback at many events this summer and fall. As well, Airstream, the iconic emblem of Americana outdoors, will pop up at a few events as well — including November’s Winter Pineapple Classic.
Please see Chaplin’s and Airstream Adventures Northwest’s advertisements in the July/August 2011 print edition or digital edition to find out more about these locally-owned companies.
Comments: Email Carolyn . . .
