News

A new team of Poole residents, recruited to test proposed changes to the Council’s website, climbed into their driving seats and got geared up to a roaring start last week with their first meeting.

Out of over 100 volunteers, 14 residents of Poole varying in age and internet experience were recruited and will regularly meet as progress on boroughofpoole.com continues.

boroughofpoole.com enables Poole residents to access their Council, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. With information on services across the Borough, Council meetings, events and much more, it is important that the website content is easily accessible by its users - this is the mission of the Test Drive Team.

Chris Banfield, New Media Officer, said: "It is important for us to understand how users will navigate the website. People have different levels of experience in using the Internet so it’s a challenge to get the balance right. The Test Drive Team is there to represent residents who will be doing Council business online and their feedback will give us this insight, ensuring the website is a success."

The first assignment for the team was to give their opinions on proposed homepage layouts, how useful they found various navigation options and an interactive consultation area, where residents will be able to look at feedback from the Poole Opinion Panel and Household Interview Survey.

Phyllis Moore, boroughofpoole.com Test Driver, said: "It is really interesting to be part of the changes happening to the website. I think it’s great to have the opportunity to say what I think does and doesn’t work. It was an enjoyable evening and the team worked really well together."

Look out for these changes to the Council’s website in the next couple of months and if you have any comments, e-mail them to: webmaster@boroughofpoole.com