The City of Sarnia's new website features an enhanced user experience due to mobile friendly integration. Information Technology Manager Mark Dillon said the updated site, launched in July, can be found at the same Sarnia.ca web address. "We used what's called a responsive design, meaning that it's native for phone and mobile support, but also that it works on desktop [computers]." Dillon said other improvements include Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) compatibility, improved digital customer service options, and an easy-to-use search function. He said it also features a simple editor which makes updates and changes easy for staff, ensuring timely information to residents. "It'll mean that the information people are getting is correct without bottlenecks, and the person who is responsible for keeping the information on the page correct, will be the person who can actually make the changes and make the edits themselves rather than putting it into IT to make the change." Dillon said the cost of the update was under $15,000. He said the former site, last upgraded in 2013, was becoming unmanageable because the company that created it is no longer around.
"So there was a resilience risk it might go down and there was also a security risk, so we created something that's built on a modern text stack," said Dillon. "We heard from the public that they wanted to start to hear about communication from us online primarily, so we built a platform that will let us engage citizens in a more interactive way." A beta version of the new website was available from May 27 – June 30, allowing users to test the site and provide feedback for staff to make improvements before launching the final version.
