Website Re-Design and Implementation
Invitation to submit a proposal that provides the County Chamber of Commerce with the necessary information to award a contract for the redesign of its tourism services website (http://www.fingerlakescentral.com). The Chamber’s tourism website exists to provide information and interactivity to the community, its tourism partner organizations and the general public (prospective visitors).
It is the intent of this Request for Proposal (RFP) to help identify qualified,
professional website design and development services for the redesign/re-launch
of the Seneca County Chamber of Commerce Tourism website
(www.fingerlakescentral.com).
i. The main objective of www.fingerlakescentral.com is to create the most
respected, comprehensive and useful source of visitor information for
Seneca County, NY.
ii. It should incorporate the latest technological advancements as well as
industry-standard best practices, in order to provide a quality user
experience. Design should focus on providing a clean, customized
presentation that is easily navigable for site visitors. It should also
provide a logical, user-friendly CMS interface for staff to efficiently
update and maintain.
iii. The site should utilize a robust database-driven engine to efficiently store
and organize pertinent: contacts, event dates/ times, image library and
other detail-oriented information.
Essential Components
1. Database-driven system (preferably relational database, i.e.
MYSQL) that will incorporate event/member information - links,
images, descriptions, contact info, dates, etc.
2. Open sourced, customizable CMS component (not vendorspecific) to edit page/database content and allow staff to easily
maintain defined content. Page Templates should allow for
future expansion and integration.
3. “Members section” should provide unique, secure access for
tourism partners to update specific information – but not allow
for page content alterations. Final approval should be only
granted to Chamber staff.
4. Search Engine Optimization.
5. Calendar of Events with dynamic ability to add/edit/remove
events easily through CMS approach (ex.
http://www.bloomingtonmn.org/page/1/event-calendar.jsp ).
6. Searchable content feature for accessing information found
throughout site (site searches should produce intuitive results.
Example – typing in “places to stay” in the search box should
return the accommodations page).
7. Plug-in tools that incorporate existing social media
communication tools (RSS feeds, Facebook, Twitter, blogs – ex:
article links on http://www.nypost.com/ ) and pertinent travel
info (weather)
8. Interactive (Javascript, limited Flash) maps, “FlipBook” version
of travel guide and photo gallery (with ability to easily
edit/upload photos).
9. Forms and the ability to process their responses – ie. stored to
database.
10. Integrated YouTube Channel and use of video (note, use of any
video content should encourage sharing).
11. A dedicated page should provide methods for linking to
www.fingerlakescentral.com. The page should include a square
ad, horizontal banner and vertical banner which users can paste
onto affiliate sites. (We want to encourage businesses and
bloggers to link to the site.)
