Why use the web for interpretation?

The World Wide Web:
*  Is still a new and exciting medium for interpretation.
*  Can reach a much larger audience. Take awareness of your park, its mission and opportunities, to a new level.
*  Because people fall in love with parks & museums becoming core supporters. They need a "meeting" place to learn more, read the latest news and be called to action for support when needed.
*  Deals with visitor expectations through expanded interpretation and education. More visitors will arrive with a better understanding of what the park is about.
*  Expand the content of print and exhibits.
*  Clarify issues and topics in advance of a park visit or before critical, possibly controversial, issues become the day's news.
*  Can quickly help disseminate materials and information to the media and public interest groups. Time and again it's been shown that quick positive reaction to disaster, controversy, or challenge is the best course.
*  Creates a platform to market your park or museum to new constituents.
*  Goes into visitor's homes and businesses, available 24 hours a day, everyday.
*  Does not compete for a visitor's limited time in the park or museum the way a print piece can.
*  As an online experience, can set the stage. It has the potential to address visitor's expectations, help them plan their visit, and increase their awareness of park issues--before they arrive.
*  As more people do their travel and recreation planning online, a site can reach many more people than print materials, including the growing number of international visitors.
*  Can provide a much greater depth of information over a brochure. A web presence has other advantages over print, including reducing printing charges, mailing costs and making easier changes extending the life of the site. With a longer usable life, the site can be seen as even more affordable. But remember; new technologies usually don't replaces old ones, they just augment them and strengthen the message in other ways.
*  Can directly address park management goals and planning. If you have a master plan and/or an interpretive plan, you probably have identified goals and objectives that can be served by a well-crafted web site.
*  With a potential global reach, has the ability to involve a greater number of interested people in the decision-making processes. You can develop a much broader supporter group that goes beyond just a local contingent.
*  Can reach critical decision-makers that now are also getting an increasing amount of their information off the web.
*  Cross-reference (hyperlink to) other parks with similar stories to build a broader understanding of your story.
*  Can provide an opportunity for a virtual visit to remote or inaccessible areas through immersive media and expanded content. Imagine offering a virtual tour of an area that must be closed for rehabilitation or rebuilding. Not only does the visitor still get
to experience some aspect of that place; you also get to position why it was closed with every page view. Fewer visitors are surprised and disappointed.
*  Alternate site content can expand the web site access to more people with disabilities. Your agency may direct sites to comply with policies such as the federal Access 2000 guidelines.
*  Site production can be developed in tandem with print projects to take advantage of the strength of each with primary content being shared to minimize production time.
*  Sales efforts, either through a cooperating association or direct sales, can be enhanced or augmented by online exposure and marketing with an effective sales area presentation. 

Why out-source web production? 

Simply, the need for consistent professional quality and to have it happen on time. And still have it produced as interpretation, not just site design.

Staff issues
*  Time needed to do a quality site is almost always underestimated. Can it be done on a firm schedule by staff along with their normally assigned duties?
*  Is there talent availability for all the aspects needed including marketing and sales?

_______________________________________________________
ParkSites
*  www.parksites.com  *  678-380-1806  *  info@parksites.com
(c)2001 ParkSites, All Rights Reserved. Park, museum and other working interpretive staff may use any or this entire document for noncommercial uses. Written permission required for all other uses.