ED Website BasicsEconomic development websites simplified and demystified
GOED Marketing and Research
Departments
July 21, 2010
Welcome
Research•Mary Cerney- Manager
•Jenny Ondell- Data Coordinator
•Sherri Bastle- Information Specialist
•Mark Bohem- Tax and Industry Analyst
•Dave Anderson- Community Development Representative
Marketing & PR• Mary Lehecka Nelson-
Manager
• Jen Hodny- Communications Coordinator
• Evan Davis- E-Commerce Coordinator
• Alice Wright- Made In South Dakota Coordinator
Today’s Agenda
- Importance of having a website and current website stats
- Content
- Website creation basics
Importance of websites
“The Times They Are a-Changin”-Bob Dylan
Importance of websites
8-9 years ago Now
Length of typical search 6+ months 4-8 weeks
Scope of initial screening
One or two dozen communities
Hundreds of communities
% done in person vs. remotely
40% remote vs.
60% in person
80% remote vs. 20 in person
#1 tool for learning about communities Personal visit Website/internet
Changes in Site Selection
Source: “The internet has changed the dynamics of site selection” by Bob Ady, 2006 via YFactor Inc
Importance of websites
“If your [economic development] web-site isn't easy to find, easy to navigate, full of current facts and figures, strong on case histories and comparable data, you might as well go into some other form of business”
-Ted M. Levine, Founder and Chairman of Development Counselors International
Importance of websites
Communication Vehicle Top 2 Box (very to somewhat important)
Existing relationship with Eco Dev official 85.92
INTERNET 85.92Site Visits 85.92Past experience with other deals 81.69Word of mouth from your peers 54.93Source: ccintellect survey 2006
Importance of websites
"Our research has shown that 80% of the initial site selection process is now being done on the internet.
David T. Ginn, President & CEO, Charleston Regional Development Alliance
Importance of websites
"90% of site selection begins on the Internet"
"The Internet is THE preferred method of contact with corporate site selectors"
-Mark James,ED Solutions
Importance of websites
Real Life Example
- Looking to get info on other relocation options- Found Madison’s ED website- Found contact info on website- A lead was generated with just the info on the
website.
Madison Website
Site Content
Information is Key– Not just another pretty website– Tell your story
• Where are you?• What do you offer?• Why should I do business there?
Site Content
Know Your Audience– Corporate CEO’s– Site SelectorsRank Key Factors: Corporate CEO Key Factors: Site Selectors
1 Labor Costs Highway Accessibility
2 Highway Accessibility Labor Costs
3 Tax Exemptions Occupancy or Construction Costs
4 Energy Availability & Costs Availability of Skilled Labor
5 Corporate Tax Rate State & Local Incentives
6 Availability of Skilled Labor Availability of Land
7 Occupancy or Construction Costs Energy Availability & Costs
8 State & Local Incentives Tax Exemptions
9 Availability of Advanced ICT Services Proximity to Major Markets
10 Inbound/Outbound Shipping Costs Corporate Tax Rate
The 24th Annual Corporate Survey & 6th Annual Consultants Survey (2009)
Site Content
What Your Clients WantRank Factor Score Rank Factor Score
1 Highway accessibility 191.8 14 Right-to-work state 155.2
2 Labor costs 191.0 15 Availability of buildings 153.6
3 Occupancy or construction costs 179.6 16 Environmental regulations 150.0
4 Availability of skilled labor 179.1 17 Inbound/outbound shipping costs 149.2
5 Tax exemptions 178.0 18 Availability of long-term financing 140.4
6 Energy availability and costs 177.7 19 Proximity to suppliers 134.8
7 State and local incentives 176.9 20 Training programs 128.8
8 Corporate tax rate 174.4 21 Accessibility to major airport 128.0
9 Available land 166.5 22 Availability of unskilled labor 117.4
10 Availability of advanced ICT services 164.5 23 Raw materials availability 110.0
