The beginning of 2010 is an exciting time for SBJ Publishing Inc. – especially for me.
Our Web site, sbj.net, is preparing for a facelift – you’ll be able to see the results beginning Feb. 2 – and the changes present an opportunity to look forward and back at the last year on the Web.
The changes on the way are a result of an upgrade to the software provided by our contracted Web management company, Indiana-based 1up Software. They are also our response to visitor requests, mostly gathered during focus group meetings with sbj.net users. Visitors said they felt some of our features were buried, and we’ve tried to bring those items to the surface.
Our community events calendar and The Fine Print newsroom blog have been given a more accessible spot on our home page. Our photo galleries have been updated to be much more user-friendly and visually appealing, with larger preview photos and the entire gallery on one page for easy browsing.
We’ve also put more emphasis on our social media presence. Readers have told us how much they use social media such as Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn, and we’re eager to let people know that we’re involved there, too. Links to SBJ’s pages on those sites are now prominently displayed near the top of the home page, along with the sign-up page for our Daily Update e-newsletter.
Get a Life
The biggest new feature of the site is the Life section.
This new section, at sbj.net/life, offers a wide variety of information that you might not expect from the Springfield Business Journal.
If you’re looking for information about area entertainment, we have you covered. Movie showtimes are available through a partnership with Fandango – and if you’re not sure what movie to see, reviews from SBJ’s resident film critic, Jim Wunderle, will be collected in one place for your perusal.
If live theater is more your thing, we’ll be offering show schedules for many of Springfield’s live theater venues, from the Springfield Little Theatre to Juanita K. Hammons Hall for the Performing Arts.
If you fancy yourself a gourmet, or if you just want to show you know how to turn on the stove, we have what you need: recipes, trends and culinary entertainment tips through a Web partnership with The Food Channel, a division of Noble. February content will include tips for Super Bowl and Valentine’s Day entertaining, and tricks for the aspiring mixologist.
Sports headlines are available through our media partner, KSPR, similar to the local news headlines already provided on our home page. Content covering home, garden and lifestyle is available as well.
We haven’t abandoned our focus on providing in-depth and informative business news in southwest Missouri. We intend to make our Web site a one-stop shop for all the information you need and want, and sbj.net/life is another step toward that goal. Springfield Business Journal Web Editor Jeremy Elwood can be reached at jelwood@sbj.net.
This installment of Springfield Business Journal’s Architects & Engineers Project Report showcases 26 endeavors by area design and engineering professionals.
