There was some criticism last year that there are far too many different websites trying to represent Abingdon and they are not joined up or giving the same picture of the town.
Today the Abingdon-on-Thames portal was launched. For the first time Abingdon-on-Thames Town Council, Guildhall and Museum, and Choose Abingdon are brought together in one website. There are also additional pages for history – with a section on people and places created by Abingdon Archaelogical and Historical Society.
Then there are also sections for businesses, events, places to visit, and clubs and societies.
The first town council web site, that I remember, ran from 2000-2001. It looked good but, as I understand it, turned out to be a problem to maintain.
For a while a temporary web site was used which could at least be maintained.
That was replaced by a web site that ran from about 2005-2008. It was built on a standard package used by lots of local councils and similar bodies.
A redesign from the same company was used until yesterday.
The new portal looks the best yet. It just needs people to make sure all the content is there and updated when it changes.
Just clicked on the link in the article and arrived at the old website. Has it had a problem already?
Where are all the other shops then or has Abingdon only got three. When visitors click on Abingdon they will think is that all the shops there is . This town is on its arse and it should be be advertised as much as possible every shop in this town should be on this website .
Re 1) I also had problems at first – I think that if your computer already has abingdon.gov in there it defaults to the old one – when I tried on “real” comouter (not tablet) I was able to get in bytyping the address in from scratch – should be OK now I have r-educated it!
Re 2) I think the site is very much work in progress – there is clearly a lot of data atill to be added – but the overall effect looks pretty good to me.
sorry to get technical but the first problem is most likely that your web browser has a stored copy of the site and so it may take a day or two to get to the latest picture. I often clear browsing history to make sure I see the most recent.
Shop owner: In the first instance, I suggest that you contact the Chamber of Commerce about an entry. The town council has provided this portal, but will not be doing all the input. As regards the launch, it is a matter of judgement when to launch, but the decision was not made on a whim.
If you are still seeing the old one press Ctrl +F5 which refreshes the window.
I am sure that this is a ‘work in progress’ and, as such, will be added to as important items are recognised as missing a mention. However, I would like to enter a request for the monthly Farmers Market to be included. It is one of the most enjoyable attractions that this Market Town puts on.
Hi Cassandra – i’ll make sure the farmers market is added.
Thanks for the feedback
Iain
Well, I have had a go at sumiting an event, but the result awaits vetting. It seems one can place an event in more than one category, as appropriate. One can also submit repeating events. However, apropos my earlier input, shops etc are not events and entries will probably have to be input as ‘articles’ through one of the partners.
Thats correct Pat.
Events have to be checked prior to publication – this is tge same as the previous events diary process.
Businesses or clubs who arent listed but want to be should log their details on tge site feedback form and we’ll make sure they are added.
Hope this helps
I
Please notice the new History Section
http://www.abingdon.gov.uk/partners/history
Should be a link straight to history section
Farmers market now added – thanks cassandra
Is the Museum changing over websites too as they now seem to have 2 sites … their old one and a new one via this new Town Council website.