Club websites

[DaveK]

Wondered which club websites are viewed as particularly 'good' by Nopesport contributors, especially for potential newcomers looking for information on the sport locally (my club is looking to revamp its own website http://www.saxons-oc.org ,which I think is pretty good anyway). What do we think newcomers are looking for?

I've trawled through all of the BOF registered club websites and some are very good, while others could certainly do with some 'updating' (accepting that 'website skills' are pretty specialised and may not be available in a small club).

Comments would be welcome.

[mharky]

Anything by Paul Frost has a good design, layout and usability. Content always comes down to the club though. CLYDE and ESOC are both good examples.

CLYDE http://www.clydesideorienteers.org.uk/
ESCO http://www.esoc.org.uk/

[DaveK]

Yes, thanks, had those in mind as pretty good.

[DaveK]

Should have said, I do particularly like ESOC.

[SeanC]

There are quite a few club websites out there with good webpage design/good look and feel, but once the new website is built managing the content so that it suits the needs of established orienteers and attracting newcomers is more tricky.

I know that SLOW will always try to use pictures that help to sell/avoid discouraging newcomers. DFOK being a smaller/older/ erhum, less photogenic club, seem to be getting round the ageism by putting lots of pictures of trees on our website - despite some of these being older, more wrinkly and suffering greater infestation than the average DFOK member.

[andypat]

Agree with the comments about Paul F websites. Being an orienteer he also has a vested interest in providing good support afterwards.

[andy]

ESOC site is probably the most recently re-done (by Paul) so has the latest tech. We tend to have a race report of how our members did after each big-ish race as well as up-to-date info about upcoming events and, especially, try to have results up asap after one of our own races... Information, prompt and correct, is the key to a good club website.

[AndyC]

ESOC site is probably the most recently re-done (by Paul) so has the latest tech. We tend to have a race report of how our members did after each big-ish race as well as up-to-date info about upcoming events and, especially, try to have results up asap after one of our own races... Information, prompt and correct, is the key to a good club website.

Tendency is that we use the Facebook Page for the instant response -the website is a touch slower and more considered - like the difference between a newspaper's website and the morning print edition

[andy]

Tendency is that we use the Facebook Page for the instant response -the website is a touch slower and more considered - like the difference between a newspaper's website and the morning print edition

We have too many out of touch people who refuse to use facebook

[AndyC]

So do we but the target audience for bringing new people into the sport do!
So the tone for FB is different and it is used for quick updates etc.
for example I had commentary on the club members performance at the British Sprints Heats on FB before the finals - couldn't do that on the website ( I know others can)

[Clive Coles]

I believe the facebook option is at last growing in popularity amongst clubs ~ as an addition to their own web page. There has however been resistance from a significant group of "established" orienteers who regard social media as insecure and frivolous. But times are a changing ~ I think there is now only one club in my region that does not have a facebook group page. Like all open systems they are capable of being abused ~ the advantage of facebook however is that it is spontaneous and interactive ~ It can be utilised by all members of the group for posting news and photo's and for getting quicker answers to questions. So often web sites are slow to post information about event locations and courses being offered as the people who know this information do not have web master update access. Facebook can therefore provide a quick and easy way for publicity officers, event organisers and planners to post information on the net ~ club members who are facebook users receive prompts at the information becomes known. It is sad to my mind that orienteers have taken so long to embrace social media.

[oo_wrong_way]

. . . and as shown by TVOCs great use of Facebook promotions the other big advantage in using FB is the ability to target potential orienteers by location, age and interests.

[Oldman]

I personally have no objection to clubs using Facebook, especially if that's a medium used by a significant proportion of their members or potential recruits.

But, please, don't start making it the prime, or worse sole, club communication vehicle - I for one will never have a personal Facebook page nor will I access the system - I have better uses for my time.

[mharky]

Well that's a flawed argument. You could have a Facebook account that only has connections with orientering clubs, events etc. You would then be able to get up to the minute information for many clubs and events in one place, thus saving you time.

[Mrs H]

Why does everyone slag off Facebook all the time - its the most incredibly efficient way of keeping in touch with your family and friends all over the world. Perhaps Oldman spends his time sending individual emails, photos and on line chats to his family and friends. Perhaps Oldman doesn't have any family and friends