District of Maple Ridge

Overview
Maple Ridge recently completed a full branding overhaul, and one that would need to be incorporated into their new website along with a Content Management System.

Approach to Development
By utilising their current branding's colour palette and working it into a bright, spacious design, we allowed for a sharp layout with maximum flexibility. By creating concise CSS code, this further enabled us to most easily work in the new branding as it arrived.

Role in Development
We selected a Content Management System, ElementCMS, and gave their staff thorough, on-site CMS training, which was followed up with detailed and ongoing technical support. The CMS allows all updates to be performed simply, quickly and with minimal technical skill required. Using this system, Maple Ridge staff were able to quickly get on top of updating information and porting over content from their previous website.

Our team also implemented RSS feeds into the District's site. By allowing visitors to subscribe to RSS feeds, they will be updated with the up-to-the-minute information. People can sign up for any or all of a number of feeds: News Releases; Minutes and Agendas of Mayor & Council; Upcoming Events; and What's New.

In addition, we created numerous independent, customized stylesheets that permit people to browse the Maple Ridge website from any one of a number of handheld devices.

Project Plan
After learning Maple Ridge's technical requirements and abilities, we created over a dozen unique templates within the CMS that would allow District staff to present a wide array of information. The assortment of content styles allows for much cleaner, easier to read content.

Project Outcome
Maple Ridge staff have been extremely happy with the website. In fact, they let us know they have been engaged in friendly debate with other heads of IT in various municipalities over bragging rights for who has the best website, and are currently coming out on top.

We are continuing a very strong working relationship with Maple Ridge and work closely with them on functional, design and content updates as needed.