Chamber's new web site will be user friendly

The Camrose Chamber of Commerce is working on developing a new web site to offer its membership easier access to services, as well as to have space available for small businesses to post a web page.

Membership committee chair Tanya Fox and executive director Sharon Anderson said the site should be operational by May 15.

"The new web site has more interactive features than the current one, so membership will be able to update their own information, add their own links and build a mini web page," explained Tanya. "With a premium membership, businesses can have their own page. This is good for small businesses that don't have enough content for a large web site. This will allow them to be on the web for a minimal cost."

The basic membership gives a business about 500 words of space to explain what services they have to offer. The information will be available in a scrolling format. The premium membership that includes each business having its own page is $100 a year. "On that web page they can upload videos, music and pictures," said Tanya.

"That also includes a logo or a picture of their business," added Sharon. "The premium package gives a business more notability and they will show up in more places. A Google map will show the location of their business. They can also post career or job postings, a special deal they have on a certain day and it gives them control of what they do."

The businesses will be issued a password and then they have the ability to make changes as needed. "They simply log in and make the changes they want to make," said Tanya. "It is just another way for businesses to stay up-to-date."

Community and Chamber events will be listed on the site. "It is not just to keep Chamber members informed, it is for everyone to use. It will be a one-stop shopping site for Camrose and area. It will have Facebook and Twitter access, be social media friendly," said Tanya. "It is going to be easier for members to interact with each other. Some businesses give other chamber members an added discount and this will be a way to find that out."

Currently Sharon is compiling items to upload to the site. "It is a lot of information and we hope most of it can be completed in May. We want to finish most of the work before we really get busy with Jaywalkers' Jamboree. The site is designed just for chambers through the Canadian Chamber of Commerce," said Sharon. "We want to get our information up first and link to other chambers."

Members will be able to access committee pages easily to learn about the various activities at the Chamber. "You will be able to find out what the committee does and when it meets," said Tanya. "Members of the community can then become more involved in the Chamber sub-committees if they are interested in helping with a project or an event such as Jaywalkers' Jamboree. It will list all of the events going on in more detail so everyone knows exactly what is happening. Eventually, by 2013, we want to be able to allow people to sign up to purchase services such as booth space, membership fees and other products. Instead of writing a cheque, people can click on the items they need."

The exciting and innovative project won't totally replace the current newsletter. "We will still print newsletters because we want non-members to know what events are going on in the community," said Tanya. "We hope people will be more interactive with the site, but there are still people who want the newsletter. Non-members are always welcome to our events; it will just cost them more."

The Chamber already has some members ready to add a page to the new site. For more information contact the Chamber office at 780-672-4217.