City Redesigns Corporate Website to Improve User Experience

The City of Owen Sound is pleased to announce the launch of a redesigned and more user-friendly website!  Over the last nine months, a cross-functional team has worked to bring the best online practices to OwenSound.ca.  The team worked with the City’s experienced website provider and utilized public input collected through a survey and online ‘treejack’ exercise to help determine site navigation.   

On March 20, the new OwenSound.ca website was launched publicly.  The new site includes:  

• Responsive layout and accessible design for all devices, so pages show correctly whether users are on a desktop computer or mobile device 
• Better content organization and site navigation 
• Enhanced search capabilities within the site, including image search 
• Improved analytics 
• Easier and more time-effective for staff to update on the back end 

In 2024, the City’s website will integrate an online accessibility module that will continually audit the website to provide detailed information or corrections required to ensure OwenSound.ca meets accessibility guidelines and provides users with an accessible online experience. 

Online solutions also to be implemented in 2024 include Virtual City Hall, a service that allows residents to directly self-manage water and tax accounts and pay bills online, as well as Cloudpermit, which currently enables homeowners and builders to submit and manage building and sign permits online, anytime.  Bylaw and Planning departments will launch the second and third phases of Cloudpermit later this year. 

The redesign of the website was fully funded by the provincial modernization grant. OwenSound.ca is a powerful tool for communicating with citizens and visitors on every aspect of municipal services.  The upgraded and redesigned website offers enhancements and efficiencies to the public and backend users.   

For more information or to provide website feedback, please contact Carly McArthur, Communications Advisor, at 519-376-4440 ext. 1211 or email cmcarthur@owensound.ca 

Quick Facts: 

• OwenSound.ca’s redesigned website has launched with improved navigation for all types of devices 
• The City’s website has, on average, about 220,000 visits per year 
• The website includes expanded integrated software that will increase access to online services for residents, including building permits and paying tax or water bills. 

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