We are pleased to launch a new, modern municipal website for the Town of Townshend! Nestled along the West River in southern Vermont’s Windham County, Townshend (population 1,300) serves as a hub for civic life, public services, and community engagement for residents across the region.
What problems did Ecopixel solve?
A clear easy-to-navigate web design
The previous website was volunteer designed and operated. It had grown over time without a consistent visual framework or clear organizational structure. The new municipal web design incorporates a clean, approachable layout that reflects Townshend’s identity as a welcoming civic center while improving usability for residents seeking services, meeting information, and official documents. Now residents know they can trust the official town site to have meeting warnings, agendas, and minutes with each official gathering event, whether it be with the planning commission or the town selectboard.
A Secure New Dot Gov Domain
The town had previously operated using a non government domain name. Ecopixel supported Townshend in switching to a professional government URL at townshendvt.gov. Using a .gov URL increases trust, improves cybersecurity, and clearly identifies the site as an official government resource.
A Digital Transformation with a Robust New Platform
A reliable and easy-to-use content management system (CMS) is essential for efficient municipal operations and transparent public communication.
A robust content management system
The previous website platform made it difficult for staff to maintain up-to-date information and organize meeting records. Ecopixel migrated the town to the secure and flexible TYPO3 CMS platform, allowing staff to easily update content, manage public notices, and organize meeting agendas and minutes.
Content reorganization
Over time, legacy content had accumulated without consistent review or structure. Ecopixel worked directly with town staff to develop a clearer site architecture and identify outdated or redundant materials. As part of the migration, existing pages and documents were reorganized to improve navigation and ensure residents can more easily locate essential information.
Mapping old pages to their new locations
Website redesigns can often result in broken links and “page not found” errors. Ecopixel created a comprehensive system of redirects so that visitors following previously shared links are seamlessly guided to the correct pages on the new site.
ADA Accessibility
The new Townshend website emphasizes accessibility by aligning with the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) at the AA level. Ecopixel provides staff training and ongoing support to help ensure the website continues to meet accessibility standards and serve all members of the community.
Personal, Prompt Support
Townshend had previously relied on limited or inconsistent website support. Ecopixel now provides responsive, personalized assistance at every step:
- Hands-on training and onboarding: Ecopixel conducted instructor-led Zoom training sessions tailored to daily staff workflows, empowering multiple departments to maintain their own content.
- Support and documentation: These sessions are supported by written documentation, training videos, and prompt phone and email support.
- Ongoing administration: Ecopixel provides worry-free ongoing administration of the town’s website.
- Proactive website maintenance: Continuous maintenance helps the site keep pace with evolving accessibility requirements, security standards, and public expectations.
Your Municipal Website Partner
Ecopixel creates and sustains robust and effective websites for towns and cities. Contact Ecopixel today to learn about working together.