Mark Dawson talks about website changes

Today sees the launch of our new-look Wanganui Chronicle website - an exciting development in our online coverage.

The new design, easier ways to navigate around the site, more news and pictures, and greater depth of content are all simply a response to the growing demand for news and information from our online readers.

The figures speak with great clarity.

In February the Chronicle site had 45,000 unique visitors; in July that had risen to almost 60,000. According to the Nielsen

Online Trend Report, total traffic reached 237,000 last month, a 4 per cent rise over the past quarter, with page views running at nearly 60,000 each week.

So to meet the needs of this growing readership, we have undertaken an extensive upgrade of the site.

With our team of reporters and photographers, we will remain the number one source of online local news - and particularly breaking news stories - but we are also offering significant extras with an easy click-through to comprehensive news
coverage from across New Zealand, and the world.

Our readers will be able to access the websites of the New Zealand Herald and other newspapers, and that means the chance to catch up on a wide variety of columnists, more extensive business news, and lifestyle and features content.

And our website will become an even more important forum for comment and debate _ especially on the issues that affect our community in the Wanganui district, and there will be ample opportunity for readers to give their views on what matters
to them.

So give our website a try wanganuichronicle.co.nz and let us know what you think.

As always, we welcome your feedback, please send your comments to Email Mark Dawson