The much-anticipated Ocean Beach MainStreet Association (OBMA) retooled website is live, thanks to webmaster Intrepid Network Multimedia Services & Business Solutions.
“We’re still updating some things, but for the most part it’s live,” said Denny Knox, OBMA’s executive director and the community’s Business Improvement District (BID).
“It was completely redesigned with the help of about 20 people on our Promotions Committee,” she said.
Knox credited Josh Utley, Intrepid Network’s president/CEO, with successfully redeveloping the BID’s website, making it truly cutting-edge.
“Josh did a phenomenal job, really put his heart and soul into this one,” she said, adding that the website is now more responsive and accessible. It’s designed to respond to phones, tablets, laptops, whatever. It’s also designed to be readable on any device. We’re super-pleased with it.”
Noting that Intrepid designed OBMA’s website in 2009, Utley said the redesign upgraded its content management to improve search engine placement.
Utley said his recent work on the OBMA website is an example of “responsive design,” in that the website is now configured to “respond to any size screen no matter the device.”
“Whether you’re using an iPad, a laptop, a tablet or a phone, you will be able to view it (website),” he said. “It’s an improved user experience so people can quickly find what they’re looking for.”
Utley has been analyzing the OBMA site since he created it. During that time, he’s uncovered some surprising facts.
“A total of 75 percent of the people who visit the OBMA website have never been to it before,” Utley said. “They’re usually looking for a restaurant or more information on an event or just checking on what there is to do in OB.”
The web designer said there’s typically a three- to ten-second window to engage a visitor and try to capture their interest.
Dog Beach is one of the most popular items on OBMA’s website, Utley said.
“It’s always in the top five (hits),” he said, adding that it will prompt more information on that page, like relevant advertisers (such as dog washes or lodging) near the popular beach visitor site.
Web users are increasingly impatient, Utley said, adding that it’s becoming harder to draw and hold web surfers’ interest.
“You need to make your website more robust, feature-heavy with things like a slideshow and responsive design,” Utley said.
He said adding search engine optimization is always key, and that website design is “a lot more involved than people realize.”
“If you don’t update your content, it becomes stagnant,” he said.
Fine-tuning is always required to “ensure images are high quality.”
Visit OBMA’s website at www.oceanbeachsandiego.com.
By Dave Schwab | The Beacon