COVID-19 COMMS PORTAL
Navigating a public health crisis
ClientCity of WetaskiwinServicesEOC support, communications strategy, web development, hosting, coaching, copywriting, designYear2020
The Client
We’ve been working with rural municipalities since 2009. While their communities vary, they all share a common goal: to build trust and empower residents through clear, timely, and relevant communication. They require solutions that streamline their processes and empower them to connect with people through modern, accessible channels.
The Challenge
The onset of the global pandemic created an unprecedented communications challenge for the City of Wetaskiwin. Information from provincial and federal health authorities was being updated daily, sometimes hourly. The City’s existing website was built on an older, less flexible platform that was not equipped to handle the volume and urgency of the new content. City staff were struggling to manually update pages, leading to delays and potential for out-of-date information. Citizens were confused and overwhelmed, often relying on unofficial sources or flooding City Hall with phone calls and emails seeking clarification.
A central, reliable, and easily accessible information hub was needed immediately.
Our Solution
partnered with the City of Wetaskiwin to design and deploy a dedicated COVID-19 Communications Hub. Leveraging the power and flexibility of the Joomla Content Management System (CMS), we proposed a solution that would serve as a single, trusted source of truth for the entire community. The hub was designed as a modern, user-friendly microsite integrated into the main City website. Key components of the solution included:
Centralized Content: A modular design with dedicated sections for public health news, business support programs, City service updates, and Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
Mobile-First Design: The hub was built to be fully responsive, ensuring optimal viewing and navigation on any device, from desktop computers to smartphones.
Easy-to-Use Backend: Joomla’s intuitive interface allowed City staff to quickly publish new announcements and update existing information with minimal technical training.
Social Media Integration: Real-time social media feeds were embedded to provide citizens with alternative ways to stay informed.
Implementation
The project was executed on an accelerated timeline to meet the public health emergency. We adopted an agile development approach, working in close consultation with the City’s communications team to define requirements and iterate on the design. Within two weeks of project initiation, a fully functional beta version was ready for content population.
After final testing and approval, the hub was officially launched and widely promoted through the City’s existing communication channels. We also provided comprehensive training sessions to empower City staff to manage the hub independently.
Quantitative Benefit
Our solution provided immediate and measurable benefits for the City of Wetaskiwin and its citizens:
Increased Information Access: The hub received an average of 4,000 unique page views per day during the initial months of the pandemic, representing a 300% increase in traffic compared to the City’s previous COVID-19-related pages.
Reduced Inbound Inquiries: The centralized information significantly reduced the burden on City hall staff. Phone calls and emails related to COVID-19 questions decreased by an estimated 40% in the first month post-launch, allowing staff to focus on other critical duties.
Improved Content Velocity: With the user-friendly Joomla backend, City staff were able to post urgent updates in less than five minutes, drastically improving the speed and accuracy of communication.
Simpler Admin Tools
We’ve streamlined content governance for our clients, making it fast and easy for them to keep their municipal websites fresh and relevant.
Our solution includes a user-friendly dashboard for managing all content and post-launch coaching to ensure they’re confident in the process.
A Better User Experience
User experience is an area where our niche municipal expertise shines. Our well-designed, human-driven platform ensures a smooth and enjoyable user experience.
This means fast load times, intuitive navigation, and numerous features purpose-built for service delivery.
A Smarter Path Forward
Unlike traditional, monolithic website offerings for municipalities, our platform is designed to evolve in tandem with the needs of each client—while ensuring the backend remains as lean and efficient as possible.
Muni 2.0 allows us to meet the unique needs of different municipalities without being constrained by a rigid, out-of-the-box structure.
“Tangent Civic brings the perfect blend of creativity and professionalism to their work. Everything that Tangent has designed for us, from marketing strategy to print design to the new website, has been executed to the highest standards.”
Nick Gelych
Deputy Reeve, Lac Ste. Anne County
Are you able to ramp up your crisis communications on a moment's notice?
At Tangent Civic, we don’t just consult; we leverage decades of niche expertise to help community leaders turn their ambitious visions into reality. We hit the ground running with any engagement, delivering tangible results quickly, effectively and on budget.
If you’re ready to move beyond planning and see real progress, let’s talk.
