1. Do You Have a Web Site?

2. Everyone does, don’t they? www.fairs.comwww.fairs.com www.fairs.orgwww.fairs.org www.fairs.netwww.fairs.net www.fairs.cawww.fairs.ca www.vtnhfairs.org

3. Do You Have a Web Site? Maybe not...

4. Do You Have a Web Site? Some fairs still rely on brochures to get the word out to their customers.

5. Do You Have a Web Site? Why do you need one? An effective website offers your fair: 1.A great way to reach the most people 2.The ability to be available – 24/7 for questions 3.The chance to tell your story in many ways 4.The best way to reach a younger audience

6. Do You Have a Web Site? What do you want from your website? First you need a strategy to determine: 1.How does it help people? 2.What questions does it answer? 3.What problems does it solve?

7. Do You Have a Web Site? How does it help people? What do people need to know and want to know? 1.Entertainment 2.Price 3.Dates and times 4.Bargain days and special promotions 5.How to participate in the fair 6.Who to contact if they have questions.

8. Do You Have a Web Site? It should reflect your character

9. Do You Have a Web Site? Purpose Clearly define and understand your website’s purpose. That will help guide content and functional requirements. 1.Fair ticket sales 2.Competitive Exhibits entries 3.Information Tool 4.RV Camping registration

10. Do You Have a Web Site?

11. Audience Clearly identify and profile your target audience. Think about how they will use the site and what they will need. 1.Vendors 2.Fairgoers 3.Media 4.Event promoters

12. Do You Have a Web Site?

13. Objectives Outline the objectives for the audience visiting your website. What actions do you want the users to take? 1.Completing a ticket sales 2.Downloading a map or schedule 3.Registering for an opt-in e-newsletter 4.Viewing an event building for rental

14. Do You Have a Web Site?

15. Metrics Create a metrics plan to define what to measure and how to measure it. 1.Web analytics to monitor activity 2.Email database 3.Page views 4.Ticket sales

16. Do You Have a Web Site?

17. Promote It! You can have the best website on the internet, but if no one knows it is there, what’s the point? 1.Online advertising with Google/Yahoo 2.Search engine registration and optimization 3.Linking strategies with directories and partner sites. 4.Advertise your URL (www.vtnhfairs.org)www.vtnhfairs.org

18. Do You Have a Web Site? It can reflect the size of your fairgrounds and highlight your sponsors

19. Do You Have a Web Site? Basic Elements An effective fair website has: 1.A home page or landing page 2.General information 3.Daily schedules of entertainment and attractions 4.How to buy tickets 5.How to participate in competitions 6.How to contact the fair staff.

20. Do You Have a Web Site? It can be elegant, simple and effective!

21. Do You Have a Web Site? It can help promote year-round use of the facilities

22. Do You Have a Web Site? It can be easily formated and designed for updates by your office staff.

23. Do You Have a Web Site? What attracts visitors Website visitors are looking for: 1.Search functions – find what you need easily 2.Photos – previews and albums of attendees 3.Discount offers – downloadable coupons 4.Interactive elements - polls / quizzes / games 5.Audio and video – music links, YouTube videos 6.Calendars of events 7.Newsletters and RSS feeds – How to get news sent

24. Do You Have a Web Site?

25. They also want… 1.Contact information – names, phone numbers, address, email address and directions 2.Hours, admission costs, parking charges 3.Frequently asked questions 4.Rules and restrictions 5.Fair history 6.News and archive information for the press 7.Employment opportunities 8.Simple navigation – to find what they need

26. Do You Have a Web Site?

28. Where to get one There are many option: 1.Hire a web designer = $$$$ +Time 2.Find a volunteer to design or help with website = $ + LOTS OF TIME 3.Do it yourself = $$ + LOTS OF TIME 4.Use an online web design service $ + Time

29. Do You Have a Web Site? http://office.microsoft.com/en-us/officelive/default.aspx

30. Do You Have a Web Site? Low-Cost Choice

31. Do You Have a Web Site? Instead of spending $5,000-$10,000 on a new website design, hosting and updates in 2007, we did it in-house for about $250 and my time. Priceless!

32. Do You Have a Web Site? Advantages You get to the work yourself Ability to add new features at little or no cost Comes with email accounts Little or no in-house computer costs Easy to change colors, photos More likely to add new content

33. Do You Have a Web Site? Disadvantages You get to the work yourself Limited design and layout choices Need someone on staff to do the work Limited technical support Staff may not have the time or skills to do it

34. Do You Have a Web Site? www.fairsandexpos.com

35. Do You Have a Web Site? How to do it yourself A Google Search found 2,560,000 listings for Build online websites for free.Buildonlinewebsitesfor free Here’s just a few other choices for DIY websites: http://www.homestead.com/ http://www.websites-now.net/ http://www.2createawebsite.com/