The Commercial Dispatch launched major improvements to its Web site cdispatch.com this week, with new features including free classifieds, blogs and photo sharing.
“Increasingly, newspaper readers are turning to online editions for news,” said Dispatch Publisher Birney Imes. “We felt it was time to update the look and content of our site.”
In a typical week, The Dispatch site has 25,000 visitors who generate 125,000 page views.
“A newspaper is a collaboration between the publication and the community it serves,” said Imes. “We hope readers will embrace our Web site’s new features and make it the vital community forum we envision it becoming.”
The site, created by Web developer Peter Imes, features a cleaner, more reader-friendly design. Page features include a listing of the most popular stories online, and easy access to Dispatch columnists. Reporters and columnists have their own special pages, containing biographical information and an archive of past stories they have written.
The day’s news, updated regularly, is featured on the home page and news pages. Stories are arranged by top news, Columbus and Lowndes County news, area news, state news and lifestyles and sports news. Prints of local photos featured in the paper and posted to the site are available for purchase.
Dispatch editors can create useful interactive maps and other content, such as a map of the area’s lowest gas prices. Other features include recipe links on the Lifestyle pages and stock information on the Business page.
The site features Craigslist-style classified ads, offered free to users. Users wishing to also have their ad included in the printed paper can do so easily from the site for a fee. All ads featured in the paper are also featured on the Web site.
The Community section of the site offers users the option to create an online profile, start a blog, upload personal photos and videos, and contribute to discussion boards. Users can also comment on stories written by Dispatch staffers. If users have witnessed a news event, they have the option to send in photos and videos to be featured alongside Dispatch reports.
Obituary listings are also improved and expanded. Listings can be searched by name or date. The Dispatch has partnered with Legacy.com, a national company, to include additional features such as an online guest book and the option to buy flowers or other gifts.
Users of The Dispatch’s eEdition will also see major improvements. The eEdition, which is a digital copy of The Dispatch’s print edition, has an improved viewing platform and is searchable. The eEdition is available for $4 per month.
To offer feedback or suggestions on the site, e-mail Peter Imes at support@cdispatch.com.
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