11 Proximity to major markets 161.8 24 Proximity to technical university 97.4
12 Expedited or “fast-track” permitting 157.3 25 Railroad service 65.5
13 Low union profile 155.8 26 Waterway or oceanport accessibility
41.5
http://www.areadevelopment.com
Site Content
Top Ten
– Highway accessibility – Labor costs – Occupancy or construction costs
– Availability of skilled labor – Tax exemptions – Energy availability and costs – State and local incentives – Corporate tax rate – Available land – Availability of advanced ICT
services
Translation to Website
– Transportation• Highway Accessibility
– Labor Force• Labor Costs• Availability of Skilled Labor
– Available Properties• Occupancy & Construction
Costs• Available Land
– Business Climate• Tax Exemptions• Corporate Tax Rate
– Incentives• State and Local Incentives
– Utilities• Energy Availability & Costs• ICT Services (Telecom)
Site Content
Contact Information– Complete Contact Info
• Address, Phone, Fax, Email, Name
– Obvious• Don’t make people hunt for contact info
– Best position is at the top of your site
Site Content
Transportation– Highway– Proximity to Major Markets– Railroad– Commercial & Private Air– Local Shipping Carriers
http://www.sdreadytowork.com/countyprofilereport/profiles.aspx
Site Content
Labor Force Demographics– Population– Wages by Occupation– Workers by Occupation– Educational Attainment– Labor Supply– Labor Force (Employed, Unemployed, Rate)– Currently Seeking Work– Commute Time
http://dol.sd.gov/lmic/
Site Content
Available Properties– Land & Buildings– Size– Price– Maps & Images– GOED Property Management System
• www.SDreadytowork.com/Property/Search.aspx
• Detailed guide to information
Site Content
Business Climate– Explanation of Taxes
• What we do and don’t tax• “No Tax” litany
– Rankings Promoting our Business Climate• http://www.sdreadytowork.com/dbisd/rankings.asp
– Business Friendly Regulations• Lack of regulations
Site Content
Incentives– State Incentives
• Financing• Workforce Development• Graduated Sales Tax Refund
– Local Incentives• Property Tax Abatements• TIF’s• Grants• Local Sales Tax Refunds• Free or Reduced costs on Land/Building
http://www.sdreadytowork.com/fi/index.asp
Site Content
Utilities– Profile Energy Options available (electricity, natural gas)
• Provide cost• Capacity• Reliability
– Water & Sewer• Cost & Capacity
– Telecommunications• Providers• Internet Access (land line, fiber, and wireless)• Cell reception (?)
http://www.sdreadytowork.com/countyprofilereport/profiles.aspx
Site Content
Other Content– Industry– Maps– Quality of Life– Other Content Unique to your Community– Use Testimonials– News & Publications
Site Content
Best Practices– Identify the Purpose of your Site
• Add & Arrange Content with that in mind
– Always Source your Data– Make a commitment to keep the site current
Site Content
Getting it Right– Don’t be afraid to borrow from what other
ED sites are doing– Some ED Site Leaders
• http://www.indypartnership.com/• http://www.brenhamtexas-edf.com/Public/Home.as
px• http://www.businessremixed.com/• http://www.discoverwakeforest.org/• http://www.okcommerce.gov/
Break Time!
• Back in 15 minutes!
Website Creation
• In the old days……
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Website Creation
“The Times They Are a-Changin”-Bob Dylan
Website Creation
Many different ways and place to create website
Website Creation
www.yola.com
http://www.yola.tv/adding-pictures.php
http://www.yola.tv/tutorials.php
http://www.sdreadytowork.com/countyprofilereport/profiles.aspx
Website Creation
Important Tips/Notes when using Yola- Consult handout or website for guidance- It’s ok to mess around a bit - Use photos that are relevant to your community- Content is king!
http://www.yola.tv/tutorials.php
The End
Thank you!
Questions? Comments?
1-800-872-6190
www.SDreadytowork.com
www.SDreadytopartner.